Perfumes and deodorants are a passion for women. They are one of the integral items in women’s bag and dressing tables. Though in bags, perfumes and deodorants have become a tool for self-defense to keep eve-teasers at bay. It equally serves as a lethal weapon in bed too. Fragrance adds to women sensuality. It is an essence of both luxury and pleasure. Choosing the right perfume to suit your style and needs is challenging, but fruitful and fun. Your perfume speaks volume for you. Like quality fashion accessories, good perfume lends a finishing touch to what you're wearing. However, choice of fragrance in a perfume is limited only to ones taste and preference. There's Fresh & Floral - a sweeter smell, feminine and flowery, or Light & Cool for active or sporty ladies and Warm & Sensual for a musky, sexy and heavier scent. Thus, whether it is musk, spice, floral, woodsy, or a combination, every woman wants to reflect herself as a person. But do keep in mind the occasion.

Remember, it is easy to get swayed by glossy advertisements but never commit a blunder of deciding what you want without trying it out. It is very essential that when you wear your perfume you should feel great, desirable and confident.

Steps you should take while choosing a perfume:

• Think about what kinds of fragrances you find most attractive. Do some research and select the one which appeals you the most.
• Never hesitate to ask about the perfume if a person is wearing a nice perfume.
• While selecting a perfume always take the help of the salesgirl but trust your instincts for a final pick.
• Apply the perfume on the pulse points and wait for 10 minutes before actually deciding to buy it.
• You can try out two perfumes, one on each wrist during one trip to the shop, but not too many as your nose will start mixing smells and make selection more difficult.
• Don't sniff the perfume immediately after you spray it. If it has alcohol it will assault your senses. Wait for few seconds. Most perfumes will go through three stages called the top, middle and base notes. You cannot judge a perfume simply on its top notes.

The six main categories of perfume are:

• Floral - With flowers as the dominant theme, sweeter smell, flowery, very feminine and romantic.
• Fruity- Spicy and fresh with fruits used as part of the formula.
• Oceanic - Modern perfumes that use synthetic elements smell strongly of the ocean.
• Greens- Fresh energetic perfumes that remind you of the outdoors.
• Orientals- Sexy, exotic and intense perfumes that smell of musk, vanilla, spices and opulent heavy flowers.
• Woody-Perfume that smells like bark, moss, sandalwood and other things you might find in the forest.

Perfumes give a final touch to ones way of dressing up. If you wear the same brand for long it will create an identity for you. People will be able spot you in the crowd. Keep age factor also in mind. A green perfume is especially suitable for a young girl with lots of zest and full of energy while an oriental may be too sophisticated for a teenager and perfect for dates and dinner parties. Orientals are intense and tend to be more suited to eveningwear and special occasions while greens are more appropriate for casual wear. Lighter perfumes are refreshing during hot weather while loud ones are comforting in the cooler months.