“A Woman Who Doesn’t Wear Perfume Has No Future“, the legendary Coco Chanel used to say.
Choosing a perfume, especially for someone else, is a highly personal decision. Since scents vary on different skin types, careful consideration and testing are essential. The vast array of perfumes on the market can be overwhelming, so consulting reviews or seeking advice is recommended for those new to perfume buying.
How To: Find Your Signature Scent | Sephora
Trial and Testing Perfume
Perfume can be tested on skin or fragrance blotters, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Skin testing accurately reflects how a scent interacts with your body chemistry, but limits the number of perfumes you can try due to blending.
Blotters allow for sampling multiple scents without blending, but don’t reveal how a fragrance will smell on your skin. The optimal approach is to initially test on blotters, then apply your preferred choices to your skin.
Types of Perfume
Perfumes are categorized into four main types: Eau de Cologne, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, and Parfum, ranging from the least to the most concentrated, and reflecting corresponding price variations.
1. Eau de Cologne (EDC) is the term used today to refer to a perfume solution with around a 3% compound in an oil and water base. It’s the lightest perfume and, therefore, the least expensive.
2. Eau de Toilette (EDT) – is a perfume solution with a 3-8% compound in an oil and water base. It is a bit more expensive.
3. Eau de Parfum (EDP) is a perfume solution with a 10-15% compound.
4. Parfum is the highest concentration of oils, with 20-50% compound, which makes it last longer than others and the most expensive.
Size of Perfume
Perfume sizes differ by region, with ounces used in Europe and the USA and milliliters in other countries (1 oz equals approximately 30 ml). Standard sizes are 50ml, 75ml, and 100ml.
If you’re trying a fragrance for the first time, choose a smaller bottle. Larger bottles offer better value for familiar scents. Consider using sample vials for initial trials.
