Fragrance is a term used by the cosmetics industry to describe the mixture of chemicals that give each perfume or cologne its distinct scent. Typically, fragrance ingredients are derived from petroleum or natural raw materials. In addition, they may contain solvents, stabilizers, UV-absorbers, preservatives and dyes.
How to Select a Perfume
When shopping for a new perfume, it’s important to understand how fragrance works. Professional perfumer Kalliope Amorphous recommends first focusing on the top notes, which are usually citrusy, floral or woody, then trying different base notes to see what suits your sense of smell best.
Choosing a perfume is not as simple as it sounds, as there are many types of perfumes, each with its own unique scent and characteristics. It’s also important to choose a scent that fits your skin type and personal preferences.
Eau de parfum, eau de cologne and eaux de toilette are the most popular fragrance types available. Each has a specific scent and concentration, and is designed to last for hours or even days on the skin.
Parfum is the most expensive and rarest of all fragrance types, with a fragrance concentration of between 20-30%. It also has the longest lasting aroma and is usually accompanied by an ultra-refined, expensive blend of fragrance notes.
The scent of the perfume is created by combining a blend of fragrance components such as essential oils, synthetic aromatics and various other odorants. Synthetic aromatics can be created in a laboratory and are often used as an alternative source of odorants to those found in nature, such as linalool and coumarin, which are not easily obtainable from plants.