There are also solid perfumes, which is another way of producing an emollient base and infusing it with scent. Solid perfumes tend to be more concentrated in that you just dab on a bit, while the creams and lotions are meant to be smeared all over you.

Shower gels are replacing bath products (bubble bath, bath oils, and scented soap) and combine the fragrance with a traditional shower gel. You won't be getting a power-packed wallop of scent with such a product, but if you like only a whisper of fragrance, these are great. Most perfume fanatics use them as a layer and apply scented lotions and then perfume on top.

You can also sometimes find scented bath powders, bath soaks, and even scented deodorants. These are not true fragrance products, but they do contain the scent. They can work as part of the layering process or just because you like the smell. But don't think that a puff or two of scented powder is going to give you the same fragrance impact as a squirt or two of eau-de-parfum.

Perfume almost never goes on sale. However, manufacturers do take advantage of peak perfume purchasing seasons by packaging gift sets. One of these prepackaged gift sets usually combines some fragrance products like an eau-de-parfum or cologne with a matching shower gel, lotion, or other product and possibly with a little tote bag or other give-away item. Sometimes you get a zippy little carrying case or other geegaw besides.

Are these good deals? Very often I buy gift sets because I find that a packaged set often costs right around the same price as the fragrance product if you bought it a la carte. So if I can get lotion, shower gel, plus Burberry Brit eau-de-parfum for the same price as the eau-de-parfum by itself, why not?

Assuming you know the fragrance you want, what is the best deal? If you like the auxiliary products (creams, lotions, shower products) and there is a package deal, that's a good bet and probably better than buying the fragrance alone.

If there are not any cute package deals, think about what you most like to use. If you're busy and hate to re-apply fragrance but like to feel your perfume doesn't conk out by midday, look at the eau-de-parfum and the perfume. Compare prices. The eau-de-parfum will not last as long, so you'll do some re-application plus if you use more, it's not as cost effective as it might appear. Your best choice is likely going to be the perfume.

On the other hand, if you are an on-the-go person who works out in the middle of day, frequently plays tennis or goes swimming, and generally takes more than one shower a day, it's probably a better deal for you to go with a cologne since you'll be sweating or washing your fragrance off over the course of the day. If you have to re-apply your fragrance frequently, perfume is impractical. Not only is it costly, but it's probably too strong for you.

If you're in between, and probably most of us are, an eau-de-parfum is generally the most cost efficient product, which probably explains their popularity. They're strong enough that they don't fade too fast and require frequent touch-ups but they're not overly powerful. They should be priced lower than the perfume product. If they're not or if the difference appears to you inconsequential, opt for the perfume.

If you think your impression is more than just how you look but extends to your voice, your mannerisms, your personality, and yes, your fragrance, then you need to invest in some fragrance products.

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