A Man’s Guide to Fragrance August 28, 2017August 25, 2017 Mo Mulchandani The fragrance that you wear is an extension of your style; it affects how people perceive and remember you. Its aromatherapeutic properties can also reduce stress and increase confidence. Choosing a fragrance, however, can be an overwhelming process, so in this blog post, we’ll cover some of the lexis applied to the range of fragrances. The base of any fragrance is the perfume essence, also known as perfume oil. It can be a combination of various essential oils such as sandalwood and patchouli, absolutes such as neroli and rose, and animal extracts such as musk and ambergris. The perfume essence is diluted with alcohol and water, and depending on the levels of each, different gender-neutral terms are used to describe the product. Eau Fraiche The words “Eau Fraiche” literally translates to fresh water, and the term refers to a scented liquid containing approximately 1 to 3% perfume oil, making it the most diluted of all fragrances. Although Eau Fraiche only lasts about an hour, its low price makes it a popular choice for price conscious shoppers. Eau de Cologne / Cologne The words “Eau de Cologne” mean water from Cologne; it is a spirit-citrus perfume that originates from Cologne, Germany. Today, it is a generic term for scented liquids containing about 2% to 5% perfume essence marketed to men. The smell of Eau de Cologne lasts approximately two hours. Seduction By New Brand cologne, on sale for a limited time, has a mix of fresh notes and is a clean fragrance with a patented time-release technology that results in the slow release of fresh smell. Eau de Toilette Eau de Toilette, regrettably translated as toilet water, is a lightly scented cologne that is meant to be applied directly to the skin after a shower or a shave. This formulation contains about 5 to 15% perfume oils and lasts about three hours. Eau de Parfum or Perfume At the higher end of the range, we have Eau de Parfum, which contains 15 to 20% pure perfume oils and lasts about six to eight hours. Often mistaken to be strictly applied to female scents, Eau de Parfum is actually unisex. Parfum At the highest end of the spectrum, the epitome of olfactory indulgence, is the most concentrated formulation, the Parfum. Containing 20 to 30% pure perfume essence, it is the most expensive of the range, and the scent can last up to 12 hours. What are your favorite fragrances? Join the conversation by commenting below.