When you smell good, you feel good, which ultimately translates into how you carry yourself. Scent is an excellent way to express yourself and your personality or mood, and it can even make a lasting impression on everyone you meet! So, how do you pick the right one for you? Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for cologne:
Consider The Strength
The fragrance concentration will determine how long the scent will last. Higher concentrations will have more perfume oils and less alcohol.
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Parfum has the strongest concentration of fragrance, usually between 20% and 30%, and will last 6 to 8 hours. This also makes it the most expensive form of fragrance, because there is more perfume oil and less alcohol, which also means that Parfum could be worth the splurge if you have sensitive skin. A little goes a long way. Be careful not to use too much or the scent can become overwhelming.
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Eau de Parfum has the next highest fragrance concentration, anywhere from 15% to 20%. Not quite as expensive as Parfum, it usually lasts around 4 or 5 hours and is one of the most common fragrance concentrations.
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Eau de Toilette has a fragrance concentration between 5% and 15% and will last around 2 or 3 hours. It’s more affordable than Parfum and Eau de Parfum, but still lasts a few hours, making it one of the most popular concentrations.
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Eau de Cologne has a much lower concentration of fragrance than the types mentioned above, usually a 2% or 4% concentration. Because it has more alcohol in it, the scent typically only lasts an hour or two, and you’ll need to use more sprays to achieve a more noticeable, lasting scent. But, it is a cheaper alternative to more concentrated options.
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Eau Fraiche is the least concentrated, with only 1% or 2% of fragrance, however, it does not contain much alcohol. The remainder of the solution is actually filled with water, so if your skin is sensitive to alcohol, Eau Fraiche is a great, gentle option without the price tag of Parfum.
Want something light that you can use a few sprays of and will fade in an hour or so? Choose Eau Fraîche or Eau Cologne. Want something that will continuously give off scent throughout the day without the need to reapply? Opt for Eau de Parfum or Parfum if you’re willing to pay a little more.
Don’t Forget To Try It On!
So, you’ve found a scent you like and a concentration that works for you. Next, give it a wear test! Many scents have multiple layers or “notes” of fragrance in them, so you’ll want to try a scent on to see how it reacts on your skin, and depending on the concentration, you’ll want to see how it wears as you move and perspire throughout the day. Everyone’s skin has a slightly different pH, so a scent that smells great on a friend won’t smell exactly the same on you.
Scentbird is an excellent way to try travel-size amounts of designer scents for just $14.95/month, so you can really get an idea of what you like before committing to a full size of your signature scent!