Tenacity and longevity are not the same word. Longevity describes a finished formula. Tenacity describes an individual material. If you confuse them, you will misdiagnose every performance problem you encounter.

The ability of an individual aromatic material to retain its scent character on a surface over time. A high-tenacity material remains detectable on a blotter for hours or days. A low-tenacity material departs within minutes. Tenacity is an intrinsic property of the material — determined by its molecular weight, vapour pressure, and chemical structure — not a property of the formula it is used in.

EXAMPLE

Iso E Super (a synthetic cedarwood-type molecule) has extremely high tenacity — it remains detectable on a blotter for 24–48 hours. Lemon essential oil (dominated by limonene) has very low tenacity — it departs from a blotter within 15–30 minutes at room temperature. A formula built with high-tenacity base materials will have an Act 3 that persists long after Act 1 and 2 have departed. A formula built primarily from low-tenacity materials will have little to no Act 3 regardless of concentration.

MISTAKE TO AVOID

Assuming that a formula with poor longevity needs more concentration. If the base materials have low tenacity, adding more of the formula will not extend its life — it will only make Act 1 louder. The correct diagnosis: the fixative system is insufficient, and the solution is reformulation of the base, not increased application volume.