What is the difference between eau de toilette and perfume? Having looked into a perfume boutique, you can wander for a long time in the cycle of smells, occasionally “shaking off” the dope with coffee beans.

And now, having finally found that very Fragrance, you come to an equally difficult decision - in what form to purchase it?

Perfume, eau de toilette or eau de parfum - what are the differences, which option will be more durable and profitable to purchase?

The recipe for making fragrant products is the same for any type: water and alcohol are complemented with an exquisite perfume composition.

The durability of the fragrance on the skin, the manifestation of the three main notes and, of course, the cost depend on the mixing proportion.

Thus, eau de parfum, unlike eau de toilette, dissipates more slowly, lasts longer and reveals the composition in all its colors.

The higher the concentration of essential oils (and the range varies from 1% to 30%), the more impressive the price will be. Let's figure out what types of perfumes there are, who they are most suitable for and what percentage of fragrant substances they contain.

1. Perfume: concentration from 20 to 30% (usually 23-24%)

On the packaging they are designated by the familiar word Parfume. They stay on fabric for over 24 hours, on skin – at least six.

Perfume has very clear trail (finishing, final) notes, so applying a highly concentrated scent in the morning is not recommended.

The proportion of essential oils and alcohol plays a decisive role in the durability, richness of the aroma, and even in its release on the skin.

In cheap, homemade eau de toilette, the smell of alcohol will be noticeable, often interrupting the main bouquet. But strong perfumes allow you to thoroughly experience the composition, from the top notes and heart notes to the exciting trail.

2. Eau de Parfum: concentration 15% or slightly more

Eau de Parfume (EDP)– the middle sister in this family, close to the spirits in composition and persistent disposition. Eau de parfum lasts almost the entire day on clothes, and about four to five hours on the skin.

Sometimes it is called toilet or “day” perfume, emphasizing its intermediate location and unobtrusive aroma. The middle notes of the heart appear most clearly in the bouquet.

A lower concentration of the ester base is practical for everyday use.

Firstly, this product is cheaper than its older brother, and secondly, it does not exhibit strong, trailing chords so sharply. In general, the aroma sounds softer, all notes are balanced and do not scream.

3. Eau de toilette: concentration about 8-10%

Eau de Toilette (EDT)– the younger relative of respectable perfumes. It is distinguished by lightness, ostentatious brightness of top and heart notes and absolute indifference to base shades.

Ideal during sports, during the hot season, during various activities and relaxation.

Eau de toilette is very popular due to its low price (you can have many scents on your shelf at once). Its durability is unenviable, but it can be renewed at least five times a day.

4. Cologne: concentration usually 3%, maximum 5%

Cologne (literally Eau de Cologne) is another representative of the world of perfumery, familiar to domestic gentlemen. It lasts only a couple of hours on the body, then disappears without a trace.

It practically does not distinguish between three phases of opening in its bouquet: both at the time of application and an hour later it feels identical.

It is characterized by harsh alcoholic nuances and a general tendency towards a final, tart note from the first minutes.

5. Weak products with perfume additives

These include perfumed deodorant, as well as sports or refreshing water (the concentration of esters is no more than 1-2%).

In addition, European brands produce care products with basic scented additives (shower gel, body milk and cream, fluid and hair spray).

All of them leave a light perfume trail after use, but they sound unobtrusive and natural. They are ideal for those who do not like to wear a strong scent and prefer natural nuances.

And similar products can be combined with eau de toilette or eau de parfum from the same collection. Then the aroma will envelop you from all sides and last even longer, revealing heart notes for two to three hours.

Perfumes: what is the difference and which one to choose

When it comes to durability, not only the concentration of fragrant substances matters, but also specific essential oils.

For example, the aromas of cinnamon, cardamom, amber, sandalwood and cedar are heard longer than citrus nuances.

Therefore, a “woody” cologne may be longer-lasting than a fruity-floral water.

Tips from stylists and perfumers

In the cold season, give preference to perfumes and eau de parfum.

In summer, light eau de toilette or refreshing sports water sounds harmonious.

During the hot season, wear floral, fresh “aquatic” and citrus scents, and leave heavy bouquets for the off-season. The warmer it is outside, the stronger the spicy notes are, but in the cold they sound muffled.

In the evening, perfumes perform better; in the morning, perfumed or eau de toilette.

Mature, adult, luxurious, autumn, evening fragrances are considered to be those that are assigned the following categories: “oriental”, “woody”, “chypre” and “fougere”. They clearly smell sandalwood, moss, spices, musk, patchouli, and coumarin.

Floral, citrus, and fruit bouquets are considered young and ideal for first dates and morning tea parties.

You can wear high-quality perfume all day long without leaving it even at night. But for some, durability is not such a plus. This applies to those who like, but quickly get bored with strong, spicy, tart perfumes.

For them, the option of using eau de toilette is also acceptable because it dissipates faster. And your favorite scent can always be updated.

Eau de toilette and eau de parfum They hold the same way, because these two names indicate the same product, namely, they have a main composition content of 10-20%. The aroma lasts for 4-5 hours.

Very often, when we come to a perfume store, we are at a loss, seeing such a huge number of not only aromas, but also many jars of different sizes of the same aroma.

In this article I will tell you about the main types of perfume products and give some tips on how to use them.

All perfume products are made from a base - a perfume composition, a solvent - high-quality alcohol, and sometimes dyes are added.

A perfume composition is made from aromatic oils of natural or synthetic origin. The number of oils in one composition can reach 60 pieces. In more expensive perfumes, most natural oils are used, but synthetic ones may also be included in small quantities. Perfumery consisting entirely of natural oils is quite an expensive pleasure)) And counterfeits and low-price perfumes are made entirely from synthetic oils.

The main difference between original perfume and fake perfume is that real perfume, when applied to the skin, changes over time - it plays and opens. Counterfeits are primitive in this regard - their aromas are flat and not rich. Of course, in order to understand how real aromas are revealed, you need to spend some time with it. By the way, to do this, it’s enough to go to an expensive store several times and apply perfume to the skin, and not to the blotter.

1. Perfume.

Under our definition "perfume" We often end up with something that, according to perfume terminology, is not a perfume and something that we buy quite rarely, because perfume is the most expensive perfume product. Price for perfume famous brands range from $100 to $250. Cost of vintage spirits can reach $2000 for a 7.5ml bottle!

Designation – Parfum.

IN perfume the highest concentration of the aromatic composition is 18-30%, although in some products it can reach 50%. That's why perfume and last the longest. The scent lasts for at least 6 hours, but most scents last longer. It can remain on clothes for months, especially on fur coats, sheepskin coats, etc. The norm for preserving the aroma of perfume on cotton fabric is at least 30 hours.

Perfume is available in bottles that hold a small amount, usually 7.5 - 14 ml. And you only need a couple of drops for your favorite scent to envelop you all the time.

1. Eau de parfum, toilet perfume.

Designation – Eau de Parfum (edp)

They are also sometimes called daytime perfumes. Oil concentration is 10-20%. The scent usually lasts for 5 hours and the base note is less noticeable here. But in some products even Eau de parfum can give a very strong and persistent aroma that will stay on clothes for a long time.

1. Eau de Toilette.

Designation - Eau de Toilette (edt)

Eau de Toilette- the lightest type of perfume. The concentration of the aromatic composition here is 4-10%. It is very suitable for morning use in hot weather. This scent usually lasts for 4 hours and the main note here is the middle note. The base one will be barely noticeable.

If you are a representative of the conservative community and prefer to have one scent, then, of course, it will be better for you to have both. fish soup And eau de toilette. After all, the aroma of perfume is very persistent and is not very suitable for the morning commute to work. A Eau de Toilette and it will improve your mood and will not irritate your colleagues at work or on public transport. J

And leave the evening to the perfume - their aroma will help reveal facets of your personality that were constrained by the confines of your office.

If you like to have many different scents, then make sure that they do not get on your clothes or hair (if you apply different scents between washing your hair) - otherwise, one day, the explosive mixture from the original perfume can simply ruin your mood.

Surely each of us has at least once wondered: what is it really? perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette and cologne. What is the difference? Which is better to choose?

All perfumes consist of perfume composition, water, alcohol and dyes. The difference between these products from each other is only in the concentration of the perfume extract they contain.

Perfume (Parfum - French, Perfume - English)

This is the most concentrated type of perfume product. The content of the aromatic composition in perfumes is from 15 to 30%. The high content of the extract dissolved in almost pure alcohol (96%) makes the perfume the most persistent compared to other types of perfume products. However, this makes perfume the most expensive purchase possible. But the pleasure from using them is much greater: the aroma is deeper, more multifaceted, the design of the bottle is much more beautiful, and perfumes usually last longer, because... Just a couple of drops are enough for the scent to last for five hours or more. Perfume is usually produced in small bottles, most often 7 or 15 ml (in America this corresponds to 1/4 oz. or 1/2 oz.).

Eau de parfum (Eau de Parfum) or toilet perfume (Parfum de Toilette)

This is the most common and popular type of perfume products today, which is explained by the optimal balance of its price and quality: high content of perfume extract (10 - 20% with 90% alcohol) and a more affordable price compared to perfumes. As a rule, a bottle of eau de parfum contains a spray bottle, making it very convenient to use. Typically, eau de parfum lasts 4-5 hours.

Eau de Toilette

Almost all men's perfumes are represented by eau de toilette. Although many women's fragrances are also produced exclusively in this concentration. Typically, eau de toilette contains from 4 to 10% aromatic composition dissolved in 80-90% alcohol. Due to this, eau de toilette has a lighter aroma, the smell is not as intense as that of perfume or eau de parfum. But the durability of eau de toilette is not so ideal - on average it lasts no more than 2-3 hours. Perfect for daily use. As a rule, it is available in spray bottles.

Cologne (Eau de Cologne)

In the traditional sense of the word, it is the least concentrated type of perfume product, containing 3-5% extract in 70% alcohol. If the fragrance is made in the USA and the inscription cologne is visible on it, then this is a different product, which in concentration is equal to eau de parfum (eau de toilette). Typically, colognes are a type of men's perfume that is a refreshing liquid with a cool, fresh effect. If the word “cologne” appears on perfumes for women, this means that this is the lightest of the fragrances.

Refreshing water (L`eau Fraiche) or sports water (Eau de Sport)

Perfumed deodorant (Deo Parfum)

A product that combines the properties of perfumes and personal hygiene products. The concentration of aromatic substances can be different - from 3 to 10%.

Favorite eau de toilette is an important element of a modern girl’s wardrobe. On the dressing tables of Parisian women there are luxurious bottles containing enchanting scents. Many of them strive to put together an individual collection of perfumes - after all, expensive eau de toilette from premium brands can instantly improve their mood and give them self-confidence.

Choosing the perfect eau de toilette is a pleasant experience, which, however, can sometimes be confusing. Indeed, it is very important to choose “your” scent, which will not get boring after a short time. Standing in a perfume store, it can be difficult to decide which of these beautiful bottles will be the best decoration for a woman’s image. Our article will help you understand the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum and which scent is better - chypre or floral.

What is the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum?

In order to figure out what is more durable - eau de toilette or eau de parfum, you need to know the classification of perfumed products. This information will certainly come in handy when choosing the best perfume for yourself or as a gift.

All perfume products consist of water, alcohol and aromatic substances. Depending on the ratio of these ingredients, perfumes are divided into the following groups:

perfume - Parfum or Perfume- This is the most concentrated type of perfume. The content of aromatic essences and essential oils in them reaches from 20 to 40% in 90% alcohol. Perfume has a pronounced, rich and persistent aroma with bright notes of trail that lasts for several days, so they are usually used in the cold season, mainly in the context of evening events. In hot weather, the aroma of perfume may seem too heavy;

eau de parfum - Eau De Parfum (EDP)- contains 15-20% aromatic substances in 90% alcohol. This product is also called day or toilet perfume. This concentration allows you to focus on pronounced heart notes. Eau de parfum is suitable for daytime use with careful, light application;

eau de toilette - Eau De Toilette (EDT) is a lightweight spray that was originally used as an affordable alternative to perfume. Today this product is considered the most popular type of perfume products. Eau de toilette contains 8-15% essential oils and other aromatic elements dissolved in 80% alcohol. This product has bright top and middle notes, but the trail nuances are only slightly felt. Good eau de toilette is universal, it can be used in winter and summer, day and evening, it is suitable even for hot climates or outdoor activities;

cologne - Eau De Cologne (EDC)- an even less concentrated type of perfume. This product contains up to 5% odorous substances dissolved in 70-80% alcohol. Typically, colognes are designed for men and have corresponding scents with fresh, marine or woody notes;

perfumed products for body care, which includes a wide variety of body care cosmetics that quote the basic aroma of eau de toilette - shower gel, moisturizing milk, nourishing cream and others. Such products are usually sold in a gift set with a bottle of perfume. Their purpose is to support the aromas of eau de toilette for women and increase the durability of their favorite scents. High-quality skincare cosmetics do not contain alcohol at all, so as not to dry out the skin, and the concentration of fragrant components in it is about 1%.

Types of eau de toilette

Sometimes it can be very difficult to understand which eau de toilette to choose for a young girl, and which scent is best for an elegant adult lady. To solve this issue, you need to have an idea of ​​the existing classifications of fragrances. This knowledge will give you the opportunity to choose your ideal scent for the rest of your life or, conversely, conduct successful experiments by choosing a new perfume or eau de toilette within your favorite family.

It is perhaps impossible to create a unified system of odors. Today, perfume companies sometimes invent synthetic aroma ingredients, and scent connoisseurs strive to fit them into existing schemes or reimagine them. In this article we will tell you about the system proposed in 1990 by the French Perfumery Committee (Comite Francais De Parfum), the entire variety of scents used in perfumery is divided into seven large groups or families:

citrus- the basis of these aromas are essential oils obtained from the zest of citrus fruits - orange, bergamot, tangerine and many others. Light and energetic, citrus eau de toilette for girls will perfectly complement your morning look and give your image freshness and vigor;

floral- they use essences extracted from fresh flowers: roses, jasmine, lilac. Such a delicate and romantic scent will create a seductive image, ideal for a first date;

woody- warm rich notes created on the basis of essential oils of various tree species: cedar, sandalwood, vetiver. These nuances are often used to create unisex perfumes; they will also organically complement a discreet office wardrobe;

eastern- spicy and tart scents created using animal notes - musk and amber, or classic spices - cinnamon, cloves, coriander. Such scents are more suitable for luxurious appearances in evening dresses;

leather- a relatively small family consisting of dryish tart aromas. These notes are used to create men's and women's perfumes. Leather scents go perfectly with laconic clothes in a men's style - a business suit or, on the contrary, a rocker biker jacket;

chypre- this group got its name in honor of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and the perfume of the same name, created in 1917 by perfumer Francois Coty. In such perfumes you can catch notes of incense, oak moss and patchouli. Relaxed chypre perfume will perfectly complement a casual look;

wine glasses- complex aromas with notes of wood moss, lavender and coumarin. These warm scents are ideal for the cold season, as well as for everyday life and work.

Of course, this classification is very conditional. Most existing perfumes can be classified into several families. For example, a good eau de toilette from Lancome Tresor is considered an oriental floral scent, and its popular flanker Tresor Midnight Rose is a fruity floral scent.

Which is better - eau de toilette or perfumed

So, whose scent is more lasting - eau de toilette or perfumed water? On the one hand, it can be argued that eau de toilette is less persistent due to the lower concentration of aromatic essences. However, it happens that the smell of regular cologne lasts much longer than the aroma of perfume. It can be argued that it is not easy to clearly determine the durability of eau de toilette.

Firstly, longevity depends not only on the concentration of aromatic substances, but also on the ingredients used. It has been proven that the most persistent notes are oriental and woody, but light fruity nuances fade much faster.

Secondly, even the best eau de toilette for women reveals differently on different people. This concerns not only the expressiveness of the sound of individual notes, but also the durability in general. Sometimes it is impossible to predict how a perfume will behave on the skin - so before deciding on a purchase, you should listen to the aroma of the product on yourself.

But even if you no longer smell the perfume on yourself, you should not be upset - perhaps your nose is simply accustomed to the aroma. Ask friends or family to evaluate the smell a few hours after application - it is quite possible that other people can still smell it.

Composition of eau de toilette

It's no secret that expensive perfume or eau de toilette smell differently throughout the day. Subtle nuances, when mixed, create a unique composition with a delicate aftertaste. The best eau de toilette for women gives an excellent scent that gradually changes and appears in a new way after some time after application.

The idea of ​​a fragrance pyramid first appeared in the 19th century, when, with the development of perfumery, mono-aromas were replaced by more complex compositions of several ingredients. Master perfumers soon developed a theory about the scent pyramid, which helps them create the perfect perfume and predict how the scent will change over time after application. This concept is based on information about the evaporation rate of various essential oils and essences.

Traditionally, the aroma pyramid includes three steps:

top notes (“head”). Top notes are the opening chord, the first thing a person will feel when opening a bottle of eau de toilette. They open instantly and set the tone for the aroma during the first 10-20 minutes. As a rule, they make up about 20% of the total fragrant substance. Citrus or fruit scents are used as top notes - grapefruit, raspberry, honeysuckle;

middle notes (“heart”). The middle notes reveal themselves in all their glory after the top chords evaporate. The heart notes are also called the “core” of a fragrance because they represent its main character. These smells have a fairly long duration - up to 5 hours. As a rule, the heart range is very soft, it includes delicate flowers or tart oriental spices: rose, jasmine, coriander;

base notes (“base notes”). Middle notes gently help the scent trail, which makes up 40-50% of the entire aromatic composition, to sound. Mixing with the heart notes, the basic nuances reveal the fullness of the scent and remain on the skin for up to 8-10 hours, responsible for the “aftertaste” of the perfume. As a rule, the base notes are heavy, rich scents - amber, musk, vanilla, leather, and various resins.

Modern perfumers sometimes create innovative scents, experimenting with the traditional pyramid and making smells sound in an unusual sequence. However, most eau de toilette and perfume waters still have a classic structure. For example, La vie est belle eau de toilette for girls, created in 2012 by perfumers Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo, boasts the following pyramid:

top notes are fruity: black currant and pear;

heart notes are iris, jasmine and orange blossom;

base - patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla and almond praline.

Such a complex, expressive composition sounds great on tender and dreamy young girls who love flirty dresses and sweet desserts.

How to use eau de toilette

Having chosen your ideal scent, you should figure out how to apply eau de toilette correctly, because inept use of perfumed products can not only ruin your thoughtful image, but also harm the aromatic product itself. To prevent this from happening, you must follow a few simple rules:

do not forget about hair and body hygiene - eau de toilette should be applied after a shower to clean and dry skin;

if you want to perfume your clothes, it is better to apply perfume from the wrong side to avoid stains;

do not spray eau de toilette on jewelry - the alcohol solution can harm your favorite earrings or chain;

Do not apply too much perfume - two or three sprays are enough.