The words on a perfume bottle are not decoration. They tell you how much perfume oil is inside — and that changes how a fragrance feels, how far it carries and how long it lasts.
| Concentration | Perfume oil | Lasts about | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau fraîche / body mist | 1–3% | 1–2 hours | A light, refreshing veil |
| Eau de cologne | 2–5% | 2 hours | Crisp and fleeting, perfect after a shower |
| Eau de toilette (EDT) | 5–15% | 3–5 hours | Bright, airy, easy to wear by day |
| Eau de parfum (EDP) | 15–20% | 5–8 hours | Fuller and warmer, the everyday favourite |
| Parfum / extrait de parfum | 20–40% | 8+ hours | Deep, rich and close to the skin |
| Perfume oil / attar | Up to 100% | All day | Intimate and long-lasting, no alcohol |
Times are a guide — skin type, climate and the notes themselves all play a part.
Same name, different scent
An eau de toilette and an eau de parfum of the same name are rarely identical. Perfumers usually rework the formula: the EDT leans brighter and fresher, the EDP rounder and warmer, and the parfum or "elixir" deeper still. If you love the opening of a fragrance but wish it lasted longer, try the next concentration up — but smell it first, because the character may shift.
Stronger is not always better
A parfum wears closer to the skin than an eau de toilette — it lasts longer, but the people around you may notice it less. For the office, a light EDT is often the most elegant choice. For a dinner date, an EDP or parfum lingers beautifully.
Where to start
Look for the word on every Olfeora product — we list the concentration in each name, and our scent quiz asks how noticeable you want your fragrance to be.
Not sure where to start? Find your perfect scent in 5 quick questions →