If one object can embody the sum and soul of a woman, it would be a bottle of perfume … but often, it can prove a very difficult task to choose the right perfume for the right person. Here are some tips to help you buy a fragrance that will wow that special lady in your life.

Consider the concentration
If your intended recipient is a newcomer to the perfume world or if you don't quite know what she'd enjoy, then pull back on the potency and go for an eau de cologne or eau de toilette. These scents are less powerful than eau de parfums and pure perfume extraits which generally are favored by those who know exactly what they like. If in doubt, err on the safe side.

What are her intentions?
Is she a vamp? A career woman? Or a timid kitten? Consider her lifestyle, habits and personality, and choose a fragrance to follow suit. Beguiling, mesmerizing orientals may be a hit in the bedroom, but are not always wise for the boardroom where something more sophisticated and tame would be appreciated. Think of what situation she is most likely to wear the perfume, and let this guide your nose.

Don't always upsize
It is not always necessary to reach for the biggest bottle, particularly if you're unsure as to whether she will agree with your choice. Sometimes a smaller size is a wise decision so that she may get to know her new perfume without the daunting prospect of owning two liters of the stuff! You can then invest the money you've saved in a matching perfumed body lotion that she can use to accompany her scent. By layering the two products, it will last longer, or she can choose to wear just the lotion on days when the perfume itself is not needed.

Make it age-appropriate
Unless your 14-year-old daughter has a deep passion for vintage leather chypres, or your aging mother-in-law worships Paris Hilton, take a moment to consider whether the perfume in question is appropriate for the recipient, based upon her maturity.

Gents, get a clue
Guys, if you're prepared to be seen in public sauntering around the women's cosmetic counters at your local mall, chances are you already know she has a fine appreciation for perfume. Take a sneaky sniff at the scents already on her dresser, make a note of some names and see what else these brands have to offer. Look for similarities in the style of perfume and use this as your guide.

Ask yourself, "do the majority of these perfumes smell fruity?/ flowery?/ musky?/ leafy?/ powdery?," and relay that information to a beauty advisor. Chances are he or she will be able to help you narrow down the hundreds of bottles on counter to just one that captures the true essence of your special lady.

Ladies, don't just go for a scent that you wear
Just because it smells good on you does not necessarily mean it will smell good on her. Furnishing your friend with a fragrance identical to your own is just as bad as wearing the same dress on Oscar night! (OK, maybe not that bad.) But, use your intuition and nose to make perfume choices that will bring out her best assets (AND not overshadow yours)!

By following these basic rules, you can avoid wrinkled noses and ugly standoffs with your partner or BFF, and make educated, individual choices that she will remember for a lifetime.

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