Hello everyone,
It is lovely to smell a nice fragrance when someone walks by, isn’t it? It is called “Kousui” in Japanese, and “Perfume”in English. Perfume is classified as parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, and so on.
What are the differences between these classifications? And what are their uses?
The 14th edition of FRAGRANCE LAB.BLOG, brought to you by fragrance manufacturer ART LAB., is about the classification of perfumes and their usage.
Fragrance concentration and classification of perfumes
Perfume, which was used as a medicine in the past, is mainly made of fragrance, alcohol, and distilled water. The percentage of fragrance contained in perfume is called “Fragrance Concentration,” and generally speaking, a high concentration of fragrance ingredients has a longer lasting fragrance, while a low concentration of fragrance ingredients has a shorter lasting fragrance. There are four main types of perfumes according to the differences in fragrance concentration.
■Parfum
Parfum has the highest fragrance concentration(15-30%), and its fragrance lasts from 5 to 7 hours. Although the price is high, a very small amount is enough to enjoy an artistic fragrance with depth.
■Eau de Parfum
Eau de Parfum, which has a slightly lower fragrance concentration(10-15%) than Parfum, is sometimes abbreviated as “EDP.” The fragrance lasts about 5 hours. Since the concentration is lower than that of parfum, it is characterized as casually enjoyable high-quality fragrance.
■Eau de Toilette
The fragrance concentration is 5 to 10%. The fragrance lasts for 3 to 4 hours. It is sometimes abbreviated as “EDT.” It is the most standard type of perfume sold in Japan, where there is little body odor ethnically and the culture of wearing strong fragrances is rare. It has light soft fragrance that is handy and you can wear it on a daily basis.
■Eau de Cologne
The fragrance concentration is about 1-5%. It is sometimes abbreviated as “EDC.” It is a lighter perfume than eau de toilette, and is expected to give a refreshing and invigorating effect. It is characterized by its short-lasting duration of one to two hours. It is a subtle fragrance that can be enjoyed casually.
Classification guidelines are not clear!?
Perfumes are classified into four categories based on fragrance concentration and lasting duration, but the reality is that there is no clear categorization.
This is partly due to the fact that there are no international legal regulations, and the guidelines regarding fragrance concentration and lasting duration are not well defined, leaving the divisions of classification to manufacturers. Also, the perception of fragrance differs from person to person. Furthermore, within the same fragrance concentration, certain fragrances may smell stronger or weaker than others due to the character of the fragrances. Since each fragrance company has its own classification, you might want to use it only as reference.
In France, there is also a fragrance category called “Eau de Senteur.” Although it is still not very familiar in Japan, it is designed to be alcohol-free, and is popular in France as a fragrance for people with sensitive skin and for children.
As you can see, the classification of perfumes and the percentages of concentration introduced here can be used as a guideline to help you choose the right perfume for you.
Usage of Perfume
Essentially, there are no rules for how to enjoy perfumes. However, since the number of people who use perfume is relatively small in Japan, it is necessary to keep in mind that perfume should be worn with etiquette. It is not recommended to wear too much perfume, which is often referred to as “walking perfume.” High-end parfums and eau de parfums, perfect for formal parties and other occasion, need special attention to wear since even a small amount is effective. Some perfumes are designed to change their fragrance with perspiration or body temperature, so it is better for a perfume with a strong scent to be applied a small amount to the back of the knees or inside the ankles, rather than spraying it into a space and walking through the mist of it for the purpose of smelling less.
Eau de Cologne, on the other hand, is more convenient and easier to use. You can enjoy a light fragrance, and this perfume is easy to use after taking a bath or before bedtime or when you want to refresh yourself. Perfume beginners may try perfumes from Eau de Cologne . We also recommend it in a pen-sized bottle, which is easy to carry and put on casually when you are out and about.
Some people also use Eau de Cologne in a variety of ways, such as by applying a single spray in the bath or by spraying it on a cloth and putting it in the closet as a sachet. It will be fun to experiment other uses.
(Eau de Cologne)
Lastly,
Fragrance is a self-expression for one’s own sense of beauty and perspective.
ART LAB. COLLECTION, a popular series of reed diffusers, room sprays, and hand creams, introduces our new addition, Body Cologne (Eau De Cologne) is now available. How about putting on the fragrance you love on the go?
See you again in the next issue of FRAGRANCE LAB.BLOG!
