7 Expert Tips to Enhance and Prolong Your Perfume

I am often asked why a perfume doesn’t last, or how to ensure it leaves an unforgettable sillage. Beyond the quality of the fragrance itself, the way you apply it changes everything. Perfume is alive; it needs warmth and movement to truly express itself.

Throughout my career and travels, I have developed my own rituals. From the secret cotton trick to the forgotten art of the fan, I am delighted to share my favourite methods for enjoying your olfactory signature to the fullest.

1. The Cotton Trick: A Secret Diffuser

Here is a revisited “grandmother’s tip” that I particularly love for smelling your own perfume all day long, without saturating your nose. Take a small piece of cotton wool (you can find coloured ones, which are quite pretty) and spray your fragrance onto it.

Then, discreetly place this cotton inside your bra. Your body heat will gently diffuse the scent upwards, creating an intimate fragrant bubble just for you.

Variation for the dressing room: Don’t throw these cottons away! Place them in your wardrobe, tucked between your cashmere or wool jumpers. It is much more subtle than a classic air freshener and gently impregnates the fibres.

2. The Perfumed Umbrella: My Antidote to Rain

This is a gesture that transforms a gloomy day into a moment of poetry. I made a habit of perfuming the inside of my umbrella. I used to do it myself with Nahéma.

As soon as it rained and I opened my umbrella, a burst of roses would delicately settle towards me, protecting me from the downpour. It was a true olfactory treat that almost made me forget the bad weather. Try it, it is a magical experience.

3. The Fan: A Weapon of Seduction and Travel

The fan is not just an accessory for cooling down; it is a formidable ally if used correctly. Choose a fabric fan (red or beige cotton, for example) rather than paper, as fabric retains scents much better.

To escape or relax

If you are feeling tense, spray your fan with a solar or relaxing perfume. For example, with Osiris from the Orange Blossom Collection, you will instantly feel like you are travelling in Egypt. The movement of the air will transport you directly beneath a blooming orange tree, thanks to its orange blossom notes.

While travelling

If you travel regularly, the perfumed fan is your “olfactory shield”. It can save you from delicate situations, especially if you find yourself next to someone whose odour bothers you on public transport. A small wave of the fan, and you are back in your bubble of serenity.

My advice: During a heatwave, opt for a perfume with “clean”, musky notes like Dovana. The sensation of freshness will be amplified.

4. Create Your Own Bath Ritual (Lingerie)

To perfume your lingerie without damaging it, here is my homemade recipe: use a pH-neutral, unscented shower gel. Spray a few bursts of your usual perfume or its main note (such as vanilla, musk, or orange blossom) into it.

Hand wash your delicate lingerie with this mixture. Once dry, the lace and silk will have captured the imprint of your perfume in a subtle and lasting way.

5. Prolonging Longevity: Hydration and Hair

Perfume does not hold well on dry skin. If the bath line for your perfume does not exist, do not deprive yourself:

• The “Cream Layering” technique: Put a dab of neutral body cream in your hand. At the last moment, spray a little of your signature perfume onto it, mix, and apply. It is the most faithful and economical body product you can create.
• The hair gesture: Hair is an excellent scent trapper. Do not spray directly onto your hair (the alcohol can dry it out), but spray your brush or comb before styling. This will extend your sillage with every movement of your head.

6. The Map of Pulse Points

Coco Chanel used to say: “Wear perfume wherever you want to be kissed”. It is excellent advice, but technically, you should aim for pulse points, where the warmth of the blood helps the perfume to diffuse.

The strategic points:

1. At the base of the neck, on each side
2. Near the ears (not behind, where sebum can oxidize the perfume)
3. At the hairline (nape of the neck)
4. In the cleavage
5. On the navel (a very warm point!)
6. Inside the wrists (careful, do not rub your wrists together, this “breaks” the molecules)
7. Inside the elbows

7. The Art of Perfuming Clothes

Perfuming clothes allows for an exceptional trail, but beware of faux pas. Not all fabrics react in the same way.

Noble materials to favour

Opt for natural fibres: cotton, wool, cashmere, linen, and silk restore the fragrance perfectly. For fur (or faux fur), always perfume the inner lining, never the fur directly.

Mistakes to avoid

• Avoid synthetic materials: The perfume “slides” off them and can turn olfactorily, sometimes giving off a metallic or acrid smell.
• Watch out for stains: Avoid spraying directly onto white or very light clothes, especially if the perfume contains coloured materials (like vanilla, patchouli, or certain resins) which can leave rings.

Chic little details

• For the night: Spray the top of your pyjamas or the corners of your pillow (with a soft water like Dovana) for sweet dreams.
• Before going out: Think of the hem of your dress or skirt (the movement of walking diffuses the scent) and the inside of your coat.
• For Gentlemen: Spray your silk pocket square before slipping it into your suit pocket. It is the height of elegance.