Fragrance Buying: Avoid Blind Buys, Seek Samples First

Blind buying fragrances can be a fun way to build up a collection of perfumes and aftershaves. However, it can also be a risky business. Even if a fragrance looks great on paper and has received glowing reviews, it might not be to your taste. It takes time and experience to develop a discerning approach to buying scents, and even then, it's never a guarantee that you'll love it.

It's a gamble: you might not like the scent, even if it seems perfect on paper

Blind buying fragrances can be a fun way to build up a collection of perfumes and colognes. However, it's a gamble: you might not like the scent, even if it seems perfect on paper. Even if the notes of a fragrance seem like something you'll love, and even if the reviews are glowing, it's never a guarantee that you'll enjoy it.

One person who blind buys fragrances says that many scents that seemed perfect online have turned out to be awful for them, and some of the fragrances they didn't think they'd like have turned out to be their favourites. Another person says that they blind bought a fragrance because of the overwhelmingly positive reviews, but found it too sweet.

If you know from past experience that a certain scent profile isn't your thing, you're less likely to be unhappy with a blind purchase. It takes time and experience to develop this discerning approach. As a rule, one person says they don't blind buy anything over $80 to $100, and they don't recommend blind buying for anyone just starting to collect fragrances.

If you're going to blind buy, it's a good idea to buy sample vials first. They last a few weeks and are much cheaper than buying a full-size fragrance.

It can be expensive: blind buying is not recommended for anyone on a budget

Blind buying fragrances can be an expensive mistake. Even if a fragrance has positive reviews and seems like it would be a good fit for you, it's never a guarantee that you'll like it. This means that if you blind buy a fragrance and don't like it, you've wasted your money.

One user on Reddit said that they don't blind buy anything over $80 to $100, and they don't recommend blind buying for anyone just starting to collect fragrances. Another user agreed, saying that they don't have the budget to spend $100-$300 on fragrances, so they always buy sample vials. These can last a few weeks and allow the buyer to smell good without breaking the bank.

Blind buying can be a fun way to build up a collection of fragrances, but it's not recommended for anyone on a budget. If you're looking to save money, it's better to take the time to develop a discerning approach to fragrance buying. This means considering your past experiences with certain scent profiles and being cautious of fragrances that are very popular but may not be safe blind buys.

Some fragrances that users have warned against blind buying include Eros and Y EDP. These fragrances received positive reviews, but some buyers found them too sweet.

It can be a waste of money: you might end up with a collection of fragrances you only like 'just fine'

Blind buying fragrances can be a waste of money. You might end up with a collection of fragrances you only like just fine, or even dislike. It can be a costly mistake, especially if you're spending a lot on a single fragrance.

Even if a fragrance has all the right notes and receives glowing reviews, it's never a guarantee that you'll love it. It's a gamble, and you might end up with a fragrance that doesn't suit your taste or even gives you a headache, like Charlie Blue. Blind buying can be fun, and some people enjoy the thrill of discovering new scents. However, if you're looking to build a collection of fragrances that you truly love, it's not the best approach.

It takes time and experience to develop a discerning approach to fragrance selection. You might need to try out several fragrances to understand what scent profiles work for you and which ones don't. Buying samples or smaller sizes can be a more cost-effective way to explore new fragrances without committing to a full-sized bottle. This way, you can take your time to discover fragrances that you genuinely love and avoid wasting money on ones that you only like just fine.

Additionally, it's important to remember that fragrance is subjective, and what works for someone else might not work for you. Popular fragrances like Eros Versace and Y Eau de Parfum Yves Saint Laurent may be well-loved by many, but their sweetness might be overwhelming for others. It's always a risk to blind buy, and you might end up with a collection of fragrances that don't suit your taste.

It can be a headache: some fragrances can be too strong and give you a literal headache

Blind buying fragrances can be a fun way to build up a large collection of perfumes and colognes. However, it can also be a headache – literally. Some fragrances can be too strong and overpowering, and you won't know until you've already bought it.

One user on Reddit reported that Charlie Blue was the only fragrance to ever give them a headache, and it only took one spray. Another user said that they blind bought Eros Versace and Y Eau de Parfum Yves Saint Laurent due to the positive reviews, but found them both too sweet.

It can take time and experience to develop a discerning approach to fragrance buying. One user on Fragrantica said that they don't blind buy anything over $80 to $100, and they don't recommend blind buying for anyone just starting to collect fragrances. Instead, they suggest buying sample vials, which can last a few weeks without breaking the bank.

It can be misleading: some fragrances might be hyped up by positive reviews, but turn out to be disappointing

Blind buying fragrances can be misleading. A fragrance might have positive reviews, but it could turn out to be disappointing. You might find that a fragrance that looks great on paper and has received glowing reviews just doesn't suit you. It takes time and experience to develop a discerning approach to fragrance buying.

One person said that they blind bought a fragrance due to the overwhelming positive reviews, but it was too sweet for them. They said that they usually like sweetness in a fragrance, but this one was too much. Another person said that they blind bought a fragrance that was supposed to smell like licorice, but it did. It's important to remember that everyone's sense of smell is different, so what smells good to one person might not smell good to another.

If you're just starting to collect fragrances, it's probably best to avoid blind buying. It can be expensive, and you might end up with a collection of fragrances that you don't really like. Instead, try buying sample vials or smaller sizes of fragrances to test them out before committing to a full-size bottle. That way, you can make sure that you really love a fragrance before investing in it.

Frequently asked questions