Parfum, also known as extrait de parfum or pure perfume, has the highest fragrance concentration. It contains the highest concentration of perfume oils, usually between 15 and 30 percent, and is designed to be noticeable and last all day. Parfum is typically more expensive than other fragrances due to its high concentration. It is also a good option for people with sensitive skin as it contains less alcohol and is less likely to dry out the skin.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Concentration | 15-40% fragrance, usually 20-30% |
Longevity | 6-8 hours |
Price | Highest of all fragrance types |
Skin suitability | Best for sensitive skin |
Spray | No, comes in stoppered bottles |
Gender | Historically genderless |
What You'll Learn
Parfum is the most prestigious concentration of a fragrance
Parfum is the longest-lasting type of fragrance, usually scenting the skin for six to eight hours. Its high concentration means it is also the most expensive type of fragrance. However, some argue that parfum offers better value for money as it lasts much longer and does not require reapplication throughout the day. Its opulent concentration means only a small amount is needed, and it should be applied sparingly.
Parfum has a lower alcohol content than other fragrance types, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin. Its lower alcohol content also means it is less likely to dry out the skin. Parfum is often sold in dab bottles, rather than atomisers, allowing for more control when applying.
Today, parfum has become a relatively rare concentration for men's fragrances. This is likely due to its high cost and the misconception that perfumes are reserved for women.
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Parfum usually contains 15-30% perfume essence
Parfum, or Extrait De Parfum, is a pure perfume and has the highest concentration of fragrance available. Typically, it contains between 15 and 30% perfume oil, though it can contain anywhere between 15 and 40%. This concentration is enough to make the scent potent, noticeable, and long-lasting. The sillage, or how far the fragrance extends from the body in the air, is always very noticeable with pure perfumes. They tend to seem dense and thick in the air, with clouds of scent that linger.
The perfume essence in parfum is made from a variety of ingredients, including essential oils such as cedarwood and sandalwood, absolutes like jasmine or rose, animal extracts such as musk, and synthetic fragrances (man-made chemical creations). The combinations of these ingredients give us the different notes of a fragrance.
The notes of a fragrance are divided into base notes, middle or heart notes, and top notes. Top notes are generally the most volatile and are therefore the first thing someone will smell when the fragrance is applied. After their scent dissipates, the middle or heart notes come through, and then the base notes are the final scent, the one that lingers the longest. The art and science behind any fragrance are getting the mix of these notes blended correctly.
The concentration of perfume ingredients in the oil and water blend is the fundamental distinguishing characteristic that identifies the type of fragrance. Parfum has the strongest scent in any given product line and will last the longest. Because parfum has a thicker and oilier consistency than other scent products, it does not come packaged as a spray. You will find it in stoppered bottles. It is also the most expensive type of perfume and is better for people with sensitive skin because it has the lowest amount of alcohol and won't dry it out.
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Parfum is better for people with sensitive skin
Parfum is a highly concentrated form of fragrance, usually with a perfume oil concentration of between 15 and 30%. It is often packaged in a bottle with a stopper, rather than a spray, due to its thicker and oilier consistency.
Additionally, parfum's higher concentration means that less product is needed for the desired effect, reducing the risk of over-application and subsequent skin irritation. The stronger scent also means that parfum is less likely to be applied excessively, further reducing the chances of skin irritation.
Finally, the higher price of parfum may act as a deterrent for some, but the greater longevity of the product means that it can offer better value for money. This higher concentration also means that the scent will last longer on the skin, reducing the need for frequent reapplication, which can be a source of skin irritation for some people.
Overall, parfum is a good option for those with sensitive skin due to its lower alcohol content, reduced risk of allergens, and greater longevity.
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Parfum is the most expensive type of perfume
Parfum, or pure perfume, is the most expensive type of perfume. It has the highest concentration of fragrance, typically between 15 and 30% perfume oil, which makes the scent potent, noticeable, and long-lasting. The higher concentration of oil also means that the scent will linger on the skin for much longer than other types of perfume.
The price of parfum is largely determined by its concentration. The higher concentration of oil means that parfum costs more per ounce than other types of fragrance. The concentration also gives parfum a thicker and oilier consistency than other types of perfume, which means it is typically packaged in stoppered bottles rather than spray bottles.
Parfum is also often more expensive due to the use of rare and precious ingredients. These ingredients can include natural materials such as essential oils, absolutes, animal extracts, and synthetic fragrances. The combination of these ingredients gives each parfum its unique scent, or "notes," which can include base notes, middle or heart notes, and top notes.
In addition to the cost of the ingredients, the price of parfum can also be driven up by opulent bottles and exclusivity. Some parfum bottles are made from luxurious materials such as gold, silver, crystal, or diamonds, which can significantly increase their price. Limited-edition or custom-made fragrances can also command a higher price.
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Cologne is a generic term for men's fragrances
The term "cologne" is often used as a generic term for men's fragrances. While colognes and perfumes differ in the concentration of essential oils, with colognes having a lower concentration, the distinction between the two is not based on gender. Men can wear both cologne and perfume. However, cultural and societal norms have associated cologne with masculine fragrances, and men's colognes typically feature notes such as citrus, wood, and musk, which are considered more traditionally masculine.
The use of the term "cologne" for men's fragrances has become a widely accepted convention, and men's fragrances are usually labelled "for men" or the French "homme". Fragrance manufacturers often assume that the women's scent is the default version, so if a fragrance is not labelled for women, it is likely a men's fragrance.
Cologne (or eau de cologne) is the oldest term for perfume and is used in North America for masculine scents. Colognes are typically light, fresh, and fruity, composed of two to four per cent perfume oils in alcohol and water. They are often used in fragrances for younger people and tend to last for about two hours.
There are several types of men's cologne, including:
- Eau de Cologne: A light, refreshing fragrance with a low concentration of essential oils.
- Eau de Toilette: A slightly stronger fragrance with a higher concentration of essential oils.
- Eau de Parfum: A more concentrated fragrance with a higher percentage of essential oils.
- Parfum: The strongest and most concentrated fragrance with the highest percentage of essential oils.
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Frequently asked questions
Parfum, or pure perfume, is a fragrance with a high concentration of perfume essence (15-40%) and a low concentration of alcohol. It is the most expensive type of fragrance and is better suited to those with sensitive skin.
Parfum has a stronger scent and lasts longer (up to 8 hours) than other fragrances. It is also oilier and usually comes in a bottle with a stopper, rather than a spray.
Cologne has a much lower concentration of fragrance essence (2-4%) and a higher concentration of alcohol. It is cheaper and less likely to irritate the skin. The scent usually lasts for up to 2 hours.
Eau de parfum has a fragrance concentration of 15-20% and lasts for around 5-6 hours. Eau de toilette has a lower concentration of 5-15% and lasts for 2-3 hours. Eau de parfum is suitable for everyday wear, while eau de toilette is considered more casual.