Shopping for perfume might at first seem like an easy task—you pick and choose based on what smells good, right? But in actual fact, there’s a lot more to consider when it comes to finding a new fragrance. From the sillage of a perfume to its longevity, the time of year it’s best suited to, its top, heart and base notes, and even the perfumer behind the fragrance, perfume shopping is much more complex than you might think.
Indeed, there’s a whole host of fragrance jargon that you’ll probably want to get clued up on before you even start. For example, perfume experts will urge you to consider the aforementioned sillage (the trail or “wake” that a perfume leaves behind you) and longevity (how long it lingers on your skin). It’s also worth brushing up on your “fragrance families” (for example, floral, aquatic and woody), as this is a good way to figure out which individual notes you’re most drawn to.
And arguably, the biggest thing to consider is the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum. Although this is usually indicated on the front of a perfume bottle, it’s something a lot of people miss entirely, and it makes a big difference to both the sillage and longevity of your fragrance.
With the help of fragrance expert and founder of Ellis Brooklyn Bee Shapiro, we’ve answered all your questions about eau de toilette versus eau de parfum.