Ain't perfume like a perfume: how to know them?

Ain't perfume like a perfume. Indeed, some of the fragrances that we refer to as perfumes are not perfumes at all. The word perfume became popular and is used to indicate any fragrant water. That's another reason why a collision with reality in perfumery can be quite harsh - why is the price difference nearly doubling between nearly identical flasks?

Perfumes generally differ from each other not only in the quantity but also in the proportion of the fragrance component. Depending on the amount of the component, not only the price but also the method of use increases. You don't want to buy expensive perfume and then use it badly - it won't make a good impression on your wallet or your surroundings.

Eau de Cologne

Everybody probably heard of cologne. There is only one genuine cologne, but the term cologne has come to mean a specific type of perfume. Cologne or Eau de Cologne (EDC) contains 2-4% fragrance essences in about 70% alcohol. This mathematics suggests that this is the most affordable variant of fragrant water you can get in a shop. Its use is suitable for everyday use, even several times a day, since the smell lasts about two hours.

Eau de Toilette for everyday use

One of the most common fragrances is the one called Eau de Toilette (EDT). They can be found almost everywhere and their specificity is the fragrance essence of 5-15% to about 80% alcohol. Such scents will last for 2-3 hours and are suitable for everyday use, especially during the day. Choose rather lighter fragrances, which don't mind that you spray to boost during the day again.

Perfume water is a ticket to a higher class

Under the name of perfume water or Eau de Parfum (EDP) you can imagine an intermediate stage between eau de toilette and perfume. The specificity of perfume water is the share of fragrance essences 15-20% to 85-90% alcohol. In these cases, it is already a relatively high concentration, which means that the perfume water lasts 4-5 hours. Choose the fragrance wisely, as it won't be necessary to reuse the fragrance during the day, so look out for all the ingredients of the perfume (not just the head).

With perfume like with saffron

Perfume refers to the most intense fragrance you can find on the market. The proportion of aromatic essences is 20-40% to 90-96% alcohol. The smell lasts 5-8 hours, basically all day. For all types of fragrances, less is more, but in the case of perfumes, this rule applies twice. Given the price, quantity and intensity, use perfumes only for truly festive occasions and rather for evening events.

Less used concentrations shouldn't surprise you

In addition to the classic namess for perfume concentrations, you can also meet the less common ones. This can be Eau de Solide / Sport (EDS), which has a fragrance content of only 1-3% and lasts a maximum of two hours. Eau fraîche is with its concentration similar to cologne and eau de toilette, Extrême, on the other hand, indicates an increased concentration of perfume. Under the name Légère you will find a light version of perfume, often with different concentration or slightly different composition.

Niche - exclusive perfumes

Surely you have also come across the term niche. It indicate fragrances, which are often produced by smaller, independent perfumes in small quantities. It is no exception that the process of producing one bottle of niche perfume takes several years. Another specific feature is the use of often unique scents with which no one can confuse you. In the niche perfumes you can find ingredients such as absinth, gunpowder, silver incense or jasmine leaves collected at night. Exclusivity also has a price - niche perfumes are usually significantly more expensive, but for uniqueness, the price is justified.

Head, heart, base - what does it mean?

In terms of perfume, you have surely come across three terms - head, heart and base. There are three layers of perfume that differ in what time they begin to release. You will smell the head on the first sniff. For fragrances with a lower content of fragrance essences often last only a few seconds, for perfumes it can be up to 15 minutes. You can smell the perfume heart after the head has subsided, usually the aroma lasts about 2-3 hours. The base is released at the end of the whole fragrance cycle of perfumes and fades very slowly. It usually lasts for 3-4 hours, but it can be tens of hours for more expensive perfumes.

How to apply fragrances?

Surely every woman asked themselves this question, and no doubt that most men as well. Perfumes are commonly applied to well-perfused areas such as wrists, elbow pit or arteries; women can also apply perfumes to the neck or knee pits. Often perfumes are also applied behind the auricles or in the hairline. Quantity is important - keep in mind that less is sometimes more. Beware of clothing, as some perfumes may leave stains on it.