All About Perfume Extract: Tips, Price, and Application
Perfume extract is the quintessence of perfumery, but its use often raises questions. How to apply it? Why is it so expensive? How to choose it? Here are expert answers to fully enjoy this precious nectar.
1. Why is the Extract Different on Each Skin?
It is the magic and richness of the concentrate at work. Over the hours, the base note literally mingles with the personal scent of each skin. Perfumers usually say that extracts, generally denser in living natural raw materials, are orchestrated differently from an Eau de Toilette or an Eau de Parfum.
Richer in noble natural materials, more base notes, more concentrated, they are truly different and possess real added value! They are crafted in this spirit. At Guerlain, it is a tradition. The perfume is first conceived as an extract (often), and then the Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum are derived.
If the perfume is not sublimated, if there is cacophony, or if it disappears too quickly, it means it is not the right one! Try another until you get compliments from people you meet.
2. What is the Right Gesture: Spray or Bottle?
It is true that the gesture, so feminine, of the crystal stopper placed on the neck, remains the image of perfume. But you should know that this habit, or the one consisting of applying perfume with your finger or directly with the bottle neck, are not the best.
Beware of denaturation: The contact of the nectar with the skin denatures (over time) the fragrance; it is even said that the skin gives its own smell to the perfume. We note that, very often, customers who have such habits are surprised to find their faithful perfume different when they come to buy another bottle. Normal, they no longer smell their personal note in it.
It is therefore advisable to spray your perfume or to buy small bottles (7.5 ml); the perfume does not have time to denature and one keeps the mythical gesture. If one opts for a large size, the ideal would be to transfer it into a spray bottle.
3. What is the Price of the Dream?
The extract remains the most expensive product. Its concentrate, as we have seen, is denser, its solution purer, and its bottle always more beautiful. Each house has its rates.
Difficult, therefore, to make an average, but let’s take an example: an 8 ml extract costs about 95€, while its 30 ml Eau de Parfum is at 52€. Knowing that the average duration of use of both is two months (and that one applies significantly less extract), do your calculations! And if possible, preferably choose the second size of extract, always more advantageous regarding price.
4. How to Choose to Buy Well?
Buying an extract requires method. The best is to ask for a spray which, by shortening the duration of the top notes, immediately emphasizes the heart notes. To discover the base, you will have to wait.
A piece of advice, take time to reflect, even if it means coming back the next day to your perfumery. Another formula if you want to discover several perfumes: ask for them to be sprayed on small pieces of flannel, it is the best support to smell a perfume.
Never try more than two perfumes at the same time and, in this case, start with the lighter of the two. Avoid wearing perfume when going for a tasting and prefer morning to evening, your sense of smell is fresher. The worst time: after lunch!
5. Which Body Parts to Perfume?
A touch at the hairline, at the nape of the neck, in the hollow of the wrists, elbows, breasts, and navel: these are the classic strategic points (cf. Where to apply perfume). Don’t forget the hair which is an excellent support and, why not, the back of the knees. Like sounds, smells rise!
6. Should You Perfume Your Clothes?
Possible, if you have a light hand. Ideal: spray the bottom hem of your clothes. Be careful, however, of stains! Never apply perfume directly to fabrics, prefer Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum sprayed (from a distance) on noble materials (cashmere, wool, cotton, silk) of medium or dark color.
Above all, do not spray on pearls, nor fur and jewelry in general. You also have the possibility of spraying Eau de Toilette in front of you and then walking into the cloud.
7. Extract, At What Time?
You will be advised everywhere to wear perfume for the evening. And why not enjoy it from the morning? Know that a touch of extract is more present and discreet than a large spray of Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum. The extract is not “strong”, it is even the opposite. It is the most noble and intimate product.
