Looking for a signature fragrance can be daunting. Not only do you have to choose the right scent for you, but you also have to figure out which form you would like it in. Do you prefer cologne, perfume, or “eau de toilette”?
Venba Fragrance is always ready to answer all your questions and help you make the best decision when it comes to fragrance. This article will dispel common fragrance misconceptions and give you simple tips to help you differentiate between fragrance types. Keep reading 😉
The only difference:
It is essential to understand that the differences between cologne and perfume have nothing to do with gender. In fact, men can wear perfume, and similarly, women can wear cologne. Let’s clear up why.
Simply, it all boils down to the concentration level of the essential oils in the fragrance. This concentration determines how long the scent lasts and when to use it. It also determines if a fragrance is considered a cologne vs perfume … and of course, it affects the prices too! Authentic signature perfumes are the most expensive simply because they have the highest levels of concentration. However, is it always the best option to wear perfume?
Time to dive into details!
To start with, let's define a couple of essential terms and their uses.
Essential oils (also referred to as perfume oils):
Essential oils are potent oils extracted from aromatic plant parts, including root, herb, or flower, to capture their beneficial properties, scents, and flavors. Essential oils are 100% oil and are "neat," meaning they have not been diluted, mixed, or processed and do not have any additives.
Essential oils have powerful aromatic properties and are ideal for scenting a room. Here are five examples of how essential oils can be used as odorants:
- Scented candles
- Perfumes and colognes
- Detergents
- Room and clothing sprays
- Scented soaps
Essential fragrances:
Essential oils are produced with plants, while fragrance oils are made with chemical compounds. So, the main difference between the two comes down to essential oils actually using plants in order to create a scent.
Perfume:
These are the most concentrated and expensive of all fragrance types. Perfumes are composed of 20% – 30% pure perfume and are slightly oilier than all other fragrances. One single application of perfume will last up to 24 hours. That is why you are likely to notice your fragrance working from morning to evening. These intense scents will vary throughout the day, depending on your body chemistry.
Tip: People with sensitive skin may do better with perfumes as they have far less alcohol than other fragrance types.
Cologne:
The concentration of essential oils in cologne is between 2-4%. This fragrance will last between 3 to 4 hours. They are light, fresh, and fruity. Also, cologne scents are not too intense, meaning people won't notice them from further away.
Tip: Cologne is a perfect option for a short evening outing or a late-night walk 😉
Eau de toilette (EDT):
The concentration of fragrant oils is usually between 5-15% in eau de toilette. The scent will wear off in about three hours. The final smell prevails during the last few hours, called the dry-down period. This last scent is determined by many factors like your skin type, diet, hormone levels, other products used, sweat, and even the climate.
The lightness of EDT makes it more suitable to spray more liberally. Because EDT has a higher alcohol content and alcohol evaporates quickly, the scent does not last very long.
Tip: Ask a friend for their opinion 3 to 4 hours after you apply it, that will give you an honest idea about its scent and how it changes over time.
Eau de parfum:
Sometimes people refer to "eau de parfum" as perfume, but that is incorrect. There are significant differences between these two fragrances types.
Eau de parfum uses less of the same perfume essence and more alcohol and water than perfume. Eau de parfum, with a fragrant oil concentration of 15-20%, contains less oil than perfume, and it lasts five to eight hours.
The dry-down period of an eau de parfum will last up to 7 hours, and the final scent will be significantly affected by your body chemistry, which depends on your activities.
Tip: Pay attention to how the initial scent appears when first applied vs. the final scents. Understanding both the initial and final scent of a particular eau de parfum will help you decide if that fragrance suits your activities and plans for later in the day.
We hope that we helped you get a clearer understanding of the different fragrance types. Because everything about a fragrance is related to the concentration level of the oils it contains, the concentration will affect the scent's tenacity(how long the scent will last on your body) as well as the silage (how far the smell will extend from your body)
Venba fragrance is always happy to answer all your questions and help you make smarter decisions. We understand that shopping can be tricky, especially when it comes to fragrances. We strive to offer you all valuable information for a unique shopping experience.
Feel free to send us any questions at contact@venbafragrance.com. Tell us what type of fragrance do you prefer? We always appreciate hearing from you!
Enjoy shopping with Venba Fragrance!
