The majority of the population uses perfume on a daily basis, in different forms, which differ from one culture to another. It is believed that the origins of perfumes can be traced all the way back to the Mesopotamians, who created incense about 4,000 years ago. But it wasn’t until the Egyptian Golden Age that perfume was used for purposes other than religion, like to highlight status and for everyday use.
While different forms of fragrances are still used today for religious ceremonies and occasions, like incense for prayer in some religions and bakhoors for religious occasions and celebrations, the majority of people use perfumes for social reasons, like leaving a good impression on others and standing out through their unique (or signature) scent.
Perfumes are made of essential oils diluted in a water, alcohol, or oil base. The longevity and projection of your perfume depend mainly on the concentration percentage of the essential oil. The higher the oil concentration, the longer your perfume will last.
You might be wondering how you would be able to tell which fragrance has what percentage of oil concentration. Well, this has been made very easy; all you have to do to become an expert on this topic is study the following list of the five main different types of perfumes.
1. Parfum
Parfum (or perfumes) is the highest perfume in oil concentration out of the five types of perfumes. The longest-lasting perfumes for men and women are Parfums and are usually worn for special events, parties, and occasions in which you would want to smell good and have that scent last without having to reapply every couple of hours.
Parfums have an oil concentration percentage of 20 to 40 percent, depending on the brand and product. A high-quality parfum should last you anywhere from twelve hours and over.
2. Eau De Parfum
Eau de parfum is the second best after Parfums as far as longevity goes. Something you might not know about perfumes, though, is that the projection of these fragrances depends on whether the base is oil or water.
EDPs with an alcohol base project more than the ones with a water base because alcohol evaporates faster than water. Water-based EDPs last longer for this exact reason, making them more suitable for activities in which you’re sitting closely with others for a prolonged period of time, while alcohol-based ones are more suitable for occasions when you want people to notice your scent, like first dates or job interviews.
Eau de parfum has a 15 to 20 percent oil concentration and is meant to last on you for over eight hours.
3. Eau De Toilette
Eau de toilette is usually a go-to option for everyday wear due to its not-so-bad longevity and strong projection (this also depends on whether the base is oil or water) at a more affordable price point. This way, you’ll be getting an affordable perfume that still smells expensive and performs well.
EDTs are the most commonly used, especially in warmer weather, because the composition of this type of fragrance highlights lighter notes, like citrus and fruity notes, unlike parfums and EDPs, which bring out heavier notes like woody, earthy, and vanilla notes more.
Eau de toilette has a 5 to 15 percent oil concentration and should last anywhere between four to seven hours.
4. Eau De Cologne
The oil concentration of an eau de cologne runs very low in percentage compared to other types of fragrances. This scent also tends to fly away quickly due to this. But this doesn’t come without its advantages.
An EDC comes at an inexpensive price and in a bigger bottle, too, considering you would need to reapply this perfume a few times (or more) throughout the day. With a 2 to 5 percent oil concentration, this type of perfume only lasts around 2 to 3 hours.
Eau de colognes are best for running quick errands. You can spray this fragrance as you walk out the door to get some groceries or for a quick visit to the salon for a haircut.
5. Eau De Fraiche
As the name indicates, Eau de fraiche is mostly fresh water and is the most diluted form of perfume. With an oil concentration percentage as low as 1 to 3 percent and a longevity of only 2 hours or less, why would you buy one of these perfumes?
Simply put, a good eau de fraiche is excellent for carrying around in your purse to use every couple of hours to freshen up your scent and feel refreshed. Eau de Fraiche perfumes are also affordable; therefore, you won’t have to worry about breaking the bottle or losing it as you carry it around all day at work or as you run errands.
Some tips and tricks can make your perfume last longer, regardless of concentration. Yet it remains important to differentiate between the types of perfumes so you can make a more informed decision when buying your next scent! Visit the V Perfumes website and choose from a selection of Parfums, EDPs, EDTs, Colognes, and many more.
