Shopping for your next fragrance can be a tricky business; after all, with so many to choose from, how do you decide? Here's a guide from Fragrance Direct about fragrance strengths and types, with easy-to-use fragrance wheel, that will help you figure out which fragrance you’d like to try next.
What are the different types of perfume?
You’ve no doubt already heard the terms ‘Eau de Parfum’ and ‘Eau de Toilette’, but what do they actually mean? These different fragrance types denote the strength, and how long they are likely to last once you’ve sprayed them. Fragrances are created by mixing perfume oil with alcohol; the more perfume oil, the stronger the fragrance and the longer it will last.
Figure 1. Taken from fragrancekenya.com
Eau de Parfum (EDP) is the strongest type of perfume we sell. Eau de Parfum contains between 10-20% of perfume oil, and is a popular choice with both perfume brands and customers. Eau de Parfum will generally last around 8 hours. Eau de Toilette (EDT) is next, containing around 5-15% of perfume oil. Eau de Toilette fragrances often have a quick burst of beautiful smells before fading; meaning they can make a great first impression. Generally, these fragrances will last somewhere between 4 and 7 hours. Eau de Cologne is a much lighter choice than the previous two. Eau de Cologne has only around 2-4% of perfume oil, and is often used as a body splash to freshen up at regular intervals. As a rule, Eau de Cologne doesn’t last long; perhaps around 2-3 hours. The lightest concentration we sell is Eau Fraiche. There is only 1-2% of perfume oil in this type of fragrance, and is incredibly light. This is perfect for those who don’t want a heavy scent! Eau Fraiche will only last a couple of hours at best, but they are great for creating a subtle, delicate fragrance.What do you mean by Fragrance Notes?
You will often see top, middle and base notes being used to describe a fragrance.
The top notes of a fragrance, also known as the head or opening notes, are what you smell immediately after spraying your perfume or aftershave; they evaporate quickly but will form the first impression of the fragrance. The middle, or heart, notes appear once the top notes have disappeared. These notes are considered to be the main body of the fragrance, lasting longer than the top notes and are usually well-rounded. Base notes are what is left at the end; it is this smell that you remember the most. The base notes are the longest lasting, mixing with middle notes to create the full body of the perfume of aftershave.Figure 2. Taken from FragranX.com
What are the different Fragrance Families?
Floral: Floral fragrances are inspired by the aroma of various flowers. They are characterized by fresh, feminine, and romantic scents. Common floral notes include rose, jasmine, lily, and violet. Floral fragrances are timeless and versatile, suitable for both daytime and evening wear. Oriental: Oriental fragrances are exotic and alluring, evoking a sense of mystery and sensuality. They often feature warm, spicy notes like vanilla, amber, musk, and exotic spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. Oriental perfumes are intense, rich, and perfect for special occasions or evening wear. Woody: Woody fragrances are inspired by the scents of the forest and evoke a sense of nature and warmth. They typically feature notes like sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, and vetiver. Woody perfumes can be unisex, and they convey elegance, sophistication, and a touch of sensuality. Fresh: Fresh fragrances are invigorating and uplifting, reminiscent of crisp and clean scents. They often contain notes like citrus, aquatic accords, green leaves, and aromatic herbs. Fresh perfumes are perfect for everyday wear, especially during warmer seasons, as they provide a feeling of freshness and vitality.Figure 3. Taken from fragrancekenya.com
How To Make Your Perfume As Long Lasting As Possible?
Don’t store perfumes in direct daylight. Having your perfumes stored in direct daylight means that the molecules will break down quicker and thus makes it go bad sooner. Keep your fragrances in average temperatures. If you store them in a warm, humid place (for example, in your bathroom), it will also cause the molecules to break down quicker. It’s optional to store your perfumes in the fridge. I can imagine that if you live with your family, storing your fragrances in the fridge sounds like an impossible storage idea, but you may want to check out beauty fridge from MedCart since it’s good to store your perfumes in a cool place.Where Is The Best Place To Apply Fragrance?
The best place to apply fragrances are those where the natural body heat slowly releases perfume ingredients.
Figure 4. Taken from mocemsa.com
