So, I always hear people say that some brands are expensive because they use "better quality ingredients" but it seems that nobody can tell what exactly those ingredients are. Can someone please tell me what would be expensive ingredients and their cheaper versions? Or is this just one of the fragrance myths? Thanks!
It's mainly a myth. There might be brands that sometimes use more ethical sources of ingredients or more naturals than synthetics or a higher concentration of a certain expensive ingredient, but in general all brands use exactly the same chemicals to form a fragrance, and it's the brand and the packaging/bottle that usually cost more than the actual liquid. People who say all expensive perfumes are always "better quality" than cheaper perfumes just haven't tested the right cheaper perfumes.
I disagree with Lempi, in part. While most of the synthetics are produced by a limited number of companies, there are differences in the other ingredients used. Take oud for example. Does the fragrance actually use oud, or is it an oud accord? What about sandalwood? Is it Mysore sandalwood, Australian sandalwood, or is it a synthetic? Ambergris is another example. Does it contain real ambergris, an accord, or ambroxan? Also, not everyone purchases the chemicals at the same cost. As with anything, a large house can get a better deal on the ingredients than a smaller house simply by purchasing larger quantities. And, as Lempi points out, other factors do come into play when considering costs, such as brand name, marketing, etc.
If you think it’s a myth, I challenge you to a fun little experiment.
A perfume with orpur ingredients on one wrist and your favorite cheapie on the other.
Then let me know what you think…
Some cheaper fragrances are well done and smell great. BUT, I smell differences between cheap and expensive (although I know of an expensive house that smells cheap).
My only way of explaining it is thinking of a sphere of fragrance.
Just being a sphere instead of flat means it has depth.
If the sphere is smooth on the outside with no jagged edges, the fragrance was blended well.
If the sphere is full on the inside the fragrance has character (there are no holes and the fragrance is “finished.”)
Many cheaper fragrances Ive experienced (not all) have at least one of these as an issue.
Again, Im not anti-cheap, I own a few cheapies myself, that I enjoy including:
Definitely can tell the difference in some cases. However, the original poster said: So, I always hear people say that some brands are expensive because they use "better quality ingredients" but it seems that nobody can tell what exactly those ingredients are.
The implication in that statement is that the expensive ingredients somehow account for the actual price (whether retail list price or discounted price). Nothing could be further from the truth. Oft repeated: "the bottle is more expensive than the juice it contains." Fragrances are luxury items and as such have a HUGE mark up. I think it's rather silly for any house to try to justify their price based on what they claim they put in the bottle. They can charge whatever they like and will do so, as long as the market can support it.
If the cost leads to frustration, there are two alternatives - 1)Don't sample fumes that are out of your price league, no matter how much they are hyped or 2)If you do sample and find you like an expensive perfume, consider buying a smaller amount (10 ml, etc.) and only use it for special occasions.
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