Perfume Tips: How to Choose, Layer & Make Fragrance Last

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a perfume in-store, only to feel disappointed when it fades by lunchtime — or felt unsure about which scent truly suits you — you’re not alone. Fragrance can feel surprisingly tricky, especially when everyone’s skin reacts a little differently.

 

That’s where this guide comes in. These expert perfume tips are designed to help you feel confident choosing a fragrance, understanding how it works with your skin, and learning how to make perfume last longer. 

 

How to Choose Your Fragrance

 

 

Finding the right fragrance (or even buying fragrance online) becomes much easier when you break it down into a few simple considerations. Instead of guessing, use these steps to guide your choice with confidence.

 

1. Start with your scent preferences

Think about the notes you’re naturally drawn to — in candles, skincare, or even food. These preferences often translate beautifully into fragrance and help point you in the right direction.

 

2. Factor in your skin chemistry

Everyone has a unique olfactory profile, meaning perfume can smell noticeably different from one person to the next. Skin pH, oil levels, and lifestyle all affect how a scent develops, which is why testing fragrance on your skin — not just on paper — makes such a difference.

3. Consider season and occasion

Lighter, fresher fragrances tend to suit daytime wear and warmer months, while richer or deeper scents often feel more comfortable in the evening or during colder weather. Many people enjoy rotating fragrances based on mood or setting.

 

4. Use scent families as a shortcut

Understanding whether you’re drawn to floral, woody, fresh, oriental, or gourmand scents can quickly narrow your options. While many perfumes blend multiple families, most lean toward one dominant style that shapes how they’re experienced.

  

Scent Families Based on Vibe

 

Most perfumes fall into one (or a blend) of five main scent families. If you’re unsure where to begin, identifying which vibe you’re drawn to is a great starting point. While many fragrances combine multiple families, they often lean toward one dominant profile, balanced by others.

 

Fragrance Scent Family Reference Chart

 

 

How Long Do Perfumes Last?

 

Perfumes last depending on a few key factors. But most importantly, concentration.

 

Perfumes are made in different strengths:

• Extrait de Parfum: The most concentrated, often lasting 8–10+ hours

• Eau de Parfum (EDP): Long-lasting, typically 6–8 hours

• Eau de Toilette (EDT): Lighter, around 4–6 hours

• Cologne: Fresh and subtle, usually 2–3 hours

 

Fragrance also develops in stages, known as top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are what you smell first, middle notes form the heart of the fragrance, and base notes linger the longest on the skin.

 

If your perfume seems to disappear quickly, it may be due to dry skin, exposure to heat or light, oxidation, or applying it incorrectly. Choosing the right formula — and applying it well — makes all the difference.

  

How to Make Perfume Last Longer

 

 

 

Making perfume last longer doesn’t require stronger sprays — just smarter techniques. Small changes to how and where you apply fragrance can make a noticeable difference to how long it lingers on your skin.

 

Key tips for longer perfume wear:

• Moisturise your skin first: Apply an unscented body lotion or oil before spraying to help lock in scent.

• Apply to pulse points: To help fragrance diffuse more evenly, put perfume where body naturally generates heat, such as wrists or behind the knees. 

• Don’t rub your wrists together: While it’s a common habit, this causes fragrance molecules to break down and fade faster. 

• Store perfume properly: Heat, light, and humidity can cause perfumes to oxidise more quickly. Keep bottles in a cool, dark place, away from windows or radiators 

• Use layering for extra staying power: Pairing perfume with complementary body products or perfume oils helps anchor the scent to your skin, giving it more depth 

How to Layer Perfume

 

 

Perfume layering is one of the easiest ways to create a longer-lasting and more personalised scent. It allows you to build depth, enhance performance, and create something uniquely yours.

 

Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly approach, with products easily found in our perfume layering collection: 

 

1. Start with a clean, moisturised base

After showering or washing, apply a light layer of moisturiser and allow it to absorb before spraying your perfume onto the skin.

Tip: Some perfume sets include a matching body cream that helps set the tone.

Purpose: Hydrated skin holds fragrance better.
What to use: An unscented body lotion, body oil, or a scented body cream from the same fragrance line if available.

 

2. Apply a base fragrance (usually richer or deeper)

Apply base fragrance to pulse points such as wrists, inner elbows, chest, or behind the ears.

Purpose: Base fragrance (body mist or richer fragrance) acts as the anchor for your scent blend.
What to use: Woody, musky, or gourmand scents work beautifully here. Body mist can also be used to create a subtle foundation after showering.

 

3. Add a second fragrance with complementary or contrasting notes

Spray lightly in similar areas or slightly above where you applied the base fragrance.

Purpose: Adds brightness or dimension.
What to use: Lighter scents like floral or citrus work best layered on top.

 

4. Test the balance and tweak

Let the combination sit for a few minutes. If needed, adjust with another light mist or a matching lotion to soften the blend.

Purpose: Fragrance develops over time, and allowing it to settle helps you judge the true blend.

What to use: A light mist of one of the fragrances already applied, or a scented body lotion to soften or rebalance the combination.

 

5. Optional: Hair, scarf, or clothing mist

Always mist lightly and be cautious with delicate materials, as some perfumes can stain.

Purpose: Fabric and hair can hold scent longer than skin, helping create a subtle scent trail.

What to use: A scarf or another accessory made of fabric and a light mist of perfume.

 

Find Your Signature Fragrance Set with Shaws

 

Whether you’re drawn to floral, woody, fresh, or gourmand scents, Shaws offers a wide selection of long-lasting fragrances designed to suit every style and mood. Exploring perfume gift sets is a great way to discover complementary scents that naturally layer well together.

These sets often include thoughtfully-paired perfume layering products or matching body products — making it easier to build a signature scent that lasts.

 

FAQs

 

How long does perfume last?

Perfume longevity depends on concentration, skin type, and storage. Cologne typically lasts 2–3 hours, Eau de Toilette around 4–6 hours, Eau de Parfum 6–8 hours, and Extrait de Parfum can last 8–10 hours or more.

How can I make perfume last longer?

Moisturise skin before applying, spray onto pulse points, avoid rubbing wrists together, store bottles in a cool dark place, and consider layering with body lotions or body mists.

Where should I apply perfume?

Apply perfume to pulse points such as wrists, neck, behind the ears, inner elbows, and behind the knees. Lightly misting hair or clothing can extend wear, but always be cautious with fabrics.

What perfume should I wear?

Choose perfume based on mood, occasion, and personal style. Floral scents feel romantic, citrus works well for daytime freshness, while woody or oriental fragrances suit evening wear.

How do I choose my fragrance?

Consider your skin chemistry, the season, the occasion, and which scent families you’re naturally drawn to — floral, woody, fresh, oriental, or gourmand.

How do I layer perfume properly?

Start with moisturised skin, apply a richer base scent first, follow with lighter fragrances on top, and finish with a soft mist on hair or clothing if desired.