4 things that will change the way you use perfume forever

Typically, your perfume is one of the most expensive beauty products you own. And while applying it may seem as simple as a spray-and-go, that’s not always the case.

It pays to get fragrance right.

Here are the four most important things to know about how to buy, store and wear perfume properly. Because no one wants a rotten bottle.

1. How to get your perfume to last:

If you want your perfume to last on your skin, ask the shop assistant if the fragrance you like comes as a ‘parfum’ instead of a ‘toilette’ (pronounced ‘twah – lette’ not toilet. Just trying to help you avoid the condescending giggling of an 18-year-old retail worker as you ask for a fruity toilet spray.) The difference between a parfum and a toilette is simple – parfums are more concentrated so they last a few hours longer. The two should have virtually the same smell but the parfum will smell stronger and go the extra mile. And cost an extra arm and a leg.

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NB: How the perfume settles on your skin will also impact how long it lasts. It’s worth it to ask the shop assistant to spray it on your wrist, do the rest of your shopping and after an hour or so see if the perfume still smells strong and pleasant.

2. How to stop your perfume ruining your skin:

Have you ever seen older ladies with weird looking blotches on their chests and neck? It’s not a really cool fashion statement. The alcohol in perfumes causes your skin to be more sensitive to the sun, which means if you aren’t wearing any sunscreen – over time you’re going to start developing brown blotches where you spray your perfume.

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 So in daylight only apply perfume on your joints – inner elbows, wrists, behind the knee or on skin underneath your clothes. At night feel free to go bananas with your spraying.

3. How to pack perfume properly for a trip away:

If you’re flying on a plane you’ll need to buy a fragrance under 100ml, because nothing more is allowed in carry-on luggage. If you need a fragrance for your hand bag you should buy a travalo/atomiser (whatever you want to call it.).

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They’re tiny viles that you pump your favourite scent into. Then you can pop it in your hand bag to carry with you all day for touch ups, without any fear of bottle breakage.

4. How to store perfume so it stays fresh:

Generally perfumes have a shelf life of about two years, so to ensure that your lovely fragrance stays fresh, try to store it in a cool, dark place out of the sunlight. Do not keep perfume your car. The heat will make the smell go off very quickly.

What's your all-time favourite fragrance?