In the mysterious world of scent, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a ‘fragrance’ is the equivalent of a ‘perfume.’ After all, although we are perpetually surrounded by this terminology, finding the perfect guide to walk you through this unique art can be tricky. Seeing as the global fragrance market is expected to be worth well over 50 billion dollars by 2025, maybe now is the perfect time to introduce yourself to these luxurious products and stay one step ahead of the curve. 

Introducing and understanding fragrances

The word ‘fragrance’ is a catch-all term which essentially describes any smell which is composed of a combination of fragrance oils, alcohol, and water. When the fragrance oils are immersed in alcohol, this helps preserve the unique smells captured by the fragrance oil itself. 

If you’re asking yourself, “So, how is this different from a perfume?”, you’re spot on. The term ‘fragrance’ is essentially the gender-neutral variation on the word perfume. By all standards of measure, a perfume and a fragrance are virtually identical. In today’s society, we tend to route all fragrances identifying as perfumes into a “feminine” category. While this practice seems to be tolerated in the modern fragrance industry, it certainly isn’t in keeping with the unique history of these alluring smells. 

Perfumes: what you need to know

Although the term ‘fragrance’ as come into its own as the genderless version of ‘perfume’, the latter has the weight of history and tradition backing its legitimacy. A perfume is typically considered to be composed of anywhere between 15 and 20 percent fragrance essence. Upon application, a perfume can be expected to last anywhere between five and eight hours. This makes it the ideal complement to an evening out or formal occasion. 

As a point of interest, it is worth noting that there is a slightly more rare variation on perfume which goes by the same name in English. However, whereas traditional perfume is given the French title “Eau de Parfum,” this alternative is simply referred to as “parfum.” Composed of up to 30 percent pure fragrance essence, parfum is the most concentrated fragrance available for purchase today. 

One application of a true parfum can remain effective for nearly 24 hours. Given the concentration of fragrance oils, it is not too difficult a stretch to imagine just how powerful this fragrance can be. With that in mind, it’s in everyone’s best interest to avoid applying a parfum in situations where you and several others will be in very close proximity to one another for an extended period. The strength of a parfum must always be respected. 

Toilette: a lighter alternative

Whereas a parfum represents the world of fragrance at its most saturated, a toilette moves scent towards a lighter, relaxed aura. Composed of anywhere between five and 15 percent fragrance essence, a toilette will remain present for up to three hours. With that in mind, these fragrances are the perfect complement to less formal affairs and can add a touch of sophistication to any event without becoming overbearing. Remember, if you’re asking yourself what the difference between a perfume and toilette is, simply look to the dilution of the fragrance oils.  A toilette is a variation on a perfume, not an entirely separate entity.

Cologne: lighter than the bunch

Although some individuals may recall with displeasure a particularly bad experience with men’s cologne, this particular type of fragrance is actually one of the least fragrance-heavy of all perfumes available today. Composed of only two to four percent fragrance oils, cologne is often distinguished by its fruity overtones and fresh feel. Colognes will often last up to two hours. By and large, cologne is primarily intended as a masculine scent, making it an excellent complement for men seeking to impress on a first date. 

It is, however, quite interesting to note that cologne was originally intended as a genderless fragrance much like the other perfumes mentioned here. Only after cologne reached North America did it become to develop a close association with the male gender. 

Finding the perfect match

Now that you know more about the creation of fragrances and their distinctive characteristics, you should begin to explore the wide variety of offerings within each of these categories to determine your own signature matches. 

Selections should be dictated not only by your olfactory preferences, but also the situation you will be wearing the fragrance itself. Over-scenting can be a grievous error in certain situations, and under-scenting can be underwhelming. It is also important to remember that some individuals are extremely sensitive to fragrances, even to the point where they can cause physical discomfort. 

Obviously, there is no perfect “solution” to the creative dilemma of finding your ideal scent, which is why exploring various products can help you better understand what you like and, more specifically, what you are looking for. 

At ScentBox, we treat fragrances like the art form they truly are. We know that a “grab and go” approach to fragrance is never the right path forward, which is why we offer an affordable subscription model that allows you to try any of our fragrances for 30 days. With free monthly exchanges, don’t get stuck with fragrances you hate. The smell of a perfectly matched perfume is intoxicating. Take a chance on a ScentBox subscription and experience this for yourself today.