8 Different Types of Perfume

There are many different types of perfumes, including parfum, eau de parum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, and eau fraiche. Perfume oils in today's fragrance market are also considered a type of perfume while some people opt for body mists and aftershaves. Perfumes are often given as gifts as signs of affection.

Many women and men wear perfume and have a favorite or two but not all perfumes are alike or even similar. Perfumes are available in different concentrations that fall under different perfume categories.

The amount of concentration can affect the price of each perfume which in turn, affects you, so it is a good thing to learn more about the different types of perfume that are on the market today. Perfumes come in an array of scents, including musk, oriental scent, vanilla, fruity, and even orange blossom, and can affect your mood.

The word perfume comes from the Latin word perfumare, which has the meaning of,” to smoke through”. Perfumery is the term used when you are engaging in the art of creating perfumes and this process has been traced back to the ancient Egyptians along with the people, also during ancient times, in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley Civilization, and possibly Ancient China. In other words, the art of creating different types of perfumes that appeal to different people has been around for a really long time.

It can be confusing as to what each type of perfume means for you and which one you should choose. Shopping for a new perfume fragrance can be difficult and a bit overwhelming with so many scents to pick from and so many concentrations that are offered.

Given this, it is easy to get confused about what each type of perfume means, and therefore what you should choose.

Shopping for new perfume can be overwhelming with all of the scents available. Not only are there countless scents available, but there are also different fragrance concentrations, and they can normally be found under the perfume’s name on each bottle. This will tell you the amount of strength that a fragrance has and perfumes with a higher fragrance concentration will contain more perfume oils and not as much alcohol.

Fragrance concentrations are broken down into several different categories. There were originally five different types of perfumes listed below along with a sixth one that has been added in more recent years.

That type is perfume oil. This last category was added due to the rise in popularity of essential oils. We have broken down each one with more information and examples to help you in your quest to find the best concentrations of fragrances for you and your lifestyle.

Parfum

Parfum, which can also be referred to as pure perfume, has the highest concentration of fragrance that all of the different types of perfumes. Of all scents of perfumes, parfums seem to last the longest which is about six to eight hours. You will pay more at the cash register for parfum because of its higher concentration of fragrance since you will not have to use as much each time you put some on because of this fact.

If you tend to have more sensitive skin, you may want to shell out a little more money for a perfume that falls under the parfum category since it has way less alcohol in it and will not be drying on your skin. Here are examples of parfum for women and men:

For Women:

For men:

This example of parfum has been created to use for men and women:

Eau de Parfum

Next in line when it comes to the concentration levels in perfumes is the eau de parfum type that normally has a concentration of around 15 to 20 percent. Perfumes under this category will last for about four to five hours at a time.

These perfumes and colognes have a higher concentration of alcohol than parfum does and is gentle on your skin. More people purchase this type of perfume than any of others as it can be worn on a daily basis and is not too strong yet has a pleasant scent that will last for several hours.

For women:

For men:

For men and women:

Eau de Toilette

With a concentration level between five and fifteen percent, Eau de toilette is less expensive to purchase and is a very popular type of perfume that many people choose to wear as an everyday fragrance. Perfumes and colognes under this category will last for at least two or three hours.

For Women:

For Men:

For men and women:

Eau de Cologne

Eau de cologne, or EDC, has a higher concentration of alcohol and only between two and four percent of fragrance. It is cheaper to buy than other fragrances but the scent only lasts about two hours at a time. Perfumes and colognes in this category are normally available in larger bottles since you will need to reapply more often.

For women:

For men:

For men and women:

Eau Fraiche

Eau fraiche is very similar to eau de cologne since the scent normally only lasts for about two to four hours before it will need to be reapplied. At around one to three percent, Eau fraiche has even less concentration of fragrance than eau de cologne.

The major difference between Eua fraiche and other perfumes is that it does not contain as much alcohol since it is created mostly with water so it is a safer option for people with very sensitive skin who want to purchase a fragrance that will not break the bank.

For women:

For men:

For men and women:

Perfume Oils, Mists, and Sprays

You can also choose to get your fragrances in a variety of different forms, including mists, body sprays, aftershaves, and even body washes and lotions. I prefer to wear the mist fragrances by Bath and Body Works, along with their lotions and body washes.

It really depends on what you prefer. You should also do some research ahead of time so you can purchase a scent you enjoy that is in your price range since many of the fragrances can be pricey. Also, keep in mind, that you may need to try out several fragrances before deciding on the one that is the right one for you and your body.

Due to our body chemistry and makeup, some fragrances may smell great on your friend but not be as fragrant when you put them on your skin. It is a trial and error process over time that you will need to conduct to decide upon the best type of perfume for you and your lifestyle.

There is also a newer, sixth type of fragrance that many people are gravitating towards. While most people only consider the above types of perfumes to be the only ones on the market, due to the rise in popularity of scented oils, perfume oils are a category now all on their own.

Some perfume extracts come from animals or are completely synthetic and man-made. True perfume oil, also known as a fragrance oil, comes from natural substances, including flowers, and is mixed with a base of alcohol, water, or oil just like the other types but tends to be more oil-based. Many of them have a woody scent or even fruity scents.

Women’s Perfume Oils

Perfume Oils For men:

Perfume Oils For men and women:

Body Mists for Women:

Body Mists for Men:

Body Mists for Men and Women:

Ten FAQS About Perfume

What was the first perfume ever made?

When it comes to modern-day perfumes, the first one known to have been created was made of a blend of scented oils in an alcohol-based solution. It was created in 1370 at the order of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary which is the reason why it was known throughout the European area as Hungary Water.

Which country is famous for perfumes?

Renowned throughout the world for its perfume industry, France is the home base for some of the world’s most popular perfume manufacturers, including Maison Guerlain. The French people have perfected the art of creating perfumes and have produced some of the biggest and most well-known brands in the perfume industry, including Chanel, Christian Dior, and Estée Lauder. France is also the leader when it comes to perfume sales, cornering 30 percent of the entire world perfume market.

Which city is famous for perfumes?

Kannauj is known as “the perfume capital of India” and “Kannauj is to India what Grasse is to France” due to its perfume production. It is known to be the most perfumery town of India for centuries.

How do I choose a perfume?

The most important part of selecting a new favorite perfume fragrance is by trying several samples since on your body period to do this, it is best to spray the perfume on a pulse point where your skin will be warmer, such as your wrist or elbow, so the fragrance will heat up and you’ll be able to smell it easier and decide if you like it or not.

Where do I apply perfume?

There are several points on your body where you should apply your perfume, including the inner part of your wrists, the base of your throat, behind your earlobes, behind the knees, on your inner elbows, and for women, in the cleavage area. These parts of your body produce more body heat so your perfume will heat up and emit its scent throughout the day.

What is Chanel perfume made of?

One of the most iconic perfumes in the world is Chanel #5 and it has been since its creation in 1921. It was named after Coco Chanel who was given a sample of this amazing fragrance by perfume creator Ernest Beaux and she loved it. Chanel is made up of jasmine, roses, vanilla, and sandalwood to create an amazing fragrance.

What perfume turns a man on?

Research conducted at the Hirsch of The Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation concluded that Men enjoy several scents, including the scents of lavender, a mix of licorice and donuts, pumpkin pie, and cinnamon, oranges, and even popcorn. Any of these scents can increase arousal in men when they get a whiff of them.

What are perfumes made of?

Perfumes are made of natural ingredients, such as spices, fruit, flowers, different types of grasses, wood, roots, resins, balsams, leaves, gums, and animal secretions. Other things used in the production of certain perfumes include alcohol, petrochemicals, coal, and coal tars.

What do perfumes and fragrances symbolize?

The perfume is an important symbol as a mask of perfection. It is subtle yet its enormous effects on others around the person wearing it are often overlooked. For example, a perfume or mist that contains pheromones can attract the opposite sex to you when they smell the scent.

What is the meaning of perfume as a gift?

When you give someone a gift of perfume, it shows that you have put a lot of thought into who they are as a person and what you want to gift to them. It is also the type of gift that will make them think of you often when they wear it. Ultimately, giving a gift of perfume is a sign of affection for the person you are giving it to for any occasion.