Sampling Scents: Finding Your Signature Cologne

If you're looking to sample cologne, there are a variety of options available to you. You could try visiting a physical store such as Sephora, Nordstrom, or Bloomingdales, where you can test fragrances and sometimes take samples home with you. Alternatively, you can order samples online from websites like Amazon, FragranceNet, MicroPerfumes, and Luckyscent. These websites offer a range of designer and niche fragrances at different price points, and some even offer subscription services where you can receive monthly samples.

Department stores

One popular department store for sampling cologne is Sephora. Sephora offers a range of fragrances, and their staff are happy to provide samples without any pressure to buy. You can take up to three bottles to a sales agent and ask for a sample, and they will provide you with a 1ml sample with no questions asked.

Another great option for sampling cologne is Nordstrom. This department store also offers a wide range of fragrances, and their sample policy is just as generous. They provide sample sprayers that customers can use to fill their own samples, with no limit on the number of samples you can take.

In addition to Sephora and Nordstrom, other department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Neiman, Saks, and Barney's also offer fragrance sampling. These stores may have sales staff employed by the fragrance brands, so you can expect knowledgeable service and generous samples.

When visiting a department store to sample cologne, it's a good idea to build a relationship with the staff. This can make the experience more enjoyable and help you make a more informed decision about your purchase.

Online retailers

Online Beauty Stores

Beauty specialty shops like Sephora and Ulta offer an excellent opportunity to obtain cologne samples. You can request a sample vial of men's cologne, which they will provide upon request. While it may seem intimidating to approach the counters at these beauty emporiums, their staff are knowledgeable and happy to assist with your fragrance journey.

Department Store Websites

Department stores such as Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom often have a dedicated fragrance section on their websites. You can explore their selection of colognes and request samples to be delivered to your home. These samples are usually new launches, but with a good rapport with a sales assistant, you might be able to obtain a sample of a classic fragrance.

Subscription Services

Subscription services, like Scentbird, offer an interactive way to discover your next signature scent. They guide you through a series of quizzes to understand your fragrance preferences and then deliver a 30-day supply of cologne each month, tailored to your tastes. This option is ideal if you want to explore a wide range of fragrances without leaving your home.

Online Sample Retailers

There are dedicated websites, such as Fragrances Line, Scent Split, and MicroPerfumes, that specialise in selling perfume and cologne samples. These sites offer a wide variety of niche and luxury fragrances, allowing you to try many different scents without committing to a full-sized bottle. The samples are hand-decanted from authentic products, ensuring you receive a genuine fragrance experience.

Individual Samples and Discovery Sets

Some websites, like TheAromi.com, allow you to purchase individual samples of best-selling men's colognes. You can also explore luxe lines, such as Le Labo, where you can buy small samples of their iconic scents with free shipping. Another option is to buy a fragrance coffret, a discovery set of popular colognes, perfect for travel and sampling a variety of fragrances.

Sampling cologne online gives you the opportunity to find your signature scent without committing to a full-sized bottle. With a wide range of options available, you can discover fragrances that resonate with your personality and preferences.

Subscription services

Scentbird

Scentbird is a popular subscription service that offers over 700 fragrances, including niche and designer brands. Each month, you'll receive an 8-millilitre bottle of your chosen scent, dressed in a free atomizer case. Scentbird also provides detailed scent descriptions, highlighting the top, middle, and base notes of each fragrance. The subscription costs $16.95 per month, but you can try the first month for $8.47.

Scent Box

Scent Box offers a wide variety of fragrances, with over 850 designer scents to choose from. You can set up a scent calendar with your chosen fragrances and receive a 30-day supply of fragrance (0.27 ounces or 8 millilitres) each month. Scent Box also includes a fun-coloured atomizer case with every order, which is perfect for frequent travellers. The subscription costs $9.72 for the first month and $16.95 per month thereafter.

ScentMagic

ScentMagic offers over 500 designer fragrances for men and women, including luxury brands such as Glossier, Tom Ford, Cartier, Versace, Gucci, and Prada. You can choose a new fragrance each month or set up your selections for the year. The subscription costs $14.95 per month, and you'll receive an 8-millilitre spritz bottle with a free travel case included in your first order.

Perfume.com

Perfume.com offers a Fragrance of the Month program with over 500 brands and premium fragrances to choose from. For $15 per month, you'll receive a 0.27-ounce fragrance of your choice, along with a fresh travel atomizer. You can browse the fragrances available before subscribing, making it easy to find new scents to try.

Debonair Scent

Debonair Scent is an expert-curated subscription box. After completing a scent profile quiz, fragrance experts will choose three colognes from designer and niche brands each month for you to discover. The subscription costs $15 per month, and you'll receive three 3-millilitre bottles with about 15 sprays each.

Olfactif

Olfactif is perfect for those seeking unique, niche fragrances from around the world. For $20 per month, you'll receive three 2-millilitre spray vials of premium fragrances. As a member, you'll also receive exclusive discounts on full bottles and à la carte samples. Olfactif offers a rewards program where you can earn points to redeem for coupons.

Brand websites

Many brand websites offer free or paid cologne samples. These samples are usually small vials containing 1oz or so of fragrance, which is enough for a day or two's wear. This allows you to test out the scent before committing to a full-sized bottle. Here are some brand websites that offer cologne samples:

TheAromi.com

TheAromi.com offers a wide range of best-selling men's cologne samples at reasonable prices, with individual samples starting at $4. They also offer a monthly sample subscription package for $20, which includes a coupon for a full-size purchase.

Sephora and Ulta

Sephora and Ulta are beauty specialty stores that carry an extensive selection of men's colognes. You can request a sample vial of your chosen cologne at the store or take advantage of their online promotions, such as three free samples with each order.

Fragrances Line

Fragrances Line is an online boutique that offers niche perfume samples and decants. They have a wide range of high-end fragrances, including brands like Amouage, Tom Ford, Byredo, and Christian Dior. Their samples are hand-decanted from 100% authentic products, ensuring quality and authenticity.

My Fragrance Samples

My Fragrance Samples is an online store that offers a variety of perfume, cologne, and aftershave samples. They cater to customers who want to test a fragrance before investing in a full bottle, as well as those who prefer variety without spending a lot. They offer different sample sizes, ranging from 2.2ml to 32ml, all with sprayers for convenience.

Department Stores

High-end department stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, and Nordstrom are known to be generous with their fragrance samples. Their fragrance counters often provide samples or make testers upon request. However, the availability of samples may depend on the rapport with the sales assistant and the popularity of the fragrance.

Discovery sets

If you're looking to sample cologne, you're in luck! There are a variety of options available to you, from in-store to online.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, you can find discovery sets on Amazon that include multiple vials from different brands. These sets typically range from $15 to $40 and are a great way to try out a variety of colognes without committing to a full-sized bottle.

In addition to the discovery sets offered by brands and online retailers, you can also create your own discovery set by purchasing individual samples from sites like Luckyscent. This site offers thousands of samples from niche and designer fragrance brands, with prices ranging from $4 to $6 per sample. This option allows you to customise your discovery process and try a variety of scents at a low cost.

Whether you choose a pre-curated discovery set or create your own, this option is a great way to sample a variety of colognes and find your signature scent.

Frequently asked questions