The Scentsible guide to buying fragrance: Samples

First Love Never Dies by Soko

I like perfume and every now and then I get drawn in by fragrances. Sure it can be all nice and easy in the fragrance world for a while but just like every coin, there is another side ... a stinky sticky side of "blind buys", "clone traps" and complete olfactory "obsession" that can pong you up in your journey to find your perfect scent. Even if you do decide to be frugal, the slippery slope to try the new can be far too overwhelming, as you justify bulk purchases due to small prices and not because of your own (my) sheer greed. Gluttonous and all-encompassing like an addict without cause and reason, what had seemed like a light midday passing, in turn, has taken over your cabinets, lurking both in your mind and on/offline baskets. 

If I had known back then what I know now ... I would not have amassed so many scents, so carelessly. Granted I mostly do enjoy the collection I have but, I certainly wouldn't advise others to walk down the worn and weary path I tread. Thus, since I am on a journey to simplify and minimise the unnecessary things I thought I'd curate a post every now and again about Fragrance and how to be "scentsible" (sensible) with your fragrance purchases. 

These posts will be bits and pieces of things I've learned in my brief but, significant happenings in fragrance buying/trying and wearing along with reviews or examples. My goal is to keep your purse heavy and your collection light with perhaps only one beloved or two scents - fragrance junkies you've been warned. 

A few sample scents for my next post

Samples: Why you should try before you buy?

A fragrance is not a necessity. Yes, it's nice to smell nice but, there's no need to go broke for Bvlgari, be in debt due to Dior or lose your sanity over Sisley. Yeah, scents capture memory but, the unmade scent of things like car lacquer can evoke as much memory as your old favourite perfume. Fragrances can change over time, smells can differ according to skin chemistry and what at first rush might seem to be the ultimate most beautiful fragrance to you in store, may indeed lose all its allure quick and fast like a bad body splash when you bring it home. Thus, be wise and try before you buy where and whenever you can.  

How to try?

First decide on around 2-3 perfumes to spray on tester strips in store. Sometimes merely smelling a cap of a perfume lid can entice you or ward you off spraying it. Once you've found your 3 take a while to smell each one - write down the names is possible and then place them in 3 separate areas on your person so the scents don't blend into one. When at home you can research the scents you like and the other ones that might have warded you off to see if maybe the opening is unpleasant but the dry down is brilliant. Seeing what fragrance enthusiasts opinions are can help decipher if you want to go back to the store and retry a scent or try a completely new one out. Once you've decided which ones you would like to try then look for samples.

Why samples?

Samples are a great way to test your skin chemistry with a scent and get comfortable with it in your everyday regime. Even 1ml of fragrance can be enough for you to make an informed choice whether or not you can live without the fragrance (more often than not you'll live). Plus, samples can be great for special occasions where you may want to smell different but, don't want to commit to splashing out for a new or rather expensive scent just for a day.

How to get samples?

Samples can be procured either in store by asking for a sample of a sample/decant, acquiring free scent samples as add-on gifts (in magazine/purchasing items in store or online, being gifted one), borrowing samples or making decants from family/friends fragrances and lastly purchasing samples/decants. Keep in mind to not to overstep the generosity of free samples. I've never asked to decant a perfume in a store or from friends/family but, I imagine if I were allowed to and ended up filling a 10ml bottle - that would (to put it lightly) not be appreciated. If someone has been so kind to allow you to decant keep your sprays to a minimum - the idea is to get a sense of the scent on your skin at home away from a busy store or to see how it may work on you. 

Buying samples is an easier option for the less ballsy and for fragrances that may not be in your reach to test at a physical location. Depending on the fragrance house and popularity of the scent, how many mls you want etc. the fragrances can range from a few pounds to a small fortune for only a couple mls. Unless you're very familiar with a scent I'd suggest sticking to the smallest quantity first. Once you get your sample(s) it'd be time to test it out ...

Stay Tuned for my next scentsible post ... Hopefully, these posts will be helpful!

Do you like samples?

Do you find them helpful?

What was the last perfume that you tried in store?

Did you really like it or not?

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated!