In decades past, many women sought a signature fragrance. But with some 800 new fragrances launched this year alone, sticking with just one scent seems like cruel punishment.

"It's kind of a nice thought, but I can't do it," said Karen Dubin, founder and creative director of Sniffapalooza (www.sniffapalooza.com), who stopped tracking the size of her fragrance wardrobe when she hit 300 bottles. "There are so many fragrances ... one person doesn't have to stick to just one."

Dubin, a former fragrance reviewer on makeupalley.com, began reaching out to fellow fragrance lovers about five years ago. They trekked to stores across New York City, sniffing and sampling. By 2004, Sniffapalooza had become an official event that attracted fragrance-obsessed people from all over the country.

The sniff fest included stops at stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys and Takashimaya. The group now has about 5,000 members, Dubin said —- men and women, ages 17 to 78, mothers, daughters, couples, straight, gay and transgender.

"[They] are all passionate, informed and knowledgeable," she said.

Many group members believe fragrance has the ability to transform a mood and that having an arsenal of scents for whatever scenario may arise is a necessity. Dubin even makes purse-size bottles of every fragrance she buys to make sure she can refuel on the go.

Though mass-market fragrances have sometimes been criticized as being bland or generic, Dubin says that is changing. "I've been noticing a trend that more mass houses are taking their cues from the niche houses and are using more adventurous notes like amber, patchouli ... more of what used to be niche notes. So the gap between the niche houses and the department store brands is narrowing."

And almost everyone, she said, seems open to the possibilities.

"People are realizing the thing I've known since I was 4 years old," Dubin said. "Fragrance just improves your life."

FINDING YOUR PERFECT FRAGRANCE

Whether you opt for high-end niche fragrances or mass-market scents, finding the perfect perfume means avoiding an impulse buy. Here are some of Karen Dubin's tips for finding fragrance satisfaction:

Always try the scent on your skin to see how it works with your personal chemistry. "You want to smell the dry-down, and you want to monitor how the scent evolves throughout the day," Dubin said. "It won't smell the same on a blotter."

Never test more than three fragrances at once. "It's too confusing for your nose," Dubin said. Instead, get samples and take them home to try over a period of days.

Wear each fragrance by itself for three days. Only buy a fragrance you really love, something that makes you want to rush out of the shower and mist it on, she said. Pay attention to comments from others, but you should really love it, Dubin said. "You don't want to plunk down $75 for something that doesn't really excite you."

Possibilities from Ann Taylor

A bright pink mix of peach musk, Bulgarian rose and waterlily, this scent is the first to be introduced by the iconic women's retailer. A 1.7-ounce bottle of eau de parfum is $42 at Ann Taylor stores nationwide.

Nina by Nina Ricci

Notes of peony, caipirinha lime and vanilla-infused red toffee apple blend in this fruity scent, which comes in a raspberry-tinted, apple-shaped bottle. 1.7-ounce eau de toilette spray, $50 at Macy's.

Elle by Yves Saint Laurent

Patchouli, peony and pink berries are some of the notes in this woody rose scent. $78 for 1.6-ounce eau de parfum natural spray at www.yslbeautyus.com.

Stylessence by Jil Sander

Spicy cardamom, jasmine and violet are among the scents in this woody floral. $70 for 30-milliliter eau de parfum Intense Natural Spray at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Island Capri by Michael Kors

Inspired by the island of Capri, this floral fragrance with hints of green Italian basil and white moss is $60 for a 1.7-ounce eau de parfum spray at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

So Luxurious by Daisy Fuentes

A mix of honeysuckle petals, mandarin and quince gives this fragrance in a round faceted bottle a fresh scent. Available at Kohl's department stores, $42.50 for 2.5-ounce eau de parfum.