It is a shame because I definitely want to get it right and am willing to put in the time. I have come up with a few guidelines for those of you that are faced with the problem of wanting to buy your loved one perfume as a gift but not knowing where to start. This includes searching online, deciphering product descriptions and translating reviews.

Searching online

The best place to begin your search for perfume is online. There are numerous perfume shops online and a wide variety of sites that will help you compare prices of perfume. These sites are particularly useful when you know what you are looking for but they are also useful for aiding your search. Most of these sites post reviews from past customers, reviews from the people that run the perfume shop as well as the promotional writing that accompanies the release of the perfume. These three different types of writing can help you weed out a scent that suits your loved one perfectly. Sadly however you cannot sample a perfume online but there are ways of making an educated guess as to what your loved one may like.

Deciphering product descriptions

The product descriptions under which new fragrances are listed are some of the most overblown, grandiloquent pieces of writing you may ever read. However despite being completely over the top the product descriptions can be a useful source of information. They are particularly useful for working out whether or not you are completely off the track with your search.

For example a perfume that advertises itself as fresh, energetic and vibrant is designed for young people and is likely to be fruity and floral. It is therefore probably not right for a more mature woman. The promotional descriptions can equally be a good indication of what not to get your loved one. The Christina Aguilera perfume is said to be both classy and provocative and is said to be designed for women who want to feel empowered and in control by their seductive femininity and sexiness. To me this reads dominatrix and although we might all want our women to be all of these things she might take it the wrong way.

Translating reviews

Another great way of helping you make an informed decision is to read product reviews that have been written by the people that sell perfume. These people deal with perfume every day of their lives and have access to the latest perfumes as soon as they are released. As a result the information they write is generally well informed and will no doubt help you.

Better still the language they use is slightly less pretentious than the language that is written by the marketing men at the perfume manufacturing companies. So if you are looking for some help then sign up to a newsletter from one of these companies and benefit from the advice they offer for free. Soon you will choose your loved one a perfume gift that she will love!