Choosing the right office perfume is a delicate art — not all scents work for all workspaces, and not all will help you leave the professional, powerful impression you need, especially on your first job.
When you work in an office setting, it's best to stick to perfumes that have a fresh or “clean” scent, i.e., perfumes that aren't too heavy or overpowering and that don't leave a cloud of scent everywhere you go. (We are all about that sillage life and love to leave a scent trail, but you don't want to be the cause of your coworkers' migraines!)
When choosing a scent for the office — or everywhere else, for that matter — the main point is to show your personality. However, you also want to make sure that the scent is palatable for most, so look for unisex and versatile fragrances and, perhaps most importantly, go for fragrances that are long-lasting and that have a good projection throughout the day.
Why is it imperative to use long-lasting perfumes at work? Well, the most obvious reason is because you'll likely spend the majority of the day at your job post and, regardless of the nature of your work, you'll likely be under some pressure, so the stress can make you sweat more than usual. You can also be called to a meeting at any time, and you'd want to smell good when that happens, even if you can take out your trusty bottle of perfume to refresh the morning's application.
The good news is that there are many types of perfumes you can use in a work setting, and there are also tips and tricks to help your perfume last longer without reapplying every few hours.
How can you make your perfume last longer at work?
There are a few key things you need to bear in mind when applying your work or office fragrance to make sure the scent lasts throughout the day, and we've compiled them all into a handy six-item checklist below:
- Pay attention to your pulse points. Places like the neck, wrists, or the bend of the elbows are known as pulse points, and it's where you should apply your perfumes if you want them to last longer. Why? Well, our bodies naturally produce heat in those areas, which helps “activate” the fragrance.
- Know the pH of your skin. Each person has a different skin pH, and that can make the scent of perfumes remarkably different, or even affect the scent's intensity. That's why it's worth trying perfumes before buying them to understand how they react on your skin.
- Find other products that complement your fragrance of choice. Another good trick to make your perfume last longer and be more noticeable is to layer it with products that have similar scents, like body lotion or even hair perfumes.
- Apply your scent after showering. Many experts recommend applying your perfume right after you take a shower or bath, since the skin is well moisturized and soft and can better absorb the scent. Just make sure your skin is properly dried first!
- Avoid overuse. The main thing we are trying to avoid is filling every space in your office with your fragrance, so always avoid using too much perfume. Spraying your go-to scent two to three times is more than enough; moderation shows good taste, elegance, and respect for the other people you share the space with.
- Spray just a little perfume on your clothes. Always in moderation, spraying a little perfume on your clothes also helps your scent last a little longer, since the fragrance will stay on the fibers until you wash the garment. Just remember to avoid spraying it on very delicate pieces!
Which office perfumes last all day without having to reapply?
From eau de parfums to colognes and eau de toilettes, there are plenty of scents on the market that make for a great work or office fragrance. If you are a fan of gourmands, make sure they are not too sweet. Something like Phlur's Vanilla Skin. If you are into ouds and woody notes, look into soft sandalwoods, cedarwoods, or vetivers like Loewe's Solo Cedro or Le Labo's Thé Matcha 26. Into musky scents? Diptyque's Fleur de Peau eau de parfum, which is described as “cottony and light,” is a great option.
Floral and fruity scents — think neroli, bergamot, geranium, orris root — are both versatile and fresh, which often makes them office-appropriate. Some options would be Prada's Paradoxe, Kayali's Marrakesh in a Bottle, or Merit's Retrospect. If patchouli is your jam, opt for more muted and fresher versions of it, like Maison Margiela's REPLICA From the Garden. And if you are into skin scents like the best-selling Glossier's You, Dedcool's Milk, or Byredo's Blanche, to name but a few, you're very much set!
Below, find more editor-approved office fragrances that will help you make a lasting impression — hopefully without giving anyone a headache.
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