As tempting as it is to immediately purchase a fragrance you’ve heard rave reviews about or possibly loved on someone else, try to find it in yourself to resist. Buying a fragrance without trying it on yourself first may end up costing you a lot of money if you find that you really don’t like it on you. A surprising number of sellers of perfume will not accept returns on perfumes if the product has been opened.

When it comes to fragrance, starting with a sample is the way to go. “Date” perfumes before “marrying” them.

One way to start on your journey of exploration is to order samples online. Luckyscent is a great source of product samples. I recommend that if you have a specific fragrance in mind you check here first. Scent samples range from  $3.00-$8.00. Granted, $8.00 for a tiny vial of perfume may sound high, but the higher priced samples are for the pricier or harder to find fragrances. If you later decide that the fragrance doesn’t smell right on you, it’s a whole lot better than blowing $150 and up for a perfume that sits on the shelf gathering cobwebs.

If you are not quite sure what to buy or simply want to sample a range of different products, Luckyscent also sells sample packs based about your scent preference. When you purchase a sample pack of Feminine, Unisex or Masculine, you will receive a pack of 13 best selling different fragrances. the total price for all 13 samples is $35.00. A pretty good deal, especially since it takes the leg work out of wading through a sea of samples. The Feminine Sample Pack includes these must-try scents:

1. A Lab on Fire – What we do in Paris is secret
2. By Killian – Good Girl Gone Bad
3. Byredo – Bal d’Afrique
4. Ebba – Miss Marissa Perfume Oil
5. Il Profumo – Musc Bleu
6. Indult – Tihota
7. Julliette Has a Gun – Not a Perfume
8. Keito Mecheri – Peau de Peche
9. Ginestet – Botrytis
10. Ex Nihilo – Fleur Narcotique
11. Monyette Paris – Eau de Parfum
12. Eau d’Italie – Jardin du Poete
13. Nobile 1942 – La Danza delle Libellule

Other websites offering samples for purchase are Parfumsraffy, Beauty Cafe and Aedes. Beautyhabit includes complementary samples with most orders.

If you are on a budget (like most of us) and don’t want to spend a penny but have the time to venture into an actual store, my go-to suggestions are Sephora and Nordstrom. I usually try to get my samples after purchasing a make-up or skin care item and they have always been extremely accommodating. Unlike some other stores (which will remain unnamed) there is never any awkwardness or condescending looks when I’ve requested samples. I’ve also asked for samples without making any store purchase and have been treated the exact same way.

Other stores which I’ve found to be customer-friendly are Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Barnys. Bergdorfs is super friendly about offering free samples and their expert sales staff is often willing to provide you with the backstory of the brand if you are interested.

I wouldn’t attempt trying to score samples at lower-end stores (again to remain unnamed) because you’ll face the possibility of either feeling shamed or flat-out denied.

If you are too time-strapped to actually venture into a brick and mortar store and don’t want to pay, you can try emailing the manufacturer on their website and request a sample. I’ve done this a couple of times with disappointing results. I received my free sample both times but the first time it took 5 weeks to arrive and the second time closer to 7 weeks. By the time I got the second one I’d completely forgotten that I’d ordered it! Also, both samples were itsy bitsy, I mean really teeny tiny, so be prepared if you choose to try this.

Joining a scent club is another way to go.  The website hellosubscription offers subscriptions to Olfactif ($18.00 monthly), Scentbird ($14.95 monthly), Scent Trunk for Women ($18.00 monthly), The Story of Perfume ($22.00 monthly), and Uprising Botanicals ($10.00 monthly). They also offer several subscriptions for men’s fragrances as well.

If you are willing to spend the time wading through lots of free stuff most of which isn’t fragrance, you can try looking on sampleaday.com or sample buddy.com. If you find something on either of these sites, all you will pay is the shipping cost.

I know some people buy samples on ebay and have had good luck. I haven’t personally tried it but I think the key is to do some research on the seller to make sure he/she is reputable. A good way to do this is by checking the seller’s feedback.

Another option for obtaining new fragrances is through a Meetup group. Depending on where you live there may be a group of fragrance aficionados you can join and potentially participate in a fragrance swap.

I also really recommend going to a “scent event” such as the “Spring Fling” event I recently wrote about in New York City. Granted, I live in the area so it was easy for me but I am hearing about more and more events springing up outside large metropolitan areas. Not only are they super fun but you will leave literally weighted down with tons of freebies!

I’m sure that there are other avenues that I’ve missed but I hope I’ve given you some ideas. Please let me know what your favorite way to score samples is!