Yes, that's perfectly normal—and even an important part of how perfume works. Every fragrance consists of different notes that develop in stages after application to the skin.

A perfume is made up of three layers

Top notes can be described as the first impression of a perfume; these opening notes are often recognized as light, sharp, and fresh scents. They dissipate relatively quickly.

Heart notes (or middle notes), as the name suggests, form the heart of your perfume. These develop after the top notes have faded and often remain noticeable for several hours. They give the perfume depth and character.

Base notes in a perfume form the foundation upon which the fragrance is built and provide the final impression of the scent; they add depth and fullness to a fragrance. They ensure that the perfume lingers on the skin for a long time.

The presence of the nuts is indicated from left to right on the product pages.

Fragrances are produced in varying concentrations, determined by the ratio of aromatic oils to ethanol and water. Because there's no standard in the industry, strength can vary between brands. One brand's eau de parfum can be just as strong as another's eau de toilette. Therefore, it's important not to place too much value on this.

Perfume (also known as Extrait de Parfum, Perfume, or Perfume Extract) typically contains between 15% and 40% aromatic compounds. The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) estimates it's usually around 20%.
While it's difficult to make general statements, the concentration in perfumes is generally the longest-lasting and strongest. This is partly due to the structure and formula, which focus more on the base notes (about 50%). Because these base notes linger longest, perfumes often outperform other concentrations in longevity.

Eau de parfum has a concentration of approximately 10% to 20%, with the IFRA estimating that most are around 15%. Unlike extras, eau de parfum places more emphasis on the more refreshing heart and top notes: only about 30% consists of base notes, about 40% of the top notes, and 30% of the heart notes.

Eau de toilette has a concentration of about 5% to 15%, with most fragrances again falling in the middle, around the average of 10%.
Since the dawn of modern perfumery, eau de toilettes have been offered as affordable alternatives to more expensive perfume concentrates. Their lower price and focus on fresh, sparkling top and heart notes have made them popular for everyday use. An average eau de toilette consists of 50% top notes, 30% heart notes, and only 20% base notes.

These words are added to evoke certain associations, such as luxury, power, and exclusivity. They can also be used to introduce variations of a line. It's important to understand that there's no fixed or regulated standard for what these terms mean. This makes them versatile marketing tools, but also open to interpretation.

Be critical and of course test before you buy.

It's a common misconception that EDT and EDP are simply different concentrations of the same fragrance. The different structures of the various concentrations mean that the same scent can vary significantly between parfums, eau de parfums, and eau de toilettes. It's important to realize that concentrations don't just depend on the percentage of aromatic compounds in a fragrance—each concentration of each fragrance is a unique creation with its own specific formula. Although they are usually linked by a common "DNA,"

This is, of course, a matter of preference and style, not a strict rule. But generally, the preference for a daytime or nighttime fragrance lies in the difference between intensity and character.

Daytime fragrances are lighter and fresher, ideal for everyday use, often with citrus and floral notes.

Night fragrances , on the other hand, are more intense, with rich, sensual notes like vanilla and spices, and are perfect for special occasions or nights out.

Of course, you decide what you wear and when—some people prefer to wear their favorite fragrance all day, regardless of the moment. But if you want variety, it's helpful to have a variety of fragrances in your collection.

The term niche in perfume is not clearly defined, and there is a gray area: different experts, brands and customers use different standards.

Generally, a perfume is considered niche when it comes from a perfume house that focuses exclusively on fragrance creation, and not (like many designer brands) on fashion, cosmetics, or large-scale commercial products. Niche brands often operate on a smaller scale and with more creative freedom, prioritizing originality and artistic expression over mass appeal.

Commonly mentioned characteristics of niche perfumes:
- Origin: Produced by independent or specialist perfume houses that focus solely on fragrance.

- Ingredients: use of unusual, rare or high-quality raw materials.

- Availability: often available in limited quantities, in smaller editions or through selected retailers.

- Creative freedom: fragrances that are more experimental, daring or artistic, without the need to please "everyone".

- Market positioning: often priced higher than mainstream perfumes, reflecting their exclusivity and production approach.

The gray area
Some larger houses (e.g., designer brands with a separate "exclusive" or "private blend" line) exhibit niche characteristics but still officially fall under the designer or luxury segment. This blurs the definitions, and the line between designer and niche isn't always clear in practice.

1. Hydrate your skin
Perfume adheres better to moisturized skin. Use a (fragrance-free) body lotion before applying the perfume.

2. Spray perfume on clothes or hair
Perfume often lingers longer on fabrics or in your hair than on your skin. Make sure your perfume is suitable for clothing or hair.

3. Layer your scent
Use a matching scented shower gel, body lotion, and perfume from the same line to build up the fragrance intensity.

4. Store your perfume properly
Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Heat and light can alter the perfume's chemical composition and diminish its scent.

5. Spray from the right distance
Hold the perfume bottle (or atomizer) about 6-8 inches from your skin to create an even mist rather than concentrated droplets.

6. Spray do not rub
Avoid rubbing perfume on your skin (for example, on your wrists). This breaks down the scent faster.

Perfume is most effective in warm areas of the body, also known as pulse points. These are areas where blood vessels are close to the skin—the warmth allows the fragrance to develop beautifully and diffuse gradually.

The best places to apply perfume are:

● Behind the ears

● On the side of the neck or just below the jawline

● On the chest or neckline

● On the wrists (do not rub!)

● On the inside of the elbows

● Behind the knees (for longer fragrance distribution during sedentary work or in summer)

Perfume smells differently on different skin types due to the interaction between the fragrances and the unique chemistry of the skin. Some factors that influence this:

Skin type
Oily skin: Retains scent better, which often makes perfumes smell more intense.
Dry skin: Makes odors dissipate faster.

Skin pH
The skin's natural acidity can influence the way fragrance notes develop.

Body heat
Warm skin (due to higher body temperature or physical activity) enhances the scent and makes it evaporate faster.

Skin oils
The natural oils on the skin can modify or enhance the scent.

Nutrition and lifestyle
What you eat (e.g. spicy foods) and lifestyle (e.g. smoking) can affect your skin chemistry and therefore its odor.

Hormones
Hormonal fluctuations (e.g. due to stress or menstruation) can cause subtle changes in odor.

These factors make perfume a very personal experience.