How To Wear Your Summer Scent
Expert Elizabeth Richards from The Perfume Shop shares her ultimate advice for wearing your favourite scent in the sun.
Layer it up
Layering scents is a great way to create a bespoke and personalised fragrance and this can be as easy as incorporating a scented moisturiser or body oil into your morning routine, or spritzing a hair mist.
Elizabeth says, “Each fragrance family has different characteristics and by wearing more than one perfume at the same time you can create your own tailored scent. Notes including mint, basil, orange blossom and zingy citrus are synonymous with summer and are the perfect ingredients to layer on top of each other.’
Longer Lasting
Spritzing your scent on alternative areas of your body can make it last longer in the summer months. Elizabeth says, “In summer, the heat can make your perfume evaporate more quicker, so I would recommend spraying your favourite scent on your elbows, behind your knees and even on your belly button, this will help prevent it lifting off your skin quickly because they tend to be areas sheltered from direct sunlight.”
Bonus tip: Make sure you are wearing the right formulation. Elizabeth says, “Depending on how long you need or want the scent to last for and when you will be wearing it will depend on whether you should opt for an EDT or EDP. Warmer weather and higher body temperatures slightly increase the rate at which the scent develops and diffuses.’
Eau de Toilette last for around four hours, they contain a smaller amount of essential oils which means the scent is lighter and doesn’t have an overpowering aroma which is great for wearing in hot weather. Eau de Parfum on the other hand provides a richer and deeper scent lasting for around six hours, these are perfect for those who are out and about all day and want a perfume with longevity.
Stay Out of The Sun
The way you store your bottles can have a significant impact on the scent during summer. Leaving your fragrance in a bright, humid place will cause notes to break down and gradually it will start to affect the smell. Elizabeth recommends storing your favourite scents in a dry, cool place (even in the fridge) for a cool and fresh application. Chilling a perfume that has refreshing, icy notes will give it maximum impact. Fragrances with notes of lemon, grapefruit, marine accord and blackcurrant sorbet, such as Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Forever Pour Femme (from £51.00, 25ml) will keep you smelling light and fresh all day.
Application Matters
The way we apply perfume is evolving and has opened up a new era for the senses. Style, size and location of application are top of the agenda for new formats as customers continue to question; why just spritz when you can brush or draw perfume on your skin too?
The Perfume Shop has also seen a huge increase in customers using fragrances on their hair with the new innovation of Hair Mists. “Now you can spritz your everyday perfume on your hair ends after washing when wet to release your favourite aroma’ says Elizabeth. ‘With hair providing a larger surface for your perfume to cling to, spray at the nape of your neck, on your hairline and on the midsection of your head for a longer-lasting scent in the sun.’
The chic Travalo Milano Black (£24.99) and super-cute Travalos (£9.99) are 5ml travel atomisers are great fragrance gadgets for when you’re out and about, simply fill with a favourite fragrance, and top up wherever you are. What’s more, its unique pressure system ensures it won’t leak, making it perfect to use when on public transport and need a quick, no-fuss fragrance fix.
Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise
If you want your perfume to last even longer, then apply moisturiser. Moisturiser acts as a great tool for making perfume stick. “Showering hydrates the skin, which helps boost the scent and once you’ve moisturised, it creates a great base for your fragrance, similarly to the same way a primer creates a great base for your foundation” says Elizabeth.
No Smooshing Wrists
Because heat amplifies scents, you want to choose a fragrance that is light and crisp for the summer months. We’re all guilty of spraying excessively when we love a particular scent but sometimes in summer, less is more.
Elizabeth also suggests not rubbing your wrists together after spraying as it affects the scent. She says, “The friction and heat can affect the top and middle notes causing florals to lose their crispness. It also it mixes the perfume vigorously with your natural oils, which can change the way it smells so it’s best to just simply spray and let the scent sink into your skin.”
If you need any additional hints, tips or would like to speak to a perfume expert, just get in touch!
