How to make perfume last on clothes and in your hair

Why fabric holds scent

Skin is warm and oily and it breathes, so perfume on skin changes and fades. Fabric is cool and dry. It has no body heat to push the top notes out and no oil to break the scent down. The molecules sit in the fibres and leave slowly.

That is why a jacket can still smell of your perfume the day after, when your skin has long since lost it. It is also why heavy base notes such as resin, amber, vanilla and oud do so well on cloth.

Which fabrics

• Wool: the best holder. Scarves and jumpers carry a scent for a day or more.
• Cotton: holds well, especially shirt collars and cuffs.
• Denim and thick linen: fine.
• Silk, satin and pale fabrics: risky. Perfume contains alcohol and oils that can leave a ring.
• Leather and suede: do not spray directly. Alcohol can dry or mark the surface.
• Synthetics: hold less and can smell sharp when they warm up.

If you are unsure, test a small hidden patch first and wait ten minutes.

Hair brush method

Hair holds scent for a few hours, but alcohol dries it out. Spraying straight onto hair is not kind to it.

1. Spray a clean brush with one pass from about 20 cm. 2. Let it dry for ten seconds. 3. Brush through the hair from roots to ends.

The scent is soft and lasts a few hours. It works best with soft, close bottles. A heavy resinous scent such as Amjad Honour is already strong on hair. With a sweet, warm bottle such as Qasida Signature, one pass is plenty.

For the basics of application and storage, see wearing and storing a 200 ml perfume.

What to avoid

• Spraying close up. Keep 15 to 20 cm away. A close spray soaks the fabric and leaves a dark spot.
• Spraying the outside of light clothes. Use the inside of the collar or the lining.
• Wearing the garment before it dries. Wait a minute or two. Damp perfume transfers onto skin and looks darker.
• Layering a second scent on the same garment. The two mix and blur.
• Dyed perfumes on white. Some Extraits have a golden or amber colour. Test before using them on pale fabrics.

Washing and airing

Wash a scented garment and the scent mostly goes. That is useful: a shirt can start fresh every time.

Between washes, air a coat or a scarf near an open window. Keep scented clothes in a cupboard away from fabrics you do not want to smell of perfume. If a garment smells stale, air it instead of adding more perfume. For the rest of the maths on staying power, see how long FAAN perfumes last and why some perfumes last longer than others.

Looking for a resinous bottle for scarves and coats? Browse the full range, or start with which FAAN perfume to choose. If one shows as sold out, ask to be notified on the product page.

FAQ

Does perfume last longer on clothes than on skin?

Usually yes, because fabric has no warmth or oil to break the scent down. Wool and cotton hold it best.

Can I spray perfume directly on my hair?

You can, but alcohol dries hair. Spraying a brush and brushing through is gentler.

Will perfume stain my clothes?

It can, especially on silk or pale fabric. Spray from 15 to 20 cm on the inside of a collar, and test a hidden patch first.

Related reading

• How long FAAN perfumes last
• Why some perfumes last longer than others
• How to wear and store a 200 ml perfume