How to make Arabic perfume last longer on skin and clothes

To make perfume last longer, apply it to clean, moisturised skin right after a shower, spray warm spots such as the neck and inner elbows, and do not rub your wrists together. Keep the bottle closed, in a cool and dark place, away from a hot car or a steamy bathroom. These habits help any perfume, Arabic or not. How long a scent stays still depends on your skin, the weather and the perfume itself, so we do not promise hours for any bottle.

Why does perfume fade on some people faster?

Skin type plays a part. Dry skin holds less fragrance than skin with some moisture on it. Heat and sweat change how a scent opens and settles, which matters in a Lebanese summer. Your own nose also gets used to a perfume after a while, so you may stop noticing it while people near you still can.

Should I moisturise before spraying?

Yes. Put an unscented lotion or a little plain oil on your skin first, then spray once it has soaked in. A scented lotion can clash with your perfume, so pick one without fragrance. The best moment is just after a shower, when your skin is clean and still slightly warm.

Where should I apply perfume?

Spray where your skin is warm and where blood runs close to the surface. People call these pulse points.

• The sides of the neck and behind the ears.
• The inner wrists and inner elbows.
• The chest, under your shirt.

Hold the bottle a short distance from your skin so the spray spreads a little. Two to four sprays is a normal amount. More is not always better, especially in a closed office or a car.

Is it bad to rub your wrists together?

Try not to. Rubbing may break up the top notes, which are the first notes you smell, before you get to enjoy them. Let the perfume dry on its own. You will smell the opening as the perfume maker planned it.

Can I spray perfume on clothes and hair?

Fabric often holds a scent for longer than skin, and many people spray a scarf or the collar of a jacket. Be careful with light colours and silk, because some perfumes can mark them. Test on a hidden spot first.

For hair, do not spray straight onto it. Most perfumes contain alcohol, which can dry hair. Spray once onto a brush or comb and run it through instead.

How should I store my perfume?

Heat, light and air are what damage perfume over time.

• Keep the cap on after every use.
• Store the bottle in its box or in a drawer, out of direct sun.
• Do not leave it in a car in summer. A parked car in Lebanon gets very hot.
• A bedroom is better than a bathroom, where heat and steam change every day.

Does the type of perfume matter?

Concentration tells you how much perfume oil is in the bottle. Extrait de parfum has more than eau de parfum, and eau de parfum has more than eau de toilette. That gives you more scent in each spray, but it does not guarantee that a perfume stays longer on your skin.

The notes matter too. Base notes are the part of a perfume you smell last, after the top and heart notes have faded. Resins, woods, amber, vanilla and oud often sit in the base. Here are three perfumes from our store with that kind of base:

• Lattafa Badee Al Oud Amethyst has agarwood (oud), amber and vanilla in its base.
• Lattafa Khamrah has vanilla, tonka bean, amberwood, myrrh and benzoin in its base.
• Lattafa Asad has vanilla, amber, dry wood, benzoin and labdanum in its base.

Every product page in our store shows its top, heart and base notes where we have them, so you can check the base before you order. If you are new to these terms, our guide to fragrance notes explains them.

How do I order in Lebanon?

Order through the normal checkout on our website and pay cash on delivery, in USD. Delivery is $4, free on orders over $75, and takes up to 48 hours. Once a bottle has been opened, we cannot take it back or exchange it. If you prefer to pay with Whish Money, write to us through our contact page before you order. Browse the men's and women's collections.

Quick answers

What is the best way to make perfume last longer?

Spray it on moisturised skin right after a shower, on warm spots such as the neck, and let it dry without rubbing.

Should I spray perfume on clothes?

You can. Fabric often holds scent well, but test light colours and silk first on a hidden spot.

Where should I keep my perfume?

In a cool, dark place with the cap on. Not in a car in summer, and not in a steamy bathroom.

Which notes stay at the end?

Base notes. Amber, vanilla, woods and oud often sit there.