Editor’s tip: The number after each fragrance’s name indicates how many tries it took to concoct the perfect formulation.
Number of scents: 4 | Size of scents: 10 ml
Best Gender Neutral: Henry Rose Eau de Parfum Discovery Sampler Set
Why we love it: Six genderless scents form a palm-sized fragrance wardrobe in Henry Rose’s versatile Eau de Parfum Discovery Sampler Set. The layer-able scents range from Char, a smoky mix of tona bean, patchouli, and vetiver to the spicy, vanilla Torn and Flora Carnivora, which is spiked with jasmine and orange blossom. Queens and Monsters is a woody, ambery gourmand, while Windows Down is a bright mix of citrus and bergamot. Then, there’s Jake’s House, a best-seller that puts an oceanic spin on citrus, mixing fresh marine with neroli, peony, jasmine, ambroxan, and musk. The scents are also free of parabens and phthalates, as well as cruelty-free.
Editor’s tip: If you want to know what editors smell like, you’ll find your answer in this box. Queens and Monsters, Flora Carnivora, and Windows Down have all won Allure Best of Beauty Awards, and we have it on good authority that someone on staff spritzes at least one of them every day.
Number of scents: 6 | Size of scents: 0.05 oz
Best Body Mists: Phlur Edible Skin Trio
Why we love it: Phlur’s gourmand hair and body mists are so sweet that it’s hard to pick a favorite. Luckily, the Phlur Edible Skin Trio will let you sample a spritz of Vanilla Skin, Caramel Skin, and Coconut Skin before deciding which olfactory treat to stick with. The scents can be layered or worn on their own, and each one—as you might assume—smells good enough to eat.
Tester feedback: A 2024 Best of Beauty Award winner, Vanilla Skin has a fan in associate beauty editor Annie Blay. “It’s sweet and light, giving gourmand warmth while maintaining a natural musk that doesn’t make it too sugary,” she says.
Number of scents: 3 | Size of scents: 3 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a scent discovery kit helpful?
Fine fragrance “is all about discovery, exploration, and experimentation,” says Linda G. Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation. “A scent discovery kit is a great guided journey through a brand’s scent story, with the wearer discovering notes and personal preferences along the way.” She adds that sampling aromas before committing to a full bottle is a smart way to stave off buyer’s remorse—plus, a scent discovery kit instantly adds several more options to a fragrance wardrobe.
How should you use a scent discovery kit?
Though it’s tempting to mix and match all the scents in a set, Levy suggests sampling each fragrance alone to start, to get a solid taste (or rather, sniff) of it. “Try one in the daytime, applied right after your morning shower on one wrist,” she says. “In the evening try another one on the other wrist.” It’s the perfect way to make the most of the collection.
Meet the Experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.