Seamus Hammond
Sampling perfume before buying it is an important step to ensure that you like the scent and how it interacts with your body's natural chemistry. There are several ways to sample perfume, including trying it in-store by spraying it on paper strips or your skin, or requesting samples from the company or purchasing them online. Some companies, such as The Perfume Shop, offer Try More services, allowing customers to select a few samples to try before committing to a full-sized product. Online platforms like Surrender to Chance and The Perfume Society offer discovery boxes with samples from various fragrance houses. Additionally, it's recommended to avoid wearing other fragrances or strong deodorants when testing new perfumes to prevent interference.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Testing in-store | Spray testers onto paper strips. Spray 1-3 fragrances on your skin to see how they smell over time. |
| Testing online | Order samples from online retailers or directly from fragrance houses. |
| Testing perfume samples | Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing. Allow the alcohol to evaporate before smelling. Test in an environment free from other odours. |
| Buying perfume | Don't buy during your first day of testing. |
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What You'll Learn
Sample in-store on paper strips, your skin, or clothes
Testing perfume in-store is a great way to sample a fragrance before committing to a purchase. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your in-store sampling experience:
Sampling on Paper Strips
Paper strips are a standard method for testing perfumes. Most stores will provide these for customers to use. Simply spray or dip the strip into the perfume and allow it to absorb briefly. Then, gently wave the strip in the air to release the scent and sniff gently from a distance to get an accurate sense of the fragrance. Avoid touching the strip directly with your skin, as oils and dirt from your fingers can alter the scent.
Sampling on Your Skin
If you want to see how a perfume reacts with your body chemistry, it's a good idea to test it on your skin. However, it's recommended to narrow down your choices by testing on paper strips first, as trying too many perfumes on your skin can be overwhelming. When you've found a scent or two that you like, spray them onto your skin, preferably on your wrist or arm. Observe how the perfume develops and changes over time. If you still like it at the end of the day, you can consider purchasing it.
Sampling on Your Clothes
Some stores may also allow you to spray perfume on your clothes. This can be a good way to test how the fragrance wears over an extended period. However, be cautious of spraying too many perfumes on your clothes at once, as the scents may mix or become overwhelming.
Remember, when sampling in-store, it's important to take your time and not feel pressured to buy immediately. It's also a good idea to test perfumes in a well-ventilated area, as too many scents in the air can be overpowering and affect your sense of smell.
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Order samples online from fragrance houses or third-party sites
If you're unable to visit a store to sample perfumes, you can order samples online from fragrance houses or third-party sites. Some companies offer free samples to customers who request them. You can contact the company directly and ask for samples, and they will usually send you a box of samples. Smaller companies, in particular, are usually happy to send samples.
You can also try third-party sites, such as Surrender to Chance, which offers different-sized samples/decants in various formats, including vials, sprayers, and roll-ons. The Perfumed Court also offers samples, although the selection may be more limited. Luckyscent offers samples, although some users dislike their dab vials. If you're in Europe, you can try the platform 'Parfumo', which offers samples from individual users.
Some companies, such as The Perfume Shop, offer a 'Try More' service, where you can select a few samples to try before committing to a full-sized product. They also offer a ''Try Me' service, where you can add a small sample of a particular scent to your order when you buy a full-sized bottle. If the sample doesn't meet your expectations, you can return the full-sized bottle for a refund.
There are also websites dedicated to selling perfume samples, such as Scent Split, which offers a vast collection of high-end, niche, and hard-to-find fragrances from prestigious perfume houses. My Fragrance Samples is another website that offers authentic perfume samples online.
When ordering samples online, be cautious of counterfeit products, especially on third-party sites. Always buy from trusted vendors and check reviews before purchasing.
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Request samples directly from the company
If you have your heart set on a particular perfume, you can request a sample directly from the company. Many companies will be happy to send you a small sample, especially if you tell them you want to do a review. You can also order samples from fragrance houses themselves.
Some companies, such as The Perfume Shop, offer a 'Try More' service, where you can select a few samples to try before committing to a full-sized product. They also have a ''Try Me' service, where you can add a small sample of a particular scent to your order when you buy a full-sized bottle. If the sample is not right for you, you can simply return the full-sized bottle for a refund.
You can also buy small decants on Facebook groups, eBay, or other online platforms. However, be sure to check the seller's reviews before purchasing.
When testing a perfume sample, it is important to go through a progression of experiencing the scent so that you can make an informed decision. Start by spraying the perfume on a paper blotter or a cotton ball to get a sense of the initial top notes, which only last up to 15 minutes. Then, spray the perfume on your wrist or the back of your hand to see how the fragrance develops over time as it interacts with your body's natural chemistry. Avoid wearing other fragrances or strong deodorants when testing a new perfume, as they can interfere with your test.
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Buy small decants from Facebook groups or eBay
Facebook groups and eBay are great places to buy small decants of perfumes.
Facebook Groups
There are many Facebook groups where you can buy small decants of perfumes. Some of the popular ones are Fragrance Guru Nation, Fragrance Marketplace, Redolessence Reviews, LFSG Sales, Swaps and Splits, Fragrance Swap, Fragrant Democracy, Frag Addicts, Fragrance Online Shop Group, and Creed Addicts.
When buying from Facebook groups, it is important to be cautious as there are many scammers. It is recommended to search the group for the seller's name to see if there are any "shoutouts" from people who have previously bought from them. You can also ask for a "legit check" to verify the seller's reputation. In terms of payment, it is safer for the buyer to use PayPal Goods and Services, while PayPal Friends & Family or Venmo is safer for the seller.
EBay
EBay is another popular platform to buy small decants of perfumes. However, it is important to note that eBay has been known to crack down on decant sales due to FDA regulations and pressure from fragrance houses. As a result, you may find that some listings are removed, even from reputable sellers. To avoid this issue, some sellers remove the word "sample" from their listing titles.
When buying from eBay, it is important to be cautious of fake perfumes. Make sure to buy from trusted vendors and check the seller's reviews before purchasing.
Other Options
In addition to Facebook groups and eBay, there are other websites that sell perfume samples and decants, such as The Perfumed Court, Surrender to Chance, ScentSplit, and Mercari. However, keep in mind that some of these sites, such as Luckyscent, may have small dab vials that some users find inconvenient. If you are in Europe, you can also buy samples from the platform 'Parfumo', which is a community-based platform for individuals to sell their fragrances.
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Use a fragrance finder service
If you're unsure about which perfume to buy, you can use a fragrance finder service to help you narrow down your options. The Perfume Shop, for example, offers a Fragrance Finder service that asks you a series of questions about your scent preferences and then suggests the best options for you. Fragrantica offers a similar service, using an unbiased algorithm based on millions of user votes to recommend fragrances you might like.
The Perfume Shop also offers a 'Try More' service, allowing you to select up to three free samples to try before committing to a full-sized product. You just need to cover the delivery charge. If you fall in love with a sample, you can use the included 10% off voucher to save money on buying the full-size bottle.
If you don't live near a physical store, you can order samples from fragrance houses themselves or from sites like Luckyscent, The Perfumed Court, and Surrender to Chance. Surrender to Chance, for example, offers different-sized samples in various formats, including vials and sprayers. You can also buy samples from Facebook groups, eBay, and, if you're in Europe, the platform 'Parfumo'. However, be aware that some samples sold online are fake, so make sure to buy from a trusted vendor.
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Frequently asked questions
You can sample perfume by spraying testers onto paper strips. You can then spray the perfume you like onto your skin to see how it smells on you over time.
Some online retailers, such as The Perfume Shop, offer free samples for a small delivery charge. You can also buy small decants on Facebook groups or eBay.
Avoid wearing other fragrances when testing something new. You should also avoid testing too many perfumes at the same time, as your sense of smell can only handle about three scents before it gets confused.
Avoid rubbing your wrists together, as this will only cause the perfume to evaporate faster. You should also wait until the alcohol evaporates before inhaling the scent.
