Fragrance Buying Guide
Fragrance—the essential accessory
Fragrance can provoke the senses and stir powerful reactions in people. It can also change how we feel about ourselves, as well as how we view others. And even though it’s invisible and often takes a backseat to our clothing, hair and beauty routine, fragrance is still an essential part of our personal style and presentation. Wearing the right fragrance can improve your mood, make you feel more confident or attractive—and it can also communicate those very same emotions to those around you. Clearly, this hidden accessory plays a unique role in everyone’s lives, which is why choosing a fragrance is such an intimate process.
For many people, fragrance is a crucial part of their morning routine, and they wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without it. Then there are those who wear fragrance only for holidays or special events. Some people change their fragrances as often as they do their clothes, while others become infatuated with a fragrance and wear it for years, making it their signature scent. Society has a history of labeling softer, more floral fragrances as perfume for women, and more powerful fragrances as cologne for men, yet all fragrances are actually gender-neutral and are meant to be worn and enjoyed by everyone. So, whether you’ve been enchanted by a soft sweet parfum or taken in by the allure of an earthy cologne, you should never let a label stop you from wearing a fragrance that you truly enjoy. When it comes to fragrance, choose what you love and make it your own.
At Costco Canada, we are pleased to offer a large inventory of luxury perfume and cologne from the most popular and sought-after fragrance brands on the market. You’ll find impressive savings on everything from classic scents to the hottest designer fragrances, as well as a few surprises in between. Start shopping today!
Understanding the 5 Types of Fragrance
There are 5 types of fragrance: Parfum, Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Cologne, and Eau Fraiche. The difference between the five types of fragrances is the concentration, which refers to the percentage of perfume oil that they contain. Fragrances with a higher concentration of perfume oil will have a more intense scent, and last longer on your skin. The most popular fragrance types on the market are Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette. For reference, the concentration level of a fragrance is typically displayed directly under the fragrance name on both the bottle and outer packaging.
Parfum
Perfume oil (approx.): 20-30%
Lasts (approx.): 24 hours
Parfum, sometimes referred to as perfume or pure perfume, contains the highest concentration of perfume oil and the least amount of alcohol, and is considered one of the purest fragrances available. Parfum has a very intense aroma, which can last up to 24 hours. Due to its longevity, parfum is the most expensive type of fragrance.
Eau de Parfum
Perfume oil (approx): 15-20%
Lasts (approx.): 5-8 hours
Eau de Parfum (EDP), also referred to as perfume water, contains the second highest concentration level of perfume oils, which makes it long-lasting and great for everyday wear. Although it is a little more expensive than other fragrances, eau de parfum is the most popular of the fragrance types.
Eau de Toilette
Perfume oil (approx.): 5-15%
Lasts (approx.): 3 hours
Eau de Toilette (EDT) is delicately scented cologne that contains an average concentration of perfume oils, making it lighter and more affordable than eau de parfum. This popular type of fragrance is light and airy, and easy to wear, which is why many people prefer to use eau de toilette for daywear or during the summer months.
Eau de Cologne
PerPerfume oil (approx.): 2-4%
Lasts (approx.): 2-3 hours
Eau de Cologne (EDC), often referred to as cologne, is a light fragrance that contains a lower concentration of perfume oils. Because eau de cologne lasts for only a few hours, it will need to be reapplied several times throughout the day, which is why it is often sold in large capacity bottles. Eau de cologne is less expensive than other types of fragrance.
Eau Fraiche
Perfume oil (approx.): 1-3%
Lasts (approx.): 1-2 hours
Eau Fraiche, also referred to as” fresh water”, is an extremely light and diluted fragrance that contains the lowest concentration of perfume oils and alcohol, which is why it is less expensive than other types of fragrance. Much like eau de cologne, eau fraiche lasts for only a few hours, resulting in the need for multiple applications throughout the day. Due to its diluted nature, eau fraiche is a popular choice for children, teens, and anyone with sensitive skin.
The Significance of Fragrance Notes
The term “Note” simply refers to an individual element within a fragrance. All notes fall into one of 3 classifications: top, middle, or base. It is the combination, or layering, of all 3 notes that creates a fragrance. Perfume and cologne are designed so that you immediately detect the top note, while the middle and base notes slowly develop as you wear the fragrance.
Top Notes
After opening a fragrance bottle, the first thing you notice are the fresh, light top notes. These initial scents will linger anywhere from 10-15 minutes, before starting to dissipate and soften. Top notes, sometimes referred to as head notes, are important because they give a powerful and lasting first impression of the fragrance.
Examples of top notes include: fruits, florals, citrus, herbs
Middle Notes
Once the top notes begin to soften, you will notice the stronger secondary scents, which are called middle notes. Often referred to as the heart or core of the fragrance, the well-rounded middle notes comprise approximately 65% of the fragrance, and act as an intermediary between the top and base notes. Middle notes will last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.
Examples of Middle Notes include: greens, herbs, heavy florals, spices
Base Notes
Finally, after the top and middle notes have settled down and dissipated, you’ll start to detect the rich, full base notes. These scents are deep and heavy, and give a grounding effect to the fragrance. Of all the notes in a fragrance, base notes tend to last the longest, anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.
Examples of base notes include: vanilla, woods, amber, musk, patchouli
Choosing the Perfect Fragrance
With so many perfumes and colognes on the market today, you're sure to find one that you love—it may just take a bit of research. First, think about your personal preferences. If you love the cozy warmth of a crackling fire, then you may prefer a fragrance with warm, spicy notes like vanilla, amber, vetiver, or caramel. Is Spring your favorite time of year? Then consider trying a fragrance with refreshing floral and citrus elements like crisp greens, orange blossoms, or lilacs. Looking for a scent with a little drama and sophistication? Then try fragrances with a smooth blend of woods and florals, like jasmine, nutmeg, ylang ylang, or patchouli.
Start by browsing for perfume online, taking the time to read the product descriptions, as well as the customer reviews. You may find it helpful to customize your fragrance search by preferred brand, gender or fragrance type. It’s also important to think about when and where you may wear the fragrance, and how long you’d like it to last. This will determine the type of fragrance concentration you will purchase—parfum, eau de toilette, etc. And if you, or someone you know, has worn a fragrance in the past that you really enjoyed, consider trying a new fragrance from the same product line or brand.
How to Apply Fragrance
Learning to properly apply perfume and cologne is really quite simple. Dab or spray the fragrance directly onto your skin, being sure to avoid your eyes, face, and hair. Remember, a little goes a long way, so it’s best to be conservative with your first application. If you’re using a spray, hold the bottle 7-10 inches away from your skin. Body heat is known to intensify a fragrance, so choose areas of your body that are naturally warmer, like your chest, neck, wrists, forearms, and the back of your knees. Do not rub the fragrance into your skin, this will only break down the oils and help it fade more quickly. Instead, allow the fragrance to absorb into your skin naturally. Please remember that some fragrances can damage certain types of clothing and jewelry, so it’s best to apply fragrance and let it dry completely, before getting dressed.
Understanding Fragrance Concentration
A fragrance that contains perfume oils of higher concentration, will have a more intense smell and last longer on the skin. This does not mean that it is a better fragrance, it simply means that it’s a stronger one. It’s also important to note that many ingredients smell differently depending on their concentration levels, which you may or may not like. In fact, there are many people who prefer the subtlety and versatility of a lower concentration fragrance.
Fragrance Care & Storage
With proper care and storage, you can keep your perfume or cologne fresh for as long as possible. First, it’s important to keep the fragrance bottle closed and tightly sealed until you are ready to use it. And if you can keep it in its original box—even better! Once the bottle is opened and exposed to oxygen, it begins to naturally dilute. Although it may be tempting to open the bottle for a whiff, it's best to resist unless you are ready to start using the fragrance.
Moisture and heat are the number one culprits in the deterioration of fragrance oils, which negatively affects the longevity and natural scent of a fragrance. In fact, if stored incorrectly, fragrance can begin to go bad in as little as 2 months. That’s why it’s important to store your fragrances in a cool dry place, and out of direct sunlight. Avoid storing your perfume or cologne in areas with high humidity or inconsistent temperatures, like bathrooms and basements. Dark dry places like closets, cabinets, drawers and boxes are perfect locations.
Although perfumes are not marked with expiration dates, that doesn’t mean that they will last forever. The average lifespan of a fragrance is 2 to 5 years, before they start to break down, and smell differently than intended. However, fragrances with a higher percentage of perfume oils and deep base notes have been known to last as long as 8-10 years. So, if you love a fragrance, wear it and enjoy it, instead of hiding it away on a shelf and risk letting it turn.
Helpful Terms
An absolute is a highly-concentrated and aromatic fragrance oil derived from botanicals. Considered to be more powerful than essential oil, absolute is an important component in perfumery.
An accord is a unique scent created by mixing several notes together. Accords are created with the intention of mimicking a natural scent that cannot be otherwise obtained.
The drydown is the final and longest-lasting stage of a fragrance after the top and middle notes have dissipated. It is the time in which the deep base notes take center stage.
A common ingredient found in perfumes, essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from aromatic plants. These important oils are created using a pressing or distillation process.
An extract is a powerful perfume that contains a 15-45% concentration of aromatic oil. It is considered to be the most potent form of perfume on the market.
The term synthetic is used to describe any ingredient found in perfume that was not obtained through a natural extraction process. These chemically created ingredients are a reasonable substitute for natural ingredients that are simply too expensive or hazardous to obtain.
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