Choosing the right fragrance for you can often be a difficult task. With a wide range of perfume strengths and brands on the market today it can often be quite daunting when you are unsure of the basic facts. There are many different factors that are involved when choosing the perfect fragrance, so in order to help you find what you are looking for we have put together this simple and informative guide.

It is often easy to confuse the various different strengths of perfume and the typical abbreviations used for each one. So for ease of use you can now find the many different perfume strengths outlined in full below.

Perfume
Pure Perfume is the strongest and most costly of all the fragrances due to its extremely long lasting scent and high quality. It is made from a 15-30% concentration of perfume essence and can last up to 6 hours depending on your individual skin type.

EDP – Eau De Parfum
With an 8-15% concentration this is lighter than pure perfume and is a very popular choice when purchasing a fragrance. It typically lasts around 3-5 hours with the price varying depending on which individual brand you choose.

EDT – Eau De Toilette
Lighter and considerably more delicate than the other fragrance types EDT is made from a 4-8% concentration and is typically used in men’s fragrances and in perfumes for everyday use. It lasts for around 2-4 hours and is usually very reasonably priced.

EDC – Eau De Cologne
Eau De Cologne is the most highly diluted and subtle of the fragrance types with just a 3-5% concentration of perfume oil. It typically lasts for around 2 hours and is often used in men’s fragrances.

Aftershave
Ideal for men with slightly more sensitive skin. Aftershave is a kinder, gentler alternative to EDT and EDC that lasts for around 3 hours. For those with severely sensitive skin alcohol free fragrances or balms may be a better choice.

So now you have the basics, we can move on to explaining a few things about how to make your fragrances last longer. If you find that your fragrance begins to fade quickly you can either invest in a higher quality such as a pure perfume or EDP or alternatively why not try using the various body washes and moisturisers from that specific perfume range. Layering your products on the skin often means that the fragrance is more potent and lasts longer without being too overpowering. Try taking a bath using the body wash from your chosen perfume, and then once dry apply the moisturiser from the same range. Finally spritz yourself with a generous amount of the chosen fragrance and you will find that not only do you have a longer lasting scent, but your skin also feels fresher, cleaner and full of moisture.

Rubbing perfume into the skin can also impair its strength and scent so do try to resist the temptation to rub your wrists together after spraying, instead try simply placing a dab of perfume onto each wrist preferably on your pulse points. The same procedure can be applied to the neck and behind the ears if desired. Another way to ensure a great coverage or as a quick freshen up before leaving the house is to spray the perfume into the air and then walk through the mist rather than spraying it directly on to the skin. This is perfect for creating a fresh, subtle scent.

Storing your fragrances correctly is very important. If fragrances are not stored in the correct way they can often lose their strength and become unusable and worthless. Fragrances should always be stored in a cool dark place, out of direct sunlight and if possible in it’s box. It is important to keep the lid on your fragrance, as once removed it will evaporate or change scent rapidly.

Sensitive Skin
For those who suffer from sensitive skin or severe reactions it can often be difficult to find a perfume or fragrance you can wear. As mentioned above, the use of less strong balms may help but failing this another alternative is to spray the fragrance onto your clothes rather than directly onto your skin. To avoid staining your favourite items hold the fragrance at arms length and spray small amounts being especially careful of delicate fabrics. Remember you can always consult your dermatologist before using any fragrance and they can suggest and advise regarding how suitable it is for your skin type.

We hope this guide has been of some assistance, last of all remember to enjoy wearing your fragrances, as I’m sure you’ll agree it is amazing just what a difference perfumes can make to our mood, state of mind and general happiness!