Yes, in a genuine and noticeable way — during the period when face coverings were widely worn, many people shifted toward lighter, fresher fragrances or applied scent to hair and clothing rather than the neck, since a mask sitting close to the nose made heavy, close-range perfume much more noticeable to the wearer.

A Practical Shift in Habits

With a mask covering the lower face for extended periods, wearers became far more aware of their own fragrance than usual, which pushed many people away from heavier, more overpowering scents toward something lighter and less fatiguing to smell all day. Some people also moved application away from the neck, where a mask sits closest, toward wrists or clothing instead.

Did the Change Stick

For some people, yes — the experience nudged genuine preferences toward lighter everyday scents that have stayed part of their routine. For most, habits have largely reverted back to normal now that masks are no longer a constant daily fixture, though the period is a good real-world example of how much context affects how we experience and choose fragrance. Our guide to applying and wearing perfume, part of the complete guide to perfume, covers how to adjust application to different everyday situations.