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We all know the story: You’ve found the fragrance of your dreams. You feel more confident. But for some unfathomable reason, the scent simply never seems to last. Before you start playing fast and loose with higher concentrations and overpowering sillage levels, though, it helps to pause.
Understanding how to make a fragrance last longer isn’t dependent on your fragrance of choice—but rather, how it is worn. So we asked Abdulla Ajmal, CEO of legacy fragrance house Ajmal Perfumes, to share his best insights and learnings from over two decades in the olfactory business. Here’s what we learnt.
We get it, we get it—if you had a penny for each time you were advised to apply perfume on your pulse points, you’d be bathing in Chanel N°5 every morning. But what exactly makes the pulse points such a magnet for fragrance longevity? Ajmal explains, “There are certain areas of the body that emit heat, such as the wrists, behind the ears, the base of the throat and inside the elbows. This helps the fragrance develop and diffuse, thereby making it last longer during the day. Additionally, you will also find that a light mist in your hair can help carry the scent for longer.”
When should you be treating yourself to a spritz? “The best time for fragrance application is right after a shower when your skin is clean and hydrated. The moisture on your skin will help lock in the scent, making it last longer throughout the day,” says the Dubai-based perfumer.
Knowing how to apply fragrance correctly is just half the battle won—the next thing to be considered is finding the right notes for different occasions and points of time during the day and night. Generally, Ajmal has observed that during daytime, fresh and light notes like citrus, green florals and aquatic scents are ideal. “These notes are invigorating and not overpowering, making them perfect for the office or casual outings,” he advises.
As day turns to dusk, you might find that your olfactory palette is craving a kick of adventure. For evenings, Ajmal recommends opting for richer and more intense notes like amber, oud or spices. “These deeper scents have a seductive and long-lasting presence, making them ideal for special occasions or après-hours events,” he adds.
Once you've nailed down the basics of fragrance application, it's time to graduate to the next phase of your journey: mastering the subtle art of layering perfumes. Not quite sure where to begin? If you’d rather not concoct a potent blend of contrasting notes, Ajmal recommends following the 2:1 rule.
“This works in the form of applying two spritzes of a fragrance you love and one of a scent you’d like to experiment with. There’s no right or wrong way to layer, but it’s essential to listen to your nose. Spicy and woody notes pair particularly well with floral and uplifting scents. For a more professional touch, start with a base of rose oil or silk musk on your wrists, then layer with your favourite floral, fruity or woody and spicy fragrances for a scent that lingers long after you've left the room,” he concludes.
Knowing how to apply fragrance correctly is just half the battle won—the next thing to be considered is finding the right notes for different occasions and points of time during the day and night. Generally, Ajmal has observed that during daytime, fresh and light notes like citrus, green florals and aquatic scents are ideal. “These notes are invigorating and not overpowering, making them perfect for the office or casual outings,” he advises.
As day turns to dusk, you might find that your olfactory palette is craving a kick of adventure. For evenings, Ajmal recommends opting for richer and more intense notes like amber, oud or spices. “These deeper scents have a seductive and long-lasting presence, making them ideal for special occasions or après-hours events,” he adds.
Once you've nailed down the basics of fragrance application, it's time to graduate to the next phase of your journey: mastering the subtle art of layering perfumes. Not quite sure where to begin? If you’d rather not concoct a potent blend of contrasting notes, Ajmal recommends following the 2:1 rule.
“This works in the form of applying two spritzes of a fragrance you love and one of a scent you’d like to experiment with. There’s no right or wrong way to layer, but it’s essential to listen to your nose. Spicy and woody notes pair particularly well with floral and uplifting scents. For a more professional touch, start with a base of rose oil or silk musk on your wrists, then layer with your favourite floral, fruity or woody and spicy fragrances for a scent that lingers long after you've left the room,” he concludes.
Knowing how to apply fragrance correctly is just half the battle won—the next thing to be considered is finding the right notes for different occasions and points of time during the day and night. Generally, Ajmal has observed that during daytime, fresh and light notes like citrus, green florals and aquatic scents are ideal. “These notes are invigorating and not overpowering, making them perfect for the office or casual outings,” he advises.
As day turns to dusk, you might find that your olfactory palette is craving a kick of adventure. For evenings, Ajmal recommends opting for richer and more intense notes like amber, oud or spices. “These deeper scents have a seductive and long-lasting presence, making them ideal for special occasions or après-hours events,” he adds.
Once you've nailed down the basics of fragrance application, it's time to graduate to the next phase of your journey: mastering the subtle art of layering perfumes. Not quite sure where to begin? If you’d rather not concoct a potent blend of contrasting notes, Ajmal recommends following the 2:1 rule.
“This works in the form of applying two spritzes of a fragrance you love and one of a scent you’d like to experiment with. There’s no right or wrong way to layer, but it’s essential to listen to your nose. Spicy and woody notes pair particularly well with floral and uplifting scents. For a more professional touch, start with a base of rose oil or silk musk on your wrists, then layer with your favourite floral, fruity or woody and spicy fragrances for a scent that lingers long after you've left the room,” he concludes.
