When you walk into any beauty store in search of a new fragrance, you’ve probably noticed that the bottles are labeled differently. Sometimes, this can easily affect the price of the product itself. So what exactly are the differences between each type, how does it affect the odor, and what makes it more expensive than others?
The difference is all in the concentration of oils in the fragrance. Natural oils and synthetic oils can be used when formulating different kinds of fragrances. A carrier, often times alcohol, is used as a way to both dilute the different oils and stabilize the fragrance itself. Although the oils are what give the product the pleasant smell, the alcohol, or carrier, is just as important because it is what dictates how long the scent will last and how concentrated the scent is.
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Extrait de Parfum, Pure Perfume, Parfum, Parfum Extrait
This is by far the most concentrated form of perfume available which makes it the most expensive kind. It typically has a concentration of 20 – 40% of oil concentration. It is potent enough to make the scent last up to 8 hours and can easily be transferred to another person when in close contact. For example, if you are wearing this kind of perfume and someone gives you a hug, the perfume may be transferred to that person, and the scent can linger on them as well. These kinds of perfumes may contain rare or very precious ingredients that are difficult to formulate, which can also result in a steep price point.
Some of my favorite extrait de parfum include:
The Baccarat Rouge is definitely one of my favorites
Eau de Parfum
-The second most concentrated form of perfume after extrait de parfum. They typically have a concentration of 15 – 20% of oil concentration. It is strong enough to last all day, but subtle enough to not transfer on to anything else or give anyone near you a headache. It is also the most common type of fragrance sold in department stores.
Some of my favorite eau de parfum include:
These are the frgrances that the boo and I use on a daily basis 🙂
The first time I heard about Chloe was from a close friend who received the fragrance as a gift from her father. Her father had asked one of the ladies at the department store for their recommendation on a light fragrance for his young daughter, and the first one that they had recommended was Chloe! As for the boo, he has been wearing the same cologne for years. It’s his go-to!
Eau de Toilette
Eau de toilette have a lower concentration of oils, averaging at around 5 – 15 percent. These lighter fragrances typically do not last throughout the entire day, but rather for a few hours. Think of these as a great way to freshen up, or as a way to smell lovely during a quick lunch or dinner with a loved one.
My favorite Eau de Toilette is:
This is currently my all time favorite scent. After trying a few samples, I’ve been itching to buy the full bottle. It is a beautiful floral scent that is very light and delicate. It makes me feel so feminine whenever I spray some on and pair it with a dress. The first time I heard about this fragrance was while watching a Chinese drama called Meteor Garden. I’m so glad that they mentioned it because I’ve been obsessed ever since!
Eau de Cologne
When I was a little kid, I remember my mom’s friends in Nicaragua would put some cologne on their babies after they had been bathed. I remember being confused when I would see cologne mostly catered towards men in the department stores in the U.S.
(The cologne that every single baby smelled like in Nicaragua lol)
I later learned that although many people associate cologne as being masculine, colognes are actually a very light concentration of perfume oils. They have a oil concentration of about 2 – 4 percent, meaning that it will only last a few hours at a time.
A perfect example of a men’s cologne is:I hope that this post clarified the differences between the different kinds of fragrances! With all the different options out there, it’s great to be informed so that you can purchase the best kind of fragrance that is best for you!
Good luck, and stay humble.
Ivy
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
