Vita Magazine
What makes a fragrance last on skin?
It’s really a combination of the base notes, the ones that linger the longest, and the fragrance load. At The 7 Virtues, we use 22 percent fragrance oils, nearly double the industry average. We also use the highest quality ingredients that meet Clean at Sephora standards, which means our perfumes aren’t just long-lasting, they’re also safe and sustainable. We had a third-party lab test our perfumes, and they had never seen such longevity on skin. They last a full 24 hours, and we credit that to the quality of our ingredients, including organic, sustainably harvested vanilla and natural vegan musks, which help anchor and extend the scent.
Are there any notes that linger better than others?
Yes, the base notes are the ones that truly endure. Vanilla, amber, oud, musk, and woods have larger molecular structures that cling to the skin longer. That’s why you’ll find them in so many of our perfumes. Vanilla Woods, Amber Vanilla, and Oud Santal are built around these grounding notes that create that beautiful scent trail that stays with you all day.
How does a person’s unique pH play into this?
Your body chemistry absolutely influences how a perfume wears. Even what you eat can affect it. If you love spicy food like I do (I’m obsessed with chili and heat), that can subtly change how a fragrance blooms on your skin. Everyone’s chemistry is unique, and that’s what makes perfume so personal. It becomes part of you. We even have a pheromone perfume, Amber Vanilla, that reacts to your skin and amplifies your natural scent. It’s like your skin, but elevated.
How does a formulation concentration (parfum, eau de toilette, etc.) factor into a fragrance’s staying power?
The higher the concentration, the longer the perfume lasts. An eau de toilette is lighter, around 8 to 12 percent oils. Our perfumes are eau de parfums at 22 percent, so there’s much more of the fragrance itself blended with organic sugarcane alcohol. That’s why ours last 24 hours.
Is staying power an important point of consideration for The 7 Virtues scents?
Absolutely. Even though we are clean and sustainably sourced and the only B Corp Certified perfume brand at Sephora, meaning we take care of the planet, pay our people livable wages, and support Days for Girls in ending period poverty, we still hold ourselves to the same standard of excellence as the most commercial brands. Our perfumes have to be just as luxurious, high-performing, and long-lasting. Many conventional brands use chemicals like phthalates and formaldehyde to extend wear, but we have proven that clean beauty can perform beautifully without harming your skin or the planet.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Our perfumes are different because they are rooted in purpose. They have aromatherapy benefits designed to help you set intentions and flourish. Everything we do is based on my book The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, which I wrote to empower women to live with courage and wisdom. Our mission is to see you flourish, from our clean ingredients to the aromatherapy that helps you advance your life. Perfume is more than scent, it is a ritual of empowerment.