Help me choose my own signature scent:

[schroeder]

I have never really worn any perfume, the ones I have tried tend to give me a headache after a short while.
I know I should go to debenhams/boots and try some on, but I want to save some time and narrow down the field.
Right I don't like floral scents especially jasmine, I like spicey and fresh smells, but it needs to be light.
I'm not particular about the make; I couldn't give a monkeys about a celebrity endorsement(except that it might put me off)
Please give me some ideas

I like CK one in the summer, its lemony and fresh

Spicy but fresh. Crumbs...

Angel by Theirry Mugler has an unusal albeit fresh smell.

CK Be is peppery albeit light.

Oh I am the wrong person to ask as i am wedded to oriental/floral smells.

There is a very good book - Perfume by Luca Turin, which does exactly this - maybe try the library. But really I don't think anything can be better than going and having a big old smell up.

Fresh - the first one to come to mind: Tommy Girl. It's not expensive, it's not On Trend a la Grazia, but it does smell lovely.

Friend at work wears Lovely by sarajessicasomebody
and despite being a naffola celeb one I think it's gorgeous.
Very clean smelling

I am going to buy the new Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, tested it the other day and it's lovely and light and summery but unfortunately only an eau fraiche whatever that it

If you like light perfume, I think Jo Malone is your woman:

here

Very nice light perfume is by Clarins eau dynamisme - but it's floral. Actually, it's hard to find spicy and not heavy. But Jo Malone does light. It's her thing.

Shame you don't like florals, though. A very, very light perfume is En Passant - Frederick Malle -- which is very light.

My DH recently bought me Gucci Parum 2 & that's lovely - very light but not sweet.

Aveda will make one specially for you, if you have a counter nearby.
Second Jo Malone though, her scents are gorgeous.

I write a daily blog about fragrances. I love perfume and trying new things out. If you don't like florals, that already rules out quite a lot. You could try pureDKNY. It's a pretty new fragrance, very light and easy to wear.

If you like something lemony/citrus, then there are loads to choose from. Escale a Portofino by Christian Dior is lovely. Or Citron Citron by Miller Harris could be a good one to try.

A lot of the Jo Malone fragrances avoid flowers/floral mixes. You could try Pomegranate Noir.

I would love to help more, so let me know what you think of those, or if you want more suggestions. You can see my blog here.

Annick Goutal has something called Mandragore.
Ignore the stupid name, but it's very light and spicy, no flowers.
Also try Origins - they have those Ginger Smells - forgot the exact name now.
Or do try Eau Sauvage by Dior or Guerlain Vetivert - both marketed for men which is of no importance here.

Elle/ She by Giorgio Armani - spicy and light - I love it!

Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder is nice. Not too spicy and not floral. Smell like walking on a beach wearing lovely sun lotion.

Try before you buy as perfumes will always smell different on the skin.

Thanks for your ideas. think I'll try the jo malone I think next time I go somewhere that has one.

The thing with Jo Malone though is that they are megabucks and don't really last long. There are some chainstore own brands- think Next, River Island or M&S that compare very reasonably.

well yes BOF. In fact I went to M&S today and got their lime blossom and bergamont. If I can't get on with it I've only wasted £6

I tried Jo Malone on. The scent was gone after 10 minutes.

She's as big a rip off as The White Company.

I use stuff you can only get in the US: Bath and Body Works Velvet Tuberose and Japanese Cherry Blossom.

I layer so the scent lasts and get loads of compliments here.

Try Issey Miyake:

Eau d'Issey smells fresh and clean, of cucumber if memory serves

Feu d'Issey is spicy!

Resist the temptation to buy anything on impulse, ask for samples and try each on your skin for a day.

You've waited this long, no rush, is there?

I am currently wearing Jo Malone limited edition lotus blossom and waterlily...it is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!