The best authentic perfumes usually come in two forms – eau de parfum and eau de toilette. But these aren’t just fancy French words. They are two very different kinds of fragrances with very different meanings. So what makes them different?
Basically, there’s only one key difference between an eau de parfum and an eau de toilette: the concentration of perfume oil. Most eau de toilettes contain between 5% and 10% perfume oil. In contrast, eau de parfums have a much higher concentration of 10% to 15%. This difference in perfume oil concentration carries over to scent and performance. For instance, since eau de parfums are more concentrated – they generally have a stronger, longer-lasting scent. On the other hand, on account of their lower concentrations, eau de toilettes tend to be lighter and softer.
Another thing that sets them apart is price. You’ll find that eau de toilettes usually cost less than eau de parfums since they use a lesser amount of fragrance oils. However, since the latter has a much more potent scent, you probably won’t need to apply as much; whereas an eau de toilette may require several more spritzes to achieve your desired level of intensity.
So, is one better than the other? As far as we’re concerned, there’s no right answer. You might prefer the subtle lightness of an eau de toilette, or you might be drawn to the richer, more intense notes in an eau de parfum. The only way you can decide for yourself is to smell a few authentic perfume samples before purchasing. Or, if you’re shopping for authentic perfumes online via a website like Dossier, look for something with familiar notes that appeal to you.