These days, we often see a common instruction from handmade perfume sellers:
“Please shake before use.”
But do all perfumes really need shaking?
The truth is — NO. Not all perfumes should be shaken before use, and in some cases, it may actually harm the fragrance quality!

Let’s break it down-

When You DO Need to Shake:

Some types of perfumes can benefit from a gentle shake before use.
These include:

Oil-based perfumes — Especially roller bottles with carrier oils and essential oils. Sometimes the heavier oils settle at the bottom.

Water-based or alcohol-free mists — Natural ingredients and essential oils may float or separate if there are no strong emulsifiers.

Dual-layer or bi-phase perfumes — These have visible separation of layers (like oil floating over water). Shaking mixes the layers temporarily for a uniform scent.

In such cases, “shake before use” makes sense — to re-blend the scent evenly.

When You SHOULDN’T Shake

Alcohol-based commercial perfumes — These are already professionally blended using stabilizers. Shaking can create unwanted bubbles and even alter the delicate top notes.

Well-aged perfumes — Long-settled blends develop a natural balance. Shaking can disturb their matured harmony.

Perfumes with heavy resins or fixatives — These settle over time intentionally. Shaking might cloud the liquid and reduce longevity.

So, the idea that every handmade perfume needs to be shaken is misleading. In fact, it depends entirely on the formulation.

Final Tip:
Before you shake any perfume, check if it’s oil-based, dual-layered, or water-based. If not, it’s best to leave it as is and let the scent speak for itself!

Have you ever used a perfume that said “Shake Before Use”? Tell us in the comments what you noticed before and after shaking!