How to Try Perfume Before You Buy: The UK Sample Set Guide (2026)
Buying a full bottle you've never actually smelled is a gamble. Trying it first for a couple of pounds isn't.
The biggest worry people have about inspired perfumes is simple and completely fair: "What if it isn't for me?" You can't smell a description. You can't trust a stranger's nose. So here's the honest answer to that worry — try before you commit, with a small sample set, and only buy the full bottle once you already love it.
This guide explains exactly how to do that in the UK, which sample set to pick, and how the maths works out in your favour.
Why sample sets are the smart way to buy fragrance
A full 100ml bottle is a bigger commitment. If it turns out not to suit your skin — and fragrance genuinely does smell different on different people — that's an expensive mistake sitting in a drawer.
A 5ml sample gives you roughly 60–75 sprays: more than enough to wear a scent for a week, test how it lasts on your skin, and see how people react. You risk a few pounds instead of a few hundred, and you find your signature scent properly instead of guessing.
With Leclair & Moreau, every scent is an Eau de Parfum-strength, vegan, cruelty-free fragrance, inspired by the world's most loved designer scents and made right here in the UK — so the sample you're testing is exactly what you'll get in the full bottle.
Which sample set should you choose?
Just testing the water? The Starter Set — 3 × 5ml
Pick any three scents to try. Perfect if you already have two or three styles in mind and want to compare them side by side.
£12.95 as a set (£14.85 if bought as singles). Pick & mix any three.
Serious about finding "the one"? The Discovery Set — 7 × 5ml
Seven scents, chosen by you, for £28.95. This is the set most people should start with — enough range to compare fresh, warm, sweet and woody families and actually land on your signature.
£28.95 as a set (£34.65 if bought as singles). That's seven full-strength scents to try for under thirty pounds.
Want the full experience? The Full Discovery Set — 14 × 5ml
Fourteen 5ml scents — practically our whole collection in miniature. The best-value way to explore everything and build a proper shortlist before you buy full size.
£54.95 as a set (£69.30 if bought as singles).
The honest maths
For less than £29, the Discovery Set lets you road-test seven different scents on your own skin first. Then, when you know exactly which one you love, you buy the full 100ml for £26.95 — a fragrance you're certain about.
Try small. Decide for yourself. Buy big only on the winner. That's how you never waste money on a bottle again.
Frequently asked questions
Are the samples full strength?
Yes. Every 5ml is the exact same Eau de Parfum you'd get in the full bottle — not a watered-down tester.
How long does a 5ml sample last?
Around 60–75 sprays, which is roughly a week or two of regular wear — plenty to judge how a scent performs on your skin.
Can I choose the scents myself?
Yes — every set is pick & mix. You choose which scents go in your set.
What if I don't like any of them?
Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Opened samples cannot be returned, which is why each one costs just £4.95.
Ready to find your scent?
Start small, test properly, and only commit to a full bottle once you're sure. The Discovery Set is the easiest place to begin.