What are the Best Types of Perfume to Get?

When most of us walk into a store to buy a new perfume, or even when we shop online, we have no idea what to choose. We simply feast our eyes on the different products from the different manufacturers until the salesperson or the best sales copy influences our decisions. Sometimes, we make a good choice. Other times, we don’t.

But there is no denying that knowing what differentiates the “Pure X by Paco Rabanne” from the “Ebene Fume by Tom Ford” can take your relationship with a fragrance to the next level. It will not only help you to buy the right perfume. It will also help you understand how and when to wear each fragrance for the best possible effect.

The concentration levels, the percentage of scented oil in the mixture, are what really differentiates one type of perfume from another. However, perfumes also differ in their scent family and notes. But any decisions you make based on these two other factors will be based on personal preferences. Actually, the entire concept of buying and wearing perfumes is based on personal preferences.

Sure, the more concentrated types are stronger than the diluted types. But the subtlety of the more diluted ones is also an advantage. So, which do you choose? Bold or subtle? It depends on the occasion, right?

That is why you need to know the effects that these differences cause. So while this article is titled “the best type of ”, it is mainly about showing you how to identify “the best type for each occasion or budget”.

Are you excited? Let’s get started.

Extrait De Parfum or Pure Perfume

This is the most concentrated, strongest-scenting and most expensive kind. Just apply 2 to 3 dabs and the scent can last for about 8 to 10 hours. It contains between 20-40% of scented oil.

Due to the higher oil content, this type of perfume is better for those whose skin is not sensitive to certain oils. However, it all depends on the oils extracts used. You can recognize pure perfume from the glass with stoppers containers (other fragrances are often in spray bottles), significantly heavier texture, and a full spectrum of scents.

Eau De Parfum (EDP)

The EDP in terms of concentration, with 15-20% oil content. It also contains equal parts water and alcohol. Apart from the scented oil, those two are the remaining basic materials in perfumes. Compared to pure perfume, the scents are not as strong (lasting for only about 6 hours) or as full in spectrum (the high notes only last a while).

Eau De Toilette

This type of perfume contains 5-15% oil and the scents only last for 2 to 5 hours. However, that is another reason it dissipates faster than the other two- it contains more alcohol than it does water. Alcohol propensity to evaporate quickly makes eau de toilette perfect for sensitive skin, summer and those who prefer soft scents.

Eau de Cologne

Most people don’t know this, but the cologne was once used as a medicine. It is only made up of 3-5% oil, which is why the scents dissipate within two hours of wearing it. This means that you will have to wear a lot more or reapply more frequently to get the same results compared to the types that we have discussed up to this point.

Additionally, men’s colognes are more common than women’s.

Eau Fraiche (aka fragrance water)

Compared to the others, this perfume has the highest moisture and the lowest oil content (1-3%). Because of this, the scents are the lightest and the shortest lasting (no more than one hour). However, it has its advantages, including a richer blend of oil extracts and less irritability on the skin. So, the Eau Fraiche is always more flavourful and fresh, making it a great option for hot summer days.

Mists and aftershave

Mists have a similar oil content to eau fraiche, 1.5-3%. However, the water to alcohol ratio differs significantly, with mists having more of the latter. This high alcohol content allows mists to act as disinfectants for cuts and bruises. They have a refreshing scent that lasts for close to two hours.

What else do you need to know?

Knowing the different types of fragrances will help you make more informed buying decisions, but we can take things a little further. Early in this article, I mentioned scent family and notes. These two terms are also important. So, let’s have a few words about them.

Scent family

According to the dictionary, “scents are distinct aromas or smells”. When it comes to perfumes, there are four main types, namely

·         Fresh: The crispy scents of herbs and citrus fruits

·         Floral: the soft scents of flowers like lilies, roses and oranges

·         Oriental: the scents of spices like cinnamon and jasmine.

·         Woody: the scents of the outdoors such as sandalwood and cedarwood.

Notes

Perfumes are often a mixture of multiple scents. Notes are how these scents play together to form a whole. There are four categories.

·         Top notes: these are the first aromas that a perfume gives off.

·         The middle/heart notes: these are the most important aroma, making up 40-80% of a perfume’s scent.

·         Base notes: these are the last aromas to appear and dissipate.

A conclusion: how to get the best perfume

In life, the most concentrated things are often the best, but that is not the case with perfumes. A high-quality Eau Fraiche is better than a low-quality pure perfume any day or time. Even on some occasions and to some people, an Eau Fraiche is still better than a high-quality pure perfume.

So don’t use classification as a means for judging quality. Instead, use all the information combined, including scent family and note) to find that right one for you, the occasion and how you want people to feel when they smell your fragrance.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should buy a fragrance before testing it. To do that, just clean your wrists to remove your cream and makeup because the chemicals may affect a perfume’s scent. Then apply the perfume and take a few whiffs to see what you feel about it.