How to Cheaply Sample Lots of Fragrances?
I haven't found many fragrances that I like. You guys will laugh, but my favorites that I've found are Curve Crush, Bath and Bodyworks Ocean, and Nautica Blue. The first two are very cheap and don't last long.
Anyway, I'd like to figure out a way to smell lots of fragrances and see which ones I like. The two ways that I know of to do this are 1. go to department stores and smell them or 2. order trashy magazines and smell the strips. The problem with the department store route is that my sense of smell quickly fades after only two or three fragrances, and I don't have time to stop by the department store all the time. And 2 doesn't sound very efficient. Is there a better way, like a massive sampler with single applications or cologne catalog with strips that I can order?
If there's a Sephora near you, they will give you three samples per visit for free.
Buying samples from Fragrancenet, myperfumesamples, etc. Is cheaper than buying a magazine. I've also bought samples from Beauty Encounter and FragranceX. You can also go to see educated dedicated sample sites like The Perfumed Court and Surrender to Chance.
The problem with the department store route is that my sense of smell quickly fades after only two or three fragrances, and I don't have time to stop by the department store all the time.
Just a side tip, bring a small canister of coffee grounds with you to reset your sense of smell before smelling another fragrance. At the Macy's I went to, this is what they offer to shoppers so their noses don't get overloaded.
I've tried that, and it helps a bit, but I think being completely fresh is much better
You can order samples from Notino for like 1 buck.
Also when you go to the store spray on your wrists or the rest of your hands if you want to try more perfumes
Damn, I filled up a cart with $1 samples from Notino, then I realized they don't ship to the US. Do you know of a US alternative that's that cheap?
You don't have to smell everything nor stop by the department store all the time. Even just going once every couple weeks or so can help improve your 'olfactive library'. Just take it steady - marathon, not a sprint. Aside from websites mentioned try niche retailers like Luckyscent as well for samples. And eBay!
29.9k
Fragrant Subscribers
278
Online
Women's, Men's and Shared Fragrance. A place to discuss all the smells! .
1,437 subscribers
2,581 subscribers
51,579 subscribers
95,240 subscribers
5,317 subscribers
2,645 subscribers
r/fragrance is a global, open community to connect, discuss, share knowledge, experience and love of perfumes and fragrance. Whether you know a lot or a little, want to learn, are a long time user, new user, perfumer, non-commercial blogger, or reviewer -- you are welcome.
Subscribers are multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-gender, multi-ethnic, multilingual and range in age from millenials to boomers.
r/fragrance may cause a growing preoccupation with fragrance, accord obsessions, and compulsive spraying and huffing. If you experience the following -- deconstructing notes, seeing colors, hearing music, visions, emptying wallets, growing bottle collections, boxes full of samples, fragrance withdrawal; and are obsessed with smelling everything -- you're in the right place!
Be respectful, have a sense of humor, don't take it personally, don't assume, and don't cause needless drama.
Funny, serious, truthful, controversial discussions, conflicting opinions, heated discussions, and salty banter are okay. Malicious content, flames, and personal attacks are not.
Content that is informative, thought-provoking, newsworthy, creative, educational, a story, a gain, sensual, adult, profane, occasionally erotic,sexual or NSFW in nature is okay. Porn and politics are not.
Personal flair is your fragrance tagline, a fun way to tell us who you are in the fragrance world. It can include your blog link, if it is non-commercial.
New here? There are several ways to get started. Read the rules, post your Scent of the Day (SOTD), post a recommendation request in the sticky thread are just a few.