Frequently asked questions

Nothing. They are all words used to describe the wonderful world of smell, and the scented liquids (or balms) we can apply to our bodies. The word perfume comes from the Latin ‘per fumum’ which literally means through smoke. It originates from times when scented smoke from wood and resin were used in ritual.

We all have smell preferences, our response is based partly on our personalities and partly on life experiences. A note of jasmine, could be wonderfully to you - reminding you of a favourite holiday; but repellant to someone else if it reminds them of a jasmine scent worn by a doctor while they were very ill. We all have ‘olfactory fingerprints’, which are unique to us: our life’s experiences locked away in our smell memory. In the same way that we each respond differently to smells, we also like different art, food and music.

In a perfect world, one, – to really get to know the smell as it develops. But who has patience for that? Try two at a time – one on each wrist. You may want to record which scent is on which wrist, it's surprising how hard it can be to remember...

It's a good indicator - but skin is always best! Blotters, or scent strips are a good way to tell if you like a perfume’s initial impression. If you’re buying perfume for yourself it's best to discover how it unfolds on you as it interacts with your body chemistry.

These descriptions are a guide to the strength or concentration of a fragrance. They aren't fixed rules, but they are conventions that are generally followed by brands labelling their perfume.
Extrait de parfum – 20-30%
Parfum – 15-25 %
Eau de parfum (EDP) – 8-15%
Eau de toilette (EDT) – 5-8%
Cologne (EDC) – 3-5%
After Shave/Eau fraiche – 1-3%

If you'd like to know a little more about perfumery, have a look at my glossary