| "Perfume counters" are stocked with a wide selection | | | | hours. The high price of true perfume is the result of |
| of perfumes intended to accentuate the human | | | | the high concentration of oils. |
| scent. Many of these counters are found in | | | | To make up for the high cost, many perfume |
| pharmacies, fine department stores or online outlets. | | | | makers water down their signature parfum versions |
| The expression "perfume counter" is a loose term to | | | | and sell at a much lower price to a broader market |
| define these products since many of these so-called | | | | of customers. However, the watered-down cheaper |
| perfumes are really just cheap imitations of the true | | | | brands aren't nearly as long lasting as the true |
| perfume. Many of these variations are not nearly as | | | | version. |
| pure as the look-alike discount brand version of the | | | | There are several standard categories of perfume |
| designer scent, with a label that resembles the true | | | | derivatives that are generally sold. The product |
| name brand. | | | | closest to a perfume is called Eau de Parfum. "Eau" is |
| What, after all, is a perfume? Essential oils that are | | | | the French word for water so this product is simply a |
| extracted from various plants form the base for a | | | | true perfume mixed with extra water. Now a |
| perfume. Remember the famous gold, frankincense | | | | perfume company executive would cringe at this |
| and myrrh that the Three Wise Men carried to the | | | | crude explanation but basically this is the translation |
| baby Jesus? Frankincense was a fragrant resin of a | | | | of the name from the French. The next product |
| tree that grew in East Africa that ancient people | | | | down the list is an Eau de Toilette followed by an |
| would burn for its scent like we burn candles for | | | | Eau de Cologne, known simply as "cologne". If the |
| aromatherapy. Myrrh was also a gum resin that was | | | | brand name of perfume is sold in all these categories, |
| obtained from the bark of a different tree from East | | | | the perfume is the most expensive and the cologne |
| Africa. One of the uses of myrrh in ancient days was | | | | should be the least expensive. |
| to make perfume and an early form of toothpaste. | | | | Since everyone's body chemistry is different, |
| Since a true perfume consists of a secret recipe of | | | | fragrances smell differently on different people. |
| essential oils and various ingredients that permit the | | | | Scents don't have the same aroma since people's |
| liquid to be poured into an atomizer or other types of | | | | skin types are different. For example, dry skin |
| containers, a parfum or pure perfume will have the | | | | doesn't hold scents as long. However, natural body oil |
| highest concentration of oils. Due to this greater | | | | will hold a fragrance longer since the perfume can |
| amount of scented essential oils, the perfume's scent | | | | blend with it easier. Before purchasing a perfume, it is |
| will be longer lasting and stronger. A little bit of | | | | always best to test it to determine how it blends |
| parfum is all it takes to maintain its alluring aroma for | | | | with your body chemistry for a desired fragrance. |