You come across a wonderful deal on your favorite fragrance and wonder why it is so much cheaper than what you usually pay. You are so elated that as soon as you get home, you spritz it on yourself, only to find that scent fades much quicker than your last bottle of the same scent. Why?
It may be that you purchased your favorite fragrance in the form of eau de cologne or perhaps eau de toilette, when the previous purchase was in the form of eau de parfum. So what's the difference? The difference consists of the concentration of pure perfume oil to the amount of alcohol in the blend. The higher the concentration of perfume oil, the more expensive the fragrance and the longer lasting the scent. Typically a pure perfume will not be sold in a spray bottle but in a very small bottle for the buyer to "dab" onto the skin. A little pure perfume goes a long way!
The % by volume that you see on the bottles is the amount of alcohol that is in the fragrance blend. Basically perfume companies 'pad out' their fragrances with alcohol, firstly to make them go further, and also because otherwise they would be incredibly strong to wear! A perfume with strong smelling essence ingredients will have more alcohol with it than one which is more delicate.
So exactly what is the difference between eau de toilette, eau de parfum, and the other fragrance forms? Here is a generalized list of the different concentrations available:
Perfume (Parfum)
This consists of a 15-30% concentration of perfume essence and is the strongest fragrance available. This means that not only do you need to use less, but also that the fragrance lasts longer, typically for up to 6 hours, depending on skin type.
Parfum De Toilette
This is usually between a perfume and an EDP in strength but a few companies use the term to describe an EDT.
Eau De Parfum (EDP)
This is lighter than Perfume, with an 8-15% concentration, and so is less expensive but still has long lasting characteristics, from 3 to 5 hours.
Eau De Toilette (EDT)
This is a lighter more delicate fragrance, with a 4-8% concentration of the essence, and is therefore most suited to everyday use. It is normally less expensive than Eau de Parfum, and lasts for 2 to 4 hours. Eau De Cologne (EDC)
This is often referred to just as Cologne and has the greatest dilution of fragrances with a 3-5% concentration of perfume essence, lasting up to 2 hours.
For Men
Eau De Toilette (EDT)
This has the greatest concentration of essence generally available for men and hence lasts the longest, up to 5 hours. It is often available in either a splash or a spray.
Aftershave
Less strong, it is the most popular choice and lasts for 2 to 3 hours. Aftershaves are kinder to the skin than EDT's. Those with very sensitive skin should use aftershave balms.
Just in time for the fall season, it's all about finding the right perfume or cologne for everyone on your list. Or if your in the market to date, its never too late to use perfume and cologne to make a first impression. October, November, and December are great times of the year for spraying on your favorite fragrance. If your looking for a gift for that special woman, or a cologne for that man in your life, a discount perfume fragrance is a wonderful choice. It is a personal gift that shows you care enough to shop for a discount fragrance that expresses his/her personality. Here is some knowledge on how to choose correctly. Make sure you have your i's dotted and your t's crossed because you definitely want to make the correct choice or be very close on this one. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. It's true that most people make instant, often subconscious, judgments about someone's personality based on the first few seconds of their first meeting. Because of this fact, it is vitally important to look and dress your best when meeting for a first date. Appropriate attire, good grooming, and fashionable style including a great designer fragrance can really impress someone on a first date, and may be the make-or-break factor regarding how they would feel about a second date. Here are some tips to help you look your best when trying to impress.
The selection of fragrances out there can be overwhelming at times, so you'll need to narrow down your search. For example, do you , or the person your trying to impress, or the person your giving a gift to, like fresh, "green" smells or do you prefer something with floral overtones? Maybe in your search, you'd like to find something a little more exciting and alive, with musky or spicy overtones. These various types of scents can also be matched to personality traits, which can be an alternative to being overly picky.
Choose Wise:
We use a lot of different products on our skin. From shower gels to moisturizers and aftershaves to fragrance, if we're not careful, we could be the source of that strange menagerie of scents that always seems to linger around the snack machine (the horror!) You know that person wearing or what seems like he or she is wearing enough for the whole staff?
Fragrances combine in unpredictable ways, so keep things simple by choosing the scent you want to have take center stage and let the rest of them fall back.
For Her... If it's your moisturizer that you really want to smell, then try switching to an unscented deodorant or antiperspirant. If you want to display your new cologne or discount perfume on center stage, then go with an unscented moisturizer too.
For Him... If he likes to wear his aftershave and enjoys that fragrance a little more than his cologne, then leave the cologne on the shelf. If it's the cologne that he's going for, look for unscented (or very subtle) deodorant and aftershave alternatives.
The holidays are the perfect time to buy and give discount perfume and cologne, as many are offered in fragrance gift sets or in special packaging this time of year, making for an impressive presentation - and a great value.
Do you have a signature perfume or cologne?
If you decide to find a fragrance that will become your identifying mark, you'll have to choose carefully and take your time. You want something that will take you through the day and into the evening as well. Your choice will have to do double duty. The scent you select should be light enough to wear to work, yet strong enough for an evening out.
Remember, cologne and perfume is a reflection of yourself. Take your time when choosing a fragrance whether its a perfume for yourself or a cologne gift for a friend. Their are many choices out their. Smell them all. Remember though, its good to only smell a few at a time. After that your senses will be void to the rest. Let them set on your skin for atleast 30min to an hour then make your decision on how long it lasts and if the perfume still has the correct smell. Make sure to apply your cologne or perfume fragrance to your hot spots. For example, thats on the bottom of your wrists, behind your ears, neck..etc.
Be Subtle ? Less is More
Don't go overboard when getting ready for your date. We all want to look our best, but nerves may cause you to go overboard with your clothes, make-up, and your perfume. Remember, subtle make-up that emphasizes your best facial features can make a better impression than trying to hide your flaws with heavy make up and bright lipstick or blush.
It is also important to go easy on the clothing accessories and jewelry. Nice earrings, a handsome watch, or tasteful necklace can help emphasize a person's beauty and style, but heavy gold chains, rings on every finger, and gaudy bracelets can actually distract a date from recognizing your natural beauty.
When making your decision on how much perfume or cologne to put on, don't pour your whole bottle on yourself! In order to avoid being overbearing with your discount perfume, spray the cologne or perfume in front of you before dressing and then walk into the spray. This will give a subtle hint of fragrance without an overpowering aroma. Follow some of these simple steps and your there! Remember, don't be too overpowering & remember (KISS) keep it simple stupid. If your not sure, ask some people who's opinion you value and get some obstructive criticism..
Both Denise Hayes & Patricia - The Perfume Lover are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Denise Hayes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Perfumes. Denise Hayes is the owner of , an online retailer of designer fragrances at discount prices.Please visit our site to order designer fragrances,. Denise Hayes's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Patricia - The Perfume Lover has sinced written about articles on various topics from Perfumes, The Internet and Perfumes. I enjoy writing reviews and giving advice on fragrance & life. I have used and bought cologne for many men over my last 20 years. A great site I've found and. Patricia - The Perfume Lover's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.