Drydown
The later, settled character of a fragrance as its opening becomes less prominent. Comparing the drydown helps you decide whether you enjoy wearing the scent beyond its first impression.
Drydown refers to how a fragrance smells as it settles during wear. It is useful shorthand for the later experience, rather than a stage that begins at the same minute in every perfume.
A bright opening may soften into flowers, woody notes or a warmer musky character. Some fragrances change more noticeably than others. The later scent remains part of the same composition; it is not proof of a special chemical reaction unique to the wearer.
When comparing samples, write down your first impression, return after they settle and check again later. Notice whether you still enjoy the scent and how easy it is to perceive during normal wear. A trace detectable close to the skin is different from a fragrance you notice around you. Choose by the development you enjoy, not by the opening or lasting power alone.
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