Perfume and Cologne Guides

Vera Wang Princess Perfume

Designer: Ilias Ermenidis and Harry Fremont
Olfactive Group: Oriental Floral

Princess Perfume

Vera Wang Princess perfume was launched in 2006 as part of Vera Wang oriental-floral feminine fragrances collection. The fragrance is designed to bring out the sweetness and feminine delicate side of its wearer and yet portray the wearer as a modern and lively person. The perfume come in a heart-shape jewel bottle that portray the finest and elegance of the content within. Vera Wang Princess Perfume is available at all retail stores in three different sizes of 1oz, 1.7oz and 3.4oz eau de toilette spray and is selling at a price that ranges from $45 for the 1oz spray bottle to $72 for the 3.4oz spray bottle.

How does it feel like?

The Princess Perfume when applied will meet its wearer with a creamy and subtle sweetness that is skin-soft and silky-smooth to touch. The lasting power of the fragrance is average and can be worn every day, however I would suggest that the fragrance be worn during the bright and sunny day of spring and summer.

How does it smell like?

You will be engulfed by a light citrus smell from the mandarin orange that is wonderfully blended into the fruity apple note that finished off with a floral note from the water lily. This unique combination provides you with an experience that is both refreshing and youthful yet allowing you as the wearer to be cute and beautiful. If you like chocolate in your fragrance, then Princess perfume is definitely the choice. The heart of the fragrance blossom into a creamy chocolate sweetness and sprinkled with the floral scent of the Tiare flower that make the heart feel soft and elegant. The overall sweetness of the fragrance rejoice into a grand finale of vanilla with amber that make the overall experience of the fragrance sweet and fruity.

Fragrance Notes

Top Notes

Apricot, Mandarin Orange, Apple and Water Lily

Middle Notes

Tuberose, Guava, Dark Chocolate and Tiare Flower

Base Notes

Amber, Vanilla and Woodsy

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If you want to learn about the difference between perfume and cologne, then you will want to read this article. Specifically, we will be discussing why cologne is more diluted than perfume, perfume is more expensive than cologne, a brief intro to colognes and why perfumes are for women and colognes are for men. After reading this article, you should be able to differentiate between a perfume and cologne and select the correct fragrance of your choice.

Many of you may have been wondering what is the main difference between cologne and perfume and why do we have to name them differently when they are all fragrance or scents. One of the main differences in colognes and perfumes is that cologne is more diluted than perfume. It is known that cologne contains more alcohol and water in its mixture than the perfume. Cologne has only about 4% of essential oil in the mixture whereas the perfume can have as high as 40% of essential oil in the mixture. It is due to this reason that the cologne does not have a very long lasting power as compared to perfume. Cologne normally last about two to three hours whereas some perfume can last up to 15 hours. You will be able to apply more doses of cologne per use as it will not be too overpowering and this is due to the low amount of essential oil in the mixture. When applying perfume, you have to apply it sparingly as too much a quantity will be too overpowering and resulting in turning people off from a mile away.

The most expensive component in the mixture of perfume and cologne is the essential oil and this sole component alone will determine the price of the perfumes and cologne. Cologne is definitely cheaper than perfume as the amount of essential oil in its content is much lesser than the perfume. Cologne having about 4% of essential oil versus perfume having 40% essential oil in its content, cologne is at least 50% cheaper than perfume and in some cases; the price of cologne can be as low as 5 – 10% the price of a perfume. In order to market such a high price perfume, designer of perfume and cologne have to design bottle that are more attractive and of better quality to attract consumer to their products. Perfumes are normally house in better quality bottle such as colored glass or crystal, this is to protect the precious essence within from the sunlight and heat source that may deteriorate through exposure. And at the same time with a more attractive and expensive looking bottle, the perfume will appeal more to people who are looking for style and elegance in their search for the perfect fragrance. Cologne on the other hand are normally found housed in the cheaper glass bottle that are more prone to sunlight exposure and also due to their high concentration of alcohol, the cheaper cologne are found to evaporate and turned color faster in their bottle.

When designing a perfume or cologne, perfumery is not able to design a fragrance that can appeal to all. Therefore, there is still a thin line drawn across fragrances designed for women and for men. In order to appeal to the feminine crowds, feminine fragrances are normally stronger and lady like that are often floral or fruity in nature. Cologne is often the lighter version of perfume and in order to be appealing to the men, they are made more musky and masculine. Fragrances for women normally come as perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette and rarely the eau de cologne. For the men, fragrance product normally comes as perfume pour homme, cologne, after-shave and splash. Similar to reasons why perfumery came out with different products for men and women, perfume and cologne are also sold in totally different environments. Designer perfume and cologne are normally more classy and elegant and therefore are often sold in a specialty store or on-line where women can touch feel and experience each and individual perfume and cologne samples. Whereas cheap perfume and cologne is normally available in drug stores and discount stores where men and women who are looking for economical bargain of discount perfume and cologne often frequent.

Since its introduction cologne and perfume is definitely different products that are made to appeal to different people. Through this article we have shown you the three main differences between perfume and colognes mainly, why cologne is more diluted than perfume, why perfume is more expensive than cologne and why perfume are for women and cologne for men. After reading this article, you should be able to differentiate between an esence mist cologne spray difference from that of  a perfume and apply this knowledge the next time you decided to buy a fragrance for yourself or that someone special.

How should I wear Perfume the right way?

This is the question I encountered whenever I deliver a perfume or cologne to a customer of mine.  Looking back into the history of perfume and cologne, there are probably hundred of ways where cologne or perfume can be applied.  I have put together some interesting ways where fragrances can be applied effectively.

The 1-2-3 Method – This method of application requires you apply it three times.  You first apply it at arms length on your left shoulder, then on your right and finally above the head.

The Walk-through Method – The walk-through method is where you spray some cologne or perfume into the air and then walk into it.  Letting the fragrance settle evenly over the top half of your body.

The Spray ‘n Spin Method – Similar to the walk-through method, this method requires you to spray into the air and walk into it and spin around.  The fragrance will be evenly apply to the whole top half of you body and back.

The Naughty Mist Method – This is method is cheeky and good when you are going to get intimate with someone and want to smell fresh down there.  What you need to do is simply to spray the cologne or perfume down your pants into your private areas.

The Gentlemen Method – This method is most commonly practiced by most people.  The perfume or cologne is apply about 1 to 2 inches away from your wrist(s) and neck.  These are considered the pulse points (your neck your wrists, your elbows, behind your knees and in your cleavage).  In these areas, the blood flows closer to the surface of your skin, and this creates heat, which makes the scent of the fragrance more intense.  

Perfume or cologne is best applied before you get dressed, as perfume and cologne can stain your clothes.  If you do unknowingly get any on your clothes, there are a couple of things you can do to clear the stains.  Firstly, soak the stained area with warm water, and wash as soon as possible.  If this doesn’t loosen the stain, try applying some stain remover, but for stubborn stains try using a bit of ammonia to treat them.  If those clothes are due for dry cleaning, be sure to physically point out the stain and let them know that it was caused by perfume.  They can then treat it accordingly.

These are a few ways where perfume and cologne can be worn.  Most of these are tried and true ways, so get out there and try some of these yourself and see which one works best for you.

When buying fragrances, it will be good if you start with a basic understanding of perfume and cologne. That will definitely help in the buying decision later. There are many top brands in the market where we can choose from, such as Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari, Versace, Hugo Boss, and many others. I always found it confusing over the right brand to buy until I learn from a friend of mine, the tips to buying the perfect perfume. Here are the tips I am going to share with you today.

1. Understanding your own needs – When we are buying perfume or cologne, it is all about buying the right fragrances for the right occasion. In order to select the perfect perfume and cologne, the first thing we must do is to take stock of our activities. Our own needs will assist us in determining the type of fragrances we can chose from.

2. Understanding the difference between Perfume and Cologne – Believe it or not, many people still do not know how to differentiate between perfume and cologne. Some even think that cologne is only for men. When wearing a fragrance, it is easily observed that perfume fragrances last longer than cologne. And of course the most prominent difference between a perfume and cologne is their pricing.

The following are some suggestions for your reference when buying fragrances for your friends, loved ones and family.

Fragrances for  your lovely Wife

When you are getting fragrance  for your lovely wife, you want to feel romantic, sensual and loving.  Find something that is exotic, floral herb fragrances in the form of Eau de Parfum or Perfume that will give you with a ever lasting scent.

Suggestions: Tsi-La Organic mini, Thierry Mugler Angel, Gucci Rush, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue.

Fragrance for your Mother, Grandma or Aunty

When you are looking for fragrance for a family loved one, a classic feminine fragrance will be able to project your feelings of love and respects toward this person.  Fragrances with a floral bouquet such as, rose, jasmine or lily are definitely the choice to go, especially in the form of Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum that are loving yet not intimate.

Suggestions: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, Joop Femme Perfume, Lili Bermuda Petals.

Fragrance for your Daughter, Granddaughter, Niece

When looking for a fragrance to give to a younger member of the family or friend, try looking for something that is citrus, floral as it embody youthfulness, freshness and vitality.  Fragrance of choice should be in the form of Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum that has recently been launched and is fashionable.

Suggestions: Britney Spears Curious Perfume, Lacoste Touch of Pink Perfume, Madonna Nudes 1979, Diesel Plus Plus Perfume.

So next time when you are standing at the counter trying to choose a fragrance, take a minute to consider what is driving your decision.

Perfumery, or the art of making perfumes, began in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and was further refined by the Romans and Persians.  Perfume and cologne as we know it today first became popular in the early 16th Century Paris, when the secrets of its creation was brought to Europe partially due to the spread of Islam.  Even today, France remains the center of the European perfume design and trade.

Most of the perfume and cologne that you see in any shop today will only be comprises of about 4 to 10% of actual scented essential oils / extracts and the rest of the 86 to 90% of the bottle will be just alcohol and water. It is the amount of these scented oil/extracts in a bottle that determines the various types of perfume and cologne we have on the market today.

Types of Perfume and Cologne

Splash and After Shaves – These types of fragrances usually does not last long and contains about 1 – 3% concentration of scented compounds. Take a look at my other post on how to wear a perfume if you want to know ways of applying splash cologne.

Eau de Cologne – The Eau de Cologne does not last long and is typically made up of about 3 to 8% concentration of scented compounds and due to its weak nature, it is no longer commonly found in modern fragrances.

Eau de Toilette – It is a very commonly found concentration in many of the fragrances today. The Eau de Toilette is made up of about 5 to 15% concentration of scented compounds, though not as long lasting as the Eau de Parfum, it is a favorite that people used in the evening where scents is not needed to last.

Eau de Parfum – Eau de Parfum or millésime is typically made up of 15 to 20% concentration of scented compounds. It is the most common type of concentration found in most brands you see today. The scent will usually fade after about four hours, however the base notes are known to last as long as 24 hours. Fragrance with the Eau de Parfum concentration are perfect if you need an all day coverage.

Perfume Extract or Parfum – It has the most concentrated and smoothest formulas among all the five types. Typically made up of 15 to 40% concentration of scented compounds, the Parfum is definitely the most expensive fragrance in the market.

Woman’s products are usually categorized as perfume, eau de parfum, toilette water and cologne, whereas the Man’s products are sold as perfume, cologne, splash and after shave. Fragrances are very complex products that go through many stages of development before it is presented to the customer. There are tens of thousands of different perfumes and colognes available on the market today, each with its own unique scent signature, that are suitable for different individuals during different occasions.

After reading this short introduction to cologne and perfume, you should be able to understand more about the different types of fragrance and their unique selling points. Even though this post may not be an attractive intro for perfuming, however I believe it had provided you with some insight to perfuming and most important of all the difference between perfume and cologne.