Explore Fragrance Samples At Sephora: A Shopper's Guide

Sephora is a popular retailer of beauty products, including fragrances. In the past, Sephora offered free fragrance samples to customers in-store. However, due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as issues with customers abusing the program, the company stopped providing free samples. Now, customers can only obtain fragrance samples through certain promotions or by purchasing a sample set. Some customers have expressed disappointment over this change, as sampling fragrances was a way to test them before committing to a full-sized purchase.

In-store fragrance sampling stopped during Covid

In-store fragrance sampling stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic due to safety concerns. The practice of filling small bottles with fragrance samples was deemed unhygienic, especially as the samples were made from stock bottles, which some customers were abusing by taking multiple samples. This was costly for the company and led to increased plastic waste.

During the pandemic, Sephora and other beauty retailers introduced new health and hygiene guidelines to keep customers and staff safe. In-store sampling was limited to one-on-one, no-touch interactions, with sales associates demonstrating products on their own skin and providing blank face charts for customers to take home.

The pandemic also saw an increase in single-use, pre-packaged samples, which were safer but less sustainable due to the use of plastic packaging. Virtual try-on tools also became more popular, with apps like Sephora's Virtual Artist AR allowing customers to test products at home.

While some customers were disappointed by the end of in-store fragrance sampling, it is unlikely that traditional sampling will return due to ongoing safety concerns and the risk of contamination.

Customers abused the sampling program

As the samples were made from stock, Sephora was going through several bottles fairly quickly, which was costing the company a lot of money. The sampling program was also creating a lot of plastic waste, with many sample bottles being used and then tossed on the floor in the mall.

Due to the abuse of the sampling program, it was phased out before COVID-19. While some customers were disappointed by this change, others understood that it was necessary due to the theft and expenses involved.

Sampling was costly for Sephora

Sephora used to offer fragrance samples in-store, filling small bottles from stock for customers to take away. However, this service was costly for the company. The sampling program was being abused by some customers, who would return to stores multiple times per week or per day to request the maximum allowance of samples. As the samples were made from stock, this resulted in Sephora losing out on sales, as well as the cost of the vials and funnels used to make the samples.

The sampling program was phased out prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the pandemic did introduce safety concerns around sampling, it was primarily ended due to theft and expenses. Some customers report that they are disappointed by the change, as it is a helpful way to test a fragrance over a few days to see how it reacts with their body chemistry. However, one employee noted that the program was costing Sephora "a lot of money" to keep going.

Now, Sephora no longer supplies the vials and funnels used to make the samples, and fragrance samples are only available as sealed products from vendors or as part of the 100-point rewards bazaar. Some customers have suggested that Sephora should offer a limited number of free samples when customers have their rewards cards scanned in-store.

Customers can buy samples online

While Sephora does not provide free fragrance samples in-store, customers can buy samples online. Sephora offers a Deluxe Mini Perfume Sampler Set for $95.00, which includes a redeemable voucher. This set is highly rated by customers for its size and satisfaction.

Additionally, Sephora offers a free fragrance sample set with nine samples and a Sol de Janeiro mini with purchases over $50. This promotion is available online on sephora.com or sephora.ca and requires the code YAYSCENTS at checkout.

Customers can also purchase fragrance samples from third-party websites such as eBay, TwistedLily, ScentSplit, Mercari, and sample/decant sites like LuckyScent, Surrender to Chance, and The Perfumed Court. These sites provide an opportunity to buy samples without the commitment of a full-sized fragrance bottle.

It is worth noting that some Sephora stores may still offer fragrance samples, depending on the location and salesperson. However, the practice of providing free samples in-store has been phased out due to safety, theft, and expense concerns.

Some Sephora stores still offer samples

It seems that the ability to get fragrance samples at Sephora is dependent on a variety of factors. Some Sephora stores still offer samples, but it may depend on the specific location and the salesperson you talk to. One customer reported that they were able to get samples at some Sephoras, but not at others. Another customer was told that they could buy small roller bottles for sampling, rather than receiving a free sample.

The practice of offering free fragrance samples in Sephora stores appears to have been discontinued due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the program was being abused by some customers, who would return for the maximum of three samples per person on a very frequent basis. This was leading to high costs for the company, as well as plastic waste. As a result, some Sephora stores no longer offer fragrance samples and instead offer sealed samples from vendors or samples as part of the 100-point rewards bazaar.

However, some customers have reported that they have still been able to get samples by spraying the testers on their wrists. Others have suggested buying samples from third-party websites or checking with larger stores like Nordstrom.

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