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- Hot weather has finally made way for winter, and now is the best time to change your fragrance to best suit the season.
- A fragrance education expert explains that scents which work in the hotter months might not necessarily work in winter as the temperature of the atmosphere and your skin has an impact on the scent.
- The best fragrances to use in winter are heavier, woody and musky.
- For more stories, visit the Tech and Trends homepage.
Unlike clothing and fashion trends, people don't typically change their fragrances regularly, but updating your fragrance according to the season makes a huge difference, says an expert.
This is because the climate has an impact on how fragrances react to our bodies at different times of the year.
Malinda Fredericks, a fragrance education specialist for brands such as Jo Malone London, Tom Ford and Killian Paris, explains why changing your fragrance seasonally makes a difference – and the scientific facts that back it up.
"Like you would change your summer and winter wardrobe, it's highly recommended that you change your scent because your favourite summer scent might not smell as great during the colder months," she said.
This is mainly because the temperature of the air and that of your skin can have an impact on the scent of your fragrance.
During hot weather, your fragrance is likely to intensify its notes while simultaneously causing them to evaporate quicker.
In scientific terms, as thermal energy (heat) increases, kinetic energy (the energy of moving objects) also increases, meaning the particles of a fragrance move faster into the air and evaporate quicker than they would on a cold day.
Colder weather therefore works well with heavier, woody and musky scents as they have better longevity.
Types of fragrances and how long they last
According to Fredericks, Parfum occupies the top position on the perfume concentration list. It lasts 12 hours or more on the skin, while Eau de Parfum lasts eight hours or more.
Here's how long other fragrances last:
- Eau de Toilette lasts four to seven hours
- Eau de Cologne lasts two to three hours
- Eau Fraiche lasts two hours
- Perfume oil lasts eight hours
Whether you're a big spender or a budget-conscious buyer, getting a fragrance that lasts longer ultimately depends on the concentration of the fragrance and its chemistry with your skin, rather than the price.
Fredericks told New24:
"Also, things such as dry or oily skin, skin pH and skin temperature affect the longevity of a perfume as well."
Fredericks also said to get the most out of your fragrance, you must use various techniques to get the best results.
"Prepare your skin, moisturise first," she said.
"Spray on your pulse points; don't rub; and don't be afraid to layer different scents."
