Eau de parfum vs eau de toilette: which one lasts and which one is worth it

Percentages and what they do

Perfume is fragrance oil diluted in alcohol, and the type of perfume tells you how much oil. These are general industry ranges, not exact figures for any bottle.

More oil means more of the heavy base notes, such as vanilla, amber and woods, that stay on skin for hours. Less oil leans on top notes such as citrus, which are bright but leave first.

Longevity and projection

As a typical guide, an eau de toilette lasts around 2 to 4 hours and an eau de parfum around 4 to 8. Individual bottles vary a lot, and skin, weather and the notes matter as much as the label. Projection also changes: an eau de toilette tends to spread lightly and fade early, and an eau de parfum sits a little denser. That is why FAAN rates each bottle for projection and longevity from 1 to 5. Qasida Signature, an Eau de Parfum, is rated 3 and 4. Qasida Al-Badr is rated 3 and 3. Neither is loud, and both last a working day or an evening.

Price per ml, and what you really pay for

The real question is how much fragrance oil you get for your money. Take Signature: €54.99 for 200 ml is 27.5 cents per ml. At an oil share of 15 to 20 percent, that is roughly €1.40 to €1.80 per ml of oil. An eau de toilette at the same price per ml, with 5 to 15 percent oil, would give you roughly €1.80 to €5.50 per ml of oil. This is an illustration with general ranges, but it shows why an eau de toilette needs to be much cheaper per ml to be good value. Our article on the price per ml across the FAAN range lists every bottle.

Which suits the office and which suits the evening

An eau de toilette suits a hot day, a gym bag or a quick refresh, because it is light and forgiving. An eau de parfum suits most working days and most evenings, because it is balanced. For a quiet office, choose an eau de parfum with projection 3 or lower, such as Al-Badr. For an evening, take one with a warm base. If you want a lot of staying power, look at an Extrait; see what extrait de parfum is.

Where FAAN fits

Every FAAN bottle is 200 ml, and every one is either Eau de Parfum or Extrait de Parfum. Eight are Eau de Parfum, from the soft Qasida Purity (projection 2) to the strong Qasida Dunes (projection 4). Six are Extrait. If you are used to light colognes, begin with a bottle rated 2 or 3 and use two or three sprays. Our guide to buying perfume without smelling it shows how to choose, and you can browse all FAAN perfumes.

FAQ

Is eau de parfum better than eau de toilette?

It lasts longer and is richer. An eau de toilette is lighter and better for heat.

How long does eau de parfum last?

As a typical guide, 4 to 8 hours. It depends on the scent and your skin.

Does FAAN sell eau de toilette?

No. We sell Eau de Parfum and Extrait de Parfum in 200 ml.

Related reading

• Attar, eau de parfum or extrait: what is the difference?
• Buying perfume online without smelling it: a five-step method
• What is extrait de parfum? Strength, price and how to wear it