How to Choose and Make Your Holiday Fragrance Last: Expert Tips from Sue Phillips
The holiday season is filled with dazzling scents—from fresh pine and festive candles to sweet, spiced cookies. Choosing the right fragrance can elevate your seasonal experience, but with so many options, how do you make your scent both memorable and harmonious? For answers, we turn to fragrance expert Sue Phillips, CEO of Scenterprises & Sue Phillips Fragrance, whose expertise has guided celebrities and scent-seekers alike.
Sue is also the author of The Power of Perfume: How to Choose It, Wear It and Enjoy It!—a critically acclaimed book that blends her personal journey from South Africa to fragrance leadership, the science and history of scent, and practical, confidence-building tips on how to select and wear perfume. With insights on fragrance myths, celebrity collaborations (including Katie Holmes, Jamie Foxx, Zendaya, and Cicely Tyson), and reflections on scent’s healing potential during the pandemic, her book makes a compelling case for fragrance as a signature of identity and wellbeing.
In this post, Sue shares her advice on choosing seasonal scents, making perfume last, picking thoughtful fragrance gifts, and using scent to boost your mood—all informed by her years at the forefront of the fragrance industry.
Q&A with Sue Phillips
ESP: The holidays can be overwhelming with so many scents in the air, with everything from pine trees to candles to cookies. What’s your advice for choosing a balanced fragrance that complements the season without overpowering?
Phillips: Just as we dress for the seasons—with lighter colors and fabrics in summer and richer, warmer tones in winter—we should choose our fragrances with the same “seasonal savvy”. Select soft, warm notes like light woods, gentle spices, or subtle florals so your scent enhances the holiday atmosphere without overpowering it. A bright citrus fragrance in winter may feel out of place, as it doesn’t offer the cozy, comforting feeling we associate with the season.
ESP: Many people complain that their perfume doesn’t last. Can you share your insider tip for making fragrance last longer throughout the day or evening?
Phillips: When we get dressed each morning, we think about how our clothes will carry us from day to evening—and we should consider our “scent persona” the same way. With so many competing scents in our bathing routine—from scented soaps and lotions to shampoos, conditioners, and deodorants—a single drop of perfume on the neck or wrists can’t overcome all those conflicting layers. To help your fragrance last, create a clean, neutral base: use unscented products first, apply unscented soap and lotion or moisturizer, then spray your perfume on pulse points and avoid rubbing your wrists together. Moist, warm skin helps the fragrance bond better and linger throughout the day. It’s also fine to reapply perfume as needed, just like you would with lipstick, since newer formulations are often lower in concentration and don’t last as long as older perfumes.
ESP: For gift-givers, perfume can feel personal and tricky. What tips do you have for selecting a fragrance gift someone will truly love?
Phillips: Selecting a fragrance as a gift can feel personal, so think about the recipient’s personality and lifestyle. Do they love the outdoors? Beaches? Are they sporty? Do they like hiking in the woods? Or are they more drawn to the arts, lectures, opera, music, or exploring museums? (not that they can’t all be enjoyed). However, a person’s hobby or lifestyle will determine their Scent Persona! Notice the kinds of scents they already wear and which projects their personality and individuality! Do they frequently wear fresh, floral, woody, or warm—and choose something in that family. If you’re unsure, opt for a versatile fragrance that’s universally appealing, or consider a discovery set so they can explore and choose their favorite. A thoughtful choice shows you understand and appreciate their style.
ESP: Scent also plays a role in wellness and emotional wellbeing. How can fragrance reduce stress or enhance joy during the hectic holiday season?
Phillips: Fragrance has a powerful impact on mood and wellbeing. Calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or vanilla can reduce stress, while uplifting notes like citrus, peppermint, or fresh florals boost energy and joy. During the hectic holiday season, choosing scents that resonate with you can create moments of calm, happiness, and emotional balance amid the busyness.
ESP: If readers take one fragrance tip with them into the new year, what should it be?
Phillips: Choose a fragrance that makes you feel confident and joyful. Your scent should reflect your personality, elevate your mood, and become a signature part of how you express yourself every day. I always ask “Why wear what everyone else wears, when you can create your own? Discover what your fragrance says about you. Do you love Fresh, Floral, Woodsy, Musky, Fruity or Spicy scents? Take our Scent Personality Quiz and discover YOUR perfect scent family. https://bit.ly/43uzoOn