We all want to smell nice. We also know that brand name perfume will keep us smelling nice throughtout a long day at the office or around town. But many of us can't afford the high price tag that comes along with these perfumes, so we look for alternatives.

If you have ever bought knock-off perfume, you know nothing smells as nice as the real thing. Brand name perfume is of better quality, and the scent will stay true for a longer period of time. The problem with brand name perfume, however, is that it can be expensive. Some kinds are so expensive that only the very rich can afford them. If you have a favorite scent that is expensive, you may have no choice but to buy the knock-off version.

These may work for you. If you enjoy the scent and it lasts, then you may be happy. For others though, they notice the imitation perfumes don’t smell quite right, and they find that they have to reapply often. At times, these can have a harsh smell when first applied, and can cause a headache. Brand name perfume shouldn’t do any of these things, and perhaps that is what you are paying for when you buy the real thing.

I'm sure you've looked at a bottle of perfume in a store before and said to your self, "How can someone charge $100 for a couple ounces of liquid?". I know I've muttered those words before. And while it's probably true that the bottle costs only pennies to produce, it's equally true that it was likely very costly to create.

A brand name perfume sometimes takes years to create. There are people who specialize in making perfumes, and they may experiment for a long time before they come across a great combination. This is part of the reason why brand name perfume costs more to the consumer. The real thing will also have more quality ingredients and will be made with more care. When someone produces a knock-off, they want to get the scent close, but then hurry to get it on the market. This means lower quality ingredients and a scent that is not totally true to the brand name variety.

You can find brand name perfume in the usual spots. Many department stores carry the high-end perfumes, and a lot of times they have specials to get you to come in and buy from them. This may mean a discount, a free make up selection, or a make up bag as a bonus. They do this so you buy the real thing, and skip the imitations that flood the market once a brand becomes popular.

You may also find brand name perfume online. The problem with this is you don’t know for sure what you are getting. You may be sold a knock-off and you would never know it. Do some research before you buy, and make sure the company you are buying from has a solid reputation. Auction sites like eBay will also offer these perfumes, but just as with any other site, make sure you are getting the real thing.

The best way to ensure you are getting the real deal online is to buy from a reputable dealer, preferably a discount dealer. You'll be surprised that you can get real brand name perfume at a fraction of the cost at major department stores.

One thing we always recommend however is going to the store and sampling the perfume. Don't just smell it out of the bottle, put a little on. You'll find that the same perfume will have a different fragrance on different skin types. Once you have settled on the fragrance you like best, come home and shop online. You'll find exactly the same scent at a much lower cost.