[The following is a guest post by our BFFs at CollegeFashion.net. Sigh. What would we do without them!?]

It’s almost spring, which means it’s the perfect time to try out a new fragrance! There’s so many different, amazing perfumes out there that it can be pretty challenging to find one that suits you. Never fear – we have tons of tips to make your search easier!

Before You Begin: 3 Tips to Help Your Search

1. Decide whether you want a “signature scent” or different scents for different occasions.
Some people like the idea of having a “signature scent”; others prefer different perfumes for different moods or occasions, and you need to decide which camp you’re in.

Having a signature scent can be fun; I wore a particular perfume every day for about a year, and my friends came to associate the smell with me. It can get boring though, as there are so many great scents out there and not every perfume is suited to every occasion – some of my favorite “nighttime scents” are ones I’d feel ridiculous wearing during the day because they’re so heavy and attention-grabbing.

If you decide to buy different scents for different occasions, keep this in mind: Heavier scents are more appropriate for the outdoors or nighttime, while lighter scents are better suited for places like work or school. If you want a signature scent, look for something that will transition well between different scenarios. Read More »

According to studies (and common sense…no pun intended) smell is the most powerful sense known to trigger memories. Each different scent can give us flashbacks to certain times and nostalgic moments past and, hell, even a season.

If you, by chance, decide that you would like to smell like “Spring 2009,” some of the fragrance trends for this season include:

-Limey (But who really wants to smell like the aftermath of a tequila shot?)

-Sandalwood with creamy lactones (Such as coconuts, which your nose considers synonamous with the beach)

-Deep, dry amber notes (Yes, the gem)

-Rose Violet (Featured in almost all perfumes)

-Tuberose orange flower (Huh?)

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking. “Thanks? Am I supposed to go a market now and rub a tuberose orange flower all over myself?” Well, you can if you want to, but an easier way to create that spring scent-track (like a soundtrack for your nose) is to hit up your local Sephora and check out the newly featured perfumes created for Spring ’09. Here are a few of my favorites: Read More »