Understanding Fragrance
Different ingredients come into play in the fragrance at different
stages of the perfume’s life on your skin.
Perfumers distinguish between the various parts of the fragrance in
the following way:
The
Top Note
is the first impression of the fragrance.
It is the initial impact of the scent on the sense of smell.
The
Middle Note,
or heart of the fragrance, unfolds and develops a few minutes after
the perfume is applied to the skin.
The
Base Note
is the final impression of the fragrance. It is the most lasting
part of the fragrance and can last several hours after the fragrance
is applied.
Each fragrance is completely unique. Any given fragrance can include
up to one thousand different ingredients which vary not only in how
they smell but also in their “staying power” on the skin.
Even if two fragrances have identical odor
descriptions, they will smell different from one another. The
proportions of a
fragrance vary to create a unique, complete and different blend.
Eau de Parfum
— (oh-deh-parfoom) A substantial version of fragrance with a lower
concentration of fragrance oil than perfume.
Eau de Toilette
— (oh-deh-twalette) A lighter version of the fragrance
containing the lowest concentration of fragrance oil.
Perfume
— (sometimes spelled parfum) The longest lasting and strongest form
of fragrance containing the highest concentration of fragrance oil.
Scented bath and body products
— Soaps, powders, lotions, cremes, shower gels and other products
that provide hints of fragrance.
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