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 then makes up a true perfume? A perfume contains a base of essential oils that are extracted from several plants. In Jesus' time, the Three Wise Men's frankincense and myrrh contained essential oils that were popular then. The frankincense is highly fragrant resin that was burned for its scent like we use candles as aromatherapy. This oil came from a tree that grew in East Africa. Myrrh also came from East Africa but from the tree bark of a different tree. The fragrant gum resin was also used like perfume, along with an early kind of toothpaste.

A perfect perfume or parfum will contain oils of the highest concentration. A true perfume custom mixes essential oils and various ingredients. This liquid is then poured into an atomizer or other perfume containers. The greater the amount of scented essential oils, the stronger and long-lasting the scent of the perfume. It only takes a little spray of parfum to last for hours at its most alluring aroma. Naturally, as result of the high concentration of oils, the price of parfum is very high.

Many perfume makers sell watered down versions of their signature perfume at a lower price since many customers aren't willing to spend money for an expensive but better quality perfume. Even though the scent of the cheaper brand isn't as long lasting, the lesser brand can be sold to a larger band of customers.

Perfume derivatives are sold in several standard categories, in order: Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, and Eau de Cologne. Eau de Parfum is the closest product to the perfume. The category name is French for "water". Most perfume executives would cringe at this explanation, but it's the translation. Simply, this product is a mixture of the parfum with extra water. Eau de Cologne is more commonly called just "cologne". Among these categories, the first two are the most expensive and the last category, cologne, costs the least.

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.

Copyright 2006 Maggie Duntston. All rights reserved. Maggie Duntston runs My Perfume - now a popular site for perfume information. See her archive of articles here: http://www.mperfume.com/newsletters/

KEN JOHNSTONE