Perfumes have a fascinating history. Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Cypriots used them, but there were also records of their usage by the ancient Chinese, Hindus, Arabs, and Greeks. The first known perfume maker was Tapputi, whose details are recorded in a Mesopotamian cuneiform tablet.
Now, if you already know those facts but still want to learn more about fragrances, the best place to start is knowing commonly used terms. For example, what is Eau de Toilette (EDT)? How does it differ from Eau de Parfum (EDP)?
Also, are EDTs the same as colognes? Let’s answer these questions one by one, so you can choose the best fragrance oil concentration for you.
What is Eau de Toilette?
An Eau de Toilette spray contains around 5% to 15% of fragrance oil blended in alcohol. Eau de Toilette perfumes have a lasting power of about 4 to 8 hours.
Fun fact: Eau de Toilette means “Toilet Water,” but don’t let that deter you from buying EDT sprays. “Toilette” is a French word that means a tiny piece of cloth used for shaving and grooming. Usually, these towels are infused with fragrance or aromatic water.
Eau de Toilette vs. Parfum
If you see EDP on a perfume bottle, it means the concentration of essential or fragrance oils is between 15% and 20%. Since there’s a higher percentage of oils, EDPs last longer than EDTs, but the downside to some consumers is their higher price points.
Some buyers might forget to consider that they only need a few spritzes if they buy an EDP. You’ll probably use up an EDT spray a lot faster with everyday use.
Tip: If you find an interesting scent you’d like to buy, it’s not a bad idea to try both EDP and EDT versions of it. Even if they’re made with the same notes, you still have to check how they develop on your skin to see which one you like better.
What Are Colognes?
Eau de Colognes’ essential oil concentration is between 2% and 5%. That means they’re “weaker” than EDTs. Colognes are a good starting point for those just beginning to experiment with fragrances since they’re inexpensive and not as intense as EDTs or EDPs.
However, keep in mind that some people think perfumes are for women and colognes are for men. You can ignore this and just focus on the perfume notes. No rule says you should only use fragrances meant for a specific gender.
The best thing about experimenting with fragrances is you never know how your body chemistry will react to a particular formulation. Even if something like Paco Rabanne’s Invictus 150ml spray is marketed for men, it might develop differently on your skin.
Ready to Find Your Signature Scent?
Now that you’ve learned the answers to basic questions like “What is Eau de Toilette?” do you still want to know more about fragrances?
If yes, that’s great. The more you learn about perfumes, the easier it will be to find your signature scent.
For more information on fragrances and related topics, you may check our other posts.
