7 Fragrances’ myths debunked!

Wearing perfume, for many, is part of a daily routine. You put on your perfume every morning in the same sense that you brush your teeth every morning, it’s just one of those things. Despite the popularity of the Eau de parfum however, there are still many misconceptions surrounding these little bottles of joy. From confusions about how to apply perfume, to mix-ups about how to store them, we’ve spoken to fragrance experts to set the record straight on some of the most common fragrance myths.

1) All perfume scent only lasts a few hours. 

False. This depends on the concentration of the fragrance oils within each perfume- the higher the concentration, the longer the scent will last. Extrait de parfum will last around 6 to 8 hours (sometimes longer!), Eau de parfum (EDP) has longevity of about 4 to 5 hours, and eau de toilette (EDT), usually lasts between 2 to 4 hours.

2) You need to rub your wrists together when applying perfume.

False. Whilst rubbing your wrists together feels like the ‘go to’ move, this can impact the fragrance and the friction can cause the top notes to fade away quickly. The natural oils in our skin can also change the way a scent smells when vigorously rubbed together.
Don’t rub, just spray!

3) Perfume can only be applied to your wrists.

False. Focus on your pulse points, wrists, neck, inner elbow, behind your ears, and even your knees! These warm spots on your body emit extra body heat which naturally diffuses the scent, increasing its longevity throughout the day.

4) Perfumes don’t go out of date.

False. Perfumes DO expire, with the average scent having a shelf life of 3-5 years. There are a few things to check if you are unsure. Start off by smelling it to see if the scent has changed. Is it less potent? Then check the liquid to see if the color looks darker than usual, or if there is significantly less in there. These are the signs of out-of-date perfumes.

5) Eau de Parfum is the same as an Eau de Toilette.

False. Different strengths of fragrance contain different percentages of perfume oils – an Eau de parfum has 8 – 15% while an eau de toilette has only 4 – 8%, making the fragrance stronger in the Eau de parfum

6) All fragrance notes are the same.

False. Fragrance notes are split into three categories, top notes, heart notes, and base notes.
a) Top notes 
These are the ingredients that you can smell as soon as you spray a scent. These are usually citrus notes and are made up of small, light molecules that appear immediately but evaporate quickly. Important for that first impression!

b) Heart notes 
Heart notes or middle notes appear after the top notes, these act as the main body of the fragrance and usually last a little longer.

c) Base notes 
These notes bring solidity and power to the scent, adding that all-important depth. These ingredients take a while to develop so you won’t smell them straight away, but they will add longevity to your fragrance. These notes are usually ouds, woods, or musk.

7) Some perfumes are better to wear at night compared to during the day.

False. This comes down to preference – some might say that light, floral or fruity scents work better for wear during the day, whilst a dark and rich, sensual scent works best for an evening. The fragrance is very personal and can be a source of comfort or confidence, so wear what makes you feel good!” 

So now you are sure that all the above are just myths. The only fact about the fragrance myth that is TRUE, is that perfume smells different on each person’s skin. Fragrance can smell slightly different on everyone, this can be due to differing skin PH, skin acidity, what you eat, and individual hormone balance. These factors can strengthen or weaken the notes in a scent, which means the fragrance can vary from person to person.

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