How to Make Your Perfume Last All Day

A good perfume can fade by lunchtime on dry skin and last into the night on skin that is ready for it. The difference is rarely the bottle; it is how you wear it.

Start with moisturised skin

Scent holds onto oil, not dry skin. Apply an unscented cream or a little musk oil first, then spray straight after.

Spray the warm places

• The inside of the wrists and elbows
• Behind the ears and at the base of the neck
• A light mist over your hair, never soaking it

Do not rub

Rubbing your wrists together breaks down the top notes. Let the perfume dry on its own.

Layer the same family

An oud oil under an oud perfume, or a white musk cream under a floral scent, lasts far longer than either alone.

Keep the bottle out of the sun

Heat and light age perfume. A drawer or the original box keeps it true for years.