If you want to give someone a perfume, the most important thing to learn is the difference between the main types of perfume products: perfume itself, eau de perfume, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne.

And don’t think it’s just technical stuff: different types of products are suitable for different recipients, occasions, and relationships. Read on to learn the details!

Cologne is the short version of the term "Eau de Cologne", which literally means "Water from Cologne." This type of product was first created in (surprise!) the city of Cologne, Germany, at the beginning of the 18th century. Since then, it has become a generic term for fragrances with a very low concentration of essential oils, typically around 2-5%.

Among all scented products, cologne is the cheapest, lightest, and least durable. Typically, the scent of cologne has to be refreshed about every 2 hours.

When a Cologne is a good gift: minor occasions,  Just Because , and as a  Pleasant small things . In terms of age, cologne is more suitable for younger recipients (especially Teen ), while older recipients usually prefer stronger scents. Generally speaking, cologne is an okay cheap & classy gift option for young guys and girls (a younger  Brother or  Sister , for example).

When a Cologne is a BAD gift:  VERY special occasions in life. Cologne is also an inappropriate gift for people with a significantly higher social status and income than you. Although not always, but women and girls typically prefer stronger fragrances, so we'd recommend going for at least an eau de toilette for them (keep reading to learn the details).

Eau de Toilette is significantly stronger than a cologne thanks to its higher concentration of oils, which is 4-15% (but typically less than 10%). As a rule, the scent from an eau de toilette lasts about 3 hours. That's why some experts affirm that this type of scented products makes the perfect option for everyday use since it provides a very sophisticated, light fragrance. Also, if the user accidentally puts on too much of the scent, there's no reason to worry since it will fade away in just a few hours.

When an Eau de Toilette is a good gift:  Usual occasions of any sort. In terms of your connection with the recipient, an eau de toilette is a good gift for a friend, a Girlfriend or Boyfriend , or even a Co-worker .

When an Eau de Toilette is a BAD gift: major occasions, rich recipients, or someone with a significantly higher social status than you. Mainly because although an eau de toilette costs a bit more than a cologne, it's still among the cheapest types of scented products available.

Eau de Parfum (Eau de Perfume) is one of the strongest types of scented products available, with an oil content of about 15-20%. The scent of an eau de perfume lasts for 4-6 hours without requiring a refresh, so it's very important to not spray too much of it.

When an Eau de Perfume is a good gift:  Romantic occasions are the best opportunity for gifting an eau de perfume. Any  VERY special occasions is also an appropriate time, just make sure your recipient likes the fragrance.

When an Eau de Perfume is a BAD gift: when you're not sure your recipient likes the scent, first and foremost. An eau de perfume is too strong to take the risk, so it's recommended to start with an eau de toilette just to test the waters. Also, since an eau de perfume typically costs much more than all previous types of scented products, this gift is an inappropriate option for people you don't really know or aren't very close with.

Perfumes are the most expensive, durable, and strongest among all scented products. The concentration of oils in a perfume is 20-40%, and the scent from it typically lasts for 7-9 hours without the need for a refresh. Some people affirm that the fragrance lasts for more than a day, but this varies greatly from one person to another. Perfumes are significantly "oilier" than all previously described products in this article and are usually sold in stopper bottles to avoid accidental overuse.

When a Perfume is a good gift: ONLY if you know your recipient VERY well. A bottle of perfume is an expensive gift that should be given only if you're 100% sure of your recipient's preferences in terms of scents.  VERY special occasions and  Romantic occasions are great opportunities for it, especially when combined (a couple's 5th anniversary, for example). 

When a Perfume is a BAD gift: if you don't know your recipient well, obviously, and not just because you're not sure about whether they will like the scent or not. Perfumes just "feel" like a very personal gift, and thus are considered to be an inappropriate present for people you're not close with. Minor occasions aren't a good opportunity for gifting perfumes either. 

As you see, the type of scented product you pick is actually very important - but now you're fully prepared to make the right choice! Jump straight to our gifts tab and find a fabulous fragrance for your recipient! :)