What is a perfume extract?
What exactly is a perfume extract?
Perfume extract is the most concentrated, pure, and expensive form of perfume available on the market. Concentrations range from 20% to 40%.
You can see several of them at this link: Perfume Extracts
What is the difference between this and an eau de parfum?
First, concentration. Concentrations of eau de parfum can reach up to 15%. Those of an extract, up to 40%.
Higher concentrations are not contemplated since they can be irritating to the skin.
Furthermore, denatured alcohol is used as a diluent in perfume water. However, in extracts, since it is a more concentrated substance , a hydroalcoholic base is used to properly dissolve the quality oils used.
Another very important point to consider is the top notes. Because the extract is more concentrated, the initial olfactory "hit" that the extract can't deliver with the top notes may differ from that of eau de parfum. This is because the oils are perceived in a purer form.
What duration and projection can I expect from a perfume extract?
As always, this depends on many factors, but you'll experience a longer duration. A perfume extract typically lasts between 8 and 20 hours on the skin. This doesn't mean that the duration may be shorter in some cases, and even days in others.
As for sillage, it's important to note that it may be smaller than in EdPs. But why does this happen?
The fact that the extract has a higher concentration of oil reduces its sillage. Oils tend to adhere to the skin. Therefore, in your personal bubble and at close range, the fragrance will be powerful and striking, but if you move a few meters away, it's normal for it not to be noticeable.
However, if the wind blows or the air moves, your extract will fill the room and you will smell as far as the air current reaches.
Difference in top notes
Why in small formats?
You'll find them sold in small sizes and opaque bottles. This is due to the high concentration of natural oils and essences they contain, which degrade quickly.
This is a way to preserve them and keep them “alive” to prevent oxidation.
How do I achieve and sustain “beast mode”?
If you love smelling yourself and being smelled, you have a way to turn your perfume into a beast of longevity and sillage . To do this, you'll need to combine the extract and the eau de parfum, as follows:
- Take your extract and apply 3-4 sprays to the hot areas of the body (neck and wrists).
- Grab your perfume and apply 3-4 sprays to your clothes and/or hair.
This will give you the longevity, quality, and consistency of the personal bubble of the perfume extract and the trail and projection of the eau de parfum.
You can do this with versions of the same perfume (e.g. Ave César and AVT) or by trying to combine different scents , in a process known as layering, by mixing different “layers” of perfume (e.g. Oudyssey and SVG).
This opens up a world of possibilities for you, experiment and find yours!
So what is the main added value of extracts?
The fundamental added value of the extract is its quality. You'll notice this in the naturalness, quality, and complexity of the oils and essences.
Also, the duration is longer (generally speaking) than perfume waters.
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