Years ago, when niche perfumes were hard to come by for testing and our collections were much smaller, samples were actively used, swapped or even sold. These days, I suspect they often stay in our collections to die. Unless you get rid of them sooner, of course.
Saturday Question #300:
Do You Throw Away Old Samples?
Do you check the ones you kept from time to time? Do you throw away evaporated or almost empty ones? Are you tempted to try them one last time before chucking them?
My Answer
At the onset of this hobby, I often went back to previously tested perfumes – to compare them to newer ones that reminded me of them, write single note exploration posts or just check whether my opinion of them had changed. So, for years, I kept all samples that came my way in the “library.” These days, after I’ve tried them once or twice, most of them just sit in the boxes, never to be sniffed again.
Today, I went through one of the boxes and discarded 17 samples that had evaporated since I last looked at them. That felt good: I have my recorded impressions from testing them, I never wanted to have more of those perfumes, and some of them have been limited editions or have been discontinued since, so there was no reason to keep them, even if they were still full. But even while doing that, I couldn’t bring myself to getting rid of a couple of vials that still had a smidge of perfume left in them. Now they sit on my desk next to my laptop, and I hope to try to get that last… not even a drop of juice tomorrow, so that I can dispose of them. And then next week I should try going through the next box. Maybe.
How about you?
Undina's Looking Glass 
Hey Undina,
I did try a couple of years ago to use a whole lot. Thing is, once some go more come.
Lately on the Oz perfume FB groups people have been selling huge bundles of half used samples and decants for very little. There seems to be a market for them. While I’m stalled on the full bottle sales thoughts have been coalescing about moving on a bunch of these sniffed and then ignored samples and decants.
Let’s see if I do.
Portia xx
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I have been guilty of allowing both samples to evaporate to their oily sludge. Using that has been a phenomenal experience for a few. Others have turned to vinegar or chip fat.
The old formula Sarrasins was just so blissful, I bought a full bell jar. Sadly it was the new neutered formula. It is on my list to be sold. There are better pretty jasmine soliflores in my collection.
Boxed or carded samples will be sold in future if I don’t love them enough to wear until they are empty. 1000+ samples are unneccessary
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Fortunately I don’t accumulate samples enough to get to that point. Even if I don’t like a sample (usually from a discovery set I bought), I’ll overspray and use it up in one day. I have also given away a bunch before, but these days I don’t get many new ones at a time.
If only there were a better way to distribute unwanted samples of discontinued perfumes to people who are curious to smell them regardless.
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About once a year I go through my collection and try to declutter. I have been giving away bags of samples on my local Facebook group just to move them out. I still have quite a few but nowhere near what I used to.
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I have sold unused samples in the past on eBay or sent them to my local consignment store. They love perfume samples. eBay is now being squirrelly and not allowing ‘unboxed’ samples so I have to get creative with loose samples from Luckyscent or other niche retailers. I’ve had good luck selling boxed discovery sets, though.
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I discard used samples, of course, but I have hundreds of samples that are either half-full or completely full. I’ve neatly and alphabetically organized them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a review or had the need to revisit some of these samples. I find it quite useful, and I have a hard time just disposing of them.
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I have had a few oxidize, usually naturals. I used to buy all the Luckyscent sample packs, back in the day when they were the only ones in town and they used to release samples from their new brands in little muslin pouches. I sold a few on Ebay, but now they’ve really cracked down on selling samples and anything “used”. The rare times I sell a perfume I usually throw some in the package. Otherwise I try to use them, a couple a week, along with my regular perfume.
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I don’t throw them away unless they’ve dried up, but I also don’t check regularly! I keep thinking I’ll go through them in an organized way and take notes, then I don’t. I keep getting caught up in other projects! Story of my life.
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