The Fragrance World: Exploring Women's Cologne

While the terms cologne and perfume are often used to refer to men's and women's fragrances, respectively, this is not always the case. In reality, the distinction is in the concentration of scented oils in the fragrance, with colognes having a lower concentration than perfumes. Unisex fragrances do exist, and some retailers, salons, and industry professionals use the terms according to their technical definitions. However, in common usage, cologne is typically associated with men's fragrances, and perfume with women's.

Women's cologne is sold by many major retailers

Amazon, for example, offers a variety of women's cologne options, including designer fragrances and unique, vegan formulas. With over 1,000 results for "women's cologne," Amazon provides a diverse selection of scents, such as floral, fruity, and musk options. They also offer different sizes and concentrations, including eau de cologne, eau de parfum, and cologne concentrate sprays.

Target and Walmart also carry women's cologne, although their selections may vary. Both retailers offer popular fragrances from well-known brands, such as Versace, Calvin Klein, and Elizabeth Arden. Target's website provides tips and guides on choosing the right fragrance, while Walmart showcases customer reviews to help inform your purchase.

In addition to these major retailers, specialty fragrance stores and online shops may also carry women's cologne. These stores often provide a more curated selection, featuring unique or niche fragrances that cater to specific preferences or interests.

When purchasing women's cologne, it's essential to consider factors such as scent preference, concentration, and price. Retailers like Amazon and Walmart often provide customer reviews and ratings, which can be helpful in determining the longevity and overall experience of a particular fragrance.

By offering a range of women's cologne options, these major retailers cater to diverse preferences and provide convenient access to fragrances for their customers.

The language around fragrances is gendered

However, it is important to note that fragrances are technically unisex, and some people and fragrance houses choose to avoid gendering their scents. Additionally, there are alternative, more gender-neutral terms such as "fragrance" and "scent" that can be used to describe these products.

The concentration of oils in a fragrance is an important distinction, as it affects the strength and longevity of the scent. "Eau de cologne" typically contains 3 to 5% oil, "eau de toilette" contains around 8 to 12% oil, and "eau de parfum" or "perfume" contains 18 to 30% oil. These terms, which indicate the concentration of oils, are often used interchangeably with "cologne" and "perfume" and can contribute to the gendered language around fragrances.

Despite the technical nature of these terms, common usage has largely gendered them, with "cologne" typically being associated with men and "perfume" with women. This gendering of fragrance language can have social implications, as using the "wrong" term to describe a fragrance can be seen as strange or even offensive to some people.

However, there are those who actively push back against this gendering of fragrances and fragrance language. Some people choose to use more gender-neutral terms such as "fragrance" or "scent" to describe any perfume or cologne. Additionally, some fragrance houses choose to market their products as unisex, avoiding the gender binary altogether.

In conclusion, while the language around fragrances is often gendered, with "cologne" associated with men and "perfume" with women, it is important to recognise that these are arbitrary distinctions. Fragrances are technically unisex, and the concentration of oils is a more significant factor in defining these products. By using more gender-neutral language and recognising the technical aspects of fragrances, we can move towards a more inclusive and accurate way of discussing these scent products.

Perfume typically has a higher concentration of oils than cologne

There are fragrances marketed towards women that are labelled as "cologne", and they do exist. However, the term "cologne" is often associated with men's fragrances, while "perfume" is associated with women's fragrances.

The difference between perfume and cologne is in the concentration of oils they contain. The higher the concentration of oils, the longer the scent will last and the stronger it will be. Generally, perfume has a higher concentration of oils than cologne.

There are five main levels of perfume concentration:

• Parfum (also known as extrait de parfum): This has the highest concentration of perfume oil, typically between 20% and 40%. Parfums are the longest-lasting type of perfume, typically lasting up to eight hours. They are more expensive due to the higher concentration of oils.
• Eau de parfum (EDP): This has a medium concentration of perfume oil, typically between 15% and 20%. Eau de parfums are less expensive than parfums but still last for a good amount of time, usually four to five hours.
• Eau de toilette (EDT): This has a lower concentration of perfume oil, typically between 5% and 15%. Eau de toilettes are very common and are suitable for everyday wear, with a typical duration of two to four hours.
• Eau de cologne (EDC): This type of fragrance has the lowest concentration of perfume oil, typically between 2% and 5%. Eau de colognes are light and refreshing, perfect for summer or casual wear. Their scent usually lasts for about one to two hours.
• Perfume mist (or eau parfumée/eau sans alcohol): This type of perfume does not contain alcohol and has a similar concentration of perfume oil to an eau de toilette. Perfume mists are suitable for those with sensitive skin and are a good option for sunbathing.

The right perfume concentration depends on personal preferences, the occasion, skin type, and budget. If you want a long-lasting and noticeable scent, choose a parfum or eau de parfum. For a more affordable, lighter, and refreshing option, go for an eau de toilette or eau de cologne.

Cologne is often cheaper than perfume

There is a wide range of women's colognes available on the market. While cologne is often cheaper than perfume, there are several factors that determine the price of a fragrance.

Firstly, longevity plays a significant role in the pricing of colognes and perfumes. Generally, cheaper colognes do not last as long as their more expensive counterparts. For example, the Nautica Voyage cologne for men is a budget-friendly option but does not have the same longevity as pricier alternatives. However, there are exceptions, such as Proper Cologne by Duke Cannon, which offers a range of affordable yet long-lasting fragrances.

The number of varying scents or notes in a fragrance also affects its price. Cheaper colognes typically have fewer notes, focusing primarily on top notes, which are the scents smelt immediately after spraying. These top notes tend to last for about half an hour. More expensive perfumes often have multiple levels of fragrance, including middle and base notes. Middle notes develop after the top notes fade, lasting for two to four hours, while base notes are the scents that linger on the skin at the end of the day. Creating a fragrance with these different layers requires more ingredients and expertise, driving up the cost.

The ingredients used in colognes and perfumes also contribute to their pricing. Base notes, in particular, can be some of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery. Rare and costly ingredients, such as pure Indian agarwood, are used in luxury fragrances, making them harder to duplicate and commanding a higher price. Synthetic fragrances, on the other hand, tend to be cheaper to produce and are often used in less expensive perfumes.

It is worth noting that while these factors generally influence the pricing of fragrances, there are exceptions. For instance, Chanel No. 5 is a single-note fragrance that is not considered cheap. Additionally, the process of creating the fragrance and the brand's reputation can also impact the price, similar to how a fine wine commands a higher price due to its production process and brand prestige.

Women's cologne comes in a variety of scents

Some popular floral fragrances for women include Chloé Eau de Parfum, which features notes of peony, lychee, rose, springtime freesia, and honey, and Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum, which has notes of rose, jasmine, citrus, and bourbon vanilla. If you're looking for something a little sweeter, Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum is a luxurious, gourmand fragrance with notes of airy florals.

For a warm and woody scent, you might opt for Maison Margiela's Replica Jazz Club, which has hints of rum, pink pepper, and tobacco. Alternatively, for a spicy fragrance, there's Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle, which features hints of vanilla.

In addition to these, there are numerous other fragrance families to choose from, such as fruity, citrus, and musk. Popular fruity fragrances include Versace Bright Crystal, which combines yuzu and pomegranate with florals, and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette, which offers a fresh take on traditional citrus scents.

Frequently asked questions