Another way to ask this question is What is difference between EDC, EDT, EDP and Parfum?

A perfume containing 17% oil contains less aromatic oils compared to a perfume that contains 30% oil. Therefore, a perfume with 30% aromatic oils will generally last much longer than a perfume with only 17% oil. The most popular fragrance concentration in the perfume industry is still the 17% oil perfume, also known as Eau De Parfum (EDP).

EDP outperforms Eau De Toilette (EDT) in terms of sillage (the degree to which a perfume’s fragrance lingers in the air when worn), but how long a perfume lasts can also depend on the individual perfume’s formulation and the user’s skin type. Generally, perfume applied to moisturised skin will last a whole lot longer than perfume applied to dry skin. A perfume that lasts long on one individual’s skin might not last as long on another’s. This is also the reason why the same perfume can smell slightly different on different people.

Go ahead and test your perfume on three different individuals, including yourself. The initial top notes will smell the same immediately after applying on all four. Wait 20 minutes for the middle notes to develop and do another smell test. Have a pouch of coffee beans handy at this point to neutralise the scent between each test and compare the subtle differences. The base notes or “dry down” will usually develop around the four-hour mark. Do another smell test and note the difference in scent and how long the perfume lasted on each skin type. Some people may experience quicker or slower note transitions depending on body chemistry, temperature, or the perfume’s composition.

Both 17% and 30% perfumes are alcohol-based and fall into the broader category of EDP or Extrait de Parfum, depending on the oil concentration. Eau De Parfum typically contains between 15% and 20% oil, while perfumes with 25% to 30% oil are usually classified as Extrait de Parfum. These higher concentrations last longer, have a richer scent, and tend to sit closer to the skin with softer projection.

At Silhouette Scents, we also offer 100% perfume oil — a pure, alcohol-free version of perfume. These oils contain no alcohol or water and are designed to be applied directly to the skin using a dab-on or roll-on method. They’re ideal for customers who want something long-lasting, more intimate, or suitable for sensitive skin. Because there is no alcohol to lift and project the scent, perfume oils tend to sit closer to the skin but stay on for many hours. This is a completely different format from spray perfumes, and it’s important to understand that “100% oil” refers to a pure perfume oil experience — not just a stronger version of EDP or Extrait.

We custom-make all our perfumes to the customer’s specifications. Whether you’re looking for 100% oil, a 50% Extrait de Parfum, or a more traditional Eau De Parfum strength, we can assist. Please contact us for pricing on perfumes with 50%, 100%, or other custom percentages.

Edit 27 July 2022: Please see our blog post How to be a successful perfume sales person for more details on the different types of perfumes available.

Views: 8535