How to Purchase Perfume

Hi. My name is Sarah, and I'm a perfume a-holic.

For me, picking out a perfume is no small task for several reasons.

You are picking out a scent. You are choosing the way people will perceive based on one of their strongest senses. A scent that you will commit to through the life of the bottle.

(unless you make a wrong purchase - then WASTE!)

Perfume is NOT cheap, so it's worth taking your time and picking out one you will like.

A bottle of perfume ends up lasting me about a year to a year and a half.

Here's My Perfume Purchasing Process

Step 1:

Slowly wander around the perfume counter. Picking up bottles you like the look up and some that you don't, followed by sniffing and spraying. Followed by more sniffing.

Step 2:

Repeat this several times,

until you've successfully made your way

through the perfume counter several times.

Step 3:

Walk away empty handed.

You should never buy a perfume based on the first scent.

Write down or remember a few favorites

to keep in mind for your next trip.

Step 4:

Repeat steps 1-3 several times over the course of a month or longer.

Until you've narrowed down and consistently pick your favorite perfume.

Step 5:

Return to the perfume counter, for one last final sniff,

and make your purchase.

You are now committed to your signature scent

until you run out of that perfume.

Here's the list of my perfumes over the years:

Clinique Happy

CK One

Davidoff Cool Water

Givency Amarige

This was an impulse purchase based on the fact

I liked the way it smelled on someone else. MISTAKE!

It did not smell the same on me, and I could not bare to wear it!

Coco Mademoiselle

Ralph Lauren Romance

Britney Spears Curious

Burberry Brit

There are more inbetween, I just can't remember them right now.

Having finished up my bottle of Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison several months ago, I've been on the quest for a new scent, especially since I'll be seeing my hubby VERY SOON!

Although there were several perfumes in the running - CK Euphoria & Gucci Rush - I settled on Dolce & Gabanna The One. I am quite happy with my choice.

So happy, that I even had a dream last night that I saw my husband. In the dream he stopped, took a little sniff of the air, and said, "What smells so good?!" I just smiled, and was secretly happy knowing that it was ME that smelled so good and that I had bought the right perfume.

Wow ... I had a dream about buying the right perfume.

What's YOUR Signature Scent? Are you committed to one perfume, or do you like to try new ones?