More than an ensemble, a perfume is an olfactory signature. It echoes personality and exemplifies image. Much like an invisible second skin, fragrance must be carefully chosen especially because we are all unique and therefore our skin reacts differently to the contents of the juices. Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered.
The Scent Selection
To choose the perfect perfume, we first look at fragrances that highlights our favorite notes. (Nope, we’re not talking about music here, but doesn’t the right fragrance make us want to dance and sing anyway?) “Notes” are what make up a scent. Imagine a triangle with three levels called top, middle, and base. This is the perfume structure called olfactory pyramid. The layers work in harmony to evolve into a specific smell that’s categorized into the seven major olfactive families: floral, citrus, oriental, woody, chypre, ferns, and leathers. Finding out which types of scent appeal to you is always a good idea. You can start by spraying perfume on a blotter or piece of fabric – do this at about 20 centimeters distance so the alcohol doesn’t take over and leave it for a few seconds before taking a whiff. If you find it pleasant, spray on the inside of your wrist without rubbing them together. Contrary to popular belief, doing this actually breaks down the molecules of the juice which isn’t exactly what you’d want to do. If you’re not totally sold on the top notes, take your time and let the scent develop to reveal its heart which stays on for about four hours… the lingering scent is called the base notes which leave an olfactory memory. It’s the smell that can persist even for days, depending on the perfume concentration. It’s worth noting that our pH level affect perfume factors such as longevity and the overall scent, which is why a perfume smell may differ from person to person.
Choosing a Concentration
Now that we’ve got the first bit of fragrances 101 out of the way, get this: aside from picking a scent you like, there are also different types of concentrations you might want to check before you decide. A perfume concentration is basically how strong the fragrance is. Scents with higher concentration has less alcohol and more oils which justifies a steeper price because it results into long-lasting perfumes. Concentration is split into categories and we’ve prepared a simple table for your quick reference:
| Perfume Type | Concentration | Longevity | Recommended For |
| Parfum | From 15% to 40% | 6-8 hours | Because parfums have far less alcohol than other fragrance types and less likely to dry you out, it’s recommended for people with sensitive skin. |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15% to 20% | 4-5 hours | Everyday wear, especially for evening wear |
| Eau de toilette (EDT) | 5% to 15% | 2-3 hours | Day wear |
| Eau de cologne (EDC) | 2% to 4% | 2 hours maximum | Casual day wear, post-workout |
| Eau fraiche | 1% to 3% | 2 hours maximum | Casual day wear |
They say perfume is art and choosing the right one for you isn’t as easy as it may seem! Ultimately, our fragrance is linked to our unique personality and taste – whether designer or niche perfume, preferences vary from one to another. Today’s circumstances might make it difficult for you to shop for options, and we understand how people hesitate to buy perfume online, so we’ve come up with a little something to help you out.
Click here to try our online olfactive test. You’re welcome 😊
Discover the best perfumes for men and women by Alexandre.J
