From playful florals to seductive musks, fragrance makes the boldest statement, surpassing any accessory.
But finding the right scent when perfume shopping is by no means a simple task. There are many factors to consider—including the different notes, sillage, and price.
But the main two categories one must consider is whether you want an eau de toilette or eau de parfum, which we’ve explored in more detail below.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? We’ve delved into countless scents through independent testing and research and can confidently say we understand the importance of fragrance and how to choose the best scent.
Perfume concentration and strengths explained
The main difference between fragrances is their strength. The higher the concentration, the more prominent the scent is and the longer it lasts. You’ll also notice a difference in scent complexity.
When shopping for fragrances, you will come across five main types of fragrance.
Eau de Parfum (EDP)
The majority of best-selling women’s fragrances are Eau de Parfums. EDP is a more potent fragrance than eau de toilette but weaker than parfum. It has around 12%-20% of concentrated fragrance oils per bottle. It’s an excellent choice if you want a scent that isn’t too overwhelming for everyday usage but can also be worn at night.
On average, expect an EDP to last about 5-8 hours.
Eau de Toilette (EDT)
Eau de Toilette (EDT) has a lower concentration of perfume oils and tends to be more affordable than Eau de Parfum (EDP) and Parfum. It has around 10%-15% of perfume oils per bottle.
These scents typically have a fresher daily wear fragrance but often only last for a short time since they have a lower alcohol percentage. You will need to reapply more often.
Parfum
These fragrances are bound to leave an impression when you enter a room full of complex notes. They are also known as extrait de parfum.
Expect parfum to have a highly concentrated content, varying between 20%-40% depending on the chosen brand. Parfum lasts long on the skin, so a little goes a long way.
Eau Fraiche
Eau Fraiche is a light fragrance containing only 2-3% concentrated perfume oil. We would class this as more of a body spritz or a refresher to keep you smelling good throughout the day.
Eau de Cologne
Many people assume the German-originating cologne is for male scents. However, you can also find feminine colognes. Instead, Cologne refers to a light, refreshing fragrance containing around 2%-5% of perfume oil.
You can wear cologne as a spritzer or a fragrance, but you must reapply often.
Which lasts longer, Eau De Toilette or Eau De Parfum?
The perfume sillage and scent duration differ with EDT and eau de parfum due to the concentration of fragrances in each.
Often, Eau de Parfum lasts much longer due to its higher concentration of perfume oil. This means you will need to reapply less during the day than you would with an Eau de Toilette.
However, it’s worth noting that everyone’s body chemistry can affect the development of a scent and how long it lasts. For example, the drier your skin, the higher the concentration you need.
Notes can also make a massive difference in the longevity of a fragrance. Citrus scents will nearly always fade faster than woody notes with more depth.
Do Eau de Parfums and Eau de Toilettes have the same scent?
Although both Eau de Parfums and Eau de Toilettes can have the same fragrance, they are slightly different in how they smell.
This is because different fragrance notes are needed to balance out the middle notes, just like scented candles. An eau de parfum will always have a richer scent, while an eau de toilette is lighter and fresher.
Unfortunately, even if you’ve bought the same fragrance brand in eau de toilette and eau de parfum, you likely can’t interchange them due to the difference in notes.
For example, the Black Opium fragrance from YSL has an eau de toilette and eau de parfum. The parfum version is much stronger, while the toilette version is lighter with citrus notes.
How do I choose between an Eau De Toilette and an Eau De Parfum?
Multiple factors can influence choosing an eau de toilette or an eau de parfum. As a fragrance enthusiast, I recommend having an eau de toilette for daytime use and an eau de parfum for evening use.
If you prefer light notes and typically want a casual scent, eau de toilette is designed for this fresh scent. Eau de parfum is excellent for those who want a strong scent that will last the whole night, the kind of perfume strength that will turn heads.
The best way to decide on the kind of fragrance you want is by getting small tester samples and wearing them throughout your days to see how the scent develops and how long they last.
Fragrance comparison table
| Fragrance Type | EDP | EDT | Parfum | Eau de Cologne | Eau Fraiche |
| Concentration (%) | 12%-20% | 10%-15% | 20%-40% | 2%-5% | 2%-3% |
| Scent Last Time(hours) | 5-8 hours | 3-4 hours | 6-8 hours | Up to 2 hours | Up to 2 hours |
Frequently asked questions about EDT vs EDP
Eau de parfum is undoubtedly a richer and longer-lasting scent than eau de toilette. However, this doesn’t translate to being a better fragrance; some prefer lighter scents found in edt.
If we are talking about eau de toilette vs parfum, parfum has a much higher concentration than eau de toilette. Therefore, it smells more potent and lasts longer. Eau de toilette is lighter and best for short-wearing periods during the day. Le parfum is better for evening usage.
The strongest fragrance type is Parfum, also known as extrait de parfum. This has 20%-40% concentration and can last up to 8 hours. This also means it’s usually the most expensive type of fragrance.
The longest-wearing perfumes are parfum and Eau de parfum, lasting 5-8 hours. However, this can depend on your body chemistry, where you apply the perfume, and the environment you’re wearing it in. Regarding expiry, perfumes with citrus notes tend to expire quickly. Parfum lasts a long time, anything from 3-10 years.
