The Easiest Trick For Choosing A Perfume That Will Last The Longest

Are you picking the wrong bottle without knowing it?

Getty Images/Kristina Strasunske

Choosing a perfume is a personal thing. It can depend on what notes you’re drawn to, whether it’s delicate gardenia, sweet citrus, earthy sandalwood, cozy vanilla, or any other creative blend. Another thing to think about is whether you plan to wear the fragrance every day or for special occasions, which can help decide between a stronger bundle of notes or a softer, lighter scent. For that, don’t worry, we’ve broken down the difference between perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilettes, and other fragrance types.

Getty Images/Kristina Strasunske

Selecting the scent that smells the best to you is certainly the most important decision, but there’s also more to contemplate, such as how long-lasting it will be on your skin and how long it will last in the bottle until it loses quality. While we’ve let everyone in on the old-school secret for making your perfume last longer on your skin, thanks to a trusty household product, there is also a handy tip worth considering when choosing your signature scent, especially if you want to ensure it stores well and stays fresh for the longest time possible. Plus, perfumes can be pricey, so it’s in your best interest to help it last a long time.

The secret? You should consider purchasing fragrances in a tinted or dark bottle. Many know that the common recommendation by experts is to store perfume in a dark place, because elements like light, heat, and humidity can quickly degrade a fragrance, as well as change its aroma and color. For those who store perfume outside of its original box or on the counter, for example, you are posing a risk of the perfume (that you love and spent money on) deteriorating much more quickly.

At the core, perfumes are composed of fragrance oils blended together and diluted, therefore it makes perfect sense that light could have a negative effect over time. It doesn’t matter if we are discussing perfumes or high-quality cooking oils like extra virgin olive oil (which typically comes in a dark bottle), keeping oils out of direct sunlight goes a long way in preserving them. Look for perfumes that are packaged in amber-tinted or opaque bottles for the longest-lasting result. If you cannot find your favorite scent in a dark bottle, make sure to store it in a dark, cool, dry place.

While choosing a new signature perfume comes down to much more than the color of the packaging, it’s something worth considering. Remember: the darker the bottle, the better it’ll keep.

Related: The Perfume Storage Mistake You Need To Stop Making

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