The perfume can last four to six hours (or even longer), depending on the concentration of the juice you're spraying, how dry your skin is, or even the weather: perfumes dissipate much faster on dry skin or when the air is particularly dry. But the good news is that, on average, an open fragrance can last for about two years. Below, three of the country's top perfumers share everything they know about the shelf life of a perfume and how to tell if their favorite scent has expired. I'm okay with perfumes that don't last all day and night because I can use more perfume and change it at noon.
For someone like me with an “abundant” collection of perfumes, a long-lasting perfume prevents my choices. The most durable thing I've ever tried in my life, and the only perfume that survives a shower on my skin, is Venus's Secret vintage scented oil. According to Givaudan perfumer Jacques Huclier, who has created fragrances for brands such as Gucci, Thierry Mugler and Hugo Boss, an unopened perfume bottle can last several years, depending on how it's stored.
