• Registered: 2012-06-04
  • Posts: 808

Topic: Longevity of perfumes

I´m sure this question has already been asked, but how long can you actually keep a perfume before it turns bad? Can you still wear a VINTAGE perfume for example? I have so many perfumes that I´m afraid I´ll never be able to use them all up before they go off.

...la recherche du parfum ne suit pas d'autres voies que celles de l'obsession...  -Colette
  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2010-09-20
  • Posts: 2,403

Re: Longevity of perfumes

Hi and welcome to Fragrantica!

Your question is not easy to answer as all fragrances are different. Some may spoil within one year after first use, others may smell wonderful for decades. But there is no general rule.

I have countless perfumes, too, and sometimes I wonder how I am supposed to finish them all...

Perfume lovers of the world, unite and take over!
  • From: Kalimantan
  • Registered: 2011-10-26
  • Posts: 2,304

Re: Longevity of perfumes

tschiepchen wrote:

Hi and welcome to Fragrantica!

Your question is not easy to answer as all fragrances are different. Some may spoil within one year after first use, others may smell wonderful for decades. But there is no general rule.

I have countless perfumes, too, and sometimes I wonder how I am supposed to finish them all...

Please tell me which ones that still great for decades.. So I"ll think twice purchasing bad quality perfumes

  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2012-05-16
  • Posts: 275

Re: Longevity of perfumes

Hi

I'm new to all this too - but a very old perfume lover!!

I posted a similar question in the Vintage section, and got some really helpful responses.

I think if you click on my name you'll be able to find it under My Posts.

Good luck.

Last edited by Jacster (2012-06-17 06:17:22)

Give me the luxuries and I can dispense with the necessities (Oscar Wilde).

Jacster's Website

  • Registered: 2012-06-04
  • Posts: 808

Re: Longevity of perfumes

Thank you very much for all your replies. I will check the other posts soon. Have a great sensual weekend!!

...la recherche du parfum ne suit pas d'autres voies que celles de l'obsession...  -Colette
  • From: London, UK.
  • Registered: 2011-07-09
  • Posts: 2,260

Re: Longevity of perfumes

ailishlu wrote:

I´m sure this question has already been asked, but how long can you actually keep a perfume before it turns bad? Can you still wear a VINTAGE perfume for example? I have so many perfumes that I´m afraid I´ll never be able to use them all up before they go off.

hello!

I agree with the advice you've already got - it depends on the scent. 

I have found that some notes 'turn' faster than others.  as a general guide, very fresh scents and citrus notes do not seem the last as long as orientals and 'heavier' scents do.  sometimes a scent might lose it's top-notes a bit, but the dry down remains as before.

hth  smile

I say!  It's Pimms o'clock.
  • Registered: 2011-08-03
  • Posts: 776

Re: Longevity of perfumes

I have never, ever, ever had a perfume spoil on me.

Once, I recieved a perfume gift that was spoiled. But, I've never had one spoil that I had purchased myself.

I have even had some bottles for over 10 years, and they smell totally fresh. Sprays last an insanely long time- like perhaps the remainder of your life. Some even improve with age, like wine. Screachy notes can mellow out, and fixatives can become stronger in scent. Pour bottles can last a really long time too. I have a friend who has a pour bottle (flacon) of Windsong pure perfume, that is over 20 years old, and it smells good.

If a perfume goes rancid, it's usually because it was mistreated. It was left in a sunny window for a couple years, in a damp bathroom it's whole life, or contaminated. I keep mine in my bedroom on a dresser, way from direct sun rays from the window- they never spoil.

Hope this helps. I wouldn't even worry about it. If you don't mistreat them, they will last so long it's mind boggeling. The 5 year rule isn't a rule, it's supposed to be a promise to you made by the company...it will last at LEAST 5 years...mistreated.

Enjoy!

  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2011-11-08
  • Posts: 3,911

Re: Longevity of perfumes

Keep your fragrances out of your bathroom (the changes in humidity and heat can ruin perfume) and keep them out of direct sunlight. The only time I had a perfume spoil on me is because I had kept in direct sunlight for 3 years.

  • Registered: 2012-06-04
  • Posts: 808

Re: Longevity of perfumes

Hi everyone and thanks again for the replies. I do have 3 or 4 perfumes I keep in the bathroom, but in the bathroom cupboard. My husband always keeps his in the bathroom. Should I take them out? Such a shame. Pretty bottles. 90

P.S. Can´t get over these smilies. Pretty cool.

...la recherche du parfum ne suit pas d'autres voies que celles de l'obsession...  -Colette
  • From: London, UK.
  • Registered: 2011-07-09
  • Posts: 2,260

Re: Longevity of perfumes

ailishlu wrote:

Hi everyone and thanks again for the replies. I do have 3 or 4 perfumes I keep in the bathroom, but in the bathroom cupboard. My husband always keeps his in the bathroom. Should I take them out? Such a shame. Pretty bottles.  90

P.S. Can´t get over these smilies. Pretty cool.

I would take them out and put them in a dim/shady spot. mine are on a chest of drawers in my bedroom where they never get direct sunlight. they are in a dark corner.

unless you have an absolutely enormous bathroom that is always extremely well ventilated...

the smilies are cute aren't they?  I love the small ones myself http://fimgs.net/smilies/cool.png   stolt hjarta

I say!  It's Pimms o'clock.