Some women prefer sticking with one signature scent, while others like to change things up, depending on the occasion or the season. Regardless of your preference, knowing how to pick the right scent is the first step in successfully wearing perfume.

1 Understand the different types.

Eau de colognes fade within an hour, while eau de toilette last about two hours.

 

Eau de parfum contains a higher concentration of perfume oil and last up to four hours without fading.

Perfume classics and perfume extracts contain the highest concentration and last up to six hours.

2 Pick a perfume type appropriate for your setting. If you work in a small, enclosed space, for instance, you should avoid strong, overpowering concentrations.

3 Test a perfume before wearing it. You can test it on a piece of paper, which is often supplied at the store, if you’re buying the perfume in person. One thing to keep in mind when testing a scent on a strip of paper is that it will not smell exactly the same way on your body as it does on paper. The key to determining if a perfume is the right match for you is to allow it to mingle with your body’s chemistry before making your final determination.