What is a perfume tester? A perfume tester is not a fake or copy of a shop bought fragrance. It is the original perfume, exactly the same as the fragrance that is on sale on department store perfumery counters. Nor are perfume testers to be confused with perfume 'samples'. Perfume samples are usually around 1.5ml spray vials of the perfume and are available for free either direct from the perfume manufacturer or from department store perfumery counters that sell their perfume.



They are packaged and distributed to allow customers to sample the fragrance at home before ordering a full size bottle. Perfume testers on the other hand are a full size bottles of the original fragrance just like those available in store.


So what is the difference between a perfume tester and a shop bought one? Packaging! Fragrances intended for sale on department store perfumery counters are packaged accordingly, in an expensively designed and sealed box. Perfume testers on the other hand are not intended for sale on department store perfumery counters. Rather, perfume manufacturers package and distribute perfume testers of their fragrances to department stores so they can promote it to their customers in store. The department store purchases them so customers can test the perfume in store before they decide to make a purchase.


Since perfume testers are not intended for sale on department store perfumery counters they do not require expensive packaging. As such, perfume testers are generally either unpackaged or in a plain or cardboard box. They may have a 'tester' or 'not for sale' sticker on the box or perfume bottle and occasionally they may not have a perfume lid. But perfume testers will usually have a spray top and so be completely usable. Importantly, perfume testers are usually brand new and unused. Although intended for customer use in store they will not have been used as such. Given these differences, perfume testers may not make the perfect gift but are perfectly adequate for personal use.


Why are perfume testers cheaper than shop bought ones? Since perfume testers do not require expensive packaging they can be purchased at a fraction of the price of those available for purchase on department store perfumery counters.The expensive packaging that commands such a high premium in store is usually discarded anyway so why pay more for expensive packaging you don't need?