Have you always wanted to find that one special fragrance that you can call your own? Maybe you’re wondering how your friends or coworkers manage to find great signature fragrances. For those of you hoping to find the right perfume or cologne that matches your personality and lifestyle, it’s just a matter of knowing how the process works and what to look for.

Sometimes just walking into the perfume section of the department store can be overwhelming, due to the fact that many scents are hitting your nose all at once. It seems that everywhere you turn, some designer or celebrity is coming out with their own special fragrance. But how do you know if that fragrance will work for you? It helps to know what you like…after all, that why it’s called your “personal” fragrance.

Stop and think about smells that you enjoy. Maybe you are more partial towards floral scents, or maybe fruitier smells entice you. For the men, do you enjoy the smell of nature, the ocean or more subtle scents? These are all indicators of what kind of personal fragrance you should be looking for. Chances are, if you can describe the type of smell that you like, there will be a fragrance to match it. Another way to learn what type of fragrance you like is to take a look at everyday products you use in your home. Do you notice a common scent-theme in the soaps, air fresheners, hair sprays, shampoos or candles you use? If so, then this may be a scent that would work well for you as a perfume or cologne.

When you’re ready to hit the store, limit your testing to four fragrances. Your nose can only take so much and if you test too many, you eventually won’t be able to make a distinction from one perfume to the other. Visit your local perfume section and ask for guidance from the beauty advisor at the counter, who will show you the latest products. When testing, you can either use the tester paper they provide or spritz a small amount on your wrist. After spraying, wait a few seconds for the fragrance to come out. Take your time with each fragrance until you are sure you know what you like and what you don’t like. If you don’t want to commit to buying the perfume or cologne right away, take a tester paper with you. Place the tester paper with the fragrance on the counter and leave it until the next day. Now go back with a fresh sense of smell and see what you think about it. Still in love with the scent? Then you’ve found your match and you can go back to the store and purchase your new personal fragrance.

Related Articles
	A His and Hers Guide to Wearing Your Favorite Scent Have you ever cringed when the elevator door closed, wondering if you could breathe that guy’s cologne all the way to the 35th floor without getting a contact high? Or what about that older relation (in fact, you suspect she might not even be a relation at all) who corners you at Thanksgiving   ...Read more		Smell Good all Day with Fragrance Layering We’ve all been there. You finally find the perfect fragrance for you, and the race is on to see just how long you can get that scent to linger throughout the day. However, getting a fragrance to last is not about applying more – unless you want to see folks head for the hills when you enter a room!   ...Read more