Pour Homme, EDP, Sillage & Co.: The most important perfume terms simply explained

EDP, Extrait, Sillage, Pour Homme – those browsing a perfumery for the first time can quickly be overwhelmed by jargon. Yet, most of these terms are easily explained. We’ll show you what these terms mean – in simple language, with no prior knowledge required.

Pour Femme – for women

Pour Femme is French and simply means "for women." It describes fragrances traditionally designed for women – often more floral, softer, or fresher in their composition. A beautiful example from our range is Marwa by Arabiyat Prestige: an elegant, timeless women's perfume with floral notes and an oriental character.

Pour Homme – for men

Pour Homme means "for men." Classic men's fragrances often feature wood, leather, oud, or spicy notes. A good example is Laathani by Ahmed al Maghribi – an opulent, oriental men's fragrance with a warm amber character. Important: Many fragrances today are offered as unisex and can be worn by anyone.

Eau de Parfum (EDP) – the enduring classic

An Eau de Parfum typically contains 15–20% fragrance oil. This makes it more intense and long-lasting than an Eau de Toilette – an EDP usually lasts 6 to 8 hours on the skin. Most fragrances in our shop are Eau de Parfums, for example, Xtasy by Ahmed al Maghribi – a fresh-oriental fragrance that remains present all day.

Eau de Toilette (EDT) – lighter and fresher

An Eau de Toilette contains less fragrance oil (about 5–15%) and is therefore lighter and shorter-lived than an EDP. For many, it is the ideal everyday companion because it is more subtle and less likely to become overwhelming. Well-known examples include classic men's perfumes from Western brands. We do not carry Eaux de Toilette in our shop – we focus on the more concentrated EDP and Extrait variants, which offer greater fragrance performance and longevity.

Extrait de Parfum – the most concentrated

An Extrait de Parfum (also: Parfum or Pure Perfume) contains 20–40% fragrance oil – the highest concentration available. Just a few sprays are enough for an entire day, often even longer. The fragrance development is slower and more multifaceted, and the base remains on the skin significantly longer. A fragrance with Extrait-typical depth and impressive longevity is Bin Shaikh by Ahmed al Maghribi – the brand's prestige perfume for those who want a fragrance that truly lasts.

Eau de Cologne – the freshest

An Eau de Cologne (short: EdC) contains only about 2–5% fragrance oil, making it the lightest concentration. It is very fresh and quickly fleeting – traditionally used after shaving or in summer. The most famous example is 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser, which has been produced for over 200 years. We consciously do not carry Eaux de Cologne in our shop – we value longevity and intensity, which an EDP or Extrait makes possible.

Sillage – the fragrance trail

Sillage (pronounced: "see-yahzh") comes from French and actually means "wake" – like the trail a ship leaves in the water. In perfumery, it describes the fragrance trail: how far and how intensely a scent is perceptible when someone walks past. A fragrance with strong sillage will still be noticeable even after the person has left the room. A fragrance with weak sillage is more of a "skin scent" – only noticeable in close proximity. A classic example of impressive sillage in our range is Laathani by Ahmed al Maghribi – a fragrance that can be perceived in a room even before you see the person.

Do you still have questions about a term or don't know which fragrance suits you? Browse our assortment or contact us directly – we are happy to help.