Looking for a little treat? Selection boxes of samples from truly spectacular niche brands are SO perfect for trying right now (and to give ourselves a little seasonal boost of joy). Here are some ideas of what to wear next…
As the weather makes up its mind, these in-between weeks offer a unique opportunity to explore and indulge in new fragrances, making it the perfect time for a little self-gifting via perfume samples in ready-made sets. At The Perfume Society, we believe that treating yourself to a curated luxury brand box is not just about selecting a scent; it’s about embracing the joy and excitement of discovering something new!
Each of these brand boxes are filled with samples from their collections, giving you a brilliant overview of their olfactory styles, and gently guiding you to step outside your comfort zone. Each box is designed to inspire and delight, encouraging you to find your new signature scent (or, well, several new loves – we don’t really believe in one fragrance for every single occasion and mood, as you know!) while treating yourself to a luxurious experience. So why not take this opportunity to explore the world of fragrance and discover the perfect scent that resonates with you during these transitional weeks…?
The Experimental Perfume Club Discovery Set Essential contains nine niche fragrances designed for blending and creating custom scents. Developed by perfumer Emmanuelle Moeglin, it includes three top, mid, and base notes that can be worn alone or combined. The set allows fragrance lovers to experiment with endless combinations, guided by inspiration cards. Fragrances range from fresh bergamot and fig to mellow jasmine and rose to deep amber and sandalwood. This set brings the experience of Moeglin’s perfume workshops home, allowing users to craft unique, personalised fragrances through creative mixing and matching. The set includes:
Top / Fresh
Bergamot Incense – citrus and exotic spices are brought together in this bright fragrance with Eastern influence.
Fig Neroli – the crunch of fresh herbs in a Mediterranean garden in bloom.
Cardamom Moss – a swirl of spices wrapped in salty waves of mineral mosses and Ambroxan.
Mid / Mellow
Jasmine Osmanthus – a tribute to white flowers growing on hot sand. Radiant, floral and exotic.
Rose Rhubarb – imagine rose bushes growing from a rhubarb patch.
Tonka Sesame – an utterly delectable combination of gourmand notes and woods; fused in perfect harmony.
Base / Deep
Amber Iris – an amber wrapped in powdery notes; dark yet soft.
Sandalwood Musk – mineral sandalwood met with leather and musks. Mineral, woody and addictive.
Cedarwood Absinth – a rich leathery fragrance unashamedly herbaceous , sultry and powerful.
£50 for 9 x 2ml eau de parfum (plus full instructions)
Within the Mastenbroek Classic Collection Discovery Set, you’ll get to explore master perfumer Ruth Mastenbroek’s most renowned compositions. After many years of studying, working abroad and then crafting scents for mega brands like Jo Malone London, Ruth launched her own line of meticulously crafted scents. Each perfume is a masterpiece, taking years to develop using the finest global ingredients. This curated selection showcases Ruth’s artistry and is perfect for fragrance enthusiasts or as a gift for those wanting to discover a unique perfume house. Experience the culmination of Ruth’s expertise and passion in this must-try collection of sophisticated scents. The boxed set includes:
Signature – Fresh fruity notes of mandarin, bergamot and pineapple waltz elegantly together with rose on a stage of patchouli and oakmoss.
Amorosa – Amorosa is alive with an insistent freshness. Watermelon bursts onto fresh green vetivert, as a heart of white flowers caresses its woody and amber base.
Oxford – Oxford’s bold oudh and amber layers clash with its softer vanilla and vetiver notes. A daring ambrée composition not for the faint-hearted.
Firedance – a scorching, modern interpretation of the classic rose perfume, as exotic leather dances in surprise harmony with the main character – smouldering Damask rose. Set against a warming backdrop of oudh and patchouli, a shining amber note radiates from the skin in this memorably intimate and sexy perfume.
Dagian – Dagian is the feeling of optimism that breaks at dawn, the exhilarating hope of a fresh start. As the sun rises, a breeze of lime and mint shimmers over notes of orange blossom and rum.
£32.50 for 5 x 2ml eau de parfum
The Strangelove Discovery Set offers a rare opportunity to experience an exquisite collection of premium niche fragrances. Crafted by passionate perfumer and industry campaigner Christophe Laudamiel, these scents are built around a foundation of precious, sustainably-sourced oudh (also spelled ‘oud’), blended with other meticulously selected ingredients from around the world. This set allows you to explore the entire range of Strangelove’s opulent and addictive fragrances, each showcasing stunning raw materials. From the euphoric Indian champaca and creamy gardenia enfleurage in deadofnight to the surprising dark chocolate and orris butter notes in lostinflowers, this collection represents the pinnacle of olfactory artistry. Indulge in this decadent journey through some of the most coveted niche scents in the niche perfume world. You will get to try:
deadofnight – empowers its devotees to take risks and dive into their desires.
fallintostars – propels a mystical experience of boundless wonder, as lovers transcend time and space to journey into a parallel universe.
lostinflowers – evokes the thrill of new love, capturing that electric moment of discovery when two destined wanderers finally collide: lost in time, lost in romance, lostinflowers.
meltmyheart – inspires romance and indulgence for devoted lovers.
silencethesea – captures the intimacy of the lover’s gaze: soundless, eternal, profound.
£95 for 5 x 2ml eau de parfum
For those seeking something bolder still, the Sarah Baker Extrait Discovery Set showcases the brand’s artistry in perfumery, offering super-strength versions of their signature scents. Founded in 2015 by American-born, London-based artist Sarah Baker, this collection represents the pinnacle of olfactory craftsmanship. Each fragrance in the set is an incredibly long-lasting extrait, designed to leave a lasting impression. Baker’s collaborations with top perfumers like Ashley Eden Kessler and Sarah McCartney have resulted in unique, boundary-pushing scents that blend art and fragrance. This discovery set allows you to experience the full range of Sarah Baker’s olfactory vision, from classic compositions to avant-garde creations like the limited edition Jungle Jezebel, all in their most potent and enduring forms. Get ready to try samples of:
Atlante: A mermaid emerging from the sea. Real beach vibes.
Charade: Big white flower with a cutting edge of rustic leather. Sophisticated and contemporary.
Jungle Jezebel: Bombastic banana bootylicious beast. Love it or hate it? We love. Join us.
Gold Spot: A spotlight on filmstars who love their luxuries, indulging themselves in bed all day with broadsheets and butterscotch bonbons.
Greek Keys: A yacht ride in the Greek Islands. Fresh, Oceanic, Luxurious.
Tartan: After a long walk in the Highlands, enjoy your first sip of whiskey next to the fire in the library.
Leopard: Power fragrance that must be worn with shoulder pads. Not for children.
Loudo: Playful and sweet, yet nostalgic and serious. Deliciously woody.
£45 for 8 x 2ml extrait de parfum
The Memoize London Dark Range Discovery Set offers a unique olfactory journey through the scent memories and emotions the niche house is so inspired by. This collection showcases the brand’s commitment to creating harmonious fragrances that resonate with personal experiences, from childhood to adulthood – each day a new opportunity to craft your own olfactory encounter. Every scent in the set is carefully composed to evoke nostalgia while also laying the foundation for future memories. The Dark Range EDPs explore deeper, more complex emotions, allowing wearers to discover and connect with fragrances that reflect their inner selves. This set provides an excellent opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Memoize London’s Dark Range, inviting you to explore how scent can unlock and create powerful emotional associations of your own. Build some future fragrant memories with these:
Tristitia – The essence of calm, relaxation and pure leisure, reminiscent of of a lazy Sunday morning.
Avaritia – The essence of insatiability, opulence and unquenchable desire, dare to think you can have exactly what you want.
Era – The essence of passion, provocation and power, reigniting the fire within you.
Luxuria – The essence of lust, seduction and intoxication, where desire and passion consumes you.
Superbia – The essence of self-confidence, self-love and self-worth, an overwhelming feeling of pride, joy and delight.
Gula – The essence of pleasure-seeking and self-indulgence, unrestrained gratification for your appetites, desires, or whims.
Invidia – The essence of insatiable desire to want, to have, to be who you want to be, a subconscious journey through the memories from your childhood.
Black Avaritia – The essence of indulging all of your wants and needs in abundance, takes you back on a journey to a foreign land.
£57 for 8 x 2ml eau de parfum
Whichever of these scented discovery samples you decide to treat yourself to, we know you are in for a fantastic fragrant journey of discovery. And as the days begin to darken, what better time to indulge your senses and treat yourself to a new olfactory experience? Embrace the feeling of seasonal change by allowing yourself to try scents you’d never normally be drawn to: you just might surprise yourself with a new favourite fragrance!
Written by Suzy Nightingale