Decant, sample or full bottle: which makes sense?

Luxury perfume comes in three practical sizes: a tiny sample, a 10 ml decant and the full bottle. Each has its place – it depends on how well you already know the scent.

Sample (1–2 ml)

Enough for a few wears. Good for a first impression, but too little to learn how a perfume behaves over a whole day, in different weather and on different occasions.

Decant (10 ml)

Roughly 120–150 sprays – weeks of regular wear. Enough to really get to know a fragrance, and small enough for a handbag or travel.

Full bottle (50–200 ml)

The lowest price per millilitre – if you already know you love the scent. If not, it is also the most expensive mistake: a half-used bottle you never wear.

Doing the maths

Example: if a 100 ml bottle costs €300, that is €3 per millilitre. A 10 ml decant at around €40 works out at about €4 per millilitre – slightly more, but you pay €40 instead of €300.

• Sample: the smallest spend, but only a first impression.
• Decant: a small investment that lasts weeks – ideal for testing and travel.
• Full bottle: the best price per millilitre, but only worth it for a scent you already know.

Our tip

Start with a decant. If you finish it and miss the scent, buy the full bottle with confidence. If not, you have saved yourself an expensive mistake – and found out what you really like.