Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.
General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.
To make perfume last longer, apply it to moisturised skin on warm pulse points, let it dry without rubbing, and keep the bottle somewhere cool and dark. In Gold Coast heat and humidity, a favourite scent can seem to disappear long before you expect, so small changes to how you wear and store it make a real difference.
Our beauty advisors look after a large fragrance range at Pacific Fair and get asked this a lot. Here’s what they suggest, plus a note from our pharmacists on perfume and the sun.
Does the type of perfume make a difference?
Yes. The concentration of fragrance oil sets your starting point. DermNet lists parfum (or extrait) at 20–30% fragrance, eau de parfum at 15–20%, eau de toilette at 5–15% and eau de cologne at 2–4%. More fragrance oil generally means more depth and staying power, so if your favourite fades by lunchtime, the eau de parfum version may suit you better than the eau de toilette.
Why does perfume seem to fade faster in the heat?
Warmth helps fragrance rise off your skin, which is why pulse points work so well. The flip side is that hot, humid days change how a scent behaves. Warm weather and activity change how a scent wears on skin, so on a sticky summer day you may notice your perfume strongly at first and much less by mid-afternoon.
Which notes last and which fade?
Every fragrance unfolds in stages. The bright, fresh opening fades first, then the heart and base notes come forward. Citrus, watery and green notes open beautifully but tend to move through faster than deeper base notes. So a zesty summer scent will usually fade sooner than one built on warmer notes such as woods, musk or amber. If you love fresh scents, plan on a midday top-up.
Why can’t I smell my own perfume after a while?
That’s olfactory adaptation: your brain gets used to your own scent and stops registering it. It doesn’t necessarily mean your fragrance has gone, so resist the urge to keep re-spraying. If you want a top-up, a travel spray in your bag makes it easy to add a little after lunch.
How do you apply perfume so it lasts?
Start with moisturised skin
Fragrance lasts longer on moisturised skin. Use an unscented lotion first so it doesn’t compete with your perfume, then apply your fragrance while your skin is still hydrated.
Choose warm pulse points
These are areas where your body gives off warmth. Good spots to try:
- wrists
- the sides of your neck
- inner elbows
- collarbone or chest
- behind the knees, which works well with skirts and dresses
- ankles, a subtle option with open shoes
On days you’ll be out in the sun, favour spots that will be covered by clothing. There’s more on why below.
Spray, then leave it alone
Don’t rub your wrists together. Rubbing can break down the scent before it has a chance to settle. Let it dry on its own.
What about clothes and hair?
- Clothes: fabric can hold scent well, especially denser or synthetic fabrics. Spray from a distance, and skip anything delicate, pale, silky, leather, suede or vintage. If you’re unsure, test a small hidden spot first.
- Hair: most perfumes are alcohol-based, which can feel drying on hair, so a dedicated hair mist is the better choice. If you do use perfume, mist it lightly through the mid-lengths and ends, not at your scalp.
How should you store perfume in Queensland?
Heat, direct sunlight and humidity degrade fragrance over time, which makes storage a big deal in a Queensland summer.
| Where you keep it | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom shelf | Avoid | Steam and temperature swings aren’t ideal |
| Car, glovebox or a beach bag in the sun | Avoid | Heat changes the way fragrance smells over time |
| Dressing table in a sunny window | Avoid | Direct light breaks fragrance down |
| Bedroom drawer or closed shelf | Best | Cool, dark and away from heat sources |
Stored well, a bottle can hold its character for years. If your perfume starts to smell noticeably different from when you bought it, heat or light may have got to it.
Can perfume react with the sun?
It can, and it’s worth knowing about on the Gold Coast, where UV reaches 3 or above every day. Some fragrance ingredients react with sunlight on the skin. DermNet describes berloque dermatitis, a reaction that happens when skin is exposed first to perfume or eau de cologne and then to sunlight.
It belongs to a group of reactions called phytophotodermatitis, caused by natural plant chemicals called furanocoumarins, which are found in some citrus plants. According to DermNet:
- the skin turns red and often blisters, sometimes in streaks or drip shapes where the product ran
- the reaction appears about 24–48 hours after sun exposure
- as it settles it usually leaves brown marks (postinflammatory pigmentation), which may last for years
DermNet also lists photosensitising ingredients in cosmetics and toiletries, especially perfumes, among the causes of poikiloderma of Civatte, a long-term change in skin colour on the sun-exposed sides of the neck, where long-term sun exposure is a main contributing factor.
The simple fix: before a day outdoors, spray fragrance onto skin that will be covered, or onto clothing, rather than your neck and chest. If you’re already dealing with patchy brown marks, read our guide to pigmentation and melasma in Queensland. If fragrance tends to irritate your skin, see fragrance and sensitive skin.
How our team can help
Our beauty advisors can help you choose a concentration and style that suits our climate, find lighter options for summer days, and compare a few scents on testing strips before you commit. Pop in to see the fragrance range at Pacific Fair, ask about makeup and fragrance advice, or browse the fragrance range on priceline.com.au. Buying for someone else? Our fragrance gift ideas can help.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
Talk to a pharmacist if a fragrance leaves your skin red, itchy or stinging. See a GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:
- a rash keeps coming back where you apply perfume, or spreads beyond that spot
- you get blisters or streaky red marks after wearing perfume in the sun
- brown patches appear where you usually spray fragrance
- strong scents bring on wheezing or chest tightness, as DermNet notes perfume can trigger asthma flares in some people
Sources
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
Pop in, no appointment needed. We’re on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days and until 9pm on Thursdays.