Men’s Fragrance Guide: Aftershave, Cologne, Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and Parfum

It’s easy to get a bit confused with all the different fragrance categories. It can be tricky deciding on whether to go for the Eau de Toilette (EDT) or the Eau de Parfum (EDP) if you don’t know what the difference is. A fragrance is made up of oil and alcohol. The amount of oil in each fragrance is what sets them apart from each other. It dictates the fragrance’s strength and longevity. Alcohol is later added to this oil to make the fragrance. I’m going to give you a guide to the different men’s fragrances to make life easier for you. I’ll keep it brief and straight to the point.

​Aftershave – As the name suggests you apply it after you shave your face. The skin is more delicate after a shave, so it makes sense to use a fragrance that isn’t too harsh as too much alcohol will cause skin irritation. It’s for that reason why aftershaves have the lowest amount of alcohol and oil out of all the fragrances. It’ll last for about an hour and the scent won’t be as strong as other types of fragrances. I’d recommend Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male . Eau de Fraiche fragrances have the same amount of oil as aftershaves and will last for the same amount of time.

Cologne – The fragrance has more oil in it than aftershaves, meaning it’ll last for longer and the smell is stronger. It can last for up to two hours and its scent can be categorised as light and refreshing. It’s for that reason why cologne is suited to warm weather. Cologne and Eau de Cologne are the same. Aramis 900 gets my recommendation.
If you want to wear a fragrance to an interview; a cologne or aftershave would be the best choice as it won’t be overpowering to the interviewer.

Eau de Toilette – An EDT is the next step up and will last for about three hours, due to it having more oil than the two previous fragrances. The notes of the fragrance will diminish in the second hour, but its scent is stronger than aftershave and cologne. An EDT would be appropriate at social gatherings and I’d recommend Michael Kors for Men.

Eau de Parfum – Perfume and Eau de Parfum are two terms that some use interchangeably. However, the two fragrances are different. Eau de Parfum lasts for at least five hours and a maximum of eight hours. The scents change after a few hours as it gets used to the body. Eau de Parfum tends to be quite expensive compared to the previous fragrances mentioned.

Parfum – This type of fragrance lasts the longest because it has more oil in it than its predecessors. Its scent can last up to a whole day. The minimum time it’ll last is usually six hours. Parfums are the most expensive type of fragrance to produce. Consequently, you’d be more likely to find luxury brands selling them because it’ll coincide with their brand image. 
Eau de Parfums and parfums are associated with formal gatherings like black tie events. Tom Ford is synonymous with the two fragrances and gets my recommendation. The two fragrances should be kept for those special occasions due to their luxurious nature.

​Next time you are shopping for a fragrance you’ll be able to tell the difference between each category. 

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