6/26/23, 9:22 AM Fragrance Buying Guide  

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Home / Fragrance Buying Guide

Fragrance Buying Guide

Fragrance can evoke powerful reactions in people, it can change how we feel about ourselves, as well as how we
view others. And even though it’s invisible and often takes a backseat to our clothing, makeup and hair, fragrance
is still a big part of our personal style and presentation. Wearing the right fragrance can make you feel attractive,
polished, or more confident—and it can also send those very same messages to those around you.

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For many people, fragrance is an important part of their daily routine, and they wouldn’t dream of leaving the
house without it. Then there are those who wear fragrance only for special occasions. Some people fall in love
with a fragrance and wear it for years, making it their signature scent, while others prefer to change their
fragrances as often as they do their clothes. Clearly, fragrance plays a different role in everyone’s lives.

Society has a history of classifying softer, more feminine fragrances as perfume for women, and more powerful
fragrances as cologne for men, yet all fragrances are actually gender-neutral and are meant to be worn and
enjoyed by everyone. So, whether you’ve been taken in by the romance of a floral toilette spray or the allure of a
woodsy cologne, you should never let a label prevent you from wearing a fragrance that you truly love.

Understanding the Difference Between Perfume, Cologne, & Other Fragrance Types

All fragrances can be classified as one of 5 types: Parfum, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne, and Eau Fraiche.
The difference between the five types of fragrances is the percentage of perfume oil that they contain. Fragrances with a higher
concentration of perfume oil will have a more intense scent, and last longer on your skin.

Parfum Eau de Parfum Eau de Toilette Eau de Cologne Eau Fraiche

Perfume oil (approx.): 20-
30%
Lasts (approx.): 24 hours
Parfum, sometimes referred
to as perfume, contains the
highest concentration of
perfume oil and the least
amount of alcohol, and is
considered one of the purest
fragrances available. Parfum
has a very intense aroma,
which can last up to 24 hours.
Perfume oil (approx): 15-
20%
Lasts (approx.): 5-8 hours
Eau de Parfum (EDP), also
referred to as perfume water,
contains the second highest
concentration level of perfume
oils, which makes it long-
lasting and great for everyday
wear. Although it is a little
more expensive than other
fragrances, eau de parfum is
the most popular of the
Perfume oil (approx.): 5-
15%
Lasts (approx.): 3 hours
Eau de Toilette (EDT) is
delicately scented cologne
that contains an average
concentration of perfume oils,
making it lighter and more
affordable than eau de
parfum. Due to its fresh, airy
nature, many people prefer to
use eau de toilette for
daywear or during the
Perfume oil (approx.): 2-4%
Lasts (approx.): 2-3 hours
Eau de Cologne (EDC), also
referred to as cologne,
contains a low concentration
of perfume oils, which makes
it much lighter than other
types of fragrances. Because
eau de cologne lasts for only
a few hours, it will need to be
reapplied throughout the day,
which is why it is typically sold
Perfume oil (approx.): 1-3%
Lasts (approx.): 1-2 hours
Eau Fraiche, also referred to
as fresh water, is an C
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extremely light and diluted
fragrance that contains the
lowest concentration of
perfume oils and alcohol.
Because eau fraiche lasts for
only an hour, it will need to be
reapplied several times
throughout the day. Due to its
diluted nature, eau fraiche is

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fragrance types. summer months. in larger capacity bottles. not as popular as other types
Shop Parfum Fragrances of fragrances.
Shop Eau de Parfum Shop Eau de Toilette
Fragrances Fragrances

The Importance of Fragrance Notes

The term note simply refers to an ingredient in a fragrance. All notes can be classified into one of 3 types: top, middle, or base.
It is the combination of these 3 notes that creates a fragrance.

Top Notes: After opening a fragrance bottle,
the first thing you notice are the fresh, light
top notes. These initial scents will linger
anywhere from 10-15 minutes, before
starting to dissipate and soften. Top notes,
sometimes referred to as head notes, are
Middle Notes: Once the top notes begin to
soften, you will notice the stronger
secondary scents, which are called middle
notes. Often referred to as the heart or core
of the fragrance, the well-rounded middle
notes comprise approximately 65% of the
Base Notes: Finally, after the top and middle
notes have settled down and dissipated,
you’ll start to smell the rich base notes.
These scents are deep and heavy, and give
a grounding affect to the fragrance. Of all the
notes in a fragrance, base notes tend to last

important because they give a powerful first
impression of the fragrance.
Examples of top notes include: citrus, fruits,
florals, herbs
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fragrance, and act as an intermediary the longest, anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.
between the top and base notes. Middle
notes will last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Examples of base notes include: woods,
amber, vanilla, musk, tobacco, patchouli
Examples of middle notes include: heavy
florals, botanicals, greens, spices

 Finding the Perfect Fragrance  Fragrance Concentration

With so many fragrances on the market today, you're sure to find one,
or several, that you love—it may just take a bit of research. Start by
browsing for fragrances online, taking the time to read the product
descriptions, as well as the customer reviews. Customize your
fragrance search by preferred gender, brand, or fragrance type. And,
if you’ve worn a fragrance in the past that you really enjoyed,
consider trying a new fragrance from the same product line or brand.
A fragrance that contains perfume oils of higher concentration, will
have a more intense smell and last longer on the skin. This does not
mean that it is a better fragrance, it simply means that it’s a stronger
one. It’s important to note that many ingredients smell differently
depending on their concentration levels, which you may or may not
like. In fact, there are many people who prefer the subtlety and
versatility of a lower concentration fragrance.

 How to Apply Fragrance  Care & Storage

If you’ve been wondering how to put on cologne or parfum properly,
it's really quite simple. When applying any type of fragrance, it’s best
to be conservative and start with a light spray or dab of scent. Apply
the fragrance directly onto your skin, being sure to avoid your face
and eyes. If you’re using a spray, hold the bottle 7-10 inches away
from your skin. Body heat is known to intensify a fragrance, so
choose areas of your body that are naturally warmer, like your neck,
chest, forearms, and wrists. Avoid rubbing the fragrance into your
skin, which will only break down the oils and help it fade more quickly.
Instead, let the fragrance absorb into your skin naturally. Please note
that some fragrances can damage certain types of clothing and
jewelry, so it’s best to apply fragrance and let it dry completely, before
getting dressed.
Moisture and heat will break will down fragrance oils, negatively
affecting the longevity and natural scent of a fragrance. That’s why it’s
important to store your fragrances in a cool dry place, and out of
direct sunlight. Although perfumes are not marked with expiration
dates, that doesn’t mean that they will last forever. The average
lifespan of a fragrance is 2 to 5 years, before they start to break
down, and smell differently than intended. However, fragrances with a
higher percentage of perfume oils and deep base notes have been
known to last as long as 8-10 years. So, if you love a fragrance, wear
it and enjoy it, instead of placing it on a shelf and risk letting it turn.

Glossary
Absolute: An absolute is a highly-concentrated and aromatic fragrance oil derived from botanicals. Considered to be more powerful than essential oil,
absolute is an important component in perfumery.
Accord: An accord is a unique scent created by mixing several notes together. Accords are created with the intention of mimicking a natural scent that
cannot be otherwise obtained.
Concentration: Fragrances can be divided into 4 different perfume oil concentrations, or strengths (listed strongest to weakest): parfume, eau de parfum, C
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eau de toilette, cologne. The higher the scent oil concentration, the more long-lasting the fragrance will be.
Drydown: The drydown is the final and longest-lasting stage of a fragrance after the top and middle notes have dissipated. It is the time in which the deep
base notes take center stage.
Essential oils: A common ingredient found in perfumes, essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from aromatic plants. These important oils are
created using a pressing or distillation process.
Extract: An extract is a powerful perfume that contains a 15-45% concentration of aromatic oil. It is considered to be the most potent form of perfume on
the market.

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Nose: A master perfumer, affectionately referred to as a nose, is a skilled professional who creates the original formulas for fragrances. Although a
company or specific brand may be responsible for the idea of a fragrance, the nose is the person who decides which ingredients will be used in the
formulation. Most master perfumers have received training from the finest schools in the world, and hold college degrees in both chemistry and perfumery.
Note: The term note, simply refers to an ingredient in a fragrance. All notes can be classified into one of 3 types: top, middle, or base. It is the combination
of these 3 notes that creates a fragrance.
Synthetic: The term synthetic is used to describe any ingredient found in perfume, that was not obtained through a natural extraction process. These
chemically created ingredients are a reasonable substitute for natural ingredients that are too expensive or hazardous to obtain.

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