Fragrance concentrations: Perfume, EdP, EdT, or EdC?

Parfum, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne... Those are some of the terms most of you are probably familiar with. But do you know what they mean? Fragrances fit into these basic categories according to how concentrated they are, which is dictated by the amount of aromatic compounds in a concentrated mixture of alcohol and water. This tells us the strength of the fragrance, which directly affects how long it will last.

How do you pick a fragrance that lasts?

Have you found a fragrance so breathtaking that you want to enjoy it for as long as possible? Before parting with your money, inspect the label carefully.  That’s how you’ll figure out what type of fragrance you’re dealing with! The strength of the fragrance, which directly affects how long you’ll be able to enjoy its scent, depends on the percentage of aromatic compounds in concentrated ethanol – alcohol.

Fragrances are made up of three basic components – water, alcohol and fragrance ingredients, or aromatic compounds. The ratio of these ingredients determines the strength of the fragrance, how long it lasts, and even the price. And as you might have guessed, fragrances with the highest concentration of aromatic compounds are also the most expensive!

The presence of alcohol in a fragrance is extremely important, as it helps the scent become absorbed into the skin and releases it into the environment. Incidentally, it’s the alcohol’s contact with our skin that gives each fragrance a unique twist depending on who wears it. Because everyone has their own unique scent, this will have a slightly different effect on the aromatic compounds present in each fragrance.

The abbreviations EdC, EdT and others – what do they mean?

The concentration of aromatic compounds in a product determines the type of fragrance and even the final price. When fragrances are being classified according to concentration, they are split into five basic categories.

• Eau Fraîche – less than 3% aromatic compounds
• Eau de Cologne (EdC) – 3-5% aromatic compounds 
• Eau de Toilette (EdT) – up to 8% aromatic compounds
• Eau de Parfum (EdP) – 8-15% aromatic compounds
• Parfum (P) – up to 30% aromatic compounds

Products with the lowest concentration of aromatic compounds are labelled “Eau Fraîche”. Their concentration of aromatic compounds is usually lower than 3%, and they have a light scent, which is ideal for relaxing at home or for strolls in the countryside... They are pleasantly refreshing, but definitely don’t expect a fragrance that will last for hours and hours. On the other hand, you’ll definitely appreciate the wallet-friendly prices of these products.

A little step further, with 3-5% aromatic compounds, are fragrances labelled EdC – "Eau de Cologne", or simply cologne. Similarly to Eau Fraîche, this type of fragrance isn’t one you can savour for long, so you should ideally reapply it after a few hours.

Because of their concentration of aromatic compounds, fragrances labelled EdT, or “Eau de Toilette”, are seen as relatively high-quality products. Yes, this is indeed the type of fragrance known for its literal translation “toilet water”, with the more appropriate translation being “grooming water”, which contains up to 8% of aromatic compounds. It’s an ideal fragrance for everyday wear, which is appreciable but not too intense.

If you’re looking for a charming Eau de Toilette with a fresh floral scent, I’d recommend Maison Margiela REPLICA When the Rain Stops! It’s a woody fragrance with notes of rose and jasmine, which makes it an ideal fragrance for summer.

High-quality, long-lasting & affordable – EdP, also known as Eau de Parfum

If you’re looking for a long-lasting fragrance, then you should look for a product labelled EdP – “Eau de Parfum”, where the concentration of aromatic compounds lies between 8 and 15%. You might also know it as "perfume water", and applying it just once a day will do, as its beautiful scent will keep you company for many hours.

Striking Eaux de Parfum Remmendations for women

Calvin Klein Eternity is one of the best-selling Eaux de Parfum for women. It’s an especially perfect fit for romantic souls that love floral fragrances!

Another fantastic floral fragrance on the list is the Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum. It combines notes of vanilla and patchouli with essences of blackcurrant and sweet pear. Doesn’t that sound like a perfect combination?

Divine for the summertime, fresh, compelling with a hint of sweetness – that is the Novellista Summer Flare Eau de Parfum! It will charm you with its fresh mint scent combined with jasmine, pepper and cedarwood.

One of my absolute favourites is the Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Noir Rose Eau de Parfum; have you heard of it? The signature characteristic of this fragrance is its intense musk aroma, complemented by notes of bergamot and vanilla. I highly recommend it for women who love oriental fragrances!

Another truly captivating fragrance is the Carolina Herrera Good Girl. It’s a powerful oriental fragrance that’s perfect for confident women.

You’ll also definitely fall in love with the Chloé Eau de Parfum! It has a clean, powdery scent loved by women all over the world.

Best Eaux de Parfum for men

Which Eau de Parfum to pick for men? Give the Versace Eros Flame a shot. It’s a very powerful, almost eccentric fragrance full of contrasts which are so typical for this brand.

You can never go wrong with the Montblanc Explorer Eau de Parfum, which is a beautiful woody fragrance with notes of patchouli, pepper and cacao.

Perfume, the king of all fragrances

The last type of fragrance is labelled as P, meaning “parfum”! It’s perfect for special and lavish occasions, where you’ll appreciate its unique, intense composition that will make you stand out!

The concentration of aromatic compounds can climb all the way up to 30%! So you only need to apply a small amount. This product will definitely make you feel unique and extraordinary.
But its also the most expensive out of all the types of fragrances mentioned.

One example of an amazing perfume with a long-lasting trail is one of my favourites, Paco Rabanne 1 Million Parfum. It’s an iconic fragrance for men with leather and floral undertones. It highlights the unique character of its wearer perfectly!

Tips & tricks – to make your fragrance last

Finally, I have a few suggestions up my sleeve to help you figure where to apply fragrance to make it last for as long as possible!

The golden rule stands – don’t overdo it! Think carefully about where on the body you want to spritz your fragrance. It’s best to apply fragrance on areas that have good blood circulation,  as this is where your beautiful fragrance can easily disperse over a long period of time. These include the décolletage, areas near the arteries of the neck, wrists, or the inner elbows...

On the other hand, make sure to avoid your hair, as the alcohol in fragrances definitely won’t do your hair or scalp any good.

You should also be careful with layering different types of fragrances. The resulting effect may not be the most flattering.

Pick a fragrance with a scent you love and one that will last for as long as you need it to. I particularly recommend Eau de Parfums which are both strong enough and long-lasting. And you should definitely treat yourself to one “jewel” in the form of perfume, which should be reserved for special occasions to amplify the experience!