Shopping for your new signature fragrance can be quite challenging, to say the least. Not only the smell of a scent itself plays a huge role in choosing your fragrance; you also have to decide if you’re going to buy a bottle of Eau de Toilette or perfume. Did you know that these two are completely different? How confusing! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered and explain the difference between Eau de Toilette and perfume.
The types of perfume
So, you found your signature scent and now you’re stuck with an Eau de Toilette in your right hand and an Eau de parfum in your left. Things get really confusing and you haven’t got the foggiest idea which one to go for. What’s a girl got to do? Knowing the ‘fragrance-lingo’ will definitely make things easier for you. Eau de Toilette and perfume are not just fancy words, they are actually different types of fragrances. First you have to know how fragrances are made. Manufacturers blend natural and synthetic oils with a carrier like alcohol. Alcohol stabilises the scent and dilutes the oils to create what you smell on your skin. Alcohol and oils are equally important, because alcohol controls the concentration of the scent and how long it lasts. Good, let’s move on to the different categories and find out how concentrated the oils are, so you’ll know how light or heavy your favourite scent will be.
There are 5 types of perfume: Eau Fraiche, Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and Perfume.
Eau Fraiche
Eau Fraiche fragrances contain 1% to 3% perfume oil and usually last for less than an hour. Due to its low alcohol concentration, it’s a great choice for sensitive skin.
Eau de Cologne
These fragrances contain 2% to 4% perfume oil and last for two hours. Eau de Cologne is perfect to spritz on throughout the day or to freshen up anytime you want to.
Eau de Toilette
On average, an Eau de Toilette contains between 5 and 10% perfume oil, making it great value for money. Depending on the quality of the fragrance, you can enjoy it for up to several hours.
Eau de Parfum
These fragrances contain between 15% and 20% pure perfume oil and can last up to eight hours. Eau de parfum is the most common fragrance category. The scent will be prominent from morning to evening without giving people next to you a headache.
Perfume
Perfume is the strongest version of any scent and the most expensive of all fragrances. Perfume is composed of 20% to 30% pure perfume and can last up to 24 hours. A little goes a long way, so go easy on the application of perfume. Perfume is a great choice for sensitive skin types, as they contain a low concentration of alcohol.
What’s the difference between Eau de Toilette and perfume?
As mentioned above, Eau de Toilette has a much lower concentration than perfume. Eau de Toilette has a lower percentage of fragrance oils and contains more alcohol. As a result, the scent evaporates more quickly. You may think that Eau de Toilette and perfume versions of scents have the same ingredients, but that isn’t always the case. The perfumer may have chosen to change the formula. Perfumes in general have much heavier notes like woods, while Eau de Toilettes have lighter notes like florals. Eau de Toilettes have a lighter and more transparent character, while perfume has a more sensual element.
What is better: Eau de Toilette or perfume?
In all honesty: that depends on your preferences. Perfume is a lot more expensive, but is a great choice when you have sensitive skin or if you want your scent to last longer. Eau de Toilette is most people’s choice for an everyday scent. In general, Eau de Toilettes tend to be light, fresh fragrances that don’t last all day long, making them perfect for daily use. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing your type of fragrance. It all depends on what you’re looking for when it comes to fragrance and price.
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