“Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume.”
- Jean de Boufflers
Whenever you’re working on starting your first perfume line, a concern of many is the longevity and projection of a perfume. If a perfume doesn’t last, it’ll give a negative impression to anyone that uses it. What’s in a perfume that makes it last? Is it just the combination of oils, fragrance, chemicals? At Prive Label, we believe there is something more to it. Something that makes you stand taller when you know you smell good. Something that makes people think of you whenever they catch a whiff of something that smells like you. The same thing that makes you choose one bottle over the other. We believe that in every bottle of perfume lies a personality waiting to find its owner- a perfect match.
There are two things you must consider: using the right perfume house that understands the usage of natural and synthetic blends to create long lasting perfumes, and how to make it noticeable when wearing it.
Fragrance longevity relies on the ingredients, where you store the bottle and where you apply it on the body — but the right spots may not be what you’re expecting. Once you know these two things, you can learn to intensify your perfume’s sillage and leap into the world of scent layering to create unique and tantalizing new aromas.
But first, we need to learn how to increase the lasting power of your favorite fragrances.
The first thing you must do is decide what ingredients to use in your perfume line. You can grab some ideas from our fragrance library. Some scents will naturally outlast others. Woody and oriental scents survive longer than citrus or floral scents. This is because floral and citrus scents are “light” and fade quickly, while wood and oriental notes are “heavier” so they can carry on for a while. Knowing this may make it easier when you start layering fragrances. A blend of both categories made by an experienced perfumer will help create a scent that meets your expectation.
Where you’re going to store your perfume will also have an impact on your perfume. If you decide to work with Privé Label for fulfillment, all of our perfumes are stored in room temperature to ensure the perfume doesn’t get impacted. It’ll survive longer when stored in a dark, cool place, far from air conditioning units or heating units. But how do you make it last when wearing it?
You should always wear your fragrance on the warmer parts of your body. The neck, wrists, ankles, and behind the knees are the optimal spots. These areas generate heat, and heat enhances scents. Don’t forget to moisturize first though; fragrances don’t last nearly as long on dry skin as it does on freshly moisturized skin.
There’s one part of your body that you should absolutely try if you want to leave a lasting scent, and it’s likely not what you’re expecting. The answer is… on your hair! It may sound odd, but the oils on your scalp improve fragrance longevity. And since your head is always in motion, it acts as a natural diffuser too. Privé Label can also create your hair mist perfume to add as an extra accessory to your perfume line.
Layering involves choosing two or more scents and blending them together. However, they don’t have to touch the same body part, nor does one or both scents have to be from a cologne or perfume.
Your favorite body lotion could serve as a base for your scent mixing. It’s rubbed onto the skin throughout your body. Then, you can choose your newest fragrance and spritz it on warm body parts (as discussed above) or directly on your hair. Even though the scents aren’t touching, they’re still intermingling and producing a new, combined aroma.
More than likely, you don’t want to end up with a volatile concoction, so which scents blend harmoniously together? That depends on how you layer the notes. There are three layers of fragrances: the top, middle, and bottom.
The top note is the strongest. Optimal scents for this layer should be fresh. Softer or warmer scents should go in the middle layer because they blend best with the top and bottom notes. Speaking of, the bottom note essentially ferments with the other notes. It also lasts the longest. Even after the top and middle notes disperse, the bottom will linger.
If you’re just getting your feet wet in the world of fragrance layering and blending, start with two notes. To make it easier, choose two fragrances that share at least one common note. If you find the final result too bland, get a bit crazier — grab two opposite fragrances (like a flowery and spicy scent) and layer them. See if that’s more your style.
And try different mediums too. You can layer perfumes, oils, and lotions for varying results.
Layering fragrances is an experimental experience
Honestly, there’s no “right or wrong way” to layering scents. It’s an experiment; what you end up might not be your friend’s favorite, but you adore it. And that’s perfectly okay.
But if you’re still worried, the one word of caution would be to not mix dark notes together, because the overall scent can end up heavy and overwhelming for the senses. Otherwise, grab some scents and see what you make of it. You may end up with a powerful scent, or maybe even a light perfume sillage.
Sillage is the “trail'' left behind by a fragrance. The trail can be dainty and virtually nonexistent. Or it can be potent and overwhelming, which is often the last thing anyone wants.
It’s possible to adjust the intensity of your fragrance trail, depending on the heaviness of your fragrance, diffusion, and the alcohol content in it. Eau de toilette is lighter than eau de parfum. However, the lightest of all is extrait de parfum, also known as the “pure perfume”. It’s subtle because it has a lower ratio of alcohol to oils.
If subtle is your goal, then fragrance oils are also an option for you. Not only does the stickiness to the skin affect the “volume” of sillage, it contains less alcohol than most perfumes. And less alcohol equates to less intensity. On the flip side, choosing a perfume with a higher alcohol ratio will lead to a stronger sillage (in which case, oils aren’t the best choice for you).
Note: sillage and fragrance longevity are different. A powerful sillage can dissipate within minutes, but the fragrance itself can last much longer on your body (and vice versa).
There you have it!
Now you know exactly how to protect your fragrances while still inside the bottle, how the body affects the intensity and longevity of your scents, and everything to know about layering and sillage. You’re ready to create new aromas, turn the volume or down on your fragrance trail, and let your customers enjoy the full experience perfumes and colognes have to offer. Get in touch with Privé Label today to discuss how we can help start your own perfume line.
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