Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the number of different fragrances that you can find in the department stores and drugstores across this country? Trying to choose the "right" fragrance for you can be both mind and nose-boggling, and no matter how hard we may try to test every single fragrance out there, it's unlikely that anyone has that kind of time.

This article will hopefully help you narrow down your fragrance selection by offering tips on what not to choose and tips on what to choose.

Fragrance DON'Ts

Never EVER buy any perfume without applying it to your skin and smelling it from the back of your wrist. How a perfume may smell on a small piece of card may be very different from how it will actually smell on your skin. Testing it on your skin will also allow for you to see how the scent may change over time, as well as test just how long the perfume will last.

Never apply any sort of perfume or cologne on any pearls or any pieces of costume jewelry. The alcohol that is in the perfumes can easily strip these pieces from any color or coating that may be present.

Never spray too much. Though you may think that you need 4 sprays, chances are that you only need 1 or 2 short, quick spritzes on select areas of your body to give yourself that sweet yet discreet flowery scent.

Don't try on any perfumes on skin that may have lotions, deodorants or a deodorant soap preset. This can distort the smell of the perfume, usually for the worse.

Don't just choose the new or trendiest perfume that hits the market. These are not suitable or everyone, so choose wisely.

Fragrance DO's

Make sure that the fragrance that you choose is one that will suit you. Always try the perfume on you skin to make sure that the fragrance works well with your own body chemistry.

Word has it that trying on perfumes in the afternoon is the best time to try them, as this is apparently when our sense of smell has reached its peak.

If you have dry skin, make sure you apply the perfume more frequently than if you have oily skin. Oily skin can hold the fragrance better and for longer, while dry skin cannot.

Change up your perfume from time to time! You don't always have to wear the same old staple fragrance. For example, you may choose to wear a stronger scent in the winter time if you live in cold temperatures as the cold can reduce the power of the scent.

Apply any perfume to your body after your body has dried completely after a bath or a shower. Our pores are most open after we have been exposed to heat, so the perfume will best be soaked up by our skin at this time.

Perfume should always be applied to the pulse points in order to have the maximum effect. Our pulse points are behind the knees, ears, toes, thighs, cleavage, temples, wrists, and even between the ankles.