Perfume, Fragrance and Eau de Parfum: What the Labels Mean
Perfume is the everyday word for a women’s fragrance, also written perfume women, womens perfume, ladies perfume or perfume for her.
Fragrance is broader and covers perfume, cologne and body mists.
Eau de parfum, eau de toilette and parfum are concentrations that control how long a scent lasts.
Women’s Fragrance Families
- Floral perfumes use rose, jasmine, peony and tuberose, and are the most popular for everyday wear. Shop floral perfumes.
- Fruity perfumes use pear, peach and berry for a bright, playful feel. Shop fruity perfumes.
- Vanilla and gourmand perfumes are warm and sweet, and last into the evening. Shop vanilla and gourmand perfumes.
- Amber and oriental perfumes use resin, spice and woods for something deeper. Shop amber perfumes.
- Fresh perfumes use citrus, green tea and light musk. Shop fresh perfumes.
- Woody perfumes use sandalwood, cedar and patchouli. Shop woody fragrances.
- Musky and powdery perfumes smell like clean skin or a soft sweater.
How to Read Perfume Notes
Top notes like citrus and light florals fade in 15 to 30 minutes. Heart notes like florals and spice define the character and last a few hours. Base notes like amber, vanilla, woods and musk last longest. Judge a perfume after an hour.
Best Perfume for Women by Occasion
- Office: fresh, soft or lightly floral.
- Everyday: a clean floral, musky skin scent or light fruity perfume.
- Date night: warmer vanilla, amber or a richer floral.
- Weddings and formal events: an eau de parfum.
- Travel: a bottle from our travel sprays.
Best Perfumes by Season
- Spring: light florals and green scents.
- Summer: fruity, citrus and aquatic perfumes, since heat makes fragrance stronger.
- Fall: woody, spicy and amber perfumes.
- Winter: vanilla, gourmand and rich amber scents that hold up in cold air.
Concentrations Compared
- Parfum: 20 to 30 percent fragrance oil or more. Strongest, closest to the skin.
- Eau de Parfum: 15 to 20 percent fragrance oil. Rich, many hours.
- Eau de Toilette: 5 to 15 percent fragrance oil. Lighter, for daytime.
- Eau de Cologne: 2 to 5 percent fragrance oil. Light, fades fast.
These ranges are general, and brands vary.
How to Wear Perfume and Make It Last
Apply to clean, moisturized skin at the neck, inner wrists and inner elbows. Two or three sprays is enough for most perfumes, and one or two for a parfum. Dab instead of rubbing, and use an unscented lotion underneath. Store the bottle somewhere cool and dark, not in a bathroom.
Building a Perfume Wardrobe
Many women keep a few perfumes: a light, fresh scent for work and warm days, a soft floral or musky scent for everyday wear, and a richer vanilla, amber or floral scent for evenings. Rotating them keeps each bottle fresh and lets you match your fragrance to your mood and the season.