Choosing The Fragrance That's Right For You

When looking to buy a fragrance to enhance our smell there are typically around four options to choose from - Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne and a spray or aftershave. As fragrances are often quite pricey, it's important to know what each of these is and what attributes each has:

Eau de Parfum (also called Eau de Perfume): This is the most common of the perfumes that you will typically find. Eau de Parfum has a concentration of around 15 to 20 percent. This means the fragrance will be stronger when it is originally applied and linger for a longer period of time than other, less concentrated, fragrances.

Eau de Toilette: This is weaker than the Eau de Parfum, with a concentration of between 5 to 15 percent. Eau de Toilette's are ideal if you are after a fragrance that's not too powerful, but will still linger for a while. It won't last as long as the Eau de Parfum however, so is not ideal if you have a long day ahead of you and can"t take the fragrance with you to re-apply.

Eau de Cologne: This is often confused with the Eau de Toilette as it shares a similar percentage of concentration, but it typically has a much weaker aromatic compound of around 3 to 8 percent. This fragrance generally has a citrusy aroma and is quite light. The Eau de Cologne is ideal for that hint of scent!

Spray or Aftershave: This is the weakest of the compounds at around 1 to 3 percent. This type of fragrance is ideal if you want something to carry around in your bag and apply as and when you need it. Sprays don't last long and are often used to refresh. The short lived time of this type of fragrance is often reflected in the price, which is typically significantly cheaper than other perfume options.

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Typically the main factors you should look at when deciding which of the above types of perfumes is right for you would be how long the scent will last, initial power of the fragrance and the price. After that it comes down to testing the fragrance on your own body and making sure it's right for you.