It’s not easy choosing a signature fragrance for yourself, especially when it plays such an important role in first impressions and how you are remembered. Not to mention, the same fragrance may smell different on everyone due to how it interacts with our body odor (specifically our pH balance) and creates an entirely different scent. So even if you liked that perfume on the stranger you just passed on the street, there’s a chance you might not like it on yourself.

Cue: perfume sample sets. These fragrance sets are a low-risk way to discover new scents, check their compatibility with your skin, and get a feel for how the perfume develops and wears over time – without even committing to a full bottle. Better yet, these samples are typically travel-sized, take up little space in your purse, and, depending on the notes, can be further layered for an even more personalized scent.

Not only are perfume sample sets a great way to test out new scents, but they also make terrific gifts for the perfume aficionado in your life! If you know someone who loves perfume but is stuck in a rut, a sample set is a great way to help them rediscover their olfactory drive. It doesn’t matter if they lean toward the warmer and bolder Tom Ford scents or the classic white florals of Chanel – you can’t ever go wrong with a thoughtful perfume sample set as a beauty gift.