The Fragrance Care Guide

Fragrance is chemistry, and chemistry is sensitive to light, heat, and air. A few habits make a real difference in how long a bottle — and a scent on skin — lasts.

Store bottles upright, away from direct sunlight and bathroom humidity. A drawer or closet shelf beats a windowsill or shower caddy every time. Heat and light break down the top notes fastest, which is why an old bottle can smell 'flatter' than a new one.

Apply to pulse points — wrists, neck, behind the ears, inside the elbows — where skin runs warmer and helps the fragrance open up. Moisturized skin holds scent longer than dry skin, so an unscented lotion underneath extends wear time.

Resist the urge to rub your wrists together after spraying. It breaks down the top-note molecules and can shift the scent's opening character.

For oils and attars, a little goes further than perfume — dab rather than spray, and let it warm on skin for a minute before judging the scent; oils bloom slowly.