7 ways to smell fresh all day in the heat

Apply petroleum jelly

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This is an oldie but surprisingly underrated goodie: Simply smear a smidgen of petroleum jelly onto your pulse points – I like the nook of my elbows for this purpose – then spritz on your cologne of choice to seal in the scent. Demand a sciencey explanation? The trick works because odour molecules move sluggishly through oils and liquids, stretching out the time it takes for your scent to diffuse into the air.

Build fragrance layers

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TIP #2. If you’re really, really partial to a particular perfume, consider splashing out on the oft-denigrated ancillary products from the same line. These scented shower gels, hand creams and what-not should never be treated as an afterthought – in fact, they’re excellent for extending the ‘essence’ of a fragrance family.

For instance, & Other Stories' Neon Rush EDT. The fragrance is delicately scented with ruby cherry, wild orchid and tonka and boasts top notes of Clementine, Ruby Cherry and Pink Pepper. What's great about is that it comes in the form of a shower gel, body lotion, hand cream and perfume, which are great when they are used together, so the scent lasts longer.

Keep it cool

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Okay, now for storage. Short of squirrelling them away in an airtight armoury, how should you store your scents so that they don’t go off? The solution, as it turns out, is so very simple – protect your perfumes by chucking them in the fridge. When you think about it, this beauty hack is incredibly intuitive. High heat vapourises the volatile essential oils in your perfumes, so chilling them ought to make them go the extra mile. Besides, you’re already doing this for your face creams, so why not fragrances? Makes a whole lot of “scents”, yes?

Crucial caveat: You need to play it cool, not cold. Freezing your fragrance will blunt its sharpness, so I like sticking my bottles right next to the eggs on the edge of my fridge’s door for both easy retrieval and peace of mind. Thinking of restocking the bar fridge in your boudoir? Complement Singapore’s sultry stickiness with a breezy bouquet courtesy of the new Chanel Gabrielle, with its fresh and fruity accords of jasmine and ylang-ylang mingling with a burst of orange blossom. A spritz or two of this, straight from your fridge, is almost as good as sipping on an icy margarita, especially when it’s hot as blazes outside.

 

Watch your diet

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It's essential to carefully consider food selections to maintain a pleasant scent. While occasional consumption of foods like onion, curry, and garlic is acceptable, moderation is key to preventing the emission of undesirable odours. Additionally, reducing the intake of processed and unhealthy foods while increasing the consumption of leafy greens and fruits can contribute to improving one's natural scent.

Use a deodorant

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Mastering the art of using deodorant is the key to smelling fresh all day. Not to be confused with antiperspirants, deodorants help to keep your underarms smelling fresh as they work on the bacteria on the skin to prevent odour from escaping your pits. There are loads of options in the market but if you're looking for a trusty deodorant consider Coconut Matter's Mood All-natural, vegan deodorant. Free from essential oils, this deodorant has a hint of coconut scent that goes well with just about any perfume. On top of that, the deodorant is also suitable for kids and those with hypersensitive skin.

Try cooling body wipes

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These cooling body wipes have made their rounds on the internet and for good reason. Popular, especially in Japan, these body wipes leave an invigorating cooling sensation that gradually builds after each wipe. Additionally, these wipes also contain an antibacterial effect to prevent sweat odours. The downside? Since these wipes have a strong alcohol content, they tend to dry your skin out.  To combat this, we recommend using a nourishing body lotion or moisturiser to restore moisture to your skin so it doesn't dry out.



 

Try using glycolic acid as deodorant

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The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7 Percent Toning Solution has been in the spotlight for good reason. A great alternative to the usual scrubs, this method of whitening your underarms is a little less abrasive and can easily be incorporated into your routine. All you need to do is soak a cotton pad and swipe it over the area before leaving it to dry. Doing so will help to eliminate body odour, and it also helps to exfoliate your skin, revealing brighter underarms after a few uses. Besides that, using this product can also help prevent ingrown hairs and smooth out the skin.