Clean-girl minimalism and quiet luxury have dominated the beauty trend cycle as of late, but this spring I've noticed more and more creators, editors, and beauty brands ditching simplicity and leaning into maximalism. From big bouncy blowouts and high-hold hairspray to glitter-packed shadows and super-saturated lipsticks, the beauty world isn't just embracing excess—it’s celebrating it. This more-is-more mentality has made its way to fragrance too, and we're seeing the rise of intense-smelling extrait perfumes as a result.
But what exactly is an extrait perfume? And how are they different from the other fragrances already in your collection? Keep reading for a full breakdown of the extrait perfume trend for 2025, plus the best extrait perfumes, or extrait de parfums, to try right now.
What is an extrait perfume?
An extrait is the most concentrated form of a fragrance, containing anywhere from 20 to 40 percent pure fragrance oils, or the stuff that gives a perfume its scent, says French perfumer Erwan Raguenes. "Due to their high concentration of fragrance oils, extraits generally have a richer, more intense scent and last longer on the skin too," explains Raguenes. A little goes a long way with this type of fragrance, so you can spritz less and still get a powerful, lingering scent. It's also worth noting that these ultra-concentrated fragrances often come with a slightly steeper price tag.
What is the difference between extrait perfumes, eau de parfums, and eau de toilettes?
My guess is that your current fragrance collection is filled with eau de parfums (aka EDPs), since most popular perfumes are formulated in this format. "They're the most used type of fragrance and they typically contain 15 to 20 percent fragrance oil," says Raguenes. "This balance allows for a strong, long-lasting scent that is versatile across different seasons."
An eau de toilette (aka EDT), on the other hand, contains around 10 percent perfume oil, making it a lighter option compared to EDP, explains Ragunes."While EDTs are not as bold as EDPs or extraits, they still offer good longevity and are often preferred for a fresher, more casual wear."
So basically your extrait perfume is gonna douse you with the most intense version of a scent, followed by eau de parfums for regular longevity and strength, and then eau de toilettes will provide the most subtle scent. I like to compare it to face makeup, an extrait is like a full-coverage foundation, an EDP is more like a medium-coverage foundation, and EDT is sheer, like a skin tint or tinted moisturizer.
What's the best extrait perfume?
The best extrait perfume really depends on your scent preferences. Obviously, if you love a lighter scent and more minimalist fragrance feel, extraits won't be best for you. BUT! If you want to get in on the trend and experiment with a bolder perfume, shop these top-selling picks below:
The Best Bold Floral Perfumes
Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum
Merit's first-ever fragrance is a long-lasting fresh and floral scent.
Prada Paradoxe Intense
Prada Paradoxe is the internet's favorite warm floral perfume for good reason. And it comes in an intense formulation.
BYREDO Casablanca Lily Extrait de Parfum
This fruity and floral blend is one of Byredo's most underrated fragrances.
The Best Bold Gourmand Perfumes
Les Eaux Primordiales Vanille Supermassive Extrait de Parfum
This gourmand extrait is infused with spicy cinnamon and patchouli, and boasts sweet notes of caramel and vanilla to top it off.
Commodity Milk+ Bold
Commodity makes a bunch of scents in different intensities, and this fragrance is equal parts warm and sweet.
Kilian Paris Angels' Share Paradis Extrait de Parfum
This decadent perfume gives all the rich and sweet vibes.
The Best Spicy and Woody Bold Perfumes
Amouage Epic 56 Woman Intense Extrait de Parfum
This fragrance is the epitome of woody and spicy thanks to its notes of cinnamon, sandalwood, amber, and patchouli.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian OUD Extrait de Parfum
This niche extrait from Maison Francis Kurkdjian is a personal favorite of Raguenes.
Parfums de Marly Valaya Exclusif
This luxe perfume is a woody floral with long-lasting staying power.
Meet the expert:
- Erwan Raguenes is a perfumer at DSM-Firmenich with more than 15 years of experience in the fragrance industry.
Why trust Cosmo?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers everything from hair trends to lip gloss. She owns dozens of perfumes and never leaves her house without layering some scents, so she knows a thing or two about what makes a good fragrance. For this story, she spent hours researching and sniffing extraits, and also consulted perfumer Erwan Raguenes for his expert insight and recommendations.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
