It's best to immerse yourself in the knowledge of blogs like Fragrantica, and find a scent that fits your liking and budget.
2/9
If a fragrance is nonlinear, it probably means it's of better quality.
3/9
Depending on what kind of scent you're going for, greater strength might be better for you. In fact, the same scent at two different concentrations may even smell completely different.
4/9
A stronger fragrance will naturally smell more powerful, however, and require less at application.
Eau de cologne is one of the weakest, with around 3% concentration of fragrance oil. Eau de toilette has around 10%, while eau de parfum has between 15% and 20%. Straight perfume has around 25% concentration.
7/9
Apply to naturally warmer body areas like your neck and chest, as this will allow the scent to dissipate evenly throughout the day. Cardinal rule: Don't overdo it.
8/9
It's actually impossible to tell by sniffing a piece of paper how a fragrance will smell when mixed on your skin. Additionally, a fragrance can and will smell slightly differently on different people's skin.
9/9
While fragrance never "goes bad," it will start to smell differently than the perfumer intended.