The definitive guide to differentiate perfumes
Hello friends of! I'll be back for another week with more cool content 😉 Today it's time to talk about perfumes. Can you differentiate between EDT, EDP and EDC? If the answer is no, today you will get out of doubt 🙂
The world of perfumes is an ocean of possibilities. In this post you will know everything you need to know to differentiate them.
- EDT, EDP and EDC, how are they different?
- Olfactory families, the DNA of perfumes
- Choose your perfect perfume
If you are curious, do not hesitate to accompany me on this olfactory journey to the world of perfumes.
EDT, EDP and EDC, how are they different?
The world of perfumes is very complex, and has existed for centuries. Aromatic products have been manufactured since the Middle Ages, although their peak was in France back in the 14th century . Each essence is designed for a specific age range, and the great variety that exists makes it difficult to choose just one. The different aromas make them belong to one family or another. Without a doubt, it is necessary to have a minimum knowledge of these products to be able to choose the one that best suits your needs, your lifestyle and your skin.
Therefore, in this post you will find the basic notions to know how to differentiate perfumes and thus be able to choose safely.
The first thing to know is that any essence is made from extracts of aromatic oils (natural and synthetic) , diluted in water and alcohol. The difference is made by the oil, which is the essence of the perfume, so the higher the percentage of it, the more intense and lasting the aroma will be.
Surely you have ever doubted when choosing a fragrance, since many are in different formats (EDP, EDT and EDC). Don't you know what they mean? Well keep reading:
- Eau de Cologne (EDC) or Cologne . This format is the lightest, since it only contains between 6 and 8% of essence. This makes it perfect for the hottest seasons, and you can apply a fair amount without fear of overloading. The bad thing is that the smell does not last too many hours (maximum 3) so you have to repeat the application several times throughout the day.
- Eau de Toilette (EDT) . These fragrances remain fresh but the duration is increased (from 3 to 5 hours), since the essence concentration is higher (8 to 15%). Therefore, they are still a good option for daily use and for hot times.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP) . The essence concentration increases to 16-18%. In this case, the duration of the fragrance can reach six hours. It is the cheapest version of perfumes, which we will see below. This format, on the other hand, is not recommended for hot seasons.
- Perfume or Parfum . We are already talking about the most sophisticated perfumes. Its concentration is 20-30%, and the duration can exceed eight hours. By carrying such a large amount of essence, you have to dose your application a lot and use small amounts in strategic places (wrists and neck). These perfumes are more suitable for formal events and for winter months.
- Elixir. This format is found in some brands. It is the same perfume, although in a more intense version. Its price is usually quite high.
As you can see, they are easy to differentiate. You just have to look at the label and the degree of aroma concentration . In general, men's perfumes are Eau de Toilette, while women's are Eau de Parfum. Better to have more than one! 🙂
Now that you know the different perfume formats and how to distinguish them, it's time to learn more about olfactory families , another key point when choosing a perfume.
We continue!
Olfactory families, the DNA of perfumes
What is the structure of a perfume? This is defined by the olfactory pyramid, which is made up of three types of notes: top, heart, and bottom . These develop over time, so each one corresponds to a specific moment. These are:
- Top note. These are the aromas that the fragrance gives off during the first 15 minutes. It is the first impression of a perfume, since they are light and volatile scents that do not last long. Their main component is citrus essences, which provide freshness and intensity to the fragrance.
- Heart notes . It is the soul of the fragrance. Define the intensity of the perfume, its personality and character. They begin to be perceived after the first 15 minutes and remain on the skin after 6 hours. Therefore, it is the aroma that we have to like the most, because it will be the key to the fragrance.
- Base notes. These put the final touch on the identity of the perfume. The essences that make up the base of the olfactory pyramid are extracts of wood, amber, musk or spices, to give depth to the fragrances. These aromas begin to be noticed after two hours, giving rise to the final and longer lasting aroma.
Distinguishing all the notes of a perfume is not an easy task, as it can be made up of hundreds of scents. According to El Español, the French Perfume Committee devised an official cataloging system more than a century ago, in which perfumes are grouped into seven large families , which in turn are divided into numerous subfamilies. The possibilities are endless! These are the seven great aromas:
- Citric. These fragrances are the freshest and cleanest, very volatile, so they tend to last the least. They are based on essential oils extracted from lemon and orange peels, as well as grapefruit, tangerine and bergamot.
- Floral. This is the most popular and largest family. Its most prominent ingredients are jasmine, roses, violets, narcissus, lilies and geranium.
- Oriental. They refer to the smells, flavors, colors and landscapes of the East. They are made from balsamic oils, vanilla and resins, spices (cloves, pepper and cardamom), plants (ginger, cocoa and liquorice), woods, amber and musk.
- Leather. These family is one of the oldest in perfumery. They are usually accompanied by smoky, attacked or woody notes, so the fragrances are dry and very intense.
- Fougére (Fern). This family has its origin in 1882 with the creation of the perfume 'Fougére Royale (Houbigan)', and is composed of fragrances that start from the same base, created with notes of lavender, moss, oak, woods and bergamot, to evoke the atmosphere. of a forest.
- Chypre. It also has its origin in the aromas that François Coty used to create his perfume 'Chypre' in 1917, and it is also a combination, made from bergamot, flowers, patchouli, moss, amber, body and musk. They are usually very sensual perfumes, full-bodied and long-lasting, appropriate for the night.
- Woody. In this family we find cedar, birch or sandalwood, as well as essences of moss, vetiver and patchouli. In 80% of the perfumes that are currently on the market we find some wood note.
Which is your favorite? Without a doubt there are endless possibilities to choose from 😉
The next step is that you see all these keys reflected in the final product. We continue!
Choose your perfect perfume
If you liked any of the previous formats or you really want to try the notes of a family, in this section you can choose your perfect perfume according to the characteristics that most attract your attention. This is my selection!
Citric
- Splendor, by Elisabeth Arden (EDP ), 13.69 euros. Its top notes are pineapple, wisteria, freesia, peony, hyacinth, apple, sweet pea and bergamot; the heart notes are magnolia, tea rose, lily, poppy, orchid, jasmine, lily of the valley (lily of the valley) and rose; and the base notes are sandalwood, amber, dark woody notes, musk, cedar and Brazilian rosewood.
Floral
- Omnia Crystalline, from Bvlgari (EDT), 38.27 euros . Top notes are bamboo and pear; middle notes are lotus flower, cassia and tea; base notes are musk, oak moss and guaiac wood.
Oriental
- Aromatics Elixir, from Clinique, 26.32 euros. Its olfactory pyramid has top notes of aldehydes, coriander, chamomile, clary, lemon verbena (lemon verbena), bergamot, Brazilian rosewood and geranium; heart notes based on carnation, tuberose, orange blossom, orris root, jasmine, ylang-ylang and rose; and base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, musk, oak moss, vetiver and incense.
Leather
- Invictus, by Paco Rabanne (EDT), 54.55 euros. The top notes of the fragrance are grapefruit, marine notes and mandarin; the heart notes, bay leaf and jasmine; and the base notes, guaiac wood, oak moss, patchouli and ambergris.
Fern
- Narciso, by Narciso Rodríguez (EDT), 61.20 euros. The first thing you notice when using it are the notes of Bulgarian Damascene rose and peony; the heart notes are musk and finally the mix of noble woods is perceived in the base notes thanks to the extract of white cedar, cedar and vetiver.
Cyprus
- La Petite Robe Noire, by Guerlain (EDP), 62.35 euros. In its olfactory composition, vanilla stands out. Its top notes are bergamot, almond, sour cherry (cherry) and red berries; those of heart are made of tea, rose, Taif rose and licorice; and the background ones of anise, tonka bean, vanilla, patchouli and iris.
Amaderada
- Elie Saab (EDP), 38.88 euros . Perfumer Kurkdjian used orange blossom, jasmine, cedar, and patchouli to create this scent. It has a unique but non-irritating aroma, which is ideal for any occasion and at any time of the year.
So far my post on perfumes. I hope it helps! 🙂
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I'll be back next week with new content for you. See you soon! 😎