Original perfumes online: how to choose and Tre Pi Profumerie catalogue
Tre Pi Profumerie is a multi-brand perfumery with a physical store in Marcianise (CE), via F. Evangelista, and online sales throughout Italy and in 26 European countries. The catalogue includes over 20,000 products, more than 590 of which are fragrances for women, men and unisex. All products are original and sourced from authorised channels. Free shipping over € 79,90, complimentary samples with every order, and over 2,900 verified reviews on Trustpilot.
How to choose a perfume: the 4 criteria that matter
1. Concentration: how long the perfume lasts
Concentration refers to the percentage of essential oils dissolved in alcohol. The higher it is, the longer the fragrance lasts on the skin.
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Eau de Cologne (EDC) — 2-5% essential oils. Lasts around 2 hours. Needs to be reapplied several times throughout the day.
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Eau de Toilette (EDT) — 4-10% essential oils. Lasts 2-4 hours. This is the ideal concentration for everyday use and warm weather.
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Eau de Parfum (EDP) — 10-15% essential oils. Lasts 3-6 hours. It's the best-selling type and offers the best balance between longevity and price.
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Parfum / EDP Intense — 15-40% essential oils. Lasts 6-8 hours. A few drops are enough; production is often limited to heritage brands.
For the same fragrance, an EDP costs on average 25-35% more than an EDT of the same size, but lasts about twice as long.
2. Olfactory family
Every perfume belongs to an olfactory family, meaning a group of fragrances that share the same base accords. The main ones are:
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Citrus — built on lemon, bergamot, orange and grapefruit peel. Fresh and clean, ideal for summer.
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Aromatic — dominated by Mediterranean plants such as lavender, rosemary and sage.
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Aquatic — notes reminiscent of sea breeze and rain. Often used to lighten floral or woody fragrances.
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Fougère — a blend of lavender, geranium, vetiver, oakmoss and coumarin. It's the classic structure of masculine perfumes.
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Fruity — pear, apple, strawberry, raspberry, tropical fruits. Sweet and immediate.
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Green — freshly cut grass, violet leaves, resinous accords.
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Chypre — named after the island of Cyprus. A blend of bergamot, rose, jasmine, oakmoss, patchouli and labdanum.
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Floral — the quintessential feminine family: rose, jasmine, tuberose, lily of the valley, peony.
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Woody — cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli. A structural base in both masculine and feminine fragrances.
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Oriental (amber) — vanilla, spices, amber, resins. Enveloping and long-lasting, suited to evening wear and winter.
3. Olfactory pyramid
A perfume develops on the skin in three stages.
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Top notes — perceived in the first minutes after application. They are the most volatile and fade within 15-30 minutes.
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Heart notes — emerge after about 15 minutes and form the main character of the fragrance. They last several hours.
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Base notes — woods, musks, resins. These are the heaviest molecules and remain on the skin until the end of the day.
For this reason, a perfume should never be judged straight after spraying: wait at least 30 minutes to see how it develops on your own skin.
4. Season
Heat speeds up the evaporation of molecules, while cold slows it down. As a result:
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Spring / summer — citrus, aquatic, light floral, EDT. Lower concentrations perform better in warm weather.
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Autumn / winter — woody, spicy, oriental, EDP and Parfum. Heavier notes open up better at lower temperatures.
How to apply perfume so it lasts
Spray from 10-15 cm away onto the points where veins are closest to the skin and body temperature is higher: wrists, the inside of the elbow, the base of the neck, behind the ears, behind the knees.
Never rub your wrists together: the friction generates heat and alters the structure of the fragrance, shortening its lifespan. If needed, dab instead.
Perfume lasts longer on hydrated skin: apply a neutral or unscented cream before spraying. Dry skin absorbs and disperses the molecules more quickly.
How to store perfume
Light, heat and temperature swings degrade essential oils. Keep the bottle in its box, in a dry place at around 20°C, away from windows and radiators. The bathroom is the worst place to keep it: humidity and the temperature changes from showers shorten the product's life.
An unopened perfume stored correctly lasts 3-5 years; once opened, oxygen starts to alter its profile within 12-24 months.
Frequently asked questions about perfumes
What's the difference between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette?
The difference lies in the concentration of essential oils: Eau de Parfum contains 10-15% and lasts 3-6 hours, while Eau de Toilette contains 4-10% and lasts 2-4 hours. Same fragrance, different intensity and longevity.
Why doesn't perfume last on my skin?
The three most common causes are: dry skin that absorbs the molecules, a concentration too low for the season, and application on cool areas of the body. Hydrate your skin before spraying and choose an EDP instead of an EDT.
How can I tell if a perfume is original?
Check the batch code printed on the box and engraved on the bottom of the bottle: they must match. The original cellophane fits snugly and is neatly sealed. Only buy from retailers with an Italian VAT number and traceable supply channels.
Are discounted perfumes less fresh?
No. Discounted fragrances come from restocking, packaging changes or the brand discontinuing a line. The product is identical to the full-price version.
What's a good perfume to gift if I don't know someone's taste?
Go for a floral-fruity fragrance (women) or a citrus-woody one (men): these are the families with the highest approval rate. Alternatively, a gift set or a gift card avoids the risk altogether.
Perfume brands available at Tre Pi
See all brands in the catalogue
Browse the perfume catalogue
You can filter the catalogue by brand, concentration, olfactory family, perfumer, size and price using the filters at the top of the page. For help choosing: 0823 838002, Monday to Friday 9:00 am-6:00 pm.
