We often say, "I'm going to buy some perfume." But are we actually buying perfume? The answer is yes. Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Cologne and After Shave are all perfumes. Perfume is simply a general term for a mixture of fragrant essential oils and other substances that incite pleasant feelings in people.
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Perfume Types:
- The most intensive type is simply refered to as perfume, which is composed of the largest share of aromatic compounds (15%-40%)
- Eau de Parfum is a long-lasting scent with emerging components of aromatic essences (10%-20%)
- The most common type of perfume is Eau de Toilette, composed with 5%-15% aromatic scents
- Cologne is a more social perfume type, due to its subtlety and lower proportion of fragrances (3%-8%)
It would be a mistake to look at Eau de Toilette as a thinner, cheaper version of the Eau de Parfum. They both have purpose. Softer scents are perfect for everyday use. Pleasantly scented Eau de Toilette can be worn all day, without interfering with other strong scents. Additionally, you may suit some fragrances in Eau de Parfum form, but some others will be too intense. Stronger scents are particularly suited to winter as they warm and relax the body. They are also perfect for ceremonial events and parties. To achieve a long-lasting effect with your favorite scent, use deodorants, shower gels and body lotions from the same edition.
Head, heart, base:
Since the late 19th century, fragrance producers have been using a three-tier system, which can be thought of as a pyramid. At its tip is the head (top notes). They are the most elusive ingredients which lose their fragrance within minutes of application. After this you start to smell the middle notes, the heart. This is the most important part, where the perfume is judged as the scent lasts for a few hours. The bottom layer is called the base, and is composed by the most durable compounds that maintain their smell for the longest duration. The base notes should last all day and are often present the next morning.
Tips and tricks:
- Perfume is best applied to pulse points such as wrists, neck, behind the ears, etc., because these areas allow essential oils to develop better and indulge you in greater pleasure.
- The Golden Rule is: "Less is more!" So be very careful not to use too much when applying perfume.
- If you don't sense a perfume after its application don't worry. It's a sign that you've selected a fragrance that perfectly matches your body.
- After applying a perfume never spread it. This will breach the essential oil molecules and prevent the perfume from releasing properly.
