There is a common misconception that tester colognes are weaker in scent. However, this is not the case. Tester colognes are sample fragrances found in perfume stores and are manufactured at the same factories as the regular fragrances. The liquid inside a tester bottle is 100% identical to the retail fragrances. The purpose of tester products is to display and try fragrances before purchase. Testers are usually sold without the cap and in plain packaging. The main benefit of buying a tester is the low price it offers.
Characteristics | Values |
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Are tester colognes weaker in scent? | There is no evidence to suggest that tester colognes are weaker in scent. In fact, some sources suggest that testers are stronger as they are designed to be sprayed all day and be left open. |
Are testers authentic perfumes? | Testers are authentic perfumes. The liquid inside a tester bottle is 100% identical to the retail fragrances. |
Why are testers labelled as such? | Opened perfumes on the shelves of fragrance stores are labelled as testers so that customers can easily differentiate what is for sale and what is for testing purposes. |
Why do stores carry testers? | Shops carry perfume testers to encourage sampling, fragrance promotion, and sales. |
Are testers diluted or do they have a higher concentration of perfume oil? | There is a common misconception that testers are diluted or have a higher concentration of oils. However, the fragrance inside tester bottles is of the same identical ingredient quality as their retail releases. |
Why do testers smell different? | Testers might smell different due to reformulations, wrong storage conditions, the psychological effect of testing on paper vs skin, and weather conditions. |
Are testers more durable than official perfumes? | Testers are as durable as official perfumes. However, the durability of perfumes and testers depends on how they are stored. |
What You'll Learn
Testers are cheaper than retail fragrances
Testers are typically produced in the largest range of branded perfumes, usually in 100ml bottles, although other sizes are available. They are intended to showcase the scent before purchase and are often not for sale, but they are frequently sold and resold through distribution and sales networks. Testers contain 100% original perfume liquid, with an identical composition to the officially packaged perfume.
The lower price of testers can be attributed to the absence of luxurious packaging and the potential lack of a cap. However, it is important to note that the durability of testers is the same as that of retail fragrances, as long as they are stored properly. Storing perfume products without caps can cause the liquid perfume to effloresce, resulting in a loss of aroma intensity.
When purchasing testers, it is essential to buy from trusted sources to ensure the authenticity and quality of the product. Testers can be a great way to acquire world-famous brands and fragrances at a more affordable price, but it is up to the individual to decide if the savings are worth foregoing the full packaging experience.
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Testers are authentic perfumes
Testers are usually presented in 100ml variants, but they can also come in other sizes. They are often sold without a cap, and they are sometimes offered in plain white or brown boxes without cellophane. Testers are meant for sampling and are not for sale, but they are often resold in the distribution and sales network.
The durability of a perfume depends on how it is stored. If a tester and a retail fragrance are stored in the same conditions, they will last for the same amount of time. Perfumes are highly volatile, and humidity, water, and sunlight will break down the perfume molecules. Therefore, they should be stored somewhere dark and dry, without natural or artificial light, and at a consistent temperature.
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Testers are identical to retail fragrances
Testers and retail fragrances are identical in scent. Testers are original perfumes that are often offered in an outer carton without a label or cellophane. They are produced in the largest range of branded perfumes, usually 100ml, but sometimes in other sizes. The purpose of testers is to show and present the scent before purchase in large perfumeries and shopping centres. Testers are not for sale, but they are often sold and resold in the distribution and sales network. Each tester contains 100% original perfume liquid, identical in composition to the officially packaged perfume.
The liquid inside a tester bottle is 100% identical to the retail fragrances. The fragrance inside tester bottles is of the same identical ingredient quality as their retail releases. Testers are manufactured at the same factories as the regular fragrances. The difference between them is that the perfume is available in the official advertising package and the tester comes without one.
The misconception that testers are diluted or have a higher concentration of oils may come from the fact that fragrances inside the bottles mature with usage. By the time you use the bottle to about 50%, the fragrance has been subtly altered by the air that came inside with each spray.
Testers are often sold at a lower price than their retail counterparts. This is because they are sold without the luxury packaging, and the price of goods isn't the same everywhere. For example, the price of a Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male in the United States and in Asia or Africa can be very different.
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Testers are sold on the grey market
Testers are sold on what is known as the grey market. The grey market is the trade of a commodity through distribution channels that are not authorised by the original manufacturer or trade mark proprietor. Grey market products are often sold outside the authorised manufacturer's channel.
Grey market goods are often sold in a different geographic region to the one intended by the manufacturer. This frequently occurs when the price of an item is significantly higher in one country than another. Entrepreneurs buy the product where it is cheap, and then import it to the target market, where they sell it at a higher price.
Grey market goods are often new, but some are used. They are usually identical to the original product, but they may lack the usual quality control measures, and they may not come with the manufacturer's warranty or support.
The legality of selling grey market goods depends on a number of factors. In the US and EU, courts will examine the physical and non-physical differences between the grey market and authorised products to determine whether there are material differences.
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Testers are ideal for personal use, not as gifts
Testers are ideal for personal use, but not as gifts. They are the same as perfumes that come in retail packaging, but they are usually cheaper and come in plain packaging or no box at all. Testers are often sold without the luxury packaging, but the liquid inside is identical to the retail fragrances. The purpose of testers is to display and try fragrances before purchase, and they are not usually for sale. However, they are sometimes sold and resold in the distribution and sales network.
Testers are a great option for personal use as they are more affordable and allow you to try out a fragrance before committing to a full-priced bottle. They are also ideal if you don't care about the packaging and just want the fragrance. However, if you are buying a fragrance as a gift for someone else, it is generally better to purchase the perfume in its regular retail packaging. Gifting a tester version may not be considered good practice, although it depends on how well you know the receiver of the gift and whether they are happy to receive a tester.
There are a few other things to consider when deciding whether to buy a tester for personal use. Firstly, testers may not come with a cap, so if having a cap is important to you, check before purchasing. Secondly, testers may have different language labels besides English and French due to overseas distribution. Thirdly, testers may have a shorter shelf life if they have been stored incorrectly, so it is important to buy from a trusted source. Finally, there is a risk of getting a fake tester if you don't buy from a reputable seller, so it is essential to do your research and only buy from trusted sources.
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Frequently asked questions
No, tester colognes are not weaker in scent. The liquid inside a tester bottle is 100% identical to the retail fragrances. However, there is a common misconception of testers being diluted or having a higher concentration of oils.
One of the reasons why customers get these wrong impressions is that the fragrances inside the bottles mature with usage, so by the time you use the bottle to about 50%, the fragrance has been subtly altered by the air that came inside with each spray.
Some perfume lovers claim that tester bottles are always stronger to convince customers in-store, who try them, to buy a full bottle. This is not to deceive you but to help you experience the scent longer.
The simple answer is yes if you are looking to save money and expand your fragrance collection. However, if the cologne is a gift for someone else, it would be better to purchase the cologne in regular retail packaging.