A woman who does not wear perfume has no future so says Coco Chanel. The high priestess of fashion has spoken therefore  we must  listen .

A scent should not be over powering. But should be able to attract flattery. Notes that attract flattery to a friend or stranger might fall flat on you so choose personally and wisely to make it count on you.

1. At the fragrance counter, start by spritzing your wrist. A scent isn’t going to smell the same in thin air or on  a tester card as it does once it hits  your skin. Body temperature affects a fragrance’s notes, and each of us has our own specific skin chemistry. So what smells sexy and good on a friend may smell sickly on you. So always try the scent on before you buy.

2. In between testing different scents at the counter, to separate them be sure to smell the coffee beans placed there. The coffee beans serve to cleanse the palate and allow you to smell the next scent free of the previous one.

3. Don’t rub your wrists together this crushes the scent rather let it “breathe” on your skin before smelling it.

4.Walk away.Some notes are immediately strong while others are revealed hours later. Give the spritz and yourself time before you make a purchase. If there are complimentary samples , even better.  I tend to carry a tester card in my bag for a week to test out the scent before buying.

5. Don’t buy a scent based on celebrity endorsement. Choose it because it truly suits you and your style.

6. Once you find a fragrance that is your magic potion , stock up on it.  Create a  fragrance wardrobe, with one for day, another for evening. Spray on a lighter juice for summer, something more baroque for winter. I prefer clean light scents. Don’t reserve fragrance for just your neck and wrists either. Scent rises, so dab some on your ankles or behind the knees.

You want to smell like a woman- sexy and alluring. There are classic choices, of course: it’s said that Ava Gardner had her Acqua di Parma, the author Colette and Brigitte Bardot loved jicky by Guerlain. Josephine baker smelled of Joy by Jean Patou. And we’ve all rhapsodized over the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe splashing on Chanel No. 5- all of these scents are rich in notes and history.