Heidi Norton
Testing perfume samples is an important step in the buying process, as it allows you to find your favourite scent without committing to a full-sized bottle. There are several ways to obtain perfume samples, both online and in-store. Online, you can sign up for beauty product newsletters, which will alert you to new product drops and giveaways, or purchase samples with free shipping from sites such as Le Labo. In-store, you can test fragrances on paper blotters, which are made from absorbent, porous paper, and then narrow down your choices to test on your skin. When testing fragrances, it is important to avoid nasal fatigue, which can be done by taking breaks between testing and using olfactory palate cleansers, such as coffee beans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Testing perfume samples | Wear them for a few days to experience the complete fragrance cycle and understand how it fits into your lifestyle |
| Avoiding nasal fatigue | Refrain from inhaling too deeply and take a short break after testing 3 fragrances |
| Testing multiple fragrances | Keep strips away from each other to avoid tainting the smells |
| Testing on skin | Spray on pulse points like wrists or the back of the hand |
| Testing on paper strips | Spray 1-2 times, wait for the alcohol to evaporate, then bring the strip close to your nose without touching it |
| Sources of free samples | Promotions, beauty subscription boxes, reward programs, purchases from certain brands, signing up for reviews and surveys, beauty newsletters, magazines, and seasonal gift sets |
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What You'll Learn
Testing perfume samples at home
Obtaining Samples
Firstly, you will need to obtain some perfume samples. There are several ways to do this, both online and in-store. Many companies offer free samples with purchases or promotions, and you can also sign up for beauty product newsletters to be alerted about new product drops and giveaways. Additionally, beauty subscription boxes are a great way to access a variety of perfumes at a low cost. You can also buy individual samples from luxe lines, such as Le Labo, for a small fee.
Preparing for Testing
Before testing the perfumes, it is important to ensure that you are not wearing any other fragrances, as this could hinder your ability to experience the new scents. It is also recommended to have some olfactory palate cleansers on hand, such as coffee beans, to reset your sense of smell between fragrances.
Testing on Blotters
The first step in testing perfumes is to use paper blotters or strips. Hold the strip away from you and spray the perfume once or twice. Do not soak the strip. Wait a few seconds for the alcohol to evaporate, then bring the strip under your nose and inhale lightly. Do not touch the strip to your nose, as this will leave a trace amount of perfume that will influence the next scent you try. Smell the strip every hour throughout the day to experience the complete fragrance cycle. If testing multiple fragrances, keep the strips away from each other to avoid mixing the smells.
Testing on Skin
Once you have narrowed down your favourites using blotters, it is time to test the perfumes on your skin. Your unique body chemistry interacts with the scent, so it is important to experience how it develops over time. Spray the perfume on your wrist or the back of your hand in a downward motion, allowing it to dry naturally. Inhale the scent without touching your nose to your skin. Throughout the day, periodically take a sniff to note how the fragrance changes.
Taking Notes
While testing the perfumes, it can be helpful to take notes on your reactions to each scent. This will allow you to track your sampling journey and make an informed decision about which perfume is your favourite.
By following these steps, you can effectively test perfume samples at home and discover your perfect scent.
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How to get free perfume samples
Testing a perfume in-store is a great way to get an idea of its top notes, but to truly experience a fragrance, it's worth getting your hands on a sample to try at home.
One way to get free perfume samples is to visit a department store and ask for some. Stores like Sephora, Macy's, Ulta, the Perfume Shop, and Douglas are known to offer free samples, especially if you're a returning customer or you're clearly interested in a particular fragrance. You're also more likely to be offered a free sample during busy shopping periods, like Christmas.
You can also get free samples when you buy a full bottle of perfume. Sometimes, you can choose which sample you'd like, but often the salesperson will pick one for you based on your purchase.
If you want to try a variety of samples at home, there are several ways to get your hands on some for free:
- Sign up for newsletters: Many brands offer free samples to newsletter subscribers, especially when they launch a new fragrance.
- Join rewards programs: Some brands, like Sephora and Ulta, offer rewards programs that give you access to discounts and free samples.
- Request samples online: Some platforms, like Pinchme, L'Oreal USA, and Allure Beauty Enthusiasts, offer free samples in exchange for honest feedback.
- Follow fragrance experts: Keep an eye on what fragrance experts are discussing on social media, as they often share information about promotions and samples.
- Build an online presence: Brands often look for online influencers to promote their products, so if you build a large enough following, you could get access to complimentary fragrances.
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Testing perfume on paper blotters
When testing perfumes on paper blotters, it is important to follow certain techniques for accurate results. Firstly, ensure you are in a clean and tranquil environment, free from distracting scents that can interfere with your sense of smell. Hold the strip away from you when spraying the perfume, and avoid soaking it; one or two sprays are usually sufficient. Allow the alcohol to evaporate for a few seconds before bringing the strip close to your nose. Avoid touching the strip to your nose, as this can leave traces of the perfume that may influence the perception of subsequent scents. Instead, lightly sniff the strip in short breaths and then set it aside.
To fully experience the fragrance's evolution, smell the strip every hour throughout the day. You will notice how the top notes give way to the heart and base notes, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the perfume's character. If testing multiple fragrances, maintain a consistent number of sprays for each scent to accurately assess their concentration. Keep the strips away from each other to prevent the smells from mingling.
Additionally, when comparing similar fragrances, it is helpful to have a third blotter with a strong, contrasting aroma. This technique aids in resetting your sense of smell between tests, ensuring a more accurate evaluation. Paper blotters are an effective tool for objectively assessing perfumes, providing insight into how a fragrance is designed to smell and how it may be perceived by others.
Paper blotters are readily available for purchase, with companies like BC Fragrance offering high-quality tester strips designed specifically for evaluating perfumes, fragrance oils, and essential oils. These strips have excellent absorption capacities and are made from imported paper.
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Testing perfume on your skin
Prepare your skin
Ensure your skin is clean and warm before testing. Open pores react more readily with the fragrance. Avoid applying lotions or any other scented products to your skin, as these can influence the way the perfume smells.
Choose a testing spot
Direct the spray towards your pulse points, such as your wrists, as these areas are naturally warm due to the veins underneath. You may also spray the perfume on the inside of your elbows or the back of your knees for a more subtle application.
Spray the perfume
Hold the perfume bottle about 5-10 cm away from your skin and spray a small amount onto your chosen testing spot. Avoid over-spraying, as this can lead to waste and an overly strong scent.
Allow the perfume to dry
After spraying, let the fragrance dry naturally on your skin. Do not rub or dab the area, as this can alter the scent. You may gently wave your arm or wrist to speed up the drying process, but avoid excessive movement.
Inhale and assess
Once the perfume has dried, bring your wrist or chosen testing spot close to your nose and take a gentle sniff. Avoid touching your nose directly to your skin, as this can transfer the scent and affect your ability to perceive the fragrance accurately. Focus on the different notes of the perfume, including the top, middle, and base notes, as these will develop and change over time. Take note of how the perfume makes you feel and whether it aligns with your personal preferences.
Test over time
A perfume's scent can change throughout the day as it interacts with your body chemistry. Take note of how the fragrance develops and transforms, and re-assess it at different times of the day to understand its longevity and how it fits into your lifestyle.
Remember, when testing perfume on your skin, it is essential to give your nose breaks to avoid nasal fatigue. Testing multiple fragrances with short breaks in between can help you accurately assess each perfume's unique characteristics and make an informed decision about which scent is right for you.
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How to avoid nasal fatigue
Olfactory fatigue, or "nose blindness", occurs when our nasal receptors become less sensitive to specific scents, leading us to believe that a fragrance has dissipated. To avoid nasal fatigue when testing perfumes, it is important to "reset" your nose after each sample by cleansing your olfactory palate. Here are several methods to achieve this:
- Smell your own (unperfumed) skin, such as the crook of your elbow. This method is tried-and-true within the fragrance industry, as it provides a better sense of the perfume's scent by smelling your own body rather than an external scent.
- Smell coffee beans between each perfume sample to reset your olfactory sense and experience each fragrance with a fresh perspective.
- Take longer breaks between samples to give your olfactory senses time to recalibrate.
- Rotate between different scents during testing to avoid overexposure to a single fragrance.
- Utilize aromatherapy oils, explore citrus scents, or experiment with a wide range of natural ingredients to rejuvenate your nasal receptors and reduce the risk of olfactory fatigue.
Additionally, if you experience allergies or sensitivities to fragrances, there are several steps you can take to manage your symptoms:
- Visit a physician or allergist to undergo skin patch testing and identify the specific allergens causing your symptoms.
- Once you know your triggers, carefully read the labels of cosmetic and personal care products to avoid purchasing items containing those ingredients.
- If you still wish to wear perfume, opt for natural, plant-based fragrances that do not contain your allergy-inducing substances.
- Discuss your fragrance sensitivities with those around you, including friends, family, and colleagues. They may be able to accommodate your needs by avoiding strong perfumes or wearing them less frequently.
- Keep a small air purifier near your workspace to minimize your exposure to airborne proteins and triggers.
- Take over-the-counter medications to alleviate mild, temporary symptoms, such as oral antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to obtain free fragrance samples, both online and in-store. Promotions, free samples, and beauty subscription boxes are a way to access a variety of perfumes at little to no cost. You can sign up to write reviews, answer product surveys, and sometimes even get called in for focus groups with companies like Influenster, Pinchme, and Tryspree. Seasonal gift sets often come with deluxe fragrance samples, and glossy magazines may also include scented perfume ads.
It is recommended to test no more than three fragrances at once, as your sense of smell can only handle about three scents well before it begins to get confused.
When testing perfume samples, it is important to avoid touching the strip to your nose and to avoid inhaling too deeply. Instead, smell lightly and only until you perceive the top notes. Then, take away the blotter and simply sense and enjoy the experience. You can then return to the smelling strip and will notice how the fragrance changes to bring the heart and back notes to the fore.
It is recommended to test a perfume sample for at least a full day to experience the complete fragrance cycle. You can test the perfume on your skin or on paper strips. If testing on your skin, it is best to spray the perfume on your pulse points, such as your wrists, as these areas are naturally warm. If testing multiple fragrances, it is important to keep the strips away from each other to avoid mixing the smells.
