fragrance

Perfumes and Colognes

Perfume and Cologne for Men and Women

Although fragrances for women are typically referred to as “perfume” and those for men as “cologne,” there are notable differences between the two. Perfume has a higher concentration of essential oils (between 15 and 40 percent) than alcohol, while cologne contains more alcohol and 2 to 5 percent oils, making the latter a weaker scent that fades more quickly than perfume does. While perfume consists of multiple scents for a layered and complex fragrance, cologne is simpler and contains only one scent. Because perfume is stronger than cologne, it is often more expensive.

To save money on expensive brands of perfume, buy discounted perfume online. Beauty Encounter sells designer brands of perfume, such as Missoni and Christian Dior, for a fraction of the original cost. Buying cheap perfume is a great way to save money while maintaining your beauty regimen and wearing the fragrances that you love.

The layers of fragrance in perfume, referred to as “notes,” vary in strength: the top note is the strongest, but fades quickly. The middle note is subtle, but long-lasting. And the base note is the weakest, but will last all day. The top note attracts buyers to the fragrance, as it stands out and initially overpowers the other notes. Categories of perfume scents include floral, Oriental (a balance of floral, woodsy, and amber fragrances), Chypre (a blend of floral and earthy, mossy scents), wood, leather, ocean, fruit, and Gourmand (reminiscent of sweets such as vanilla or other desserts). Fragrances are extracted from plants, such as flowers, grass, and trees, or created synthetically to form scents like white musk.

Apply perfume by dabbing it on pulse points such as the wrists, behind the knees, and in other areas where the warmth of the skin will continue to release the scented oils throughout the day. Apply cologne by spraying it on the wrists, chest, and neck. Because cologne evaporates quickly, reapply it every 2 to 3 hours.