Perfume Projection and Longevity — How to Evaluate

Precise definitions

Projection: the distance at which the fragrance is perceived (sillage). Measured in metres: intimate (<30 cm), moderate (30-100 cm), strong (1-2 m), beast-mode (>2 m).

Longevity: the time the fragrance remains perceptible on skin. Measured in hours: short (<4 h), medium (4-7 h), good (7-10 h), excellent (>10 h).

Variables that affect them

• Skin type: oily holds longer, dry holds less.
• Hydration: skin moisturised with neutral cream improves longevity by 20% to 30%.
• Climate: heat boosts projection and reduces longevity.
• Concentration: parfum > eau de parfum > eau de toilette > eau de cologne.
• Application: on clean skin, on heat points (neck, inner wrists, décolletage).

An honest testing method

1. Spray twice on the inner elbow (not the wrist — friction distorts the reading).
2. Wait 15 minutes for top notes to settle.
3. Smell every hour for 8 hours, noting intensity from 1 to 10.
4. Ask two people to approach at 30 cm and at 1 m and describe what they perceive.

Mistakes that distort the evaluation

• Testing three perfumes the same day: the nose saturates after the second.
• Confusing 'I can't smell it' with 'it doesn't project': you adapt (adaptive anosmia), others still perceive it.
• Judging on day one: many fragrances improve after three to five wears on skin.

Realistic expectations by concentration

EDT in Paraguayan climate: 3-5 h. EDP: 6-9 h. Parfum: 8-12 h. Indicative numbers — they vary 30% per person and 50% per season.

Beware of marketing

Phrases like '24-hour longevity' or 'beast-mode projection' are commercial devices, not technical data. Trust your own test and serious technical reviews, not slogans.