Definition
Projection radius, often shortened to projection, is the distance at which a perfume is detectable around a stationary wearer. It maps the olfactive bubble around the body, distinct from sillage, the trail left behind a moving wearer, and from longevity, the time it lasts on skin (source: Embark Perfumes). A fragrance can last many hours yet stay close to the skin.
Projection categories
The fragrance community, on Fragrantica and Basenotes, uses four informal tiers (source: WhatScent).
- Skin scent: 0 to 30 cm, perceived on close contact.
- Moderate: 30 cm to 1 m, arm's length.
- Strong: 1 to 3 m, fills a room.
- Beast mode: beyond 3 m, rare and polarizing.
No industry standard measures projection; these ranges reflect convergent community usage rather than a laboratory protocol.
Influencing factors
Concentration comes first: extrait generally projects more than eau de parfum, which projects more than eau de toilette. Composition matters as much, with a role for diffusive synthetic musks, ambroxan and voluminous top notes.
Environment and wearer also matter: temperature, humidity and skin chemistry alter evaporation. Creed Aventus is described as projecting strongly in the first hour then settling toward a skin scent, while Hermessences by Hermès or several Replica releases by Maison Margiela are designed for a short, intimate radius.