Definition
Projection depends on molecular volatility of the dominant notes, alcohol percentage (higher alcohol accelerates initial diffusion), skin temperature, humidity, and body chemistry. Paradoxically, pure parfum concentrations can project less than eau de parfum versions of the same formula, because lower alcohol content reduces the diffusion cloud even as the raw material concentration is higher.
Community vocabulary for projection scale: skin scent (perceptible only in direct contact), moderate (arm's length, 30 to 60 cm), strong (1 to 2 meters), and beast mode (3+ meters, room-filling). These terms originate from the a specialist perfume site and un forum spécialisé communities and have entered standard English niche perfumery discourse.
Examples by projection level
- High projection (beast mode): Aventus (Creed), Baccarat Rouge 540 (Maison Francis Kurkdjian), Sauvage (Dior).
- Moderate projection: most Hermessences, Terre d'Hermès (Hermès).
- Minimal (skin scent): Musc Ravageur (Frédéric Malle, 2000, Maurice Roucel), Another 13 (Le Labo).