Do You Need a Fragrance Primer, or Is It Simply Scented Indulgence?

Fragrance primer - Nina Sandbech wears white dress with straws, white high heels and animal print or snake print bag outside MKDT Studio show during Copenhagen Fashion Week day three .

First came primers for our foundations, then our eyeshadows. Now, fragrance wants in on the act. A new crop of so-called “fragrance primers” promises to prep your skin so your signature scent lingers for longer. Think of it as the base coat to your eau de parfum. But is this a genuine olfactory game-changer, or just another step in an already elaborate beauty routine?

“A fragrance primer is a product with emollient properties that helps anchor scent on the skin,” explains Emma South, Fragrance & Lifestyle Expert at Jo Malone London. “Well-hydrated skin slows the evaporation curve of a fragrance, allowing the wearer to detect it longer.”