Perfume, Eau de perfume, Eau de toilette, and cologne. To the average fragrance wearer those words mean nothing, or really, the same thing. The truth is, each phrase is used to describe a completely different type of sent, and if you’re on the hunt for a new fragrance you should be well versed on the differences.

Let’s start with Cologne first – not just for men this happens to be the weakest of the scents and more often than not, the most inexpensive. You may find cologne on the makeup isle of your local community drug store. Affordable yes, but not something you should be looking for in a long term fragrance.

Eau de toilette is the second best, and is a light scent perfect for heading to the office, or out on a summer day. It’s light, it’s pretty, and it won’t overwhelm anyone who happens to be seated next to you in the movie theater.

Ea de perfume is one step closer to the mother of all the fragrances; it’s heaver than a toilette and will stay on longer making it a good fragrance for a party, or the fall time when you need a heavier scent to carry through the day. A PERFUME is the strongest of all scents, and normally comes in the fancy, small bottles you may have seen on your Grandma’s dresser. One pinch of this scent can last for up to two days, and they tend to be heavy dark scents.

The most popular perfume scents include: “dessert, or edible” scents like cotton candy, vanilla, or chocolate chip. Floral scents, which include hints of daisy, roses, and jasmine, or citrus scents, which have hints of orange, lemon grass, and lime. When creating the perfect perfume, or Eau de toilette many different flavors are used including the tonka bean, cinnamon, and sometimes curry! Next time you’re itching for a new scent, do your research to find out what scent you think you would enjoy the most. Sexy and smoky? Or perhaps a more flirty floral scent.

If you’re friend has a perfume you covet, remember this: every person sports a fragrance differently! On your friend this may mean it’s a sweet, whimsical smell. If not compatible with your own skin oils you may find it’s unpleasant on your own wrist!

Don’t put fragrance near face. This is overwhelming for both you, and whoever you plan to be around.

When storing your fragrance, keep it out of extreme hot or cold temperatures. Sitting on your dresser or in the counter of your bathroom are two of the perfect places for a fragrance to thrive.

Fragrances can hold their highest quality of potency for up to two years. During the first year you should get the most out of your fragrance to ensure the highest quality!

When shopping for a new fragrance, take advantage of test strips that are offered. Spraying a variety of fragrances onto your own wrist can leave you overwhelmed, and unable to make a decision!

Avoid spraying perfume onto clothing; in some cases it can turn fabric yellow, or white!