It can be a challenging errand to choose the right perfume for you. If you talk about fragrances themselves, you may find endless options to choose from. But that doesn’t stop here. Apart from just sniffing the fragrance and choosing accordingly, there are a lot more things to consider beforehand as well. One of them is the level of concentration in the fragrances. The fragrance concentration is usually found under the name of the perfume. Its concentration determines the longevity and intensity of a perfume. Higher fragrance concentrations contain more perfume oils but less alcohol, making it last longer. Keeping it in mind, we can divide perfumes into the following.
Parfum
The highest concentration of fragrance is found in parfum, also known as Extrait de parfum. Parfum is the most expensive type and the most long-lasting. Although perfume can contain up to 40% fragrance, the concentration of most parfums is between 20% and 30%. Parfums are better for sensitive skin as they contain less alcohol than other types of fragrance and so are less likely to dry the skin.
Eau de parfum
Eau de parfum (EDP) is the second-highest concentration of fragrance. Eau de parfum usually has a fragrance concentration between 15% to 20% and lasts for about four to five hours on average. Eau de parfum is generally cheaper and higher in alcohol content than parfum. However, it is gentle on the skin. As a result, Eau de parfum is the most popular fragrance type suitable for everyday wear.
Eau de toilette
Eau de toilette (EDT) can be found in a concentration between 5% to 15%, which is less expensive than eau parfum and one of the widely used fragrance types. EDT fragrances usually last between two and three hours. Therefore, some people consider eau de toilette to be daywear.
Eau de cologne
Eau de Cologne, also known as EDC, contains a much lower concentration of fragrances than other types of perfume. EDC usually has a concentration of fragrance of 2% to 4.4% and high alcohol content. As a result, it is less expensive, but the scent lasts only for about two hours. In addition, EDC is usually available in larger bottles, so you will need to use more fragrance.
Eau fraiche
Eau Fraiche smells similar to eau-de-cologne, and it lasts for about two hours. However, Eau Fraiche contains a lower level of fragrance than eau-de-cologne and is usually only 1% to 3 percent. Although Eau Fraiche is low in fragrance, it doesn’t contain much alcohol and is mostly water.
High-end fragrances can be expensive, so it is important to do your research before you buy. There are scent notes which make up the final fragrance, due to which it can be a difficult task to shop for perfume acknowledging the variety available in the market.
Warm, woody, oriental, and fresh, each effect brought out by different combinations of fragrances.
Fresh
Fresh fragrances usually contain citrus, water, and green notes, making them refreshing, zesty, and vibrant. Citrus-based fragrances are typically created with lemon, mandarin, and bergamot, while water fragrances are made with aquatic notes like seaweed and sea salt. Fresh green aromas are often reminiscent of herbs and leafy scents for a crisp fragrance. They can sometimes be referred to as aromatic, with notes of lavender, rosemary, or basil.
Floral
Floral fragrances are one of the most famous families and extensive in terms of diversification. Any fragrance with a sweet and flowery scent belongs under this family, such as roses, jasmine, lilies, and peonies. It sometimes also subdivides into types of flowers depending on the geographical area they are grown, etc. Floral scents have an extensive range of light, powdery, and delicate fragrances to a more rich and intense aroma.
Oriental
Oriental fragrances are warm, sweet, and even sometimes spicy. They are luxurious, easily paired as floral oriental, soft oriental, and woody oriental. Perfumes that belong to the oriental family are powerful yet sensual, containing interesting notes of spices like cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla alongside the likes of jasmine, orchid, and saffron.
Woody
Woody fragrances belong to another warm family, with a subtle, enchanting, and soft seducing scent often exerted as base notes in particular. Woody notes smell like cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, and amber. They are an excellent choice for evening events and chilly winter days.
