Choosing the best jasmine perfume depends on the type of jasmine used, the notes of the fragrance blend, and the perfume's percent composition. The two types of jasmine commonly used in perfume are jasmine grandiflorum and jasmine sambac. Jasmine usually appears as a middle note or layer in the perfume, surrounded by other scents. The fragrance oil blend may constitute up to 30 percent of a perfume's ingredients.
Jasmine flowers grow on shrubs that reach up to 15 feet (4.6 meters). The flowers are typically white with waxy leaves and grow during the spring or summer. Nighttime is when most types of jasmine flowers reach their height of fragrance.
Jasmine perfumes typically contain jasmine sambac or jasmine grandiflorum. The oils of these flowers lend best to fragrances due to chemistry and strength of scent. Oils extracted from the sambac variety have a strong musky floral scent. Grandiflorum oil produces a floral scent that is lighter and sweeter.
Perfume notes refer to the top, middle, and base scents that are layered to create the fragrance. Top notes are the scents first apparent when smelling a fragrance. Middle notes provide a transition between the top notes and base notes. The scents that linger longest are the base notes.
Jasmine perfume may contain jasmine alone or blended in the top or middle notes, but typically not in the base notes due to its strength. Top notes can include citrus or light herbal scents such as lemon, grapefruit, or rosemary. Middle notes can include floral or earthy herbal scents such as fennel, nutmeg, or chamomile. Base notes may contain heavy wooden scents, musky florals, or spices such as cedar or vanilla.
An essential oil contains pure concentrated jasmine oil. Perfume, or parfum, contains a blend of 22 to 30 percent jasmine oil combined with alcohol. Eau de Parfum contains 15 to 18 of oil combined with a blend of alcohol and water for dilution. Eau de Toilettes also contain four to eight percent oil heavily diluted.
Perfumes are subjective to the wearer and can smell differently from one person to another. Buying the best jasmine perfume is best done by visiting a cosmetics store or counter where the fragrances can be sampled. The perfume should be worn throughout the day to test for longevity of scent before purchase.