Key Takeaways:
- Eau de Parfum contains 15-20% fragrance oils.
- The word perfume comes from a Latin phrase “per fumum,” which translates to "through smoke.”
- Sweet Ash Super and Me are two Snif perfumes to try.
There are lots of terms that get tossed around in the fragrance world, and not all of them are easily understood at first glance. One such term is “Eau de parfum.”
As elegant as it sounds, many people are at a loss when they see a scent labeled as an Eau de Parfum or an Eau de Toilette. That’s why this guide will tell you everything you need to know about this fragrance category, as well as a few suggestions for eau de parfum scents to try.
What Is an Eau de Parfum?
Simply put, an Eau de Parfum is a fragrance that contains 15-20% fragrance oils. This means that it has a moderate projection and will last anywhere from four to six hours. Given that Eau de Parfum scents are concentrated but not overly powerful, they make great day-to-night fragrances.
These are the perfumes you should reach for when you need your scent to transition with you from a full day in the office to a night out with friends. Their versatility also makes them an ideal choice all year long.
Origins of the Word “Perfume”
The word perfume comes from the Latin phrase “per fumum.” This translates literally to "through smoke” and was used to describe an ancient practice that involved burning resins and aromatic woods during religious ceremonies. The idea was that the smoke and scent would create an atmosphere that made it easier to connect with divine powers.
From there, the term was adapted into French as “parfum” to describe the smell of burning incense. This word evolved in its use over time to come to describe what we know today as perfume. The term “Eau de Parfum” is borrowed directly from French and literally means “perfume water.”
Is an Eau de Parfum Stronger Than Eau de Toilette?
It’s easy to mix Eau de Parfum up with a similar-sounding fragrance category: Eau de Toilette.
The main difference between the two is that Eau de Parfum is stronger than Eau de Toilette because it contains a higher concentration of fragrance oils. Eau de Toilette usually contains 5-15% fragrance oils and lasts between two and four hours.
For this reason, Eau de Toilette fragrances are great for daytime or hot weather, where you want a light, airy fragrance. The name "Eau de Toilette” directly translates to “grooming water” because it is often applied right after showering or shaving.
How To Apply Eau de Parfum
Now that you know what Eau de Parfum is and what makes it different from Eau de Toilette, it’s time to talk about application. Thankfully, how you apply Eau de Parfum isn’t much different from how you’d apply any other fragrance.
As always, make sure you start with clean, moisturized skin. This gives the fragrance molecules something to stick to and may help the fragrance last longer.
Spritz on two to four sprays of your Eau de Parfum (depending on how strong you want your fragrance to be) on your pulse points. When you do so, resist the urge to rub your wrists together. The fragrance will dry naturally on its own, and rubbing causes the scent to break down more quickly.
What sets Eau de Parfum apart is when you should reapply. As opposed to Eau de Toilette fragrances that need to be reapplied every three hours or so, you can wait up to six hours to apply an Eau de Parfum scent. This means that you’ll likely only need one reapplication a day.
When Should You Apply Eau de Parfum?
The versatile nature of Eau de Parfum scents means that they work equally well for a day spent in professional meetings as they do for a boozy brunch on Saturday. You can apply these fragrances first thing in the morning when you’re fresh out of the shower or early in the evening as you get ready for a first date.
What Are Some Eau de Parfum Scents To Try?
You’re officially a verified Eau de Parfum expert, which means it’s time to take a look at some Eau de Parfum scents that you can try from the Snif line.
Sweet Ash Super
Sweet Ash Super is a supercharged version of one of our best-selling scents. This version brings together musk, sandalwood, milk, vanilla absolute, fir balsam, and cedarwood. It’s a more potent take on Sweet Ash that will stick around all day long.
Me
Made to reflect your unique skin chemistry is Snif Me, our take on a skin scent. The blend of orris, plum, peach skin, white moss, musks, and sandalwood gives this fragrance a juicy, musky edge that is somehow subtle and addictive.
Up Your Fragrance Game
You’re ready to up your fragrance game with the knowledge of what makes an Eau de Parfum fragrance special and how best to wear it. From the woody, earthiness of Sweet Ash Super to the fruity feel of Snif Me, there’s an Eau de Parfum out there just waiting for you to discover it.
FAQs
Is an eau de parfum long-lasting?
Yes, an Eau de Parfum scent is long-lasting. They can last anywhere from four to six hours and will likely last longer if you follow a few of our simple tips and tricks for fragrance application.
What is the difference between perfume and eau de parfum?
Perfume refers to any type of fragrance, from Eau de Cologne (the least concentrated scents) to Parfum (the most concentrated scents). Eau de Parfum falls in the middle of that scale and is a type of perfume with moderate projection.
Which is better: eau de parfum or eau de toilette?
Neither type of perfume is better or worse; they’re simply different. Eau de Parfum is more concentrated and will last a little bit longer than an Eau de Toilette. For an all-day fragrance, you might want to reach for an Eau de Parfum scent.
However, on a hot summer day when you need a totally refreshing scent, an Eau de Toilette fragrance might be perfect.
Sources:
Why does incense smell religious?: The anthropology of smell meets Greek Orthodoxy | ResearchGate