Concentrated perfumes or attar is an olfactory manifestation of geographies and cultures. From the Middle East to India, the millennial-old history of this long-lasting perfume is rich and still the favourite for many people.
How have concentrated perfumes been popular for aeons? The answer is simple! Let us explain.
Understanding Attar
Attar is derived from itr, the Arabic or Persian word for perfume. It was just a simple definition for scent but it evolved into a stand-alone category of long-lasting perfumes made from natural ingredients such as herbs, essential oils and floral extracts. Lastly, the attar is always free of alcohol.
Cold pressing or steam distillation are still the preferred method of extraction for attar production. These methods preserve the purest essence of the ingredients.
The Secret to Long-lasting Aroma
Concentrated perfumes such as attar are known for their robust scent and potency that can last for hours or even days. This long-lasting fragrance is made possible due to the high concentration of oils.
To understand this better, here’s the composition of mainstream perfumes and attar:
- Attar - 50-55%
- Eau de parfum - 8-15%
- Eau de toilette - 4-8%
- Cologne - 2-4%
As you can see, attars have the highest percentage of perfume oils and no alcohol. Since EDP and EDTs have a higher concentration of alcohol, the perfume oil disappears as the alcohol evaporates. This isn’t the case with attar. The heavy concentration of perfume oils allows the fragrance to melt into the skin and linger for hours and days.
Maximise The Staying Power
Even though attar is long-lasting, there are ways to make it last even longer and better.
Moisturise
Dry skin absorbs oil faster, which makes the concentrated perfume disperse sooner. Apply a fragrance-free lotion to your skin before applying attar. A well-hydrated base allows the scent to linger longer. Your natural oils also mix with attar and alter the original scent—hydrating your skin prevents that.
Apply to Pulse Points
Applying attar to pulse points makes the attar last longer since these areas generate the most heat, which helps project the fragrance. So, apply the attar to the insides of your wrist, behind the knees and the ears.
A little goes a long way. Begin by placing a drop of attar and gently dabbing it into the pulse points. Avoid rubbing since this causes the perfume to dissipate faster.
Layer
If you layer concentrated perfumes, it ensures even better longevity. When you layer, if one perfume fades, the other will linger.
Now that you know what long-lasting perfumes can do for you, explore the stunning range of attars at Youvora.