Where to Buy Perfume Samples

[ctinct]

I'm searching for a new perfume. And, seeing as perfumes can be expensive, I want to make sure I love my choice before I buy it. I'd like something clean or citrusy, BUT, here's the kicker....I want the scent to last beyond an hour. It seems everything I try lately fades so quickly they are not worth the money. And, I tried a few perfumes that have smelled great on others, but literally stink on me. Since you can really only try a few perfumes at a time at the stores before they all intermingle, I'd like to get some samples from somewhere that I can try at home. I found a few places online, but I'm not sure how reliable they are. Does anyone have any suggestions of places they order samples from?

I'd also love to hear your favorite clean/citrusy perfume. I don't like florals or sweet smells at all. I can go for an oriental.... I already wear and love Estee Lauder Youth Dew a lot. I also like Estee Lauder White Linen (the original, not any of variations), EL Pleasures, Clinique Happy, and DKNY Pure, but I find the last three do not last very long.

 

[DaBoo]

Sephora.com has a deal where you buy a Sampler Set for $50,$60 or $75 and they will send you a set that includes 9-12 fragrance sample and you pick the one you like and send back the voucher that come in the kit for a full size bottle of your choice. Makes a great gift also.

 

[mjbaby]

The Perfumed Court (a small, woman-owned, online-only business) sells "decants" of hundreds of perfumes in sample sizes. Their pricing is very fair and, in my experience, customer service is excellent. One of my fave scents is a few hundred dollars a bottle, so I buy it in $20 increments!

 

[Kae]

Try layering the ones you like-add a body lotion. I like the type you described. A new one I have tried is by Clean called Cotton T-shirt.

Kae

 

[Sandi]

The scents may last longer than you think. Don't rely on your nose an hour or so later. You will grow accustomed to the scent such that you don't smell it anymore. I agree that layering is effective.

 

[LSUDis]

My favorite is Laila--it's sold at the Norway area at Epcot plus it's online, too. It's smells very clean and is not overpowering; however, after putting it on at 7:00 in the morning, people have commented on how good it smells at 1-2:00 in the day.

 

[Ariel8676]

OH Laila might just be one of my all time favorite perfumes!!!!!!!!!!(and it lasts for a long time)
When im just in the mood for simple i wear my black coconut dry oil spray from thefragranceshop.com (if you like coconut it smells awesome, i get compliments all the time and the smell lasts all day because of the oil) or simple Patchuli oil

 

[pyrxtc]

Walmart sells small bottle for about $6-$9 each so you can try them out.

 

[okw19]

I would go to Sephora or Nordstrom and talk to someone working about what kind of fragrance you're looking for. I've done this before and taken home 4 or 5 samples from both stores to try out at home.

 

[scra]

If you already know the kinds of scents you like, lots of independent perfumers will sell you tiny vials for a small fee. Independently-made perfume tends to be higher quality and last a VERY long time - you don't have to use much of it and it packs a long lasting punch. One of my favorite independent perfumers is CB I Hate Perfume. You can only get it online but the scents are absolutely delicious. Cocoa Pink is wonderful as well.

If you aren't sure what you want, or if you are more interested in browsing easy to find scents in person, then I definitely echo trying Sephora. I've had great luck there in getting samples out of the staff. If I am buying a $100 perfume I definitely want to know I like it and know how it wears on me!