EDT or EDP? And how to buy perfume you haven't smelled
Perfume gone by lunch? What EDT and EDP mean, which lasts longer, what each costs in South Africa, and how to buy a scent online you've never smelled.
You sprayed it at seven, twice on the neck and once on the wrist. By the time you sat down for lunch, it was gone. The bottle cost about the same as a weekend in the Winelands, and the label said Eau de Toilette in small letters you never noticed at the till.
Fragrance labels tell you a lot if you know how to read them, and they explain most of the "it doesn't last" complaints. Below: what EDT and EDP mean, what you pay for each, and how to buy a scent online when you can't smell it first.
What to decide first
Decide when you'll wear it: daytime and office, or evenings and occasions. Then think about the weather, because South African summers make heavy scents feel heavier. And decide how much you'll use, which tells you whether a 50 ml or 100 ml bottle is the better buy.
What the labels mean
The difference is the concentration of fragrance oil in the alcohol. Roughly, an eau de cologne is the lightest, eau de toilette sits around 5 to 15 percent, eau de parfum around 15 to 20 percent, and parfum or extrait above that. Higher concentration usually means longer wear and a closer, richer scent. Body mists and deodorant sprays are much lighter again, and they're not the same thing as the bottle.
Often a different scent, too
The EDT and EDP of one name are often built differently, with different notes, a sweeter base or a deeper dry-down. Some people prefer the lighter one. So treat each version as its own scent. If you love the EDT, smell the EDP before you assume it's the same thing, only longer.
EDT: the verdict
Buy an EDT for daytime, warm weather, the office, and if you like to reapply through the day. It's lighter and fresher, and sometimes a little cheaper per millilitre.
EDP: the verdict
Buy an EDP for evenings, cooler months, and if you want one spray in the morning to last the day. It often costs a bit more per bottle but lasts longer on the skin, which can make it the better value.
| Designer fragrance | 50 ml | 100 ml |
|---|---|---|
| Eau de toilette | R1,700 to R2,000 | R2,000 to R2,300 |
| Eau de parfum | R1,600 to R2,200 | R2,000 to R2,500 |
How to buy a scent you haven't smelled
Read the notes. Top notes are what you smell first, heart notes come through after a few minutes, and base notes are what's left hours later. If you know you love vanilla, or hate oud, the notes tell you a lot.
Start with a sample. Sample vials, testers in store and discovery sets let you wear a scent for a full day before you commit. Skin chemistry changes how a fragrance smells, so a day on your own skin beats a paper strip.
Buy small first. A 30 or 50 ml bottle costs more per millilitre but less if you turn out not to love it.
Check the returns. Online orders carry a seven-day cooling-off right under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, section 44. Many shops won't take back fragrance once it's been used, so read the terms before you break the seal. Our playbook on returning opened beauty items goes through it shop by shop.
Where the deals are
Fragrance is heavily promoted around Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Black Friday and December, often with gift sets that add a body lotion or travel spray. A gift set can be good value if you'll use the extras. Compare the price of the bottle alone at another shop before deciding, and our guide to the real price of beauty promos has the sums for points and multi-buys.
The Beauty Shop ranks live beauty deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™. It reads six things: how deep the discount is, how much it saves in rand, how the price compares to other shops, whether the brand is one people search for, how recently the price dropped, and whether it's in stock across sizes.
Before you pay
Check the concentration and the size on the listing, because one name can cover several versions and sizes. Buy from established shops, since counterfeit fragrance is common at prices that look too good. Keep the box and receipt until you're sure.
Before you buy, Check The Deal. Shop great beauty deals, verified and ranked by REALRANK™.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between EDT and EDP?
EDP has a higher concentration of fragrance oil than EDT, so it usually lasts longer and smells richer. The two can also have different notes.
Which lasts longer, EDT or EDP?
Usually EDP. Parfum or extrait lasts longer still. Skin type and weather also affect how long a scent lasts.
How do I buy perfume online without smelling it?
Read the notes, try a sample or tester first, buy a small bottle, and check the returns terms before opening.
Can I return perfume I bought online?
Online orders carry a seven-day cooling-off right under the ECT Act, but many shops won't take back fragrance once it's been used. Read the terms before you break the seal.
Where are the best fragrance deals in South Africa?
The Beauty Shop on THE REAL DEAL ranks live beauty deals from the shops we track, fragrance included, by REALRANK™.
Sources
- Clicks, Boss Bottled range (EDT, EDP and parfum by size and price), read 22 October 2026
- Clicks, Paco Rabanne range (EDT and EDP by size and price), read 22 October 2026
- Clicks, Versace range (EDT and EDP by size and price), read 22 October 2026
- Bash, fragrance range, read 22 October 2026
- Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, section 44, cooling-off period, read 19 October 2026
Written by Dean. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Price bands are for a decent option at full price, rounded, and change; the live deals show today's prices. Some links earn THE REAL DEAL a commission. Placement buys visibility, it never touches REALRANK™.