The One Thing You Need to Know Before Buying Perfume

As the resident beauty editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab for more than a decade, I have watched the fragrance category explode from the less important little sister of the big three (skincare, hair, and makeup) to a major player. Suddenly, everyone is shopping for a wardrobe of perfumes, rather than sticking to one signature scent, and experimenting with fragrance trends, from super sweet scents to formats like solid perfumes. In our Good Housekeeping Beauty Awards this year, we received a record number of submissions in the fragrance category.

But in the frenzy of new perfume launches popping up on store counters and online, one important fact often gets lost: All perfumes are not created equal—in fact, there are many different types and which one you choose can make a big difference in the way your fragrance smells and how long it lasts. “The main difference between fragrance types is concentration, which determines how a scent performs in terms of intensity, longevity, and overall wear,” says Rachael Larsen, Associate Fragrance Development Manager at fragrance developer DSM-Firmenich. “Understanding these differences helps ensure the fragrance aligns with personal preference and intended use, whether that’s something light and refreshing or deeper and longer-lasting.”

The type of perfume is also an important factor perfumers take into account when creating a fragrance. “Fragrance houses consider the composition and how the scent is intended to be experienced, with lighter, fresher notes often suited to lower concentrations and richer, more intense notes better supported by higher concentrations to enhance depth and longevity,” she explains. Larsen breaks down the main perfume types you will see on the market and how to know which is right for you.

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A parfum, also known as an extrait, “is the most concentrated version of a fine fragrance and usually contains around 20 to 30% fragrance oil, with the rest of the perfume being alcohol, which acts as a base and also helps the fragrance diffuse,” she says. “It is rich and long-lasting, typically staying on skin for six to eight hours or more, with a deeper character driven by base notes like woods, resins, spices, or gourmand accords.”

Best for: Those seeking out more intense, long-lasting fragrances. Note that parfums can “feel heavier and come at a higher price point” due to the higher concentration of fragrance oil, Larsen adds.

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Infiniment Coty Paris Entre Genres Parfum

Eau de Parfum

One of the most common perfume categories is eau de parfum. An eau de parfum typically contains 15 to 20% fragrance concentration, mixed with alcohol and water, she explains. “It is slightly lighter than a parfum but still offers good longevity, generally lasting four to six hours, with a balanced composition across top, middle, and base notes,” Larsen adds.

Best for: Those looking for “versatility for both day and evening,” she says, though they have a bit less longevity than parfums.

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Phlur Cherry Stem Eau De Parfum

Eau de Parfum Intense

Many brands are now launching “intense” versions of their existing perfumes. Despite their name, “an eau de parfum intense does not have a higher concentration of fragrance than a traditional eau de parfum,” Larsen explains. “Instead, it’s usually a rebalanced version of the original perfume with an emphasis on long-lasting base notes.” To achieve an eau de parfum intense, the perfumer might reduce some of the lighter top notes and increase more intense notes like woods, leather, and amber, she says.

Best for: Someone who prefers richer fragrances or a version of a favorite eau de parfum that’s stronger, for example to wear at night or in cooler seasons.

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Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Intense

Eau de Toilette

Another common category, think of these as fresher versions of eau de parfum. “They usuallycontain a five to 15% concentration of fragrance and are lighter in nature, typically lasting two to four hours,” Larsen says. “They can feature a range of scent profiles including florals, woods, or light spices.”

Best for: A fresh, easy-to-wear fragrance, while the drawback is shorter longevity and the need for reapplication, she notes.

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Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de toilette

Eau de Cologne

Despite the “cologne” name, these aren’t strictly masculine. Eau de cologne “contains about two to five percent fragrance concentration, a lower concentration that was traditionally used in applications like aftershave,and is very light and fresh, often focusing on citrus and aromatic notes,” Larsen explains. “It typically lasts one to two hours due to its high volatility.”

Best for: Those who love fragrances with “a refreshing quality” and don’t mind minimal longevity and depth, she says.

Solid Perfume

A burgeoning newer category, “solid perfume is a fragrance product that comes in a wax or gel-like base instead of the traditional alcohol-based liquid,” Larsen says. “While solid perfumes may adhere better to the skin due to their thicker consistency, their overall longevity is comparable to an eau de parfum [four to six hours], depending on the fragrance concentration and type.”

Best for: Since solid perfumes are usually packaged in small compacts or tubes, they work well for travel, on-the-go, and targeted application. “Solid perfumes offer a more localized application, meaning the scent is concentrated in specific areas of the skin rather than dispersed over a wide surface like a spray,” she adds. “They tend to adhere better to the skin due to their solid base, providing a consistent fragrance experience, and since they don’t contain alcohol, they have a slower initial evaporation process, which can make the scent feel more subtle and intimate.”

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Diptyque

Perfume Oil

“Perfume oils are typically undiluted or only lightly diluted, meaning they contain a high concentration of fragrance without alcohol,” Larsen explains. “They adhere well to skin and allow the scent to last longer—about six hours—and evolve more slowly.”

Best for: Those who prefer lasting scents or like to layer perfumes, she says. Note that perfume oils don’t project as much as alcohol-based perfumes, Larsen adds, meaning the scent may only be detectable close to the body.

Body Mist

Body mists have had a resurgence since their 90s heyday, with more sophisticated options and packaging. “They are normally less concentrated and can contain more water, making them easy to wear and gentler than other fragrance options such as eau de parfum,” Larsen says. Some modern versions are also made with skincare ingredients for benefits like softening.

Best for: A quick burst of scent that can be sprayed all over the body without overwhelming, but may not be as long-lasting (Larsen notes their aroma can dissipate in about two to three hours).

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EOS Vanilla Cashmere Body Mist

Hair Perfume

One of the newest perfume categories, hair perfumes have been growing in popularity. “Unlike traditional perfumes, which rely on alcohol to diffuse scent, hair perfumes are formulated to be gentle on strands—they use low or no alcohol and may be water-based and contain conditioning ingredients like lightweight oils or silicones,” Larsen explains. “This allows hair to retain scent without drying out or weighing down strands.” Since hair “holds onto fragrance well,” the aroma of a hair perfume can linger for anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the formula, she says.

Best for: Refreshing the scent of hair in between washes or those who are looking for a subtler way to wear fragrance.

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Kitsch Amber Shores Hair Perfume

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