Eau de Cologne

Eau de Cologne

Cologne is usually an umbrella word for masculine scents in North America, but eau de cologne is actually the term for a very light concentration of perfume oils, usually 2 to 4 percent, that is cut with more alcohol and lasts only for a few hours. These are great to spritz on and freshen up, but not for all-day, lasting wear.

Cologne is an abbreviation of eau de Cologne for the city of Cologne, Germany, where a particular scent was first made; hence it was a water from Cologne. There are specific blends of fragrances that fall in this particular category of eau de Cologne; they are very light, fresh, and fruity, and they contain the essential oils, lemon, bergamot, orange, and the absolute neroli. They may also contain the essential oils lavender and rosemary.

These days, though, eau de Cologne is also used to determine the most diluted version of the perfume, typically 2-4 percent. These are rarely used in expensive perfumes but tend to be more splash kind of perfumes or fragrances for younger people.