Extrait de parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette: the words on the bottle tell you how concentrated the fragrance is. That affects how long it lasts, how far it travels and, often, the price. Here is what each label means and how to choose.
The labels, from strongest to lightest
Extrait de parfum (also "parfum")
The most concentrated form, typically around 20–40% perfume oil. Extraits sit close to the skin, develop slowly and can last from morning to evening. Italian house Tiziana Terenzi is known for them: Kaff Extrait de Parfum opens with bergamot, juniper and white iris before lavender, magnolia and leather settle into amber, musk and woods. Tiziana Terenzi Kirke, one of the house's most searched perfumes in the UK, is a fruity extrait, and Gold Rose Oudh brings rose and oud together.
Eau de parfum (EDP)
Usually around 15–20% perfume oil, and the most popular strength today. An EDP has good projection and wears for several hours. Good examples: Al Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition and Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum.
Eau de toilette (EDT)
Lighter, typically around 5–15%, with a bright opening that suits daytime and warm weather. Try Calvin Klein Eternity for Men Eau de Toilette or Davidoff Champion.
These ranges are typical, not fixed rules. Every house sets its own formula, which is why one brand's EDP can outlast another's extrait.
Same name, different strength
Many perfumes come in more than one concentration, and they don't always smell identical. Al Haramain's Amber Oud Gold Edition eau de parfum and the Amber Oud Extreme Gold Edition extrait share the same fruity amber notes, but the extrait feels richer and closer to the skin. Calvin Klein's Eternity comes as an EDT, an EDP and a parfum miniature, which is an easy way to compare. Two popular examples, side by side: Dior Sauvage EDT vs EDP vs Parfum and Calvin Klein Eternity for women vs for men.
Which should you choose?
- For all-day wear and evenings: an extrait, or an EDP layered over body butter.
- For the office and everyday: an EDP, with one or two sprays.
- For hot weather or the gym bag: an EDT, which you can reapply freely.
- For gifting: an EDP is the safe choice; a travel-size mini lets someone try a new strength first.
Other words you might see on the label
- Intense, Extreme or Elixir: a richer version of an existing scent. It is often closer to an extrait in feel, but there is no fixed rule, so check the notes.
- Cologne or eau de cologne: the lightest style, usually fresh and citrusy, made for a quick lift.
- ml: the bottle size. A 10 ml miniature is a low-cost way to test a scent on your own skin before buying 100 ml.
How to make any concentration last longer
Whatever the label says, skin matters. Fragrance tends to last longer on moisturised skin, so apply a little body lotion or butter to pulse points first, then spray. Keep bottles out of sunlight and heat, and avoid rubbing your wrists together. Our guide to layering oud with body butter walks through it step by step, and the body lotion for dry skin edit has easy bases to try.
Is extrait worth the price?
Per spray, often yes: you use less, and it lasts longer. But "stronger" doesn't mean "better". Choose the scent first and the concentration second. Browse our niche perfume edit for extraits, every unisex perfume we stock, or the full fragrance shelf. Every bottle is 100% authentic and ships from the UK.
