It’s a question many people wonder. I don’t know about you, but it takes me a long time to finish off even a moderately sized bottle even if I do use it daily. So I would like to find ways to prolong the strength of the scent. My existing Eau De Toilette 50ml bottle has lasted me well over a year since I bought it early last summer and still has about 20ml left (I squirt it twice daily). I have been doing a little research on this topic and opinions over the life expectancy (I make it sound like a human being) of fragrances seem to vary.
Some articles state 3-5 years if well taken cared of – while others even seem to say as little as a few months! Have you ever noticed that whenever you try on a new perfume in a store, not only does it smell stronger but it even seem to last considerably longer on your skin? For instance, on my visit to House of Fraser on Oxford Street about 2 weeks ago, a salesman sprayed some Hugo Boss onto my wrist as I was making my way to the first floor. Some of the fragrance rubbed off onto the cuff of my jacket and even to this day I can smell it (smells divine). I do wonder if this is simply because the bottle is fairly new? Or is it because we are smelling something new?
So how long do they last? I haven’t been able to find a definitive answer but there are certainly ways you can prolong the life of them. Firstly, you need to ensure:
- the bottle is not exposed to sunlight. This is where I would advise you do NOT throw away the original box it came with. Always put it back in the box after use. It may not be as fun as looking at the attractive bottle on your shelf or table but it will last longer. Keep well away from windows.
- the bottle is kept in a cool place – absolutely be careful about this during warm days and indoor heat sources like the radiator. Heat can change the perfume’s composition.
- Do put the cap back on after use. Some people leave the cap off due to laziness. Not a good idea – especially if your room is dry. The cap will help avoid some of it being evaporated – particularly if it’s not a spray bottle.
- I would personally advise storing them inside a drawer. This will ensure minimal exposure to the light and it is almost certainly cool in there.
Everything stated above is purely my own opinion and I hope they help!
