Before Christmas, I wanted to change my signature scent. I went to Nordstrom and sampled several fragrances. I was eyeing Dior's Miss Dior Cherie and Marc Jacobs' Lola, but you'll be surprised what I ended up with--a $20 bottle of Wish Pink from Victoria's Secret. Sure, it was a gift, but I ended up really liking it! So naturally I was disappointed that the scent was discontinued... So, I'm back to square one--whiffing coffee beans at department stores in between sampling perfumes.

So how do you really shop for perfume? How do you know what fragrance is right for you? And should you really take your partner's preferences into consideration?

In the latest Beauty and the Budget series, I'm declaring this week Fragrance Week. So let's get down to the basics, shall we?

How do you really shop for perfume?

Bring on the coffee beans! You're going to be doing a lot of sniffing. Now, you don't actually have to bring coffee beans with you. Most department stores will have some set aside for those ready to shop. The coffee beans serve only one purpose--to reset your sense of smell between sampling perfumes. Here are three more tips to perfume shopping:

1. Talk to a sales associate first. They're going to be the most help to you.
2. As a general rule, don't try more than four to five perfumes at a time. Step outside to get fresh air or do some shopping in between times.
3. Don't be scared to ask for samples! Sephora and Nordstrom are pretty generous about giving them out.

How do you know what fragrance is right for you?

This is a difficult question to answer because it involves a lot of trial and error. Here are the 5 basic types of scents:

1. Floral: Created from flowers, such as roses, jasmine and carnations. Often floral scents are blended together, creating a floral bouquet of fragrances.
2. Oriental: With a blend of spices, amber, balsams and resins, oriental scents are suggestive of exotic sensuality.
3. Citrus: Derived from fruits such as lime, lemon, tangerine and mandarin, citrus fragrances are naturally refreshing and uplifting. It's best for women who don't like overpowering scents.
4. Chypre: With hints of bergamot, oak moss, citrus, and patchoili, this woodsy scent is perfect for those who love a rich, earthy aroma.
5. Green: With a blend of pine, juniper, leaves and herbs, this sharpy grassy note is ideal for the hippie at heart.

For more information on scents, check out The Sweetest Scents.

Do you take your partner's preferences into consideration?

Now just because your boyfriend loves a scent, doesn't mean you should wear it. Sure, it's important to pick a fragrance that your sweetie is also fond of, but you also need to find something you love, too. Ideally, you should find a fragrance that you both love, but if you're as hard-nosed (no pun intended) as me, you're ultimately going to choose the one you like. Unless your signature scent smells like pee, he's still going to love you.