Why Fragrance Experts Say You Should *Only* Buy Travel-Size Perfume Bottles
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It should be no surprise that many perfumes have a cult-following for their fragrance and gorgeous bottles—which is reason enough to splurge on full-size formulas. But, while some perfumes are worth the three-figure price tags for their stunning vessels that are true works of art, some fragrance experts say, 'Girl, don't do it,' and recommend travel-size perfumes instead.
Lancôme La vie est belle Eau de Parfum (0.3 oz), $35
fine'ry. Not Another Cherry Mini Purse Spray Perfume (0.33 oz), $13
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Discovery Fragrance Set (0.07 oz), $60
TOCCA Florence Eau de Parfum (0.33 oz), $30
Being Frenshe Fresh Cashmere Vanilla Roll-On Fragrance (0.84 oz), $15
Glossier You (0.27 oz), $32
Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum (0.27 oz), $26
Merit Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum (0.32 oz), $34
PHLUR Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum (0.32 oz), $29
LoveShackFancy Forever in Love Eau de Parfum with Green Pear & Gardenia (0.34 oz), $32
Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Springtime In A Park Eau de Toilette (1 oz), $85
Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Mini Perfume Spray (0.23 oz), $15
'Travel-sized perfume is a great way to test a fragrance before investing in the full-size option,' says MarieAnna Ferdinand, EVP Fragrance Development of Tru Fragrance. 'Additionally, if there are several fragrances that you know you love, buying a travel-size version allows you to collect multiple of your favorite scents while spending less out of pocket.'
But the convenience and testing aren't the only reasons why buying a full-size perfume bottle isn't always recommended. Just like tubes of mascara, perfume can actually go bad a lot faster than we thought. So, buying smaller bottles ensures you don't end up with dusty half-filled bottles on your vanity.
According to Ferdinand, fragrance can expire, which is another reason to purchase a travel-sized perfume bottle, especially if you're someone who tends to hold onto half-filled bottles for years and years. 'Typically, fragrance is good for 24 months,' she explains. 'After that, you may note a change in the olfactive character of the fragrance.' Exposure to light and changing temperatures (especially heat) are some reasons why perfume can go bad.
To prevent full-size bottles of perfume from going bad, Ferdinand says to store fragrances out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. 'Personally, I store my fragrances on the open shelving in my closet,' she adds.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you'll love as much as we do. Lancôme and Target are STYLECASTER sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
Lancôme La vie est belle Eau de Parfum
Buy Now $35
The best thing about buying travel-sized perfume is that you can get that luxe fragrance experience without the pricey investment. A full-size bottle of the Lancôme La vie est belle Eau de Parfum will cost you over $100, but when you buy the 0.3 oz travel bottle, you can bask in its decadent-smelling blend of iris accord, patchouli, warm vanilla, and spun sugar for $35.
Travel Size Available: 0.3 ozKey Notes: Iris accord, patchouli, warm vanilla, spun sugar
fine'ry. Not Another Cherry Mini Purse Spray Perfume
$13 Buy Now
Target is one of our go-to places for budget-friendly perfumes, and we're particularly obsessed with the fine'ry lineup. The Not Another Cherry Mini Purse Spray Perfume is allegedly a Tom Ford Lost Cherry perfume dupe, and its budget-friendly $13 price tag makes it a great option for those who want to test the fragrance out before purchasing a full-size bottle.
Travel Size Available: 0.33 ozKey Notes: Wild cherry, Turkish rose, almond amaretto
TOCCA Florence Eau de Parfum
$30 Buy Now
When it comes to mini perfume bottles, you can't go wrong with TOCCA. Instead of the long, skinny tubes you typically see in travel-size, the TOCCA Florence Eau de Parfum comes in a small version of its classic bottle shape, so it looks just as chic next to its larger counterparts. This 0.33 oz bottle of perfume has a timeless blend that works well with all season and features notes of bergamot, grapefruit leaves, green pear, apple, ivory gardenia, crushed violet petals, jasmine, tuberose, blue iris, blonde wood, and white musk.
Travel Size Available: 0.33 ozKey Notes: Bergamot, grapefruit leaves, green pear, apple, ivory gardenia, crushed violet petals, jasmine, tuberose, blue iris, blonde wood, white musk
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Discovery Fragrance Set
$60 Buy Now
If you want to create a little travel-sized collection, pick up a pack of the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Discovery Fragrance Set, which comes with a pack of eight fragrances for $60. The collection features an array of aromas, including herbal citrus blends, musky vanilla scents, and several invigorating florals, too.
Travel Size Available: 0.07 ozKey Notes: Herbal citrus (Aqua Media Cologne forte Eau de parfum), amyris and iris (Amyris femme Eau de Parfum), citrus and musk (Petit Matin Eau de Parfum), Damascena rose Centifolia rose (À la rose Eau de Parfum), floral (APOM Eau de Parfum), musks with amber woods and vanilla (Fluidity Gold Eau de Parfum), woody amber and floral (Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum), amber and wood (Grand Soir Eau de Parfum)
Bath & Body Works Champagne Toast Mini Perfume Spray
$15 Buy Now
When you want a hint of nostalgia, reach for a Bath & Body Works fragrance, such as the Champagne Toast Perfume Spray. This perfume features notes of bubbly champagne, sparkling berries, and juicy tangerine, and the mini size costs only $15.
Travel Size Available: 0.23 ozKey Notes: Bubbly champagne, sparkling berries, juicy tangerine.
Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Springtime In A Park Eau de Toilette
$85 Buy Now
The Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Springtime In A Park Eau de Toilette is another stunning springtime scent. But a full-sized bottle isn't entirely necessary since it is a bit more seasonal, so instead, opt for the smaller 1 oz bottle for $85. This fragrance features bright and cheerful fruity floral aromas with notes of pear accord, lily of the valley accord, and musks.
Travel Size Available: 1 ozKey Notes: Pear accord, lily of the valley accord, musks
LoveShackFancy Forever in Love Eau de Parfum
$32 Buy Now
If the LoveShackFancy Forever in Love Eau de Parfum is at the top of your wishlist right now, you can find it in a smaller, 0.34 oz size that makes it perfect for testing and traveling. This delicious-smelling spring fragrance features notes of green pear, gardenia, and cedarwood.
Travel Size Available: 0.34 ozKey Notes: Green pear, gardenia, cedarwood
PHLUR Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum
$29 Buy Now
The PHLUR Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum is one of the best vanilla perfumes we've ever tried, and we love that you can find it in a smaller 0.32 oz bottle so you don't have to fully commit to the vanilla trend, This fragrance features notes of sugar crystals, cashmere wood, and vanilla, and has a warm and spicy scent that's great for all seasons.
Travel Size Available: 0.32 ozKey Notes: Sugar crystals, cashmere wood, vanilla
Merit Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum
$34 Buy Now
Merit Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum is on our regular rotation, but even still, we barely make a dent in its full-size bottle. So, if you've been wanting to take this popular fragrance out on a test drive, the travel-sized option can give you a good idea of how it blends with your pheromones before you buy the bigger size.
Travel Size Available: 0.32 ozKey Notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss
Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum
$26 Buy Now
Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa '62 Eau de Parfum is one of the best fragrance scents ever, and its summery vibe makes it the best addition to any carry-on or beach bag. Instead of carting around a full-size bottle, opt for a smaller (and cheaper) travel-friendly size for $26. That way, you can add its delicious blend of pistachio, jasmine petals, and salted caramel to your perfume stash without the risk of it getting confiscated at the airport.
Travel Size Available: 0.27 ozKey Notes: Pistachio, jasmine petals, salted caramel
Glossier You
$32 Buy Now
Glossier You is a tried-and-true millennial-loved fragrance with invigorating notes of pink pepper, iris, and abrox. If you want to add it to your collection without splurging on the full-priced bottle, the $32 travel-friendly spray is worth adding to your cart.
Travel Size Available: 0.27 ozKey Notes: Pink pepper, iris, abrox
Being Frenshe Fresh Cashmere Vanilla Roll-On Fragrance
$15 Buy Now
If you have a sensitive nose, you'll love the Being Frenshe Fresh Cashmere Vanilla Roll-On Fragrance. This travel-friendly fragrance offers a more subtle fragrance option that feels a little more like an essential oil blend vs. a perfume (the roller ball applicator is also a nice nod). It has a blend of vanilla, toasted jasmine rice, warm amber, and creamy musk and has a lived-in aroma.
Travel Size Available: 0.84 ozKey Notes: Vanilla, toasted jasmine rice, warm amber, creamy musk
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