Often, extraits and eau de parfums will be pricier than other formats of fragrance as they use more raw materials. However, that doesn’t mean one is necessarily better than the other. Having one of the best perfumes for women by your side is practically a necessity. But that's easier said than done, considering there's no such thing as “one scent fits all”. There are classic florals, fruity fragrances and spicy, woody blends – among many, many others. Drawing the line between Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, and Parfum is a nuanced endeavor. Eau de Parfum, with its moderate concentration of aromatic oils (usually around 15-20%), strikes a balance between longevity and subtlety. Eau de Toilette, on the other hand, contains a lower concentration (typically 5-15%), making it lighter and more suitable for daily wear. Parfum, the pinnacle of fragrance potency, boasts the highest concentration (up to 40%), resulting in a luxurious and enduring aroma. Eau de Parfum Intense and Eau de Parfum Extreme: Elevating the Elegance Second-best: Eau de Parfum (EDP) has 15-20% perfume oils and should last between four to five hours, making it popular for evening fragrances. Fragrances are typically classified into four main fragrance families: floral, fresh, woody, and oriental. And made from the same notes and accords, it’s not uncommon that you find yourself partial towards perfumes with similar scent profiles. If you’re looking to spice up your perfume to something less prevalent without changing your fragrance altogether, working with these fragrance families can be incredibly helpful. Floral fragrances

Try to do some investigation beforehand,” says Mauro. “Understanding if the gift recipient prefers fresh or warm notes will greatly improve your selection process. In the best possible way, this luxury fragrance smells like a well-loved, high-quality leather handbag that’s long been a staple of your wardrobe; similarly, this perfume is also bound to become a go-to in your routine. Remember that leathery scents tend to perform best in cooler weather as heat and humidity can make a perfume wear you, rather than the other way around. But don’t feel like you need to limit yourself to just one scent, says Mauro. “Be open to expanding your fragrance wardrobe to include a range of fragrance families,” he recommends. “Experiment with your fragrances and create your own signature combination.”The nose behind this scent, Dominique Ropion, is a master of the craft, and that’s clear upon first sniff. With tuberose leading the charge, the fragrance boasts a positively elegant mix of white florals as well as unexpected notes of melon, coconut, coconut, and eucalyptus, all resting on a base of musk. It projects and wears beautifully, with no need for spritzes throughout the day. The formulation of Eau de Parfum is a delicate dance of ingredients. Perfumers meticulously select base, middle, and top notes, each contributing to the scent’s evolving character. Base notes provide depth and longevity, middle notes add complexity, and top notes offer an initial burst of fragrance. The harmonious blend of these notes, often including natural and synthetic components, is what defines the unique allure of Eau de Parfum. Exploring Eau de Parfum’s Multifaceted Formats Finally, orientals: the family that has dominated the fragrance market in the 21st century. Pure orientals are also known as Amber fragrances and are usually warm with desert undertones such as chocolate, honey, and praline. Soft orientals are sensual by nature and commonly consist of myrrh or incense paired with cinnamon and cloves. Floral orientals marry zesty citrus notes with spicy vanillas. And woody orientals fuse dry woods with rich masculine spices. Types of perfumes and concentration strengths

Eau de Parfum presents itself in an array of product formats beyond the traditional spray bottle. Roll-on applicators offer convenience, while solid perfumes provide a portable and tactile experience. EDP-infused body lotions and creams offer a subtler, all-encompassing scent experience that lingers on the skin. A Whiff of Time: Longevity and Sillage What We Don’t Love: This fragrance is heady with a huge sillage, so it’s not a scent for all seasons. What We Don’t Love: So iconic, so ubiquitous—if you make it your signature scent, others will be wearing it, too.With the price point to match, Oud For Highness is literally regal: It was formulated for King Hussein of Jordan in the mid-1970s. And while it may have been made for a man, it’s our seasonal go-to for when we want to feel like the powerful women we are. Warm, spicy, and elegant with notes of syrupy honey and indulgent oud (one of the rarest and priciest ingredients used when making perfumes), every spritz will make you feel more confident than the last. If you’re more of a wallflower, note that this scent is bold, both in vibes and strength. But there are other costs, too: “Everything from the formula and ingredients used to craft the composition, the cost to mold the bottle as well as the resources spent to create the story, brand positioning, copy and endless hours of creative design work,” explains Mauro. While we especially love wearing this scent in spring and summer, Neroli Portofino is one of those fragrances that smell like your cleanest, freshest self, so feel free to mist it on with abandon all year round. It is on the lighter side, so remember that you may need to keep applying it to continuously enjoy its delicate aroma—or you can pair it with the brand’s coordinating body lotion. Although many fragrance houses describe their perfumes as unique, this one truly is. It’s a neither here nor there scent, as it doesn’t truly fit squarely in one fragrance family, but somehow touches them as the layers unfold with wear. Opening with a burst of bitter almond and spicy saffron, the aroma dries down into the floral middle notes of jasmine and earthy cedar, before settling into a deeper musky base of ambergris and fir resin. Because this perfume has such an unusual blend of notes, it smells very different depending on who wears it, from a spicy caramel confection to a sharp metallic aroma.

Woody fragrances are most common amongst unisex and men’s perfumes and are usually composed of warm, rich and decadent compositions. Reminiscent of dewy forest walks, woody fragrances marry fresh and resinous notes. And when paired with more feminine fragrances, they work well to add an air of modernism and independence to women’s perfumes. Oriental fragrances However, keep in mind that this is possibly the most famous perfume of all time, so if you like being the only person wearing a scent, Chanel No°5 may not be for you.

For better wear, make sure you’re applying it correctly—and believe it or not, that starts with hydrated skin! “Perfume will last longer on skin that has been moisturized,” says Gray. “Start with a scented lotion for a fragrance layering experience or an unscented lotion to let your fragrance shine.” What We Don’t Love: The leather note in this one is strong, so you may want to reserve this perfume for cooler days.