FOR THE LOVE OF FRAGRANCE (Part 1)

As we approach Christmas fragrance is always a popular gifting choice, but how many of us know about its composition,designation and classification?

Below is some background info to that "liquid in a bottle" that we all love! 

THE “RECIPE” FOR FRAGRANCE

Quite simply fragrance is made up of water, alcohol, and “fragrance”- either essential oils, synthetic creations, or both..

It is widely believed that perfume comes from flowers, and that every liquid in a bottle is a “perfume”.

In actuality the raw materials that go into a bottle of scent come from a variety of resources, and not every liquid in a bottle is “perfume”.

Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients that can go into a fragrance recipe:

	·         Flower heads- lavender ·         Flower buds- clove ·         Flower petals- jasmine, rose ·         Seeds- myrrh ·         Leaves- patchouli ·         Bark- cinnamon		·         Roots- vetiver ·         Wood- cedar ·         Stems- cypress ·         Rind- orange, lemon        Animal ingredients

Many of the natural raw materials that go into the construction of a scent

can be quite costly and this all determines the price of the fragrance. 

 THE FRAGRANCE DESIGNATION

Fragrance can be designated by the concentration of fragrance in a bottle.  The higher

the concentration of “fragrance” in the recipe (compared to the alcohol, and water),

the longer lasting the scent will be.

   Fragrance designations fall into the following categories:

·        Pafum- 15% to 30% concentration

·        Eau de Parfum (E.D.P.) - 8% to 15% concentration

·        Eau de Toilette (E.D.T.)- 4% to 8% concentration

·        Eau de Cologne, Aftershave, and Eau Fraiche- less than 4% concentration

To be continued....