Fragrance guide
Why a Fragrance Does Not Last on Every Skin
Published on 2 min read
Fragrance does not evaporate the same way on every skin — and sometimes it is still there when you can no longer smell it.
It is the question perfumers hear most: “why does my fragrance not last on me?” The answers are physical, and the solutions simple.
The real causes
Dry skin first: fragrance needs lipids to hold on. Dry skin lets it evaporate twice as fast as nourished skin. It is the most common cause, and the easiest to correct.
Heat next: warm skin diffuses more strongly but more briefly. The same molecules that make the sillage make the escape — in summer, an welcomes a midday reapplication, and an more readily still.
Habituation last: after an hour, your nose stops perceiving your own fragrance. It has not disappeared — ask those around you. Reapplying because you can no longer smell yourself often means perfuming everyone else twice too much.
The gestures that extend wear
Moisturise before you perfume: a neutral cream on clean skin, then the fragrance on barely dry skin. Longevity doubles.
Aim for the warm points without overheating them: the hollow of the neck, the sternum, the inside of the wrists — without rubbing, ever. Rubbing breaks the top notes and crushes the pyramid.
Longevity varies with the composition, skin and conditions of use; it cannot be inferred from the concentration label alone. Explore the Maison’s and ask our team for guidance in choosing your creation.