Who doesn’t love the fragrance of perfumes? It feels so fresh and nice to be wearing a pleasant fragrance all day. The market is full of various options when it comes to choosing a perfume. Every brand is trying to bring a new fragrance by experimenting with the choice of ingredients used to make a perfume. They categorize its variants based on the concentration of the aromatic essence or essential oil(s) they use in each formulation. The concentration determines how long the fragrance lasts, how it can be used, etc.
For choosing a good perfume you need to be aware of all these features of a perfume. Since most perfumes are a mixture of multiple aromatic essences, it is important to understand the various notes of fragrances to identify the most suitable type of “perfume” for you. Also we know that how difficult it can be to choose a good perfume for women with various choices in the market. And that is why we are here for you. Here is the complete guide on how to choose perfume best suited for you.
Types Of Fragrance
We have to choose a perfume that suits our personality. Imagine making an impression on a group of strangers in a party or at workplace. Your perfume also plays a role here where its fragrance would be speaking something about your personality. We bet you don’t want to get it wrong. Do you? So let us start with introducing you to the types of fragrances present in perfumes.
1. Floral
We hope you already know about this one. Even if you don’t it’s okay. As the name suggests these perfumes are filled with the notes of flowers like roses, jasmine and lavender. The fragrance is pleasant and sensual which can suit a romantic or confident personality.
Try: Jimmy Choo Womens Illicit Flower Eau De Toilette
2. Fresh
These fragrances include the notes of citrus, mint or green grass. They offer a refreshing fragrance that can keep your mood light throughout the day. An apt choice for everyday wear!
Try: Burberry- My Burberry Blush EDP
3. Cozy
These fragrances give a feeling of warmth and satisfaction with the notes like vanilla or coffee.
Try: TOMMY HILFIGER Womens Tommy Girl EDT
4. Earthy
These perfumes have a touch of nature in their fragrances. The smell has notes of woods like sandalwood or patchouli.
Try: DOLCE & GABBANA Womens Light Blue Eau De Toilette
What Are Notes Of A Perfume & Why Are They Important To Understand?
Most perfumes are a combination of various aromatic fragrances layered and blended to get the desired end fragrance. Each aromatic essence is unique in the aspects of the time it takes to disperse and how long it lasts. Due to the time release factor of each note in a perfume, we often find that perfumes smell different right after spritzing than they do a few hours later. This can be immensely helpful in layering fragrances to suit individual taste.
Top/ Head Notes
These are the first fragrances that you smell when you wear a perfume because the molecules of the aroma essence are lighter and smaller. They tend not to last over 30 minutes. Eg: Citrus fragrances. So whenever you read about the top/head notes fragrances of a perfume understand that these fragrances will not last for a long time after the first spritz. So don’t dream about smelling like oranges or lemon (common top notes) for a long time if this fragrance is among the top notes. It will remain for a shorter amount of time.
Middle/ Heart Notes
These molecules are slightly heavier and can be smelled within 10-30 minutes of application and usually right before the top note wears off. So basically these fragrances will last longer than the top notes but not than the base notes. Generally, the middle notes are floral. Eg: Lavender & Rose.
Also read:10 AMAZING Perfumes For The 20-Something Girl (All Under Rs 700)
Base Notes
The fragrance is apparent after 30 minutes of application as the molecules are larger and heavier. The scent is intense and lingers on for at least 4-6 hours, if not more. Eg: Sandalwood, Jasmine, Musk and Ylang Ylang. So whenever you make the final decision of buying a perfume make sure it is based on the base notes and you love them. These are the fragrances which are going to stay for the longest. So take the base notes seriously girls!
Types Of Perfumes
1. Eau De Cologne
They contain about 7% aromatic essence dissolved in alcohol and are refreshing options during the summers. They can be applied directly to the skin and do not last very long. They are usually sold in 200 ml spray bottles and are quite pocket friendly.
Try: BVLGARI au the blanc
2. Eau De Toilette
Almost the same strength as a cologne but usually go as high as 10% aromatic essence. The top notes of this perfume are often dominant but it evaporates quickly.
Try: Burberry Women Brit Rhythm; Giorgio Armani Code Luna ; Gucci Premiere ; Davidoff Cool water
Also read: The BEST Affordable Alternatives To 5 Iconic Designer Perfumes!
3. Eau De Parfum
It offers a 10-20% concentration of essences with a staying power of at least 4-5 hours. It is the ideal choice to get a bang for your bucks as it has great staying power at a much lower cost.
Try: Calvin Klein Eternity; Dior J’Adore
4. Parfum
Parfum or perfume has a concentration of between 20-40% aromatic essence and have the longest staying power lasting at least 6-10 hours. Parfum is often available in glass stoppered bottles for dabbing rather than sprays and spritzers. It is the whole symphony of top, middle and base notes, making it last for the longest time of all the variants. Since only a tiny amount is needed, it is often sold in tiny glass bottles. Traditional perfume oils are an excellent alcohol-free alternative for those with sensitive skin. It leaves a long-lasting fragrance. They can be used as a single fragrance or a custom blend to suit individual needs. While they may be a bit pricey, they require just a few dabs on the pulse points and the fragrance lasts the whole day.
Try: The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil Now you know exactly how to choose perfume that is suitable for you! 🙂
This story was updated in October 2019
