When you start looking at perfume, one of the first things youll notice is the array of terms used to denote the different kinds of perfumes and fragrances on the market. Some common terms youll see are perfume, cologne, eau de parfum, and eau de toilette. These terms are frequently confused with each other, and when buying perfumes, it helps to know what they are.
Perfume
Perfume is the broadest of the categories. The word refers to both body scents generally, and a particular type of scent, specifically. In its general aspect, perfume includes all of the other terms, but not scented body lotions or creams.
As a specific term, perfume refers to the strongest, and longest lasting, type of body scent. Most perfumes are layered scents, meaning they contain a combination of different fragrances. These layers of scent are called notes in the French perfume industry, and they are not chosen at random.
Typical perfumes have three notes. The first, comprised of the strongest scents, is also the shortest lasting. These are the scents that youll smell when you first put on the perfume, but they will usually wear off within a few hours, exposing the...