Do you sometimes wonder if you should be more deliberate about your choice of fragrance?

Recently, after having spent the holidays with family, something about being around my mother and mother-in-law (two very elegant ladies to the core), made me start paying even more attention to my choices of fragrance in general. The one thing that struck me about the two ladies, was not only how good they smelled, but more so how it seemed like each particular fragrance worn at each particular point in time was just right! Their fragrance always seemed to complement their entire look, from their hairstyle to their choice of clothes, accessories, and shoes. Everything just tied together perfectly. It made me realize that choosing a fragrance is very much like picking out clothes – your style must be put into consideration. How do we go about this? That’s where I come in!

Now, I won’t take it for granted that we all understand fragrances and everything about them – not like you need to – you only need to understand a few basic things. Thanks to a conversation I had with the nez of Retrocode, Mr. Cohan, I was able to streamline all you need to know, in a beginner-friendly manner. So I’d be providing you with some basic information to guide your choice making.

There are different categories in perfumery for different perfume types. When shopping for perfumes, you have probably come across terms like Parfum, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Cologne. These terms are used to distinguish between fragrances, based on the concentration and amount of pure perfume oil within them. Generally, the higher the perfume concentration, the higher the longevity on the skin, and also the higher the price.

PARFUM

The highest-ranking type of perfume is called Parfum. It is also more popularly known as Extrait de Parfum or Pure Perfume and has the highest level of fragrance concentration, which is between twenty to forty percent. Parfum (yes, that is the plural form!) are usually the most expensive and have the highest longevity strength due to their high concentration of fragrance oil, meaning they last the longest on the skin whilst giving the wearer a full spectrum of the Top, Heart, and Base Notes that are released over time. They typically last at least eight hours or even more.

EAU DE PARFUM

Eau de Parfum (EDP) is one of the most common types of fragrance categories and usually has a perfume concentration of around fifteen percent and a lifespan of about six hours. It is therefore generally less expensive compared to Parfum fragrances, as the perfume strength is slightly lower. While Parfum gives you the full blend of the Top, Heart, and Base Notes, Eau de Parfum focuses on the Heart Notes as the Top Notes flash off from the skin quicker.

EAU DE TOILETTE

You will find that a lot of Eau de Parfum fragrances are also available as Eau de Toilette (EDT), which is the less expensive version of the same scent. As you can imagine, this type of perfume also has less perfume concentration and the longevity won’t be as long either. An Eau de Toilette fragrance usually has between five to ten percent perfume concentration and lasts around five hours. The Top Notes which are the first scent released by a perfume are more dominant, making it refreshing when it is first applied. This is why EDT fragrances are particularly popular during warmer seasons as they tend to last a little longer then.

EAU DE COLOGNE

One of the most popular types of perfume with the lowest concentration is Eau de Cologne (EDC) which generally has a three to five percent concentration. It also is distinct for its very high content of alcohol compared to fragrance and would generally only last around two hours. Eau de Cologne is less expensive than all of the above fragrance types and is commonly available in bigger bottles such as traditional splash style bottles.

EAU FRAICHE, AFTERSHAVE & MIST

Eau Fraiche has a very low perfume oil concentration compared to other types of perfume, which is between one to three percent but lasts for up to two hours similar to Eau de Cologne. The main difference to Eau de Cologne is the low amount of alcohol, as Eau Fraiche usually consists of a low fragrance concentration and a high water concentration.

An Aftershave has a light fragrance concentration of up to three percent and a high alcohol content. It is usually available in splash bottles and is used after shaving to help close the pores, and gives only one to two hours of wear. It is traditionally made for men

Mists are light and refreshing fragrances that are mostly water-based with low alcohol content. A Mist fragrance type usually has a concentration of 1.5% to 3%. Due to the low alcohol content, it can also be applied on the hair without causing it to dry out. You can expect a Mist fragrance to last a maximum of 2 hours.

Congratulations! You have successfully mastered the basics of fragrances. But don’t get too comfortable, you have yet to understand all you need to help you understand your fragrance style. In the next part, we will be delving a little deeper!