Seamus Hammond
While the word perfume is typically associated with fragrances marketed towards women, it is not incorrect to refer to men's fragrances as perfumes. However, in certain cultures and dialects, there are alternative terms commonly used to describe men's fragrances. For example, in American culture, men's perfumes are often referred to as colognes, and in the UK, the term aftershave is commonly used. These terms are not universal, and the usage of perfume to describe men's fragrances may vary depending on regional and personal preferences. Ultimately, the choice of terminology depends on the speaker's comfort and familiarity with the different terms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| General term for men's fragrance | Cologne |
| Other names | Aftershave, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum |
| Typical concentration of aromatic compounds | 8% |
| Concentration of aromatic compounds in perfume | 30% |
| Perception of using the word "perfume" | Feminine |
| Perception of using the word "cologne" | Masculine |
| Reasons for using cologne | Introduced by a father or role model, increased attractiveness and confidence |
| Concerns about using cologne | Fear of overusing, negative impact on reputation |
| Price range of niche fragrances | Over $50 |
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What You'll Learn
'Cologne' vs 'perfume'
The world of perfume can be confusing, with conflicting information about definitions and categorisation. One of the most common misconceptions is that "'perfume' is for women and 'cologne' is for men". However, this is not true. The terms refer to the concentration of fragrance oils within the product, not gender.
Perfume is a stronger scent with higher concentrations of oils, typically made with 20-30% aromatic compounds in an oil or alcohol base. It is the most concentrated form of fragrance, so a small amount goes a long way. It can last up to 24 hours on the skin, although this depends on the person's body chemistry and environmental conditions.
Cologne has a lighter aroma with lower concentrations of oils. It typically contains only 2-8% aromatic oils in an alcohol base, making it perfect for everyday wear. It tends to be very mild and may last as little as one to two hours per application. The scent profile of colognes tends to lean towards citrusy or aquatic notes, making them ideal choices during warmer months when heavier fragrances might feel too overwhelming.
The terms "cologne" and "perfume" have evolved over time in terms of fragrance style, concentration, and marketing. In the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a rise in colognes and fragrances specifically designed for men, particularly those used in barbershops. In the 19th and 20th centuries, fragrance manufacturers began advertising specific formulas and products directly to men, offering clearer distinctions between different types of fragrances.
Today, the word "perfume" is used as an overarching or general term for fine fragrances, which also includes cologne. "Eau de cologne" means "Water from Cologne", derived from the city of Cologne, Germany. The original formulation was created by an Italian barber named Giovanni Paolo Feminis, who marketed a highly distilled "water" fragranced with various herbs in 1709.
In summary, the main difference between cologne and perfume is the concentration of fragrance oils, which affects the intensity and longevity of the scent. Cologne is a lighter, fresher scent with lower concentrations of fragrance oils, while perfume is a stronger, more concentrated scent that lasts longer.
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'Fragrance' as a gender-neutral term
The use of “fragrance” as a gender-neutral term is becoming increasingly common in the perfume industry, reflecting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable practices. While the industry has traditionally marketed fragrances with gendered language, today's progressive perfume houses are moving away from this approach, creating signature scents designed with everyone in mind. This evolution aligns with changing societal values that prioritize inclusivity, sustainability, and authenticity.
The notion of gendered perfume is becoming obsolete, as exemplified by brands like Henry Rose, Byredo, D.S. & Durga, St Rose, Phlur, Libertine, Jo Malone, and Replica, which are all classified as gender-neutral. These brands often utilize minimalist black-and-white packaging to emphasize their mission of inclusivity. The use of “unisex” or “genderless” to describe these fragrances conveys their universal appeal and openness in expression and individuality.
The subjective nature of scent further supports the shift towards gender-neutral terminology. Fragrances are now developed with a focus on intent and inspiration rather than traditional gender categories. This allows customers to personalize their aromatic experience and participate in a shared, inclusive journey. The growing popularity of gourmand fragrances, with their unique twists of fruit, floral, or musk notes, also contributes to the genderless appeal of modern perfumes.
The term "cologne," which refers to the concentration of perfume oils, has historically been associated with men's fragrances. However, this association is primarily an American cultural phenomenon, and the distinction between "cologne" and "perfume" based on gender is not universally applicable. Similarly, while "aftershave" is commonly associated with men's fragrances, particularly in Canada, it is not always accurate to refer to all men's fragrances as aftershaves.
As the fragrance industry evolves, it is embracing a more fluid and creative approach, challenging outdated gender norms and promoting sustainability. The use of "fragrance" as a gender-neutral term is a step towards creating perfumes that can be worn by anyone, transcending the boundaries of traditional gender categories.
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'Aftershave' as a generic term for men's fragrance
The term "perfume" has long been associated with women, and men's fragrances have historically been labelled with more masculine terms. In the mid-20th century, particularly after World War II, men’s grooming routines were typically simple, and aftershave was a key product. This led to the perception that men needed a more masculine term for their scents, and thus, the word "aftershave" began to be used colloquially as a generic term for any male-oriented fragrance product, even those that weren’t technically aftershave.
While the usage of the term "aftershave" as a catch-all for men's fragrances is common in British culture, it can lead to confusion when choosing products. This is because aftershave, cologne, and perfume are distinct products with unique purposes, compositions, and scent profiles. Aftershave, for example, is a skincare product applied after shaving to soothe irritation, prevent infection, and refresh the skin. It typically contains antiseptic ingredients like alcohol, witch hazel, or aloe vera to clean cuts and calm the skin. Its original function was to be splashed onto freshly shaven skin to speed up the healing process and disinfect any minor cuts.
Cologne, on the other hand, is a very weak concentration of scent, akin to an eau de toilette. An eau de parfum, however, is a higher-concentrated scent, and pure parfum is even more so. These fragrances will be more intense and long-lasting on the skin.
In summary, while "aftershave" is commonly used as a generic term for men's fragrances, it is important to understand the distinctions between different types of fragrances to ensure you are purchasing the right product for your needs.
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'Parfum' as a non-gender-specific term
The term "parfum" is not gender-specific, and most perfumers agree that fragrance has no gender. However, societal expectations and marketing tactics have long influenced the gendered categorisation of perfumes, with certain scents being associated with masculinity or femininity.
Historically, men's perfumes have been linked to strong, earthy notes like wood, leather, and musk, while women's perfumes often feature lighter, floral, and fruity aromas. These stereotypes are deeply ingrained in our collective 'scent memory' and are still perpetuated by many perfume brands. However, these distinctions are not universal and can vary across different countries and regions. For example, in Latin America, floral accents in masculine fragrances are often rejected, while in France and Arab cultures, perfumes are more label-free, and men often prefer floral scents.
The rise of niche perfumes in the 1980s marked a shift towards a focus on quality ingredients and unique compositions, challenging traditional gender norms in perfumery. The launch of the first unisex perfume, CK One by Calvin Klein in 1994, disrupted the binary division of fragrances and offered a fresh, sporty, and neutral scent profile. Today, many popular men's fragrances incorporate notes that were once considered solely feminine, such as florals, fruits, amber, and vanilla.
While the perfume industry is moving towards inclusivity and away from rigid gender categorisations, the impact of decades of gender-specific marketing persists. In some cultures, such as the United States, the terms ""cologne" and "aftershave" are commonly used for men's fragrances to distinguish them from "perfume," which is typically associated with women. However, in the United Kingdom, some individuals may refer to men's fragrances as "fragrance" or "cologne," avoiding the word "perfume," which may carry feminine connotations. Ultimately, the perception of fragrance as gendered varies across societies and is influenced by cultural norms and marketing strategies.
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'Eau de Cologne' as a specific type of fragrance
The term "fragrance" comes from the word "fragrant", which means a pleasant, sweet scent. A fragrance is associated with perfumes, eau de parfum, and eau de cologne.
Eau de cologne is a specific type of perfume with a lighter fragrance blend of 2%–5% perfume oils in alcohol and water. It was invented in the 18th century by Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina for the royal courts of Europe. The word "cologne" comes from the German city of Cologne, where Farina lived at the time.
Originally, eau de cologne was a spirit-citrus perfume with a mixture of citrus oils, including lemon, orange, tangerine, clementine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit, blood orange, bitter orange, and neroli. It can also contain oils of lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, petitgrain (orange leaf), jasmine, olive, oleaster, and tobacco.
In contemporary American English usage, the term "cologne" has become a generic term for perfumes marketed toward men. However, it is important to note that men can wear as much perfume as women can wear cologne. The distinction between perfumes and colognes is a result of modern marketing.
Eau de cologne is typically less expensive than perfumes due to its lower fragrance concentration and higher alcohol content. It generally lasts for up to two hours and comes in larger bottles.
One of the oldest brands of eau de cologne is 4711, which has been produced since at least 1799. The formula for 4711 Eau de Cologne is a closely guarded secret, but it contains beneficial natural ingredients such as lavender, rosemary, bergamot, lemon, orange, neroli, and petitgrain.
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Frequently asked questions
The male equivalent of perfume is cologne.
In America, advertisers began referring to all men's perfumes as colognes to differentiate them from women's hygiene products.
Yes, "fragrance" is a gender-neutral term that covers both cologne and perfume.
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