It just isn't fair to use Britney Spears as an example of the rip off market that has been created by the fad for celebrity perfumes. The girl is in a world of hurt right now and we should all just back off and let her get her act together, right?

Right! But anyway, while we are on the subject, five fragrances have been launched in the star's name, Curious, Fantasy, Midnight Fantasy, Believe and In Control. That last is a tad ironic don't you think?

Regardless of how much input you think Britney had in the creation of each no doubt she is raking in the profit (which is allegedly up to $3 million a year) from the use of her name on the perfumes themselves and on the lavishly named body lotion that accompanies each line.

Take the Curious Deliciously Whipped Body Souffle for example. Puh...lease! With an original selling price of £15, this concoction promises to leave your skin 'sleek, silky smooth with the subtle hint of the exhilarating fragrance that is Curious'. Uhm, okay. My Italian Greyhound is sleek, silky smooth and quite often smells curious depending on what she's been rolling in but should that odd promise tempt you into buying the lotion aren't you glad to know you can find it online for £6?

The rest of the Spear's Perfume Empire is equally over-priced in high street stores. The original price for a 100ml Eau De Parfum Curious Spray was £39. I found it online for less than £16 including postage and packing!

There is obviously great money to be made in the celebrity perfume line because there are enough stars in on the act to light up the sky. Here are just a few. J Lo, Jade Goody (good grief!), Christina Aguilera, Coleen McLoughlin, David and Victoria Beckham, Gwen Stafani, Katie Price and Mariah Carey.

Why anyone in their right mind would want to smell like Jade Goody is beyond me but that aside if you have a burning desire to buy a fragrance which bears the name of a celebrity, I have a few favourite sources that you can use to find what you are looking for at a reasonable price.

One of these is My Beauty Secrets . Though single products can quite likely be found for less elsewhere, My Beauty Secrets have fabulous seasonal sales and regular two for one type offers. They also offer free delivery in the UK.

The other is Cheap Smells . You will find just about any designer or celebrity perfume on the market and at fabulous prices and charge for postage is negligible. Just give the product finder a whirl and you'll see what I mean.

Browsing round these two sites alone makes you wonder if they can run a profitable business supplying these products at such a huge discount how can high street stores justify such outrageous prices?