Perfume, Cologne - What's the Difference?

"Perfume counters" are stocked with a wide selection of perfumes intended to accentuate the human scent. Many of these counters are found in pharmacies, fine department stores or online outlets. The expression "perfume counter" is a loose term to define these products since many of these so-called perfumes are really just cheap imitations of the true perfume. Many of these variations are not nearly as pure as the look-alike discount brand version of the designer scent, with a label that resembles the true name brand.

What, after all, is a perfume? Essential oils that are extracted from various plants form the base for a perfume. Remember the famous gold, frankincense and myrrh that the Three Wise Men carried to the baby Jesus? Frankincense was a fragrant resin of a tree that grew in East Africa that ancient people would burn for its scent like we burn candles for aromatherapy. Myrrh was also a gum resin that was obtained from the bark of a different tree from East Africa. One of the uses of myrrh in ancient days was to make perfume and an early form of toothpaste.

Since a true perfume consists of a secret recipe of essential oils and various ingredients that permit the liquid to be poured into an atomizer or other types of containers, a parfum or pure perfume will have the highest concentration of oils. Due to this greater amount of scented essential oils, the perfume's scent will be longer lasting and stronger. A little bit of parfum is all it takes to maintain its alluring aroma for hours. The high price of true perfume is the result of the high concentration of oils.

To make up for the high cost, many perfume makers water down their signature parfum versions and sell at a much lower price to a broader market of customers. However, the watered-down cheaper brands aren't nearly as long lasting as the true version.

There are several standard categories of perfume derivatives that are generally sold. The product closest to a perfume is called Eau de Parfum. "Eau" is the French word for water so this product is simply a true perfume mixed with extra water. Now a perfume company executive would cringe at this crude explanation but basically this is the translation of the name from the French. The next product down the list is an Eau de Toilette followed by an Eau de Cologne, known simply as "cologne". If the brand name of perfume is sold in all these categories, the perfume is the most expensive and the cologne should be the least expensive.

Since everyone's body chemistry is different, fragrances smell differently on different people. Scents don't have the same aroma since people's skin types are different. For example, dry skin doesn't hold scents as long. However, natural body oil will hold a fragrance longer since the perfume can blend with it easier. Before purchasing a perfume, it is always best to test it to determine how it blends with your body chemistry for a desired fragrance.

By Maggie Dunston

Dolce Gabbana Perfumes

Dolce Gabbana perfumes changed my life entirely. When I look back in the past, I get to thinking that none of the good things I am enjoying right now would've been possible without the D&G. Let me tell you my life story to better understand my success in life.

I used to be the kind of woman who never had that self-confidence. This lack of self-esteem was brought about by the pains of growing up with five other siblings, me being the middle child. I admit that I lacked the attention in our family. Whenever I make a scene to get as much attention as I can, I always ended up being blamed. As I was growing up, going to school and everything, I didn't belong to the popular group. I was just an average kid, constantly being nudged and pushed by the popular girls. Some boys even made fun of my glasses and they would usually grab it and hide it somewhere. These pains of growing up made me envy most of the rich kids who can buy anything they wanted and those popular ones who can get away with anything.

I never thought my boring life would change. The quick turn around of my destiny began when my only godmother, whom I've never met while I was growing up, came back from Italy, where she stayed for almost two decades. I just came home from my part-time job as a library assistant when my parents introduced her to me. We had a long chat wherein she asked about my goals, dreams, and my plans after high school.

Then she opened her bag and presented me with a "By" by Dolce and Gabbana for women perfume. I looked at it blankly at first, not knowing that it was a designer perfume. After giving me the precious gift, she told me that she will take care of my College expenses. I was awe-struck from what I've heard and couldn't say a word for quite some time. I just couldn't believe my ears! Was I dreaming? No, this was the reality, it's happening right before my eyes.

I only began using my new Dolce Gabbana perfume when I started in College. I was living with my godmother, in her huge mansion. Whenever she travels to Italy, she brings back more of the DG Perfumes. One was "Light Blue" by Dolce and Gabbana for Women. Another was the Dolce Gabbana "The One" for women, a 1.7oz perfume.

For the first time in my life, I began to see the light and I began to build up my self-confidence. Whenever I'm wearing one of the three D&G perfumes, I feel like I can do everything I wish. In College, I draw the guys' attention whenever I pass by the corridors. A lot of them even asked me out on a date. For the first time, I feel like a woman, a deserving one.

My godmother never had to go to Italy to buy me DG perfumes because of a website called Extreme Perfumes. They have been selling fragrances at huge discounts and many affordable shipping rates. My personal favorite section is the Dolce Gabbana perfumes.

My success in life would never be possible without the Dolce Gabbana perfumes. I found out that these fragrances can boost up someone's self-esteem thus improving one's quality of life. Even if I'm a business woman now, I still use my favorite fragrances to give me that invincible power. I recommend every woman should have one to make them be more like me, a successful career woman and a deserving one at that.

By Larina Leontina