Eau de Toilette vs. Eau de Parfum: Which One Is Best For You?
The perfume world is daunting enough with terms like “notes”, “olfactories”, and “sillage” floating around. Add in eau de toilette and eau de parfum and you have yourself a whole new ball game to deal with. If you’ve ever given thought to the label, you’d notice how two fragrances with the exact same name have one differentiating factor – EDP or EDT. These terms actually make a whirlwind of a difference to fragrance and tell you a lot about what to expect from the fragrance you are trying. Let’s dive a little deeper into the difference between EDT and EDP, shall we?
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The Battle: EDT vs EDP
The significant difference between EDT and EDP lies in the concentration levels of fragrance oils –– this defines how strong the fragrance is and how long it will last. Keeping this in mind, Eau De Parfums (EDP) has a higher concentration of fragrance oils which constitute around 20 percent of the perfume. Eau De Toilettes (EDT), on the other hand, are formulated with approximately 15 percent of fragrance oils. So, if you spot the exact same perfume in EDT and EDP, note that EDT will be a lot lighter and airy than the EDP, which will be more intense.
Are Eau De Toilette & Eau De Parfum Similar?
Yes and no! If you take the same perfume in EDT and EDP, you will notice that while the notes are almost the same, the intensity of the fragrance changes. In most cases, the scent will be pretty much the same, with potency and longevity being the key differentiator between each.
However, some EDP and EDT variations of a perfume do tend to have varying notes, that may cause the scent to smell different. For example, the EDP variant might have base notes of a strong woody musk, while the EDT variant will have a lighter hint of sandalwood. The fragrances will definitely smell similar, however, they won’t be exactly the same.
The Price Factor
Remember, the more concentrated your fragrance oil is, the higher the price point of the perfume. This is mainly because of the higher production cost and more raw material input. The higher price point doesn’t entail that EDP is more superior or luxurious than its EDT counterpart.
So, Which One Do I Pick?
Since fragrances are such a personal choice, in the end the answer to this question is purely based on what you want. The two main questions you need to answer include: how long you want the scent to last and how intense you want your fragrance to be!
If airy fragrances are more your vibe, then EDT is often preferable. If you’re looking for something to last you all day long and literally leave a mark in people’s mind (and nose) the moment you enter a room, then EDP is more suited for you.
Understanding the difference between the two types of fragrances allows you to prep yourself in terms of what to expect from the pretty bottle and all its contents. The concentration is what defines the price, longevity, and intensity of your fragrance –– so, remember to shop for what works best for you!
