Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Finding Your Signature Scent - Dos and Don'ts

Still looking for that one-of-a-kind perfume?

It takes a while to find a signature scent that matches your unique personality. There is no one else like you, so you need a signature perfume that smells like no one else but you.

You have a lot of choices for a signature scent. Nowadays, even reality stars have their own perfume. (And I feel disturbingly curious about what Snooki smells like.) The perfume market is (literally) diluted, so it's hard to find something unique.

Need a personal fragrance finder? Read on for Dos and Don'ts of finding your signature scent.


Do: Revert to Classics



Like classic movies, classic perfume have won the test of time. Women adore them for two reasons -- they smell beautiful, and make women feel beautiful as well.


Estee Lauder Pleasures - a classic love of mine.

Don't: Try on Old Perfume



When you test perfume at stores, ask the sales person for the expiration date on the bottle. Expired products smell different.

Do: Get Perfume Samples, Perfume Minis, or Perfume Sets


Although you don't get your money's worth with perfume samples, minis and sets, at least you are not stuck with large quantities of something that stinks.

One of the few samples from a Chanel haul.



Don't: Buy Perfume in a Huge Bottle


Even if you like a perfume, getting an economy-sized bottle is not worth the money. Perfume isn't mouthwash. You don't need a cap full each time. A 1.7 Fl. Oz bottle should last at least one year. Even if you wear it everyday.

Do: Test Products. One at a Time. And Wait.


When you zone in on a potential buy, spray on a test run. Then walk around for a while, or even wait for a day. 

Why? Formulas smell different on each person's skin. Test to see how it smells on yours. 

Waiting lets you find out how long the perfume lasts.


One of my biggest regrets :O( I did not test well, and got stuck with this huge box.

Don't: Test Multiple Products at the Same Time


All those smells mixed together just sounds stinky.

Do: Use a Fragrance Finder Tool


Fragrance finders or quizzes online narrow down your choices by analyzing your personality.

Here is one I recommend: Total Beauty Fragrance Quiz

Don't: Ask Your Dad

Or your kid brother.




Signature Scents -- What is yours and do you have any tips to share?


47 comments:

  1. Great post!!! xoxo

    www.rockandfrock.com

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  2. Great post!!! xoxo

    www.rockandfrock.com

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  3. I'm always trying to find my signature perfume so thanks for these tips :)

    xoxo,
    Paris

    glitteratiandglamour.blogspot.com

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  4. I wear Amarige by Givenchy.
    The first time I brought it I went to visit my mum & it turned out that she used to wear it when I was a little kid!

    I've tried lots of other scents but nothing else "fits" me as well

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  5. Love Eau de Rochas ;)
    Great post!!

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  6. Great post! It took me a while to find my fav scent but now it's Dior Addict or A*Men (yes yes, men's version of Angel by Thierry Mugler! It just smells so cool on my skin!!!) for the night, Ultraviolet or Nina Ricci for the day and all the Escada news for the summer! I love them so much! :)
    Hugs!
    Karola

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  7. Thanks for sharing! I seldom think that much when Im getting my scent. My current love is Chloe!

    Ash :o)
    ftashion

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  8. I have noticed that I can never wear the same fragrance for long so I switch:)


    Circular Insanity

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  9. This is such fabulous advice! I have never been able to settle on a signature scent. I am going to try again using your post as a guide:)

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  10. LOL'ing so much @ "perfume isn't mouthwash"!!!!

    My signature scent is either floral or citrusy...am not a huge fan of spicy or fruity scents (probably because I doused myself in them as a teen LOL!)

    Currently loving Jo Malone Orange Blossom, Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin, Aqua di Parma, Dior's Eau Savage (Men's citrus scents are usually stronger - so I love them).

    My tips - layer perfumes - it can help make a "meh" perfume more wearable...or use them up as an air freshener.

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  11. Great tips! I recently purchased BGBCMaxAzria, its smells like strawberries. So amazing. I also really like Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh Daisy, which is also sweet and fruity.

    I realized I like sweet, fruity/floral scents. Another favorite of mine is Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. Honestly, who doesnt like that perfume. I've been wearing it a few years now ;)

    http://blog.missbrittanyboo.com

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  12. I love wearing DKNY's Be Delicious. That and Cartier have to be my favorites.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  13. I have to admit, I don't where any fragrances and try to buy things scent-free. A lot of my friends are hyper-sensitive to fragrance and can feel ill for a day just by being around a scented person. That means, the really strong scented person on the day can make my friends feel ill for a while. So while I appreciate the world of smelly things, it's something I pass on for those that are negatively affected by them.

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  14. Hmmm...I think I have to use this guide to find my new scent!

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  15. I work in the fragrance department at Macy's and I definitely co sign with your tips. I always advice my guest to spray it on their skin, walk around and come back. Also have an idea of the type of scent that you like so the associate can better pin point the perfect for you.

    http://vaintastic.blogspot.com/

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  16. great post!!
    My fave perfume is Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue and Estee Lauder Sensuous! ;D

    xx,
    Pam
    jadeinthepalace.blogspot.com

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  17. I like Pleasures!!!!
    Have a nice day!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  18. thanks for the comment... it's definitely a hard day for me!

    great new post <3

    as always!


    my sig scent is anything by Britney spears.. love her! especially Radiance and Curious!


    hugs, xo!
    *My Blog* BARBIE-BOMBSHELL.BLOGSPOT.COM

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  19. Great tips! I have a few favorites... Light Blue by Dolce and Gabanna and Burberry Brit!

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  20. Great tips! I have a few favorites... Light Blue by Dolce and Gabanna and Burberry Brit!

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  21. I love my D&G light blue. It's either that or Clinique Happy. I am into very light, fresh scent.

    www.mommylhey.com

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  22. I agree with the small bottles- perfume is NOT mouthwash statement. I like to use fragrance sparingly. I also like to take my time finding a new scent to wear. Everytime I impulse buy a fragrance, I regret it- it never is quite right. However, when I experiement without rushing to discover a new perfume to wear, over time I'll discover a keeper, one that becomes my signature scent that I return to over and over.

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  23. I find it hard to remember to wear perfume everyday, but great guide.

    I love tiny vials of perfume. I can't seem to stick to a signature stench.

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  24. Great tips! I love the minis since it takes FOREVER for me to use one. My favorites (in no particular order) are: Marc Jacobs Daisy, Juicy Couture, DKNY Apple, VS enchanting apple and Nina Ricci Apple.

    I like apples. :P

    Kim

    www.aprettythought.com

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  25. Great tips! Thanks! My signature scent is Premier Jour but I think about changing it :)

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://www.fashionthrill.com/

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  26. this is so helpful! i love it!




    www.shevahh.blogspot.com
    xo

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  27. I wear Acqua di Parma Bergamotto. It's light and fresh and I bought it for my wedding - so now whenever I wear it, I have that memory. :)

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  28. I got two kind of perfume from gift and really hard to finish up bcoz they are both big bottle. anyway, I love them both, scent is vanilla, floral...hard to explain, lol but I really enjoy it

    Dolce gabanna light blue and Pure DKNY...

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  29. smell coffee beans to clean your nose palette :D
    great tips!

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  30. I recently purchased a mini spray after testing a sample for a week. Even though I really liked it I wanted to make sure this was "it" before spending $90.00 so now I can say my siggy scent will be Bright Crystal by Versace...at least for a while.

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  31. My favorite is Giorgio, from Beverly hills
    xoxo

    http://besosmulticolor.blogspot.com/

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  32. thanks for the tips doll

    Love, www.shoeocracy.blogspot.com

    Za

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  33. These are great tips! I actually like to spritz the fragrance on and then wait an hour or two before buying it! Perfumes have a tendency to smell weird on me so it takes a while!

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  34. Great tips! I love Chanel Eau Tendre!

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  35. Great tips especially about the not asking your dad or kid brother part ;)
    -Ash

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  36. great post! I've been using lancome miracle for years and years and i still love it. I'm still looking for new scents though!

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  37. I haven't had one in a while but Issey Miyake is always a classic!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  38. This is a great post - I used to sell fragrances and you're right on with all but one. Mixing fragrances can work, if it's done right... But you do have to be careful!

    My current signature is Ricci Ricci by Nina Ricci. Sweet and feminine.
    xox,
    Cee

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  39. jean paul gaultier classique
    I'm on my third LARGE bottle LOL
    for men...aqua di gio...yumm yumm :)

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  40. My fav. perfume right now is the Alien by Thierry Mugler. Love it

    ~Sherine
    Check out my blog, comment, and follow if you like!
    Confessions Of A City Girl

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  41. Good tips, I especially like the one about buying a small bottle. I have 4 perfumes I'm rotating through right now and the good news is that I really like 3 of them!
    --TS

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  42. My husband just got me Voyage D'Hermes and I LOVE it! But I recently tried Bulgari Crystalline and I really liked it.

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  43. My favorite is Chanel Chance! And I've just bought Coco Mademoisele but I still in love with Chanel Chance:)

    FASHION CAT
    www.myfashioncat.com

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  44. Estee Lauder Pleasures is one of my favorites too. If you are in the market for a new fragrance that will become your favorite, try Ja'dore by Dior and Burberry Touch!

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