Perfume Sillage and Projection Explained
Fragrance lovers talk about three things when they judge how a perfume performs. They are often confused, but they are different.
Longevity: how long it lasts
Longevity is how many hours you can still smell the fragrance on your skin. It depends mostly on concentration and base notes.
Projection: how far it reaches
Projection is how far the scent radiates from your body while you stand still. Strong projection fills a room; soft projection is noticed only by people close to you.
Sillage: the trail you leave
Sillage (pronounced "see-yahj", French for "wake") is the trail of fragrance you leave behind as you move. It is what someone smells after you have walked past.
Why more isn't always better
Huge projection can overwhelm an office, a car or a dinner table. Many people prefer a fragrance that projects in the first hour and then sits close: noticed by the people near you, not the whole room. That is often the sign of a well-made Extrait.
What affects them
- Concentration: higher oil content usually means longer longevity, and often softer, closer wear later in the day.
- Notes: fresh citrus projects fast and fades; amber, woods and musk last.
- Heat: warm weather increases projection in the first hour.
- How much you spray: the biggest factor you control.
How AAPLOO wears
- ALPHA Authentic: projects for the first hour, then settles close. Office-friendly.
- MADNO Forever: rich in the first hour, then a warm, close trail for evenings.
- RARE Amore: a soft trail, quietly seductive by the third hour.
All three are 30% perfume oil and last around 10 to 15 hours on skin. Read what makes a perfume last.
Frequently asked questions
Is high sillage good?
It depends on the occasion. Big sillage suits evenings outdoors; soft sillage suits offices and close company.
Why do others smell my perfume when I can't?
Your nose adapts to your own scent within minutes. That is normal; it doesn't mean the perfume has gone.
