I have about 5 fragrances that I wear depending on the mood and season. Sometimes I wear more than one and often I wear none at all. Amouage Jubilation XXV; Chanel Christalle; Artisan La Haie Fleurie; Tocade and Ciara. From fairly expensive to really cheap - I don't care about the status... I'll only wear it if I like how it smells on me.
A few years ago I read the Luca & Turin book that received rave reviews. I'd never been much of a perfume person before that and in fact had worn none at all for years when I was quite interested in wine and taking lots of oenology classes (one isn't allowed to wear perfume while studying wine, since it interferes with the odours one is supposed to be inhaling from the glass). But "Perfumes: the Guide" reminded me that perfume could just be fun and interesting and playful and I dove in.
http://www.perfumestheguide.co...../Home.html
Before I bought any big bottles, I splurged and ordered about 30 tiny samples from luckyscent.com of relatively unusual perfumes and have enjoyed trying them on days when I feel adventurous. I didn't buy the full bottle of any of those but they helped me figure out the style I like don't like. I actually find that my limited wine training made perfume more interesting, since I now pay attention to smells in a different way than I had before studying wine.
If I get scent anywhere near my neck, chest or face, I develop very painful tiny pimples so I am very careful to spray or dab my stomach or behind my knees, where the skin doesn't react. Does anyone else here share this bad reaction? Another friend, with similar colouring to me, has the same issue.