Brand new release going for $130 retail at Nordstrom and Macy’s can be found at Fragflex for $62 on 100 mil

Part 4 — Extrait Is Always Stronger Than EDP or EDT THE MYTH “EDT is the weakest, EDP is stronger, and extrait is the strongest. If you want the best performance, always buy the extrait.” THE REALITY An extrait may be richer, longer-lasting, or more powerful, but the word extrait alone doesn’t promise all three. THE EXPLANATION In Part 3, we discussed why a higher concentration doesn’t automatically mean better performance. Here, the issue is how we interpret the words on the bottle. For someone just getting into fragrances, it’s easy to assume there’s a simple ladder: EDT - EDP - Parfum - Extrait These terms generally describe concentration categories, but their boundaries are not universal. Frédéric Malle explains that the classifications aren’t regulated into a consistent concentration system and that the materials and their proportions also determine lasting power. Then there’s the word stronger. What do we mean by that? - More noticeable across a room? That’s projection. - A bigger trail as you walk past? That’s sillage. - Still detectable hours later? That’s longevity. - A richer or denser smell up close? That’s another characteristic entirely. Those qualities don’t always increase together. An extrait can smell substantial close to the skin without giving you the biggest scent cloud. An EDT can be more noticeable in the air during part of the wearing. Also, different versions aren’t necessarily the same fragrance with the concentration turned up. The perfumer may change the balance or introduce different accords. Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s OUD extrait, for example, emphasizes a musky vanilla accord and spicy harmony as part of its interpretation. That gives you more to consider than the concentration label alone. This is why liking an EDP doesn’t automatically mean you’ll prefer its extrait. You may love the freshness, balance, or movement of one version more than the richness of another. I want newcomers to understand this before spending extra money: you’re choosing a version to wear, and each version deserves its own test.