A short, practical guide to buying perfume in decants — how much you actually need, how to read a fragrance family, and how to make a scent last in Egyptian heat.
Which size do I need?
- 2 ml — about 28 sprays, roughly 5 wears. The honest first try before you spend real money.
- 3 ml — about 40 sprays. Two weeks of daily wear, enough to know if a scent suits your routine.
- 5 ml — about 68 sprays, around a month. Our bestseller and the ideal travel size.
- 10 ml — about 130 sprays. For a scent you have already committed to.
Fragrance families, in plain language
- Oud & woody — resinous, smoky, dense. Strong presence, best in cool weather and evenings.
- Amber & oriental — vanilla, resins, spices. Warm and sweet, very long-lasting.
- Floral — jasmine, rose, tuberose, orange blossom. Can be soft and powdery or loud and heady.
- Fresh & citrus — lemon, bergamot, marine notes. Light and clean, but the first to fade.
- Musk & clean — skin-like, soft, easy to wear anywhere.
- Gourmand — caramel, coffee, chocolate, tonka. Sweet and comforting, polarising.
Concentration explained
- EDT (Eau de Toilette) — lighter oil load, 3 to 5 hours. Good for daytime and heat.
- EDP (Eau de Parfum) — the most common, 5 to 8 hours.
- Parfum / Extrait — highest concentration, 8 hours and beyond. Apply less than you think you need.
Making it last
- Spray onto moisturised skin. Dry skin releases scent much faster.
- Target pulse points: neck, behind the ears, inner elbows, chest.
- Never rub your wrists together — friction and heat break the top notes.
- Two sprays of an oud or amber scent is usually enough. Fresh scents can take three or four.
- A light spray on clothing or a scarf holds the scent far longer than skin does.
Storing perfume in Egypt
Heat, light and humidity are what actually ruin a fragrance. Keep decants closed, upright, away from windows and out of the bathroom. A drawer or a cupboard shelf is ideal — and a 2 to 10 ml decant kept that way will stay true for well over a year.
Still not sure?
Start with a Discovery Set, or tell us what you currently wear and we will point you somewhere sensible.