Lingering Love
It’s no secret that women love well-crafted fragrances, especially perfumes. I have always been a big fan of fragrances, particularly body scents like perfumes and scented oils. I believe that the perfect way to truly pull an entire look together is by incorporating a scent that perfectly complements your style
My love and interest in the perfume-making process began after a trip to Paris in 2022, where I took a perfume-making class. During the class, I learned about perfume notes, which are the different layers of scent that you can smell in a fragrance. We explored how these notes are incorporated into perfumes and how they each play a significant role in the way a fragrance develops on your skin. We also learned about the duration of each note and how long they last on the body.
Perfume Notes
Perfume notes are typically categorized into three tiers: Base Notes, Heart Notes, and Top Notes.
Base Notes are the longest-lasting, often remaining on the skin for up to six hours. These notes carry the most potent scent within the fragrance and serve as its foundation. Although they last the longest, Base Notes usually become noticeable about 20-30 minutes after applying the perfume.
Next are the Heart Notes, which generally last for 20 minutes to an hour on the body. These notes are the “heart” or the main scent of the perfume, making up about 75% of the fragrance. They deepen the aromatic experience and help to pull the fragrance together.
Finally, there are the Top Notes. These have the shortest duration on the body, typically lasting only 5-15 minutes. They’re the scents that people usually detect first when they spray the perfume. Though fleeting, Top Notes provide a smooth transition to the other aspects of the fragrance.
Together, these notes play important roles in pulling a fragrance together and helping it settle into your body.
Intensities
All intensities and potencies of perfumes are not the same. While some can last all day on the body, others fade much quicker. The most common intensities are Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, and Perfume (Parfum).
Eau de Toilette is the weakest intensity, usually lasting on the body for about 2-3 hours. With a fragrance concentration of 5-15%, it’s the least expensive and typically the most popular among fragrance types. These types of fragrances typically require more re-spray touch-ups throughout the day if you want to maintain a fresh aroma.
Eau de Parfum is the second most intense, lasting on the body for 4-5 hours, with an oil concentration of 15-20%. While less expensive than Perfume, Eau de Parfum still offers reliable longevity that you may not get from Eau de Toilette.
Lastly, Perfume (Parfum) has the highest fragrance concentration, with 20% or more, and can retain its scent on the body from 8 hours to an entire day. While perfumes are among the priciest fragrances, they offer lasting benefits, including fewer alcohols, which are more common in Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum.
Overall, fragrances add subtle and bold touches to your presence that can be enjoyed for hours. I’ve always enjoyed adding perfume as the final touch to my routine. Whether I’m heading out for the day, enjoying a relaxing time at home, or going out for an evening of fun, I always look forward to a spritz of perfume as a lasting touch and a special treat to myself.
So, with that being said, I hope you find scents that resonate with you and incorporate them into your daily routine!
xoxo,
Morgs
