Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solid perfume?
“A solid perfume is a concentrated fragrance blended with a waxy base like beeswax or shea butter,” says Isaac Lekach, cofounder of Flower Shop Perfumes Co. According to Lekach, solid perfume is meant to be applied directly to the skin, leaving behind a subtle, long-lasting scent.
How is a solid perfume different from a liquid perfume?
Daryl Do, senior perfumer at Delbia Do, says one of the biggest differences between solid and liquid perfumes is that the former (usually) doesn’t contain alcohol. “Solid perfumes are an option for those who may be allergic to alcohol or don’t like the vapor from it,” he says. “This is a favorite for people who are concerned about the drying effects of alcohol on their skin.”
Lekach adds that solids usually have a lower concentration than an eau de parfum, but that doesn’t significantly affect their performance. “While some may contain a higher oil concentration and have a slightly better performance, the scent itself would smell the same as in other applications,” he says.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best solid perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and Korean beauty experts to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
