It may be hard to accept but here is a secret: brand name perfumes may not be the incredible deal that you think they are. Sure, they may have a celebrity endorsement and have full page ads in glossy magazines, but that does not make the perfumes and colognes any better than imitation brands. It does however make them more expensive. Celebrity backing does not mean it is better. You may find the imitation brands to be more in tune with your olfaction sensors, so to speak, than the real version.
Most popular brand name perfumes have what is known as an imitation brand that is a dead ringer for the original. Many professional “sniffers” cannot tell the difference between the two. Some of the perfume imitations smell even better and last longer than the original versions. You can find these bargains at many women’s fashion stores, such as Fashion Bug, Cato or other small scale, lower end retail shops.
A second alternative is to go with an essential oil combination that fits your taste and lifestyle. After all, a perfume or eau de parfum is made up of essential oils and fragrances that are combined with alcohol to create the unique scent. You can make your own mix at many online stores or specialty shops. You can have your own line of fragrances that are specialized just for you. Try out different scents to create something that is totally your own style and do not be afraid to try different combinations. Just remember that essential oils are highly concentrated, so a little bit will go a long way. Use the perfume sparingly in order not to overpower everyone else in the room or to irritate your own senses and skin.
Some people cannot go without brand name perfumes. That is fine, but there is still no need to pay those outrageous department store prices. There are some tips for buying perfumes and colognes at a discount. One way is to buy them online at such places as Perfumania.com. The second is to buy gift sets when the holidays roll around. Usually the fragrances are marked down substantially. You may not get a huge bottle but you will get a bath gel and body lotion at a pretty reasonable price. Saving money and getting your favorite scent makes it smell all the more sweet.
