Guides
1 ml, 2 ml or 5 ml: which perfume sample size should you buy?
Buy 1 ml to see if you like a scent, 2 ml to decide on a bottle, 5 ml if you love it but won't wear a full bottle. Typical prices inside.
Buy 1 ml to see if you like a scent, 2 ml to decide on a bottle, 5 ml if you love it but won't wear a full bottle. Typical prices inside.
Are perfume decants legit?
Decants from established sellers are a normal, popular way to try expensive fragrance. Here's how they work and how to pick a seller you can trust.
Decants from established sellers are a normal, popular way to try expensive fragrance. Here's how they work and how to pick a seller you can trust.
How many sprays are in a 2 ml perfume sample?
A 2 ml perfume sample holds about 20 sprays, enough for 4 to 6 wears. Here's the math for 1, 2, 5 and 10 ml sizes.
A 2 ml perfume sample holds about 20 sprays, enough for 4 to 6 wears. Here's the math for 1, 2, 5 and 10 ml sizes.
How to find your By Kilian before you commit
By Kilian bottles are listed at $275 to $415. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every By Kilian sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
By Kilian bottles are listed at $275 to $415. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every By Kilian sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
How to find your Byredo before you commit
Byredo bottles are listed at $210 to $330. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every Byredo sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
Byredo bottles are listed at $210 to $330. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every Byredo sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
How to find your Creed before you commit
Creed bottles are listed at $345 to $495. Find your Creed with 1 ml samples first. Every Creed sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
Creed bottles are listed at $345 to $495. Find your Creed with 1 ml samples first. Every Creed sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
How to find your Le Labo before you commit
Find your Le Labo with 1 ml samples first, listed at $7.99. Every Le Labo sample listing we found, and which scents have no US price yet.
Find your Le Labo with 1 ml samples first, listed at $7.99. Every Le Labo sample listing we found, and which scents have no US price yet.
How to find your Maison Francis Kurkdjian before you commit
Maison Francis Kurkdjian bottles are listed at $235 to $584. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every MFK sample and bottle listing we found.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian bottles are listed at $235 to $584. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every MFK sample and bottle listing we found.
How to find your Parfums de Marly before you commit
Parfums de Marly bottles are listed at $250 to $410. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every PdM sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
Parfums de Marly bottles are listed at $250 to $410. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every PdM sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
How to find your Tom Ford before you commit
Tom Ford bottles, Private Blend included, are listed at $165 to $445. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every sample and bottle listing we found.
Tom Ford bottles, Private Blend included, are listed at $165 to $445. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every sample and bottle listing we found.
How to find your Xerjoff before you commit
Xerjoff bottles are listed at $290 to $660. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every Xerjoff sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
Xerjoff bottles are listed at $290 to $660. Find yours with 1 ml samples first. Every Xerjoff sample and bottle listing we found, in one table.
How to test a fragrance properly (and why the paper strip lies)
Test on skin, not paper, and judge it after 2 to 6 hours, not 2 minutes. A step-by-step way to test perfume samples before buying.
Test on skin, not paper, and judge it after 2 to 6 hours, not 2 minutes. A step-by-step way to test perfume samples before buying.
Is a bigger perfume bottle actually cheaper?
Usually, yes, by a lot. Delina is $8.33 per ml at 30 ml and $5.47 per ml at 75 ml at the same shop. Here's when sizing up pays off.
Usually, yes, by a lot. Delina is $8.33 per ml at 30 ml and $5.47 per ml at 75 ml at the same shop. Here's when sizing up pays off.
Is Angels' Share worth it?
Is By Kilian Angels' Share worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $415 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is By Kilian Angels' Share worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $415 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Another 13 worth it?
Is Le Labo Another 13 worth it? Notes and samples from $7.99; we have no US dollar bottle price yet. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Le Labo Another 13 worth it? Notes and samples from $7.99; we have no US dollar bottle price yet. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Atomic Rose worth it?
Is Initio Atomic Rose worth it? Notes, a 90 ml bottle listed at $305 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Initio Atomic Rose worth it? Notes, a 90 ml bottle listed at $305 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Baccarat Rouge 540 worth it?
Is Baccarat Rouge 540 worth it? Notes, a 70 ml bottle listed at $270 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $9.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Baccarat Rouge 540 worth it? Notes, a 70 ml bottle listed at $270 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $9.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Bitter Peach worth it?
Is Tom Ford Bitter Peach worth it? Notes, no US dollar bottle price yet, and samples listed from $13.99 (sold out when we checked). Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tom Ford Bitter Peach worth it? Notes, no US dollar bottle price yet, and samples listed from $13.99 (sold out when we checked). Nov 14, 2026.
Is Carnal Flower worth it?
Is Frederic Malle Carnal Flower worth it? Notes, no US dollar bottle price yet, and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Frederic Malle Carnal Flower worth it? Notes, no US dollar bottle price yet, and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Creed Aventus worth it?
Is Creed Aventus worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $495 (sold out when we checked), and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Creed Aventus worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $495 (sold out when we checked), and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Delina worth it?
Is Parfums de Marly Delina worth it? Notes, 75 ml at $410 in stock at Bluemercury and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Parfums de Marly Delina worth it? Notes, 75 ml at $410 in stock at Bluemercury and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Ébène Fumé worth it?
Is Tom Ford Ébène Fumé worth it? Notes, no US dollar bottle price yet, and samples from $9.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tom Ford Ébène Fumé worth it? Notes, no US dollar bottle price yet, and samples from $9.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Erba Pura worth it?
Is Xerjoff Erba Pura worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle at $290 (stock not shown) and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Xerjoff Erba Pura worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle at $290 (stock not shown) and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Godolphin worth it?
Is Parfums de Marly Godolphin worth it? Notes, a 75 ml bottle listed at $290 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $5.99. Nov 14, 2026.
Is Parfums de Marly Godolphin worth it? Notes, a 75 ml bottle listed at $290 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $5.99. Nov 14, 2026.
Is Green Irish Tweed worth it?
Is Creed Green Irish Tweed worth it? Notes, 100 ml at $378 in stock at Niche Beauty and samples from $4.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Creed Green Irish Tweed worth it? Notes, 100 ml at $378 in stock at Niche Beauty and samples from $4.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Gypsy Water worth it?
Is Byredo Gypsy Water worth it? Notes, 50 ml at $235 in stock at Bluemercury and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Byredo Gypsy Water worth it? Notes, 50 ml at $235 in stock at Bluemercury and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Hacivat worth it?
Is Nishane Hacivat worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $360 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Nishane Hacivat worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $360 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $7.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Layton worth it?
Is Parfums de Marly Layton worth it? Notes, a 125 ml bottle listed at $310 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $4.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Parfums de Marly Layton worth it? Notes, a 125 ml bottle listed at $310 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $4.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Naxos worth it?
Is Xerjoff 1861 Naxos worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $290 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $5.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Xerjoff 1861 Naxos worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $290 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $5.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Oud for Greatness worth it?
Is Initio Oud for Greatness worth it? Notes, a 90 ml bottle listed at $350 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $8.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Initio Oud for Greatness worth it? Notes, a 90 ml bottle listed at $350 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $8.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Oud Wood worth it?
Is Tom Ford Oud Wood worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $390 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tom Ford Oud Wood worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $390 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Portrait of a Lady worth it?
Is Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $370 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $8.99. Nov 14, 2026.
Is Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $370 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $8.99. Nov 14, 2026.
Is Replica Under the Lemon Trees worth it?
Is Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees worth it? Notes, 100 ml at $170 and samples from $4.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees worth it? Notes, 100 ml at $170 and samples from $4.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tobacco Oud worth it?
Is Tom Ford Tobacco Oud worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $600 (sold out when we checked) and a 1 ml sample at $12.99. Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tom Ford Tobacco Oud worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $600 (sold out when we checked) and a 1 ml sample at $12.99. Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tobacco Vanille worth it?
Is Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $400 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Is Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille worth it? Notes, a 100 ml bottle listed at $400 (sold out when we checked) and samples from $6.99. Prices as of Nov 14, 2026.
Price per ml: what niche fragrance really costs
Niche and luxury fragrance in our library cost a median of about $3.90 per ml for full bottles, against about $6.50 per ml for samples. How to use the number.
Niche and luxury fragrance in our library cost a median of about $3.90 per ml for full bottles, against about $6.50 per ml for samples. How to use the number.
Should you blind buy a niche fragrance?
Rarely. A 2 ml sample of a $300 niche fragrance costs about $13. Here's our rule for when a blind buy is fine and when it's a $300 mistake.
Rarely. A 2 ml sample of a $300 niche fragrance costs about $13. Here's our rule for when a blind buy is fine and when it's a $300 mistake.
The same perfume can cost wildly different amounts
We compared full-bottle prices for niche fragrances across retailers. Same scent, same size, gaps of $90 or more, and the low listing is often sold out.
We compared full-bottle prices for niche fragrances across retailers. Same scent, same size, gaps of $90 or more, and the low listing is often sold out.