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As a perfume lover and beauty writer, I have mixed feeling about perfume gift sets. In theory, they’re lovely gifts for helping loved ones find their new signature scent. In my beauty product testing experience, however, I’ve found that many sampler sets just aren’t worth the money due to their teeny tiny bottle sizes and lack of variety. There are a few diamonds in the rough, though.
If you plan on gifting a perfume sampler this holiday season, it should be one of the following five options. These thoughtfully curated kits offer something for everyone and are beautifully crafted. Ready to win the title of best gift giver? Keep sniffing (. . . err reading)!
The Best Perfume Samplers Worth Gifting
Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler Set
For years, the Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler Set has reigned supreme as one of the best gift-worthy fragrance kits. Inside the plush cosmetics case, you’ll find 18 teeny tiny perfume vials from designer brands like Valentino, Gucci and Tom Ford. Each vial offers about 10 to fifteen sprays, which is enough to spritz skin and clothes over multiple days. The set also allows giftees to discover what scent profiles they enjoy — there are fresh potions, a variety of gourmands, dainty florals, spicy attention-grabbers and more. Once they land on their favorite, they can head to Sephora to trade in the included voucher for a full sized bottle. Not only is the sampler one of the best value sets, it’s a foolproof way for loved ones to find their signature scent.
Maison Margiela Replica Mini Perfume Set
Maison Margiela is one of my all time favorite fragrance brands. Each scent is masterfully crafted to transport you to a specific time period and place. Every little detail, from the unisex fragrances to the apothecary-inspired bottles is exquisite. This set includes five of their bestselling scents: beach walk, jazz club, lazy Sunday morning, by the fireplace and on a date. At 0.2-ounce per bottle, giftees receive a respectable amount of juice that will last them a surprisingly long time.
Commodity Exploration Fragrance Set
I’ve been disappointed by many fragrance sets, but this one from Commodity has extra special details that make it a worthy gift (and at under $50, the price is tough to beat). Inside, giftees will find the brand’s complete, 18-piece fragrance collection. There are three iterations of each perfume: Personal, which are light, airy and designed to lay close to skin for a custom scent experience; Expressive, which offers a balanced yet notable projection; and Bold, my personal favorite, which are powerful and attention-grabbing.
Kayali Vacation in a Bottle Mini Perfume Set
In the throes of winter, I constantly find myself wishing I could travel to a sunny location. This set allows me to do that through the power of scent. The adorable, 10ml bottles are inspired by a vacation-worthy spot: Marrakesh, Capri, Maui and The Maldives. There’s a substantial amount of juice in each bottle, and I appreciate that they’re also eye-catching, unlike many other mini sets that come in a standard glass vial. Your giftee is just one spritz away from their happy place!
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa Perfume Travel Minis Set
When it comes to body sprays, Sol de Janeiro gets it right time and time again. They’ve managed to create a strong spritz that sometimes lingers longer than my eau de parfums (a pretty impressive feat in my books). All four tropical-inspired aromas instantly spark joy, and I enjoy tucking one away in my gym bag for quick post-workout refreshes. This set makes a wonderful gift for teens or anyone just starting to build their fragrance collection.
