Before you purchase a new perfume, free sample size scents can help you decide if a fragrance compliments your body chemistry prior to making the splurge.
The Importance of Trying Before Buying

Because fragrances are very complex, it's important to test individual scents and make sure they smell good on you. Fragrances change on everyone based on their natural body chemistry. Despite how the scent smells in the bottle, not every scent will flatter the wearer for extended periods of time. Depending on the activity level, weather, humidity, and perspiration, fragrances can smell completely different after just a few hours of wear.

How do you go about testing a fragrance prior to making the investment? Most every department store or drugstore that carries higher end fragrances has a fragrance counter stocked with testers of perfume and cologne. Obviously, the best way to sniff out a new fragrance is to visit a fragrance counter and spritz the scent directly on your skin.

After a few minutes, the scent will journey down through the blended top, middle and bottom notes. Within thirty minutes, the fragrance will begin to mix with your body's natural chemistry and either compliment or compete with your body's natural odor. Although a fragrance may smell beautiful upon first spritz, the dry down will determine whether or not the scent is pleasing to the senses and complimentary on you.

Although direct application from a bottle allows you to experience the scent immediately, there are times you may choose to apply the scent as desired, or at a later time. If you'd rather test the scent for several days, rather than hours, you may wish to have yet another alternative to this traditional form of spray testing.
Cologne and Perfume: Free Sample Size Scents

Most mass produced fragrances offer what is called a free perfume sample for extended fragrance testing. Whether it is to promote the launch of a new fragrance or to market a well-known scent of perfume, free sample size testers are normally packaged in a small plastic or glass vial, holding a minute amount of the scent.

Fragrance vials are available at every department store fragrance counter. If you'd like to test out a new scent, simply ask the sales associate for a free sample. Not every fragrance line will have sample vials available for testing, and availability is subject to on hand stock and popularity of the fragrance.
Storing Sample Perfumes

Because fragrance can be altered when stored improperly, you'll need to take precautions to store your samples and uphold the integrity of the scent.

To prolong their shelf life, always keep fragrance samples in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight. The shelf life of an opened sample is very minimal. Once oxygen has hit the stored scent, it will begin to change the overall composition immediately . Use opened samples within days of breaking their seal. Unopened samples may last for several years if stored properly.
Collecting Samples

In the world of beauty and fragrance, there are plenty of consumers who save samples, whether they be cosmetic samples received through bonus giveaways, or sample size perfumes. Hit any garage sale or flea market and you're bound to find a few perfume vials available for purchase.

These (often dusty) samples may have been stored improperly, or may be so old that the perfume has lost its scent entirely. Proceed with caution prior to buying a free sample. If you truly want to test out a new fragrance, hit the cosmetic counter to ensure the most accurate application.
Giving Samples

Many online beauty retailers such as Sephora offer free samples with every online purchase. Why not use these samples as a way to test out new scents and discover if they wear well on your skin? Samples have many uses, including quick and easy gift basket fillers. For a quick gift idea, gather several fragrance samples and stuff them in a stocking or in a makeup train case as a way of pampering your favorite fragrance aficionado.