But there are other costs, too: “Everything from the formula and ingredients used to craft the composition, the cost to mold the bottle as well as the resources spent to create the story, brand positioning, copy and endless hours of creative design work,” explains Mauro.

Finding a scent that speaks to your distinctive personality is no small feat. Many of us feel frazzled by the endless possibilities and subtle differences. So we default to the most popular perfumes out of fear of getting it wrong. And whilst there’s nothing wrong with smelling like everyone else, if you’d rather discover your signature scent, understanding the four fragrance families and concentration strengths will certainly make the process a lot less overwhelming. Four main fragrance families With the price point to match, Oud For Highness is literally regal: It was formulated for King Hussein of Jordan in the mid-1970s. And while it may have been made for a man, it’s our seasonal go-to for when we want to feel like the powerful women we are. Warm, spicy, and elegant with notes of syrupy honey and indulgent oud (one of the rarest and priciest ingredients used when making perfumes), every spritz will make you feel more confident than the last. If you’re more of a wallflower, note that this scent is bold, both in vibes and strength. However, the lines are increasingly blurring, as gender-neutral fragrances gain prominence. Eau de Parfum’s Legacy: A Scented Masterpiece However, keep in mind that delightful and unobtrusive scents like this one tend not to last very long. We don’t mind this, though. In fact, we look forward to our midday touch-ups, especially considering the brand makes smaller sizes—so we have no need to decant into a travel atomizer. For better wear, make sure you’re applying it correctly—and believe it or not, that starts with hydrated skin! “Perfume will last longer on skin that has been moisturized,” says Gray. “Start with a scented lotion for a fragrance layering experience or an unscented lotion to let your fragrance shine.”

Instead, reach for it if you’re looking for something more intimate and musky—it’s great for a night out. Bonus: The travel-friendly bottle features a magnetic cap that won’t easily pop off in your purse. PTO spent soaking up sunshine and air-drying hot skin made salty from a dip in the sea—the delicate blend of notes in Bobbi Brown Beach evoke all of these summer memories and more.

The best thing is to keep them in the fridge if possible,” she adds. If you don’t have the space for this, consider getting a mini skincare fridge in which to store your most precious perfumes.If you’re deep into perfume TikTok, you’ve definitely scrolled past this beloved scent. Baccarat Rouge, blended by iconic perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, has an unabashed presence and impressive staying power. What We Don’t Love: Depending on your skin chemistry, you may not like how this scent wears on you. What We Love: You’ve probably encountered this viral, celebrity-approved perfume at least once a week. Though the whimsical perfume makes more sense when worn in summer, it’s light and airy, so we do enjoy wearing it all year round, whether that’s solo or layered with one of our other favorite fragrances. This helps boost its staying power, as its lighter weight can cause it to fade faster than some perfumes. Gray recommends smelling a bunch of options to find a scent that makes you feel like your most authentic self: “Does it make you feel confident? Sexy? Happy?”

Mexican oakwood, which nods to the heritage of the brand, is the grounding element, supported by a generous dose of leather, which is enhanced by powdery iris, peach skin-like osmanthus, and earthy carrot skin. This interplay of regional preferences adds a fascinating layer to the world of EDP. For Him and Her: Eau de Parfum’s Gender Nuances And the decadence begins at first sight. The fluted glass bottle is wrapped in a wide satin ribbon inspired by the obi of a kimono that will pop in your “getting ready” bridal portraits. Remove the weighty cap to release the juice inside—an ultra-wearable juicy, watery, and fresh fruity-floral fragrance. It features four forms of citrus (including grapefruit, which is fairly uncommon), crisp apple and melon, delicate waterlily, heady rose, and gentle musk. The musk gives staying power, but because it’s an eau de toilette, it won’t have the same staying power of an eau de parfum. Fragrances are typically classified into four main fragrance families: floral, fresh, woody, and oriental. And made from the same notes and accords, it’s not uncommon that you find yourself partial towards perfumes with similar scent profiles. If you’re looking to spice up your perfume to something less prevalent without changing your fragrance altogether, working with these fragrance families can be incredibly helpful. Floral fragrances Journalist and perfume expert Chandler Burr once wrote in The New York Timesthat Fracas is “astonishing,” with “huge power and sillage.” That’s immediately clear to whoever has the privilege of wearing it: The perfume is remarkably sultry, striking, and can make anyone feel like a femme fatale. We tend to reserve it for special occasions like important meetings and big nights out, but that’s largely because we’re building up the courage to wear it more regularly. This perfume has real presence and is an absolute head-turner—one of those scents you’ll smell on the sophisticated tastemakers of high society walking down Fifth or Madison Avenues. It’s the maturity and audaciousness of this fragrance that makes it great, but be warned—that means it’s also not for the faint of heart. Wear this one with confidence and style.Famously worn by Marilyn Monroe (in fact, the only thing she wore to bed) and immortalized by pop artist Andy Warhol, Chanel No°5 is a total classic, and has been since it was created over a century ago. The complex and robust blend of notes features sparkling aldehydes, powdery iris, and warm sandalwood and vanilla that remain as relevant today as they did in the 1920s. This unisex fragrance is an indulgence right off the shelf, from its beautiful gilded box and stunning turquoise bottle to the alluring juice inside. From the first spritz, you’ll observe how effervescent citrus notes give way to creamy white florals like neroli, orange blossom, and jasmine supported by a gentle, warm amber base, giving an overall effect of sun heating up citrus fields along the coast of Italy. Molto chic. OK, I might be getting a little carried away but there’s no denying that this is an ultra-feminine and super classy fragrance. Si by Armani is sold as a Chypre fruity fragrance which isn’t something I’d normally go for being a floral and amber lover. You can also spray it on your clothing, adds Monet, so long as it’s not made of cashmere, silk, satin, or leather as these materials are easily damaged. Note: If you like to mist perfume over your hair, you’re not alone, but it’s better to use a hair mist for this purpose. “Avoid spraying eau de parfum directly on hair, as they have high levels of alcohol, which can leave hair dry and brittle.” The bottle design also plays a role in elegance; even entry-level perfume fans could recognize Chanel No°5 Eau de Parfum and Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum if they were completely unmarked due to their distinctive silhouettes and colors. Even the cap makes a difference. Take a look at House of Bo Espiritu Eau de Parfum. “Each of the caps are hand-carved by Mexican artisans from natural materials, so that no two caps are exactly the same,” says Gray.

Most of us refer to our daily spritz as “perfume” but very few are actually categorized as such. Perfume (or Parfum) has the highest concentration of perfume oils (between 20-40%.) Naturally, it is the most expensive and lasts the longest on the skin—six to eight hours. Once you’ve made the investment in a luxury fragrance, you want to do everything you can to extend its longevity, both on your skin and in the bottle.

These are the best elegant perfumes to try…

That said, this perfume’s floral and citrus notes rest on a truly oceanic base of seawater and sand, which gives it an aroma reminiscent of old-school SPF for a nostalgic quality that we enjoy, but may not appeal to all. If you’re a beach bum, though, be sure to add this perfume to your fragrance wardrobe. This perfume from La Perla definitely deserves more attention—inspired by a sultry slow dance, it’s as sexy as the brand’s lingerie (and if you think sustainability is sexy, you’ll love the fact that you can buy huge refills to decant into the sensual glass bottle). Those seeking warmth and sensuality might gravitate towards oriental fragrances, replete with exotic spices and resins. For a fresh and invigorating experience, EDPs with citrus, aquatic, or green notes might be your preference. Eau de Parfum: Applying and Maintaining the Aura A masterful blend of fresh florals and a delectable whiff of tonka, cinnamon, and caramel are tempered by a bevy of spices as well as woods like cedar and sandalwood. The patchouli is artfully measured here, so it gives supporting actor vibes here, rather than taking center stage over the fragrance. Trust us—when we say that if you’re into Barbiecore, this bottle needs to be a mainstay of your vanity. Note that the opacity of the glass, along with its heft, may make it a challenge to determine how much of this sugary juice you have left, but once you have finished the bottle, we’re confident you’ll be keeping it around to use as a flirty decorative accent in your home.