Fragrance labels tend to be read as a quality ladder, with extrait at the top and eau de toilette at the bottom. That is not quite what they mean.
The label describes one thing: the proportion of aromatic compounds dissolved in the alcohol base. It is a measure of density, not of craftsmanship. A thoughtfully composed eau de toilette will always outclass a careless extrait.
The scale
- Eau de Cologne — roughly 2–5% aromatic compounds
- Eau de Toilette — roughly 5–15%
- Eau de Parfum — roughly 15–20%
- Extrait de Parfum — roughly 20–40%
Our fragrances sit at 30 to 40%. That places them firmly in extrait territory, and it changes the experience in three specific ways.
1. It lasts longer
More aromatic material means more to evaporate. In our own wear-testing, our compositions outlast a typical eau de parfum on skin, and the base lingers on fabric long after.
That comes from testing, not marketing copy. Skin chemistry, humidity and temperature all affect it — dry skin holds fragrance less well than oily skin, and heat accelerates evaporation.
2. It projects differently
Higher concentration does not simply mean louder. Extrait compositions tend to sit closer to the skin and radiate in a tighter circle, where a lighter concentration pushes outward and disperses faster.
The practical result is a scent that people notice when they are near you rather than when you enter the room. Many people find that more wearable, not less.
3. It unfolds more slowly
At extrait strength the heavier base materials — sandalwood, oud, amber, musk — carry more weight in the composition. The top notes still open the fragrance, but they hand over to a heart and base that take their time.
This is why an extrait can feel like a different fragrance by evening than it did at first spray.
How much to apply
Less than you think. Two sprays of an extrait is usually plenty: one at the base of the throat, one on the wrist. Pulse points work because they are warm, and warmth drives evaporation.
Do not rub your wrists together. It crushes the top notes and forces the composition forward faster than it was built to move.
Concentration is a choice, not a ranking
A citrus composition built for a hot afternoon has every reason to be light and volatile. A woody-amber built for winter evenings has every reason to be dense.
We work at 30 to 40% because it suits the kind of fragrances we make — compositions with substantial bases that are meant to last and evolve as they wear.