Flaconneur's Blog
13 years ago - 11/18/2012
Understanding Perfume Concentrations
The following list details the different concentrations in the production of perfumes. Your experience regarding longevity or sillage (scent trail) might be effected based on a particular concentration. There are different percentages of natural oils or aromatic compounds used in the production of these products which directly effect potency of the perfume.
- Perfume or Parfum: The ultimate luxury and long lasting hold with 15-40% aromatic compounds
- Esprit de Parfum: 15-30% aromatic compounds. This is a very seldom used strength
- Eau de Parfum: A long lasting concentration that can be used more generously than perfume with 10-20% aromatic compounds. You will sometimes see this as "millésime"
- Eau de toilette: A light concentration with 5-15% aromatic compounds
- Eau de Cologne: 3-8% aromatic compounds
- Perfume mist, Brume de Parfum, Voile de Parfum, Eau Parfumée, Eau Sans Alcohol: 3-8% aromatic compounds and typically non-alcohol solvent
- Eau Fraiche, Splash and After shave: 1-3% aromatic compounds
8 Comments
Flaconneur 13 years ago
It is thought by some that Parfum de Toilette seems to fit somewhere between Eau de Parfum and Parfum. Mitsouko by Guerlain has been available in Parfum de Toilette, and some perfume experts like this concentration better that the Eau de Parfum version. Parfum de Toilette is a less common term that is generally analogous to Eau de Parfum in some perfume circles.
Digindirt 13 years ago
Wow, Yet another thing for me to look for when purchasing fragrances. Thanks Sherapop for mentioning this, I'm not sure I would have ever even noticed.
Flaconneur 13 years ago
Sherapop bring up a good question. Eau Parfumée falls under the class Perfume Mist. It is 3-8% aromatic compounds and usually water based instead of alcohol based. I have update the information including the other known terms under the Perfume Mist category. It also seems that this particular strength is used commonly for children. Thanks Sherapop for asking such a great questions.
Sherapop 13 years ago
I have a question: Miller Harris offers bottles of eau parfumée (they can be found at Min New York). What does it mean? Is it stronger than cologne? Weaker than eau de toilette? Honestly, I have no idea, but I assume that it is weaker than eau de toilette and eau de parfum because it comes in a 200ml bottle. Thank you, Flaconneur!
Flaconneur 13 years ago
Sometimes perfume comes with a surprise, Digindirt. Glad the Poison Esprit de Parfum was a positive experience.
Digindirt 13 years ago
I recently got a micro mini of Dior Poison esprit de parfum. The fragrance is amazing but had I known the strength prior I probably would have passed on it.
Flaconneur 13 years ago
There's always something new to learn, Cryptic.
Cryptic 13 years ago
"Esprit De Parfum" is a new one on me, Flacconeur. Thanks for the new term.
