Your personality or your body

You could just walk into the store and buy the first thing that smells good on a small paper strip, or something you saw in a magazine ad. But that is not likely going to pair you with the right scent for your personality or your body. It is a lot more complicated than that.

When sampling scents don't expect the perfume to smell the same on you as it does on anyone or anything else. You will have one variation in the bottle, one on the test strip, and one on your skin. Understanding how the fragrance works and what make it up are key to choosing the right scent.

What you smell first is the top note. This is the strongest part of the perfume and it fades the quickest. Then the mid note, which fades yet again into the base note. The base note appears around thirty minutes after application and stays with you the longest. Some base notes can last up to 24 hours.

Body chemistry plays a huge role in how the scent smells, on you. If your perfume seems to fade quickly or have a weird phase, it might not be the right scent for your body. A scent that works well should smell nice the entire time you are wearing it and without re-application.

Most perfumes also come with a matching body wash or lotion. These help make the scent last without that overpowering effect. They can help you keep your scent, too; mixing with conflicting washes can cause you to get a new smell altogether.

Once you find perfect perfume for you, apply sparingly. Simply spray a small amount onto your wrists and rub them together. Maybe a dab behind the ears for good measure. And that is all you should need. These warm spots on your body help diffuse the scene and allow it to mix with your body's natural oils.

So, when shopping for a new scent keep what you now know in mind... the top note is on the test strip or what would be smelled first, the mid note appears after about fifteen minutes of being on your wrist, and is followed by the base note which is what you should base your purchase on.