Katrina Rosales
There are many ways to buy cologne samples, both in-store and online. In-store, you can visit beauty retailers and department stores to request samples in person. Beauty retailers such as Sephora and Ulta often have a large stock of men's cologne, and you can ask for a sample vial upon request. Department stores like Nordstrom, Macy's, and Bloomingdales also have fragrance counters where you can ask for a tester. Online, you can visit websites such as TheAromi.com, which offer individual samples of best-selling men's colognes for around $4. You can also find cologne samples on Amazon, FragranceX.com, and Luckyscent, among other websites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Online Retailers | Amazon, eBay, The Aromi, Scentbird, Le Labo, FragranceX, Surrender to Chance, The Perfumed Court, Twisted Lily, Decant X, My Fragrance Samples, Micro Perfumes, Fragrance Net, Scent Split, ZeeFrags, Nussbomb, Decant Boutique, Luckyscent, The Fragrant World Shop, Decantx, Scentsplit, Fragrantworldshop, The Perfume Court, The Perfumed Court, Creed Adventus, Micro Perfumes, Macy's, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, ScentEvent, r/fragranceswap, Fragrantworldshop, The Perfume Court, The Aromi, Scentbird, Le Labo, Voyage, Dylan Blue, Paco Rabanne, Sauvage, Christian Sauvage, Occo Bobbo, Solid Colognes, Creed, Acqua Di Gio, 1 Million, and many more. |
| Department Stores | Nordstrom, Sax, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Sephora, Ulta, Saks, Neiman Marcus |
| Beauty Specialty Stores | Sephora, Ulta, Blue Mercury |
| Magazines | N/A |
| Subscription Boxes | Scentbird, Scentbox |
What You'll Learn
Online fragrance retailers
The Aromi
The Aromi is a popular website that offers a wide range of best-selling men's cologne samples from various brands. Samples typically cost around $4, and they offer free shipping on orders over $80. They also have a Mini Offer, which includes three best-selling mini fragrances for $35, along with free shipping and a coupon for future purchases.
Scentbird
Scentbird is a subscription service that allows you to choose from over 500 designer and niche fragrances. For $17 a month, you'll receive an 8-millilitre spray, which should last about a month. You can also adjust the frequency of your subscription as needed. They offer a wide range of brands, including Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Acqua Di Parma.
Fragrancenet
Fragrancenet offers discounted prices and a variety of coupons, making it a great option for affordable perfume shopping. They provide free shipping and a good selection of samples from popular brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Viktor & Rolf, and Versace.
Sephora
Sephora offers an in-store and online fragrance shopping experience. They have a quiz to help you find your preferred fragrance type and carry a wide range of brands and sizes. Sephora also allows returns on gently used products within 30 days. Additionally, you can add up to three free samples of cologne to your cart with any purchase.
Ulta
Ulta is another popular beauty retailer that offers a loyalty program with discounts and rewards. They categorise their fragrances by scent families (floral, fresh, sweet, warm and spicy, woody and earthy), making it easier to navigate and find your preferred scents. You can also return any products you don't like, even without a receipt, as long as you're part of the loyalty program.
Luckyscent
Luckyscent offers a wide variety of fragrances from mainstream brands like Maison Francis Kurkdjian to smaller, niche companies like D.S. and Durga. They provide an extensive array of samples and offer free shipping on orders over $150. They also have a glossary and a video library of fragrance reviews and tips.
MicroPerfumes
MicroPerfumes offers perfume and cologne samples starting at 99 cents, with free shipping on orders over $50. They carry over 500 scents for men and women, and you can earn MicroPoints by purchasing, which can be redeemed for future purchases.
Fragrances Line
Fragrances Line specialises in niche perfume samples and decants, allowing you to try various fragrances without spending a lot of money. They offer hand-decanted samples from authentic products, ensuring high-quality and genuine fragrances. They carry a range of brands, including Amouage, Tom Ford, Byredo, and Christian Dior.
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Department stores
In-Store Samples
Most department stores have fragrance counters where you can request a sample to try. It's best to be genuine and friendly with the salesperson and express that you're looking for a new scent but aren't ready to commit to a full-sized bottle. This approach will make them more inclined to give you a travel-sized sample instead of just a test strip. Department stores like Nordstrom, Saks, Macy's, and Bloomingdales are known for being quite generous with fragrance samples.
Online Samples
Many department stores also offer free samples with online purchases. For example, Sephora offers two free samples with any online order. You can also subscribe to newsletters from department stores, which often provide opportunities to receive free cologne samples. Additionally, some department stores, such as Macy's, occasionally run free fragrance giveaways on social media platforms.
In-Store Techniques
If you're feeling hesitant about asking for samples, there are a few techniques that might help. One option is to bring your own empty sample vials and ask the salesperson to fill them up for you. Another approach is to bring zip-lock baggies, small sticky labels, and cotton balls. You can spritz the perfume on the cotton balls, place them in the baggies, and label them with the perfume brand and name. This way, you can take the samples home and try them out over a few days.
Building Rapport
Building a good rapport with sales associates can also increase your chances of getting samples. Being friendly, asking questions, and showing genuine interest in finding a new scent can make the sales associate more willing to help. Additionally, asking for their name and contact information can be beneficial, as they may be more inclined to help if they know you could be a potential customer and bring in commission.
Making a Purchase
If you're making an unrelated purchase at a department store, don't hesitate to request a few free perfume samples at the register. Most department stores are happy to comply with such requests, as they want your repeat business. You can also increase your chances of getting samples by making a purchase from the fragrance department, as some stores are more likely to provide samples if you've bought something from them.
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Beauty stores
Visiting Beauty Stores
Online Beauty Stores
In addition to physical beauty stores, you can also explore online options. Many beauty retailers, including Sephora and Ulta, offer the option to add free cologne samples to your online order. This is a convenient way to build a collection of samples without having to leave your home. Simply look for the option to add samples to your cart during the checkout process.
Buying Individual Samples
If you are looking for a specific cologne or want a wider range of options, you can buy individual samples from online retailers. Websites like TheAromi.com offer a variety of luxury cologne samples from different brands, typically priced around $4. This allows you to explore a variety of fragrances without committing to a full-sized bottle.
Subscription Services
Another option for buying cologne samples is to subscribe to a fragrance subscription service, such as Scentbird. These services typically involve taking a quiz to determine your fragrance preferences and then receiving a selection of samples based on your profile. This can be a fun and interactive way to discover new colognes and find your signature scent.
Sample Sets and Travel Kits
Remember, when purchasing cologne samples, it is always a good idea to buy from reputable sources to ensure the authenticity and quality of the products. Enjoy exploring the world of fragrances!
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Subscription boxes
Scentbird
Scentbird is a pioneer in the fragrance subscription box space, having launched in 2013. It offers a large variety of fragrances, with over 600 options to choose from, including niche and designer brands. Each month, you'll receive an 8ml bottle of your choice (roughly 120 sprays per month or four sprays per day) with a free atomizer case. The subscription costs $16.95 per month, with the option to upgrade to receive up to three bottles for $37 per month.
Scent Box
Scent Box is perfect for those who like to change their fragrances regularly. It offers over 850 designer fragrances to choose from, with three subscription tiers: Standard, Premium, and Platinum. The Standard Plan gives you access to 600+ standard designer fragrances, while the Premium and Platinum plans offer access to more premium and high-end fragrances. The subscription starts at $9.72 for the first month and $16.95 per month thereafter.
ScentMagic
ScentMagic is a popular fragrance subscription box with over 10,000 subscribers. It offers a choice of over 500 designer fragrances for men and women, including luxury brands such as Glossier, Tom Ford, Cartier, Versace, Gucci, and Prada. The subscription costs $14.95 per month, and you'll receive a 30-day supply of your selected fragrance in an 8ml spritz bottle, along with a free travel case with your first order.
Perfume.com
Perfume.com offers a budget-friendly subscription plan that gives you access to fragrances from over 500 premium brands, including Cartier, Versace, and Burberry. The subscription starts at $7.47 for the first month and $14.95 per month thereafter. Each month, you'll receive an 8ml atomizer of your chosen fragrance, along with a fresh travel atomizer.
Debonair Scent
Debonair Scent is an expert-curated subscription box. After subscribing, you'll complete a scent profile quiz, and their experts will choose three colognes from designer and niche brands based on your preferences. The box costs $15 per month, and you'll receive three 3ml bottles of cologne, with about 15 sprays in each bottle.
Olfactif
Olfactif is perfect for fragrance aficionados who want to try unique, niche scents from around the world. For $20 per month, you'll receive a curated collection of three 2ml spray vials of premium fragrances. As a member, you'll also receive exclusive discounts on full bottles and à la carte samples.
LUXSB — Luxury Scent Box
LUXSB offers a wide variety of designer and niche brands, including exclusive brands only available through their subscription. You'll receive a larger sample size of 9ml, or approximately 150 sprays, which is TSA-compliant and perfect for travel. The subscription costs $15.95 per month, with a discount for the first month.
These subscription boxes offer a fun and affordable way to explore new fragrances and find your signature scent.
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Individual samples
Buying individual cologne samples is a great way to try out a variety of fragrances without committing to a full-sized bottle. Here are some places where you can purchase individual cologne samples:
The Aromi
The Aromi is a popular website that offers a wide range of best-selling men's cologne samples from various brands. The site has a solid reputation, making it a more reliable option than eBay, where the quality of samples can vary between sellers. At The Aromi, individual samples typically cost around $4, and they offer free shipping on orders over $80. You can also take advantage of their monthly sample subscription package for $20, which includes a coupon for a future full-size purchase.
Le Labo
Le Labo is a luxury fragrance line that offers individual samples of their iconic scents. You can purchase 0.05-ounce samples for $4 to $6 each, and they provide free shipping for online orders.
MicroPerfumes
MicroPerfumes offers a range of men's cologne samples starting at 99 cents. They provide free shipping within the US for orders over $40.
Department Stores
Department stores such as Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom often have fragrance counters where you can request samples. These are usually new fragrances, but you may be able to get older scents depending on the salesperson. It's important to build a rapport with the sales clerk and express your interest in trying different colognes before committing to a full-size bottle.
Beauty Specialty Stores
Beauty specialty shops like Sephora and Ulta will provide you with sample vials of men's cologne upon request. Don't be intimidated by these stores; their staff is there to assist you and happily dole out samples.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many websites where you can buy cologne samples online, including Amazon, eBay, The Aromi, Scentbird, and FragranceX.
Yes, you can get cologne samples at beauty specialty stores like Sephora and Ulta, as well as department stores like Nordstrom, Macy's, and Bloomingdales.
Yes, there are a few ways to get free cologne samples. You can add up to three free samples to your cart when ordering from Sephora or Ulta. You can also visit the fragrance counter at department stores and ask for a sample. Additionally, some brands will send free samples if you reach out to them through their website, via email, or on social media.
When trying a new cologne sample, it's important to go beyond first impressions. The scent will likely change over time as the top notes fade and the base notes become more prominent. It's also a good idea to pace yourself and try only a few colognes at a time, as your nose can only register so many fragrances at once. If possible, try the cologne again a day or two later to confirm that you still like it.
