Shopping for perfume online, you'll see the same style of fragrance described as an eau de toilette, an eau de parfum, or an extrait de parfum, often at very different prices. Those aren't just marketing words; they describe how concentrated the fragrance is, which is the single biggest factor in how it performs. Here's what extrait de parfum actually means, how it compares to EDP and EDT, and why a small 33ml extrait can be better value than a bigger, weaker bottle.
What is extrait de parfum?
Extrait de parfum (also written parfum extrait, or simply "extrait" or "parfum") is the most concentrated everyday fragrance format. Concentration means the proportion of actual perfume oil dissolved in the base; the rest is mostly alcohol and a little water. The more oil, the richer, longer-lasting and closer-to-the-skin the scent, and the less you need to apply.
Every fragrance at The Sillage Studio is an extrait at 30% concentration, filled into a 33ml bottle. That's a genuinely high oil load for an everyday perfume.
Extrait vs EDP vs EDT: the concentration ladder
The main formats sit on a ladder from lightest to strongest. Exact percentages vary between houses, but the usual ranges look like this:
| Format | Typical oil concentration | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | about 2–5% | Very light, fades fast |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | about 5–15% | Fresh, everyday, moderate lasting |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | about 15–20% | Richer, longer on skin |
| Extrait de Parfum | about 20–40% | Most concentrated, longest lasting |
The higher up the ladder, the more oil per application. So an extrait projects softer and closer than a fresh EDT blast, but hangs on far longer.
Why extrait lasts longer
A lightly concentrated fragrance has less oil and more alcohol, so it opens loud and then evaporates quickly. An extrait carries more oil, so it releases scent slowly and steadily through the day and clings better through heat and movement. That's also why you use less: with a 30% extrait, a few dabs on pulse points can outlast several sprays of a weaker formula. Longevity still depends on the specific blend, so each of our fragrances lists its own honest "up to X+ hours" figure on its product page, and our Signature Blends are built to last up to 18+ hours.
Is a 33ml extrait good value?
It's tempting to judge value by bottle size, but that's misleading. A large, lightly concentrated bottle is mostly alcohol; a smaller extrait is a much higher share of actual perfume oil. Because you apply less per wear and it lasts longer, a 33ml extrait goes further than the number on the box suggests. In other words, you're paying for scent, not filler.
Our extraits are ₹699 each, a concentrated, long-wearing format at a price that sits honestly under ₹1000. You can see the whole under-₹1000 range on our Perfumes Under ₹1000 page.
How to wear an extrait
- Go light. Start with two or three dabs; you can always add more. Extrait rewards restraint.
- Apply to pulse points. Wrists, neck, inner elbows; warmth from these spots helps the scent unfold.
- Moisturise first. Scent holds longer on hydrated skin.
- Don't rub. Dab, don't scrub; rubbing bruises the top notes.
Explore our extraits
Every bottle in the studio is a 30% Parfum Extrait. A few to start with:
- Allure Blanche — Sicilian lemon and bergamot over vanilla, sandalwood and vetiver.
- Aqua Wood — fresh pear and citrus drying down to patchouli and white musk.
- Summer Hammer — a mango, pineapple and coconut summer extrait balanced with bergamot.
See everything in the full catalogue, or build a custom set from our combos.
Concentration ranges above are general industry guidelines and vary by brand. The Sillage Studio fragrances are vegan, cruelty-free, free of harmful chemicals and handcrafted in India. "Inspired by" names on some products refer to scent style only; The Sillage Studio is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any original brand or trademark owner.