Where you should NEVER store your perfume if you want it to last and how it gets ‘killed’ without you even realising
YOU might need to move your perfume bottles now the cold season is upon us, says one perfume expert.
That’s because in winter, there’s a house habit we all do which has the potential to ruin fragrances in a matter of days.
Our perfumes often sit proudly on our shelves and dressing tables.
But having your carefully curated perfume collection out on display could actually be impacting longevity of your scents, especially in certain areas of the home.
In fact, the worst place to store your bottles in winter is near a heat source.
Heat can actually kill the strength of your favourite scent.
Among the heat sources to avoid storing your bottles near is radiators, towel rails and even fireplaces… if you’re fancy enough to have one in your bedroom.
“Whether it’s central heating systems, a plug in radiator or even the fireplace, heat can have a negative impact on the lifespan of fragrance,” Ant Robinson, from HalfPricePerfumes, tells Fabulous.
“The continuous heat can accelerate the evaporation process of chemicals within the perfume.
“This means the scent will fade a lot quicker and have less of an impact when wearing it.
“Oxidation can also be a result of being exposed to heat, a process where the chemicals in the perfume react with oxygen that can result in scent loss and discolouration.”
Brits love to spend their money on perfumes and aftershaves.
So much so that the UK fragrances market is estimated to reach around £1.7 billion in 2024.
Some of the UK’s biggest selling brands include Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani and Lancôme – and one bottle can set customers back triple digits.
A big part of their appeal is how beautiful the bottles are – but it might be time to put them away.
According to Ant, you should be storing your perfumes in cool, dark places to preserve the scent.
The best perfume dupes on the high street
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Marks & Spencer:
Apothecary Warmth, £9.50 – dupe for Le Labo’s Santal 33 – BUY NOW
Sea Salt and Neroli, £13 – dupe for Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino – BUY NOW
Midnight Blossom, £10 – dupe for Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium – BUY NOW
Soft Iris, £10 – dupe for Chanel Coco Mademoiselle – BUY NOW
Zara:
Energetically New York, £25.99 – dupe for Le Labo’s Santal 33
Nude Bouquet, £12.99 – dupe for Dior’s Miss Dior
Applejuice, £12.99 – dupe for DKNY’s Be Delicious
Sublime Epoque, £22.99 – dupe for Armani My Way
Aldi:
Empress, £5.99 – dupe for Paco Rabanne Olympéa
Feminine, £6.99 – dupe for Coco Mademoiselle
Masculine, £6.99 – dupe for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male
Hotel Collection No39 Poppy and Barley, £6.99 – dupe for Jo Malone’s Poppy and Barley
“Somewhere as simple as a cupboard or a draw can help protect perfumes from direct sunlight or heat sources such as central heating,” he recommends.
“These can degrade the chemicals within fragrances.
“If your home has a cellar or even a pantry, storing your perfume in these places can be just as effective as a fridge as the temperature tends to be cooler.
“Whilst it might sound bizarre, the fridge could actually improve the shelf life and help maintain the scent of perfumes and aftershaves.
“The low, consistent temperature inside it – and the lack of light when the door is shut – helps to prevent the chemicals within perfume from evaporating, which can have an impact on the scent and cause it to fade.”