How to make your perfume last all day

A good fragrance should stay with you, but where and how you apply it matters almost as much as what's in the bottle.

Start with moisturised skin

Scent molecules hold better on hydrated skin. Apply an unscented lotion a few minutes before your perfume, especially after a shower when your pores are open.

Aim for pulse points

Warm areas gently push the scent outward as the day goes on. Try:

• the inside of the wrists
• the base of the throat
• behind the ears
• the inner elbows

Don't rub

Rubbing your wrists together heats the skin and breaks down the lighter top notes faster. Spray, then let it dry on its own.

Add a layer to fabric

Clothes and scarves hold scent much longer than skin. One spray on a scarf or the inside of a jacket collar can last into the next day. Test on an inconspicuous spot first.

Store it properly

Heat and sunlight are the enemies of perfume. Keep bottles in a drawer or cupboard, never in the car, and close the cap after use.