A lesson on perfume strength and the careful art of dilution
Perfume is not just something you wear, it is something you connect with and experience. It moves with you, it evolves on your skin and it becomes part of your presence.
Part of that experience is how ‘strong’ a perfume is, often explained in terms like projection, longevity, performance and sillage. The perceived strength is shaped by the construction of top, heart and base notes, the quality and intensity of the ingredients themselves, and how much you apply, but it is also dependent on perfume dilution. This refers to the amount of fragrance oil present in the final composition.
Below is a guide to the different terms and dilutions of perfume, followed by the art of dilution.
Perfume Strength
There are many different terms for perfume and frequently confusion around them, so here is a perfume concentration guide:
Eau Fraiche (1–4%)
Eau de Cologne (2–4%)
Eau de Toilette (5–15%)
Eau de Parfum (15–20%)
Extrait, Parfum or Pure Parfum (20–30%)
The greater the concentration of the fragrance, the higher the quality and generally the more expensive it is. Stronger perfumes often project further and last longer on the skin than weaker ones.
Many high quality niche perfumes will be labelled as Parfum or Pure Parfum.
Concentration, as well as the quality and provenance of the ingredients, is one of the key reasons that perfume prices differ so significantly.
The Art of Dilution
Ataratma perfumes are all Extrait (also known as Pure Parfum and Parfum). They are created between 25% and 30% depending on each fragrance.
The art of dilution is as important as the perfume composition. Dilution levels are critical in perfumery because even tiny adjustments can change how aromatic molecules evaporate and interact with one another.
A small difference between 28% and 30% can alter the balance of the composition, sometimes making certain notes louder, softer or less harmonious, even though the ingredients remain exactly the same. We work meticulously with our perfumers to find the precise dilution that allows each fragrance to exist in its most balanced and expressive form.
Longevity and projection
Ataratma perfumes have very good longevity, sometimes lingering into tomorrow. Everyone experiences perfume differently, with varying intentions. Different people and different moments call for different expressions, from creating an intimate aura for personal pleasure to projecting further and making an olfactory statement.
Mindful of this, we create perfumes that can be built and layered. A single spray onto the wrist and dabbed onto the neck creates a lighter touch, something intimate and deeply personal. A more generous application, with multiple sprays across pulse points, hair and clothing, creates a more expansive presence, extending your aura into the space around you and leaving a lasting sillage.
Ataratma fragrances are created as pure parfum, not simply for intensity, but for depth, presence and connection.
There is no single or correct way to wear fragrance, only what feels aligned with you in that moment. Whether worn softly as a private ritual or more boldly as an outward expression, your perfume becomes part of your energy, your atmosphere, your Ataratma.
Explore the perfumes.
