A well-formulated perfume lasts between 6 and 8 hours on the skin, depending on your skin type and the olfactory family. Dry skin holds perfume less well than hydrated skin —applying a neutral cream beforehand extends the wear noticeably. Orientals and woody scents tend to last longer than citrus and aquatic ones. If you want to get the most out of every spray, divain's perfume primers are formulated specifically to prepare the skin and multiply the fixation of any fragrance.

Start with the olfactory family: if you like fresh, clean perfumes, look at citrus or aquatic; if you prefer something warm and sensual, orientals are your starting point. Once you have identified the family, samples are the smartest tool —they let you test the perfume on your own skin for a day or two, which is how a fragrance is really evaluated. At divain you have the Try & Buy service: try first, decide later, no commitment. Discover which olfactory family is yours.

The three enemies of perfume are light, heat and air. Keep it in its original box, away from windows and heat sources —a bathroom with direct light is the worst possible place. A constant, cool temperature, with no sudden changes. Do not decant it into other bottles and do not leave it with the cap off. Under those conditions, a good perfume can stay perfect for years.

Yes, although not in the strict sense. A well-stored perfume lasts between 3 and 5 years unopened and between 1 and 3 years once opened. The signs that it has aged badly: the colour has darkened, the initial smell is more acidic or vinegary, or it has lost its top notes and only the base remains. Orientals and woody scents withstand the passing of time better; delicate citrus and floral scents are the most vulnerable.

A niche perfume is one created by independent brands outside the system of the big cosmetics industry, with greater creative freedom, more limited production runs and raw materials of higher quality or rarity. It is not designed to please everyone but a specific profile. At divain we have a selection of niche perfumes formulated with the same high-quality raw materials, without the surcharge of the name.

Yes, and the result can be extraordinary. The technique is called layering —perfume layers— and consists of applying two fragrances at the same time to create a personal scent that no brand manufactures. The basic rule: apply the heavier one first (oriental, woody) and the lighter one on top (citrus, floral). You can also apply one on the neck and another on the wrists so they mix in the air. Learn how to do layering with our guide.