How to Make Perfume Scents Last Longer

If your favorite scent isn't very potent, you won't be able to make it last longer simply by applying more. That will just make you smell stronger, and it doesn't take a lot of perfume to overpower someone. Instead, mix your perfume with a substance that will help sustain the fragrance throughout the day and keep you smelling great.

Things You'll Need

• Perfume
• Petroleum jelly
• Small piece of waxed paper

Instructions

1. Open both the perfume bottle and the petroleum jelly container before beginning so that you can keep your hands free. A traditional pouring perfume bottle is preferable to a spray bottle, so keep that in mind when making your perfume purchase decisions.

2. Place the tip of an index finger over the opening of the perfume bottle and briefly turn the bottle upside down, then right side up. Holding the bottle right side up, lift your finger off of the opening and turn it over so that a small amount of perfume is resting on your fingertip. If you have a spray bottle, lay a small piece of wax paper on a flat surface and spray the paper from a distance of less than an inch. You can dip your fingertip in the droplets to collect the fragrance.

3. Dip the tip of your other index finger into the petroleum jelly, but be careful to collect only a very small amount. The ideal dab is about the size of the head of a pin.

4. Press your two fingertips together and rub them for a few seconds to mix the perfume and the petroleum jelly thoroughly.

5. Dab the scented mixture wherever you want the scent. Perfume is traditionally applied just below or behind the ears and on the wrists. After you dab, massage the petroleum jelly into the skin in each place. You may need to rub it in for a couple of minutes before it's fully absorbed. You'll know when it's absorbed when you can no longer see a shine from the petroleum jelly.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not apply the jelly near your eyes.