Perfume is fragrance oil in alcohol, attar is concentrated oil with no alcohol, and body spray is a light mist made to freshen up. An Eau de Parfum spreads gently around you and stays well, attar sits close to the skin, and body spray fades quickly. Many people in Pakistan use all three for different moments.
A perfume such as an Eau de Parfum is fragrance oil blended with alcohol and a little water. The alcohol lifts the scent off your skin as it dries, so it spreads gently around you.
An Eau de Parfum usually carries about 15 to 20 percent oil, which is why two or three sprays are enough.
Attar, or ittar, is a perfume oil with no alcohol. It is dabbed on with the stopper or a fingertip, on the wrists, behind the ears or on clothes. Attars are often made from flowers, woods and resins, and they have a long history in South Asia.
Many men wear attar for Jumma and Eid prayers, and some prefer it simply because it has no alcohol. Attar sits close to the skin. People near you notice it, but it spreads less than a sprayed perfume. Some attars are heavy and can stain light fabric.
Body spray and body mist carry much less fragrance oil, and some are mixed with deodorant. They are made to freshen up after the gym, a hot commute or a cricket match.
They are light and quick to use, but they fade fast, especially in heat.
The simplest way to see the difference.
In Karachi humidity and summer heat, a heavy attar can feel thick, and body spray fades almost at once. A fresh Eau de Parfum with a woody base sits between the two: light enough for the heat, strong enough to stay.
In winter, rich attars and warm Eau de Parfum scents both shine, because cold air keeps a scent close.
Each one has its moment.
Yes, with care. Keep them in the same family, such as a sandalwood attar under a perfume with a sandalwood base. Mademoiselle, In My Element and First Glance all rest on sandalwood.
Put the attar on first, let it settle, then add one spray of perfume. Do not put a strong body spray on top, as the scents will clash.
Every Houdini perfume is an Eau de Parfum, made in Pakistan, with base notes such as cedarwood, sandalwood, amber, musk and incense. If you are used to attar or body spray and want to try perfume, start small.
The Houdini Discovery Box holds any five scents in 5ml for Rs 1,200. Delivery is Rs 250 to any city in Pakistan, and free over Rs 5,000.
Perfume is fragrance oil in alcohol and is sprayed. Attar is concentrated oil with no alcohol and is dabbed on. Attar stays closer to the skin.
Attar is more concentrated, but it spreads less. A sprayed Eau de Parfum is noticed more by people around you.
No. Body spray has much less fragrance oil and is made to freshen up, so it fades quickly.
A fresh Eau de Parfum, lightly sprayed. Heavy attar can feel thick in heat, and body spray fades fast.
No. Every Houdini perfume is an Eau de Parfum. Try them in the Discovery Box, five 5ml testers for Rs 1,200.