Alison Blackman Dunham tells listeners how to purchase fragrance for Mother's Day (and beyond)

Shopping for scent can be mystifying. Alison Blackman Dunham, aka. "Advice Sister Alison" who writes a popular monthly beauty review column, offers 10 must-have tips to listeners on the fashiontribes podcast about how to buy fragrance.

On her latest appearance as a guest on the Fashiontribes.com podcast, Alison Blackman Dunham of the Advice Sisters, a life and career expert, author, beauty columnist offers readers tips to help them narrow their search for the perfect scent:

On the podcast, she suggested that scent seekers:

* Identify the type of fragrance they want before they leave home. “When you open a bottle of perfume you’ll get a general impression that defines the type of scent it is. The basic types are: Floral (flowers); Fruity (fruits); Fougere (grassy, green, herbal); Oriental (incense, spices, exotics); Chypre (woods, earthy) and Oceanic (synthetics meant to evoke a particular feeling such as: ocean, sand, rain, fabric)

* Don’t judge a scent just by how it smells in the bottle. It must be worn on skin, over a few hours time, to understand the scent.
* Consider the strength when applying — fragrance is meant to be smelled up close, not across a room.

* Consider the season. In general, lighter, fruitier fragrances are better for the warmer months. Leave heavy orientals and intoxicating perfumes for cooler months. Put those precious fragrances in the refrigerator when the mercury, rises.

* In general, the more expensive fragrances include more expensive ingredients, blended by skilled experts, but the same “notes” (key ingredients) can often be found in less costly fragrances as well.

* Do not overtest! Trying multiple fragrances, overwhelms the senses. Get samples to try later, if possible.

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To contact Alison Blackman Dunham, visit the Advice Sisters Web Site or email advicesisters@advicesisters.net