Perfume FAQs & Glossary
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Perfumes
How to Find the Perfect Fragrance?
With so many fragrances on the market today, you're sure to find one, or several, that you love—it may just take a bit of research. Start by browsing for fragrances online, taking the time to read the product descriptions, as well as the customer reviews. Customize your fragrance search by preferred gender, brand, or fragrance type. And, if you’ve worn a fragrance in the past that you really enjoyed, consider trying a new fragrance from the same product line or brand.
How to Apply Fragrance?
If you’ve been wondering how to put on cologne or parfum properly, it's really quite simple. When applying any type of fragrance, it’s best to be conservative and start with a light spray or dab of scent. Apply the fragrance directly onto your skin, being sure to avoid your face and eyes. If you’re using a spray, hold the bottle 7-10 inches away from your skin. Body heat is known to intensify a fragrance, so choose areas of your body that are naturally warmer, like your neck, chest, forearms, and wrists. Avoid rubbing the fragrance into your skin, which will only break down the oils and help it fade more quickly. Instead, let the fragrance absorb into your skin naturally. Please note that some fragrances can damage certain types of clothing and jewelry, so it’s best to apply fragrance and let it dry completely, before getting dressed.
What is Fragrance Concentration?
A fragrance that contains perfume oils of higher concentration, will have a more intense smell and last longer on the skin. This does not mean that it is a better fragrance, it simply means that it’s a stronger one. It’s important to note that many ingredients smell differently depending on their concentration levels, which you may or may not like. In fact, there are many people who prefer the subtlety and versatility of a lower concentration fragrance.
Eau de Toilette vs Eau de Parfum: What's the difference?
The difference is simply the amount or concentration of oils in the fragrance. Eau de parfum has a higher concentration than eau de toilette, making it a stronger fragrance. There is also pure perfume, which has the highest concentration, and eau de cologne, which has the lowest concentration of oils. Read our guide to Fragrance Types.
What is the difference between a Splash and a Spray?
There is absolutely no difference in the fragrance. The difference is in the method of application only. However, a spray bottle, being sealed all the time, may have a longer shelf life. Making the decision between spray and splash is entirely a matter of personal preference.
What is a tester?
Testers are even more discounted than the fancy boxed versions and are great if you don't have a need for the fancy box. Testers are 100% authentic, fresh and completely full just like the original fragrance, however they are meant for the counter in a department store. Testers often come in a plain white box but sometimes they do not have a cap or a box. The savings on the packaging means you save even more!
Why do some men wear Cologne, and others prefer to wear After Shave?
After Shave Lotion will usually sting as well as help close the pores after shaving. After Shave Balm is actually soothing to the skin. After Shave Gel also soothes the skin, but cools the skin as well and relieves razor burn.
What do Fragrance Notes refer to?
Fragrances are comprised of many different scents, these scents are called "notes." Top notes are very light and last just a few minutes (5-10 minutes). Middle notes become apparent in about 15 minutes after application. These can last up to an hour or more. Bottom notes are the heavier ingredients. These last the longest, usually for several hours.
How can I keep my fragrance from going bad?
Keep all fragrances in a cool, dry area, and away from windows as sunlight can unbalance the various ingredients. An opened bottle should be kept in its box to insure a longer shelf life.
How to care & store my fragrance?
Moisture and heat will break will down fragrance oils, negatively affecting the longevity and natural scent of a fragrance. That’s why it’s important to store your fragrances in a cool dry place, and out of direct sunlight. Although perfumes are not marked with expiration dates, that doesn’t mean that they will last forever. The average lifespan of a fragrance is 2 to 5 years, before they start to break down, and smell differently than intended. However, fragrances with a higher percentage of perfume oils and deep base notes have been known to last as long as 8-10 years. So, if you love a fragrance, wear it and enjoy it, instead of placing it on a shelf and risk letting it turn.
My perfume does not spray, nothing comes out, is it broken?
To get your fragrance spraying again please follow these instructions below:
- Hold one finger against the spray nozzle.
- Use your other finger to pump the spray 10-15x.
- Remove your finger from the spray nozzle.
- Pump the spray another 10-15x as needed.
- Allow the fragrance bottle to settle for 5-10 minutes.
Your fragrance bottle should be fully functional now! If you are still having problems, you can repeat steps 1-5.
Perfume Glossary
Absolute: An absolute is a highly-concentrated and aromatic fragrance oil derived from botanicals. Considered to be more powerful than essential oil, absolute is an important component in perfumery.
Accord: An accord is a unique scent created by mixing several notes together. Accords are created with the intention of mimicking a natural scent that cannot be otherwise obtained.
Concentration: Fragrances can be divided into 4 different perfume oil concentrations, or strengths (listed strongest to weakest): parfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, cologne. The higher the scent oil concentration, the more long-lasting the fragrance will be.
Drydown: The drydown is the final and longest-lasting stage of a fragrance after the top and middle notes have dissipated. It is the time in which the deep base notes take center stage.
Essential oils: A common ingredient found in perfumes, essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from aromatic plants. These important oils are created using a pressing or distillation process.
Extract: An extract is a powerful perfume that contains a 15-45% concentration of aromatic oil. It is considered to be the most potent form of perfume on the market.
Nose: A master perfumer, affectionately referred to as a nose, is a skilled professional who creates the original formulas for fragrances. Although a company or specific brand may be responsible for the idea of a fragrance, the nose is the person who decides which ingredients will be used in the formulation. Most master perfumers have received training from the finest schools in the world, and hold college degrees in both chemistry and perfumery.
Note: The term note, simply refers to an ingredient in a fragrance. All notes can be classified into one of 3 types: top, middle, or base. It is the combination of these 3 notes that creates a fragrance.
Synthetic: The term synthetic is used to describe any ingredient found in perfume, that was not obtained through a natural extraction process. These chemically created ingredients are a reasonable substitute for natural ingredients that are too expensive or hazardous to obtain.
For further assistance, please email us at connect@theperfumebazaar.com