Posted on 1-Jan-2013

Emeraude, Toujours Moi, Bal a Versailles, Perhaps

From Netherlands

Hi Deb,

Happy New Year! Hope that this year will bring you lots of luck!
Thanks for sending the perfumes in excellent state and thanks again for the full bottle of corday!
My mom was very pleased :).
Greetings,
Nayib and mom

Posted on 4-Jan-2013

Miniatures

So cute

Collecting perfumes is a lot of fun, whether you collect for the perfume or you are fascinated by the designs of the bottles, finding new items gives great joy. And it is all the better if we can actually buy the bottles and hold them in our hands and thumb the stopper and slide it in and out of the bottle, listening to that beautiful sound of glass rubbing against glass...ahhh such joy is beyond words.

Collecting miniatures is a chore all in itself. There are so many out there. You can collect for a small sample of a perfume or collect for the adorable miniature version of a larger bottle you admire. I think miniatures allow us to collect more as they take up less space. ;-)

I will try to list as many miniatures as I can in the next week or so. I have hundreds of them and have had them sitting around for months now, meaning to list them, but they were less of a priority during the Christmas season. I ran some ebays auctions and sold off my NOS Secret de Venus bottles and some sealed Shalimars. I also sold off almost all of my Jovan Ambergris and Civet perfumes. I still have a least one of all of them. ;-) Can't sell everything, because then I would be off on a search for replacements. lol

Posted on 15-Jan-2013

What is the difference between concentrations?

Eau de Cologne At the bottom end of the range as far as concentration is concerned, is eau de cologne. This tends to contain about 7% essence dissolved in alcohol of 70º to 90º. It is delightfully refreshing in hot weather and because it doesn't last long, it can be frequently reapplied directly to the skin. It tends to be marketed in large sizes of up to 200 ml and is often applied by spray.

Eau de toilette Sometimes used to describe the same concentration as cologne, eau de toilette can contain more aromatic essences, up to around 10% more. The top notes – the first scent released by a perfume – are dominant, making it refreshing when it is applied, and it evaporates and fades away quite quickly. Eau de toilette and cologne are the most popular forms in which fragrance is sold, and are particularly appropriate for the summer.

Eau de parfum After the top notes have died away, the middle notes or heart notes of a perfume become noticeable. This is the focus of eau de parfum which makes it perfect to spray on hair or clothing. (Be careful with delicate fabrics such as silk, though, as they may stain.) The concentration of oils is over 15%, sometimes reaching as high as 20%. Since it is less intense than perfume extract, it is also cheaper, but it usually lasts well and is sold in small sizes.

Perfume Also called perfume extract or extrait, this is the most expensive version of any fragrance; it's also the most beautiful because of the whole symphony of top, heart and base notes released over a period of time. This is due to the high concentration of essences – as much as 40% by volume. Perfume is applied directly to the skin on pulse spots – insides of the wrists, behind the ears, at the throat... The average concentration of essence in a perfume is 25%, which makes it the longest lasting of all the scent categories. Only a tiny amount is needed, which is reflected in the sizes in which it is sold.