Buy Fragrance Samples: A Guide To Finding Your Scent

There are many ways to buy fragrance samples, from 5ml decants to 10ml travel sprays. Online communities such as r/fragrance on Reddit offer advice on where to buy fragrance samples, as well as tips on how to use them. Some websites, such as FragranceNet, offer coupons for designer fragrances, bringing the price down to $12-$20 per 10ml.

Try before you buy

Some companies offer sample sets, which can be a great way to try out a variety of fragrances from a particular brand or designer. These sets often include a range of different scents, such as floral, woody, or citrus fragrances, so you can find the one that best suits your taste. Sample sets also make great gifts for those who are difficult to buy for!

If you're looking for a specific fragrance, you can often find samples available for purchase online. Sites like FragranceNet offer 10ml travel sprays, which can be a great option if you've already smelled the fragrance once or twice and want to try it out a few more times before committing. These travel sprays are also perfect for taking your favourite scent with you on the go.

Another option for trying before buying is to visit a physical store that carries the fragrance you're interested in. Many department stores and perfume shops will have testers available for you to try, and you can often ask for a sample to take home with you. This way, you can be sure that you're happy with the fragrance before making a purchase.

Online communities for recommendations

Online communities can be a great source of recommendations for fragrance samples. One such community is r/fragrance on Reddit, an inclusive, adult community for discussing finished retail perfumes and other scented personal and home-care products. The community has a daily thread for posts asking for recommendations, shopping advice, and how-to-wear tips. The community also has a WIKI with information about how to use fragrance and where to buy it.

In addition to online communities, there are also websites that offer fragrance samples. For example, fragrancenet.com offers 10ml travel sprays of designer fragrances, which can be a great way to try out a fragrance before committing to a full-size bottle. Other websites that offer fragrance samples include decantx and scentsplit, which offer 5ml decants in atomizers.

Shopping advice

When shopping for fragrance samples, it's a good idea to try before you buy. Many companies offer small travel-sized sprays, which can be a great way to test out a fragrance before committing to a full-sized bottle. For example, Fragrancenet offers 10ml travel sprays for around $12-$20, which can be used around 20 times.

If you're looking for a bargain, it's worth checking for coupons or discounts before you buy. Fragrancenet, for instance, usually has a 35% coupon available somewhere online.

If you're looking for a wider range of samples, it might be worth checking out online communities dedicated to fragrance, such as r/fragrance on Reddit. These communities often have threads dedicated to shopping advice and recommendations, as well as information on where to buy samples.

Finally, if you're looking for a more personalised experience, you could try a fragrance subscription service. These services typically offer a selection of samples each month, tailored to your preferences, and can be a great way to discover new fragrances.

How to wear tips

When buying fragrance samples, it's important to remember that you're not just assessing the scent, but also how it wears on your skin. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your fragrance samples and make an informed decision before committing to a full-sized bottle:

Sample on your skin: Spray or dab the fragrance on your pulse points, such as your wrists, neck, or behind your ears. These areas emit a slight heat that helps to activate and diffuse the scent. Avoid rubbing your wrists together after application, as this can alter the fragrance's composition and prevent it from developing properly.

Give it time: Fragrances have three notes – top, middle, and base – that unfold over time. The top note is the initial impression, which is fresh and fleeting. The middle note, also known as the heart, is the dominant scent that emerges after the top note fades. Finally, the base note is the lingering scent that provides depth and longevity. Allow the fragrance to develop on your skin for at least 30 minutes to an hour to experience all three notes and understand how the scent evolves.

Consider the occasion: Fragrances can be versatile, but certain scents are more suited to specific occasions. For example, fresh and citrusy fragrances are often preferred for daytime or summer wear, while richer and more intense fragrances are typically reserved for evenings or special occasions. Think about when and where you plan to wear the fragrance and choose samples accordingly.

Layer with caution: If you're sampling multiple fragrances, be mindful of layering them on the same area of skin. Fragrances can interact with each other, creating a new, unintended scent. Instead, sample one fragrance at a time on different pulse points to get an accurate impression of each scent.

Take notes: Fragrance sampling is a sensory experience, and it can be challenging to remember all the nuances of each scent. Take notes on how each fragrance makes you feel, the occasions you envision wearing it, and whether it aligns with your personal style. These notes will be helpful when it comes time to make a decision, especially if you're sampling a wide range of fragrances.

Designer samples

There are a few options for buying designer fragrance samples. One option is to try Fragrancenet's 10ml travel sprays, which are great if you've smelled the fragrance once or twice and think you might like it. These sprays give you the chance to wear the fragrance around 20 times, which can help you decide if you like it or not. Fragrancenet usually has a 35% coupon available online, so designer scents can be purchased for $12-$20 per 10ml.

Another option is to try Decantx and Scentsplit, which offer 5ml decants in atomizers. This gives you the opportunity to wear a fragrance before committing to a full bottle.

You can also try searching for fragrance samples on websites such as FragranceNet.com, which offer a wide variety of perfume samples.

Frequently asked questions