Does yours have trouble lasting long enough? Coming on too strong? No, we’re not talking about men – we’re talking about the tendency for perfume to have a mind of its own. So if you’re dousing on a pricey potion or don’t think yours goes the distance, listen up. First of all, when selecting a scent, don’t just grab your BFF’s bottle off the shelf because you think it smells nice on her. People have different body chemistries, so fragrances react differently. What smells great on you might not smell so nice on another person. And if you want something potent that will go the distance, look for a label that says “Eau de Parfum” or simply “perfume,” instead of “Eau de Toilette,” which translates into “toilet water.” Basically, Eau de Toilette means a more watered-down, less concentrated formula that won’t stay on long.

Another way to give your fragrance staying power is to layer. If your favorite scent offers a lotion, powder, soap or all of the above, then use them before you spray on your perfume. That way, you have several layers of fragrance to give you a long-lasting scent that’s not overpowering. And no matter how long you’ve worn your perfume, it’s beneficial to take a week or so off every once in awhile. Switch things up, and you may find that you need less perfume. When you smell someone who seems to have bathed in her perfume, it may simply be that she’s desensitized to it and compensates by spraying on more and more. Taking a break from your usual scent can help prevent this. Apply scent directly to your skin, not clothing, to get the best results. Your skin will warm and disperse the fragrance better than clothing, plus perfume can discolor some fabrics. Be sure not to spray jewelry, especially silver, which can tarnish, and gemstones. Allow perfume to dry for about 10 minutes before putting on jewelry.