Is it time to say sorry, Charlie? Not loving Love's Baby Soft? Does your old standby perfume smell not-so-Beautiful anymore? Well, if your favorite Poison isn't your Obsession anymore, then it may be time to update your scent. Before you hit the department store counters, it's smart to get an idea of what kind of fragrance you're looking for. You can update your scent without making a complete change. There are five basic types of scents, and you can choose another fragrance from the same type if you're really stuck on your scent. There are floral fragrances - scents like jasmine, rose or a blend of flowers; oriental scents, like amber, balsam and musks; citrus scents, which are fresh and uplifting; chypre or woodsy scents, which include patchouli, bergamot and moss; and green scents, which are grassy or herbaceous. Many fragrances combine some of these types of scents. You might have a specific perfume in mind, but don't buy that fragrance you found in the back of your favorite fashion magazine right off the shelf. It's one thing to like the way a perfume smells but entirely another when it reacts with your own body chemistry and smell.

So it's important always to try the tester out on yourself before buying that pricey bottle. Better yet, ask a salesperson for a sample of the fragrance. That way, you can test it out over the course of a few days and be really sure it works with your own scent. It also gives your significant other, coworkers and others who are in close quarters with you a chance to weigh in on the new fragrance. As you shop, salespeople might offer you a whiff of coffee beans to "cleanse your palate." Take it! Taking a sniff will reset your smeller and allow you to keep smelling fragrances. Also remember to take a break after smelling four or five fragrances - go outside, do some shopping or simply get away from the perfume counter. Whatever choice you make, consider the season. You might like to switch up as the weather gets warmer or cooler later in the year. A warm, sexy musk may be a little overbearing for summer's humidity, and a beachy, light fragrance may not work in winter's chill. Many women find a couple of scents that work for them and alternate. Give something new a try!