Last Updated on 7 years by Naveen Kumar
Why do you need a good fragrance?
Perfumes are an invisible part of your personal style and choices. It has a significant effect on how people perceive you. Your scent and personal choice of fragrance not only helps you to make the right first impression, it can also make it easier for others to remember you.
What are the most common types of fragrances available in India?
Most perfume houses have developed their own terminology and categories to classify their perfumes according to the concentration of essences or perfume oils they contain. The different terms like Parfum de Toilette, Eau Parfumée, Eau de Cologne, Mist, Espirit de Parfum, Eau d’Abondance, Extrait, have been confusing.
The truth is that they’re given a name and categorized based on the concentration (or dilution) of perfume oils in alcohol and water.
How to choose the right fragrance?
There are different scents available for every mood, season, and special occasion.
With a superfluity of perfumes befitting only formal events and others made solely for usual and casual day-to-day, this is your guide to sniffing out the best for every situation you face.
Eau de Cologne (EDC)
Invented by an Italian called Giovanni Maria Farina in 1709, Eau de Cologne became a phenomenon and a hit worldwide.
Originally made from citrus oils, including bergamot, orange, grapefruit combined with lavender, jasmine, oleaster and tobacco, these are very light, fresh and diluted version of fragrances, typically composed of only 2-5% perfume oils in alcohol and water.
Hence these tend to last for only a couple of hours, and needs reapplication frequently.
Being fresh and light, they are perfect to wear to work. “Less is more” is the thumb rule for perfumes, especially at work. Imagine having to spend your 9-6 with a strong, over-smelling colleague. That is when fragrant crosses the subtle line to become irritant.
Colognes, therefore, are a great option to wear to your office daily, for job interviews, while traveling especially in flights or similar small and closed air conditioned spaces, since they are very light.
Our recommended pick of some of the best budget buys are JOVAN White Musk Eau de Cologne and Royal Mirage Brown Eau de Cologne Classic Original. On the premium side, we recommend Calvin Klein Encounter EDC.
Eau de Toilette (EDT)
A light fragrant composition with almost 5%–15% pure perfume essence dissolved in alcohol, these are slightly stronger than colognes. Expected to last for up to 4 hours, these are perfect when going out for a date, early morning meetings, boys’ night out or even to office daily.
Tip: When hitting the town, catching up with friends or for work, it’s best to choose a fragrance that’s smooth and relaxing, so citrus ones are a good idea.
For family gatherings, something like soft musk or vanilla is ideal. And when going out on a date, its best to choose sensual ones like musky or oriental notes.
Our budget picks are UDV Blue EDT and Davidoff Coolwater EDT. Mont Blanc Legend Spirit Eau de Toilette, Dolce & Gabbana The One EDT and Ralph Lauren Big Pony 3 EDT are some popular premium perfumes.
Eau de Parfum (EDP)
Also called Parfum de Toilette, they are strong enough to last almost 6-8 hours, they contain 15%–20% pure perfume essence. And so due to the higher concentration of perfume oils, these tend to be very noticeable to others, making them great for dates but not very ideal if you work in close quarters or spend a lot of time in the heat, which can make them smell even stronger.
They are ideal for a date night, weddings, special celebrations or a dinner party.
Skinn Men’s Eau de Parfum is our recommendation if you have a smaller budget. Bvlgari Man in Black EDP, Christian Dior Homme Intense EDP and Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profumo Parfum are a few costly EDPs but are worth the money you pay as they last longer.
Attar
They are the true scented oils. Due to the extreme concentration of perfume oils, more than 80%, these are very overwhelming. Since the amount of alcohol in attar is very low, their fragrance can last up to a day or more. Being very intense, a little goes a long way in the case of these that a tiny bottle can last a person several months.
For men, attars with notes of spices, wood, and oud are a good choice as they’re strong, masculine and have a lasting impact.
More suited for special occasions and celebrations. Preferably avoid using them to office and while traveling.
Parag fragrances Worlds Best Ruh Khus, SHAMA Mohammadi Series Natural Attar and Ajmal Oudh Mukhallat are our preferred picks.
Tip: Attar can stain clothes. Hence it is advised not to use the applicator roll directly on clothes. Instead, use your fingers to dab them on your pulse points. Moderation is the key when using attar.
Wearing a scent is a unique way of expressing yourself. Based on the fragrance you pick, wearing a scent can make you more likable and more approachable.
If you discover a few scents that you feel great wearing, drop them in comment box below.
A nice and informative read about the different variants of perfume and which to choose when. if someone wants to buy quality perfumes in India, online there is a website I can suggest. Its Perfume Square. Here is the link https://www.perfumesquare.in/
Yes, one should perfume according to the concentration of scent and lasting period. We, at Para Fragrance, sell all those types of perfume and cologne for men from different brands at a discounted price. Quickly visit and shop your Favorite!