If there’s one thing that can help you get remembered by other people, that would be the fragrance that you spray on your body. It’s not made-up. Neuroscience explains that a part of the brain links scent, memory, and emotions together. So which one should you choose – Eau de toilette or Eau de parfume? Here’s all you need to know to make the best decision for you.
Whenever we smell something, we can recall certain things that are connected to that specific scent. It’s the reason why choosing a fragrance shouldn’t only be something that smells nice.
It’s good to select a timeless, impressionable, and versatile scent that you want people to remember.
Sometimes, the choice of fragrance can ravel so much of what we are. It’s not just a beauty product. It can embody your personality.
And don’t forget, a bottle of perfume, no matter what the size is, reveals your preference and even the price you’re willing to pay.
Think about Estée Lauder, Dior, Chanel, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few. While some smell nice, good and exclusive – others smell cheap and fake.
Fragrances come in various types, and two of the most popular categories are Eau de parfum and Eau de toilette. How do they differ from each other?
Let’s get to know each of them and find out which one is the right scent mixture for you.
Eau de toilette vs Eau de parfum
The main difference between the two types of fragrances is the level of fragrance concentration. It’s nothing complex like a lot of people think. In addition to that, the exact content of fragrance oils will vary from one brand to another.
Aside from the level of fragrant oils, there are other factors that make EdT and EdP different. They differ in smell, longevity, and price. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Smell and Shell Life
When it comes to smell, Eau de toilette and Eau de parfum can have a similar smell if they contain the same fragrance oils. But we can still notice a slight difference.
For example, if you spray EdT and EdP with jasmine scents, you will notice that the smell of jasmine in the EdP is denser and stronger than the EdT.
Eduardo Valadez of Diptyque also said that Eau de parfum is more concentrated and can develop a sharper smell, depending on the scent’s chemical composition.
Their shelf lives also differ.
Typically, perfumes can last three to five years. It’s just a matter of the quality of ingredients and how the bottle of perfume is stored. Due to the high levels of alcohol in the mixture, Eau de toilette matures slowly. The alcohol content slows down the aging.
Fragrances without alcohol ingredients tend to lose the smell’s intensity really fast. It’s the reason why we need to store our perfumes in a dark, cool and dry room to extend their shelf life
Longevity
Bee Shapiro, the founder of Ellis Brooklyn, has revealed that Eau de parfums last longer than Eau de Toilette.
However, scents may have different longevity patterns.
For instance, Eau de parfum with sweet and fruity scents may evaporate faster than Eau de toilette with woody and incense scents, even if the former has a higher level of fragrance concentration.
The longevity of fragrance also depends on our body oils. Our bodies react differently to the perfume’s formulation.
To put it into simple terms, if the scent jives well on your sister’s skin, it doesn’t mean that you will have the same experience as hers.
The oils that our bodies produce can affect how the fragrance works. If you have dry skin, you may need to spray on scents with a higher concentration to see the full effect.
So before buying your fragrance, make sure to try it on your skin first.
Price Differences
Now, let’s talk about prices because fragrances don’t come for free.
Between the two types of scents, it’s typical for Eau de toilette to be cheaper one, because it has a lesser concentration of fragrant oils.
Although, it doesn’t mean that it has no sophistication.
Remember, product prices don’t have to matter since there are budget-friendly scents that have an elegant smell.
Of course, the brand also affects pricing. Whether it is an Eau de toilette or an Eau de parfum, popular brands can put extravagant tags on their products.
Meanwhile, the fragrance’s strength that you want to spritz on your body is your choice.
The only thing you need to take note of is to wear the scent that you feel comfortable wearing while bringing out your confidence.
The level of concentration isn’t important as long as you can handle the intensity whenever you spray it on your body, and it’s not overpowering that it can drive people away from you.
Can both men and women use EdT and EdP
There are no gender specifics because both types of fragrances can be worn by men and women. Perfume products have become varied these days, and there are many options that are already available for both genders.
Most of the time, though, EdT and EdP are catered for women, while colognes are usually marketed by the perfume industry for men.
Usage and Application
It pays to look nice. It’s even better to smell nice. But sometimes, we go overboard that we don’t notice putting on too much perfume.
And when you go out, you don’t seem to notice that you are already causing headaches to other people.
Ugh! Major turn off.
If you don’t want to be that person who gives off an overpowering smell, then you better be sensitive to other people’s noses. Little can go a long way.
Two or three puffs of your preferred fragrance are already enough to get some heads turned.
But what is the proper way to apply your perfume?
For daytime use of either Eau de toilette or Eau de parfum, spray the perfume to your neck or wrists then rub them on your neck.
To spice up your evening for a date or party, spray the scent once or twice on your hair to easily spread the fragrance. You can also spray on your elbow, forearm, chest, shoulder, or lower jaw.
During summer months, you can choose to wear an Eau de toilette to keep you light and fresh. Fruity, floral, and sweet notes are perfect fragrance choices for warm weather.
But when the temperature has gone down and colder nights abound, switch your scent to Eau de parfum. It has a higher concentration, so you’ll smell good even in the wee hours of the night.
Choose Eau de toilette or Eau de parfum
There is no formula as to how you should choose your fragrance. It’s subjective, and it all depends on your nose and skin. The easiest way to select your scent is to identify the intensity or strength that you prefer.
If you can’t tolerate strong or dense fragrances, then go for an Eau de toilette. It’s the type of perfume that gives a mild after-shower scent.
If you want to make a bold statement that lasts, then one of the best options is an Eau de parfum.
It gives off a richer and longer-lasting smell. But be careful. Highly concentrated smells can either capture people’s attention or drive them away.
Some people start with an EdT, then slowly change to an EdP. While that may work, it shouldn’t be treated as a general rule.
It is best to use your nose in choosing your fragrance. Trust your instincts and smell the scents that your nose finds attractive.
Don’t just select a certain type of fragrance without going through a process. Explore the fragrant variations before settling to one.
This is not a race, so take your time and have fun with sniffing different kinds of fragrances.
What is Eau de toilette and Eau de parfum
Eau de toilette and Eau de parfum are two of the five main classifications of fragrances. Aside from their names, they have differences.
Let’s begin with Eau de toilette. This French phrase literally translates to “water for washing and dressing”, “water of the toilet”, and “grooming water”.
It refers to the scented water that can be used in the bathroom to “freshen up”.
The most defining characteristic of Eau de toilette is the low concentration of fragrant oils, usually ranging from 5-15%. It is lightly scented, and the smell can only last for a few hours. It doesn’t have a strong smell and is perfect for sensitive skin.
Eau de parfum or EdP is another French phrase that literally means “perfume water”. What makes it different from EdT is that it has a higher concentration of fragrance oils, which range from 15-20%.
Eau de toilette usually lasts around 2 to 3 hours.
Eau de parfum usually lasts around 3 to 5 hours.
Other Perfume Types
Just in case you’re wondering, here are the other major classifications of fragrances.
- Extrait de parfum – Also known as parfum, this is what we refer to as pure perfume. It has the highest concentration of fragrant oils, ranging from 15-40%. But most parfums only have a concentration level of 20-30%.
- Eau de cologne – The fragrance for men, it has a lower level of fragrance concentration, with only 2-4%. It’s usually cheaper than parfum, EDT, and EDP. Its scent isn’t that strong in terms of longevity. You can expect 2-4 hours of scent life.
- Eau fraiche – It has the lowest fragrance concentration with only 1-3%. The alcohol content is also low, and most of it is just made of water.
Popular EdT and EdP Scents from Famous Brands
There is a wide range of options to consider, both in terms of Eau de toilette and Eau de parfume. If you want to wear an Eau de toilette or an Eau de parfum, here are some popular scents from famous brands that you might want to consider.
Eau de toilette
White Tea by Elizabeth Arden
Amazing Grace by Philosophy
Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet by Dior
Bloom Gocce di Fiori by Gucci
Molecule 02 by Escentric Molecules
Light Blue Sun by Dolce & Gabbana
Daisy by Marc Jacobs
Beach Walk by Maison Margiela Replica
Dior Homme by Dior
Gentleman Givenchy Spray by Givenchy
Hugo Boss BOSS Bottled by Hugo Boss
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier
Everyone Unisex by Calvin Klein
Giorgio Armani Code by Giorgio Armani
White Musk® Sport by the Body Shop
Eau de parfum
Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Eau de Juice Good Energy by Eau de Juice
Gypsy Water by Byredo
Mediterranean Honeysuckle by Aerin
Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Eau Parfumée Au Thé Rouge by Bvlgari
La Vie est Belle by Lancome
Private Blend Tuscan Intense by Tom Ford
For Her by Narcisco Rodriguez
Si Eau de Parfum by Giorgio Armani
Fleur de Parfum by Chloé
Good Girl by Carolina Herrera
Black Tulip by Nest
Mon Guerlain by Guerlain
Romance Eau de Parfum by Ralph Lauren
No. 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk by Trish McEvoy
Aventus by Creed
Baie 19 by Le Labo
L’Homme Idéal by Guerlain
Tobacco Absolute by Molton Brown
