Exploring Cologne Samples: A Guide To Finding Your Scent

There are many ways to get your hands on cologne samples. If you're already making a purchase from a beauty retailer like Sephora or Ulta, you can add up to three free samples of cologne to your cart. Department stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdale's will also often provide fragrance samples upon request. You can also buy cologne samples online from sites like Amazon, FragranceNet, MicroPerfumes, and TheAromi. Subscription services like Scentbird are another great option, allowing you to discover new scents every month without leaving your home.

Department stores

Macy's, for example, offers a variety of cologne sampler sets, both in-store and online. These sets provide a selection of mini fragrances, often at a discounted price, allowing you to try multiple options before committing to a full-sized bottle. You can explore different brands and fragrances without breaking the bank.

When visiting a department store, don't hesitate to engage with the sales staff. They are there to assist you and can offer valuable insights into the world of fragrances. Building a rapport with a sales clerk can also increase your chances of obtaining samples that align with your preferences. They may even be able to recommend specific colognes based on your likes and dislikes or introduce you to new releases that match your scent profile.

Additionally, keep an eye out for promotions and events hosted by department stores. They occasionally offer exclusive fragrance sample sets or gifts with purchase, providing an excellent opportunity to acquire a variety of cologne samples at once. These promotions can be especially lucrative during holiday seasons or special sales events, so staying informed about their offerings can be beneficial for sample seekers.

Beauty specialty stores

Sephora, a beauty mecca, offers an extensive range of samples. With their reward program, you can receive free fragrance samples when checking out during your online purchase. Additionally, they provide up to three samples of any item per visit. You can also take advantage of their 15-minute complimentary makeovers, where an expert can help you explore new products and fragrances.

Ulta is another excellent source for cologne samples. When shopping online, you can choose a fragrance, skincare, or variety sampler with every purchase. They also offer packets and mini versions of fragrances in-store. Signing up for an account on their website will grant you access to monthly catalogues with several free perfume samples.

Online

There are many online stores that offer cologne samples, often for a discounted price. These include:

• The Aromi: This retailer offers samples from a wide range of brands for around $4, with free shipping on orders over $80.
• Scentbird: A monthly subscription service that offers a quiz to help you discover your scent profile, followed by a selection of colognes to try.
• FragranceNet.com: An online store with a wide variety of perfume samples, free U.S. shipping on orders over $59, and a coupon list.
• Fragrances Line: This site offers samples and decants of niche perfumes, with free U.S. shipping on orders over $100.
• My Fragrance Samples: An online store that offers smaller quantities of fragrances, including colognes, with free domestic shipping on orders over $19.
• MicroPerfumes: This site offers perfume and cologne samples starting at 99 cents, with free U.S. shipping on orders over $50.

In addition to these specialised sites, you can also find cologne samples on larger online retailers such as Amazon and eBay, though these are less likely to be free.

Many brands also offer samples directly through their websites, or you can reach out to them via email or social media to request a sample. Some brands that have been known to offer samples include Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Mugler, and Jo Malone.

Finally, you can also find cologne samples inside subscription boxes, such as Scentbird and Scentbox, which send out a handful of different colognes each month for a small fee.

Subscription services

Scentbird

Scentbird is one of the most well-known cologne subscription services. For $16.95 a month, you can browse through over 700 legacy luxury colognes and lesser-known artisanal and clean beauty scents to choose from. After taking a quiz to determine your scent profile, you can set up a queue and arrange to have a 30-day supply of each scent delivered every month.

Scent Box

Scent Box offers a monthly supply of fragrance for $16.95 a month. You can choose from over 1,000 designer fragrances, including premium high-end designers. The subscription includes a full atomizer case each month and free exchanges and shipping.

Scent Trunk

Scent Trunk offers a personalized box of niche and indie cologne samplers delivered straight to your door. After completing a short "Scent Survey" to determine your tastes, the CEOs over at Scent Trunk will personally curate your box of fragrances.

Olfactif

Olfactif offers a monthly box of niche fragrances in deluxe-sized samples. Along with each fragrance sample, you’ll receive stories and in-depth interviews from the artists behind each scent and a smell guide that highlights the compositions and notes found within each sample. Each month, you’ll receive an $18 credit to put toward the purchase of a full bottle of your favorite featured fragrance.

Debonair Scent

Debonair Scent is a service geared toward gents with an acquired taste for distinct scents. It curates a trio of monthly samples that best suit your scent profile, which is determined through an easy four-question survey. The small bottles come in a chic, minimalist, slide-out box.

Luxury Scent Box

Luxury Scent Box is similar to other services, but it gives you more control over the selection process. Instead of leaving the choice completely up to fate, you are matched with a Certified Fragrance Specialist who acts as your personal cologne concierge. You can also choose the fragrance you receive each month, re-up on an old favorite, or try something new.

Perfume.com

Perfume.com’s Fragrance of the Month program offers a 0.27-ounce fragrance atomizer for $15 per month. There are over 500 brands and scents to choose from, including popular designer scents like Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry.

Travel sprays

When it comes to travel sprays, you can find a range of sizes, from as small as 5ml to as large as 20ml. These sprays are designed to be compact and lightweight, making them ideal for carrying in your purse, bag, or even pocket. Many travel sprays are also refillable, allowing you to reuse the bottle with your favourite fragrance. You can find empty travel spray bottles in different materials, such as plastic or glass, and in various colours and designs to suit your style. Some even come with funnels and pipettes for easy refilling.

If you're looking for a specific fragrance, many popular brands offer their signature scents in travel spray form. For example, you can find travel sprays from brands like Versace, Dior, Burberry, and Jo Malone. These travel sprays typically range from 10ml to 15ml in size and are perfect for on-the-go touch-ups or for testing out a new fragrance before committing to a larger bottle.

In addition to individual travel sprays, some brands offer discovery sets or sampler sets. These sets typically include a range of different fragrances in small, travel-sized bottles, allowing you to explore new scents and find your favourite. These sets are perfect for those who are indecisive or looking to expand their fragrance collection.

Whether you're looking for a convenient way to take your favourite cologne on your travels or wanting to explore new fragrances, travel sprays offer a practical and stylish solution. With their compact size and portability, you can easily freshen up your scent wherever your journeys take you.

Frequently asked questions