Less Bottles, More Stories: Why Discovery Sets Became My Go To

Hello everyone that might stumble on my article ! 
As someone who has been immersed in the world of perfumery for a year now, my relationship with fragrances has evolved significantly. When I first began this hobby, I was enticed by the idea of owning bottles upon bottles of perfumes, each one a little piece of olfactory art. But over time, I came to a realization: owning too many full bottles is not only impractical but also fosters a consumerist mindset that detracts from the true joy of perfumery. That’s when I decided to shift my focus to discovery sets—a decision that has transformed my experience.

My Advocacy for  Discovery Sets

In my opinion perfume discovery sets offer an unparalleled experience in exploring the art of scent creation. Here’s why they have become my go-to option:

- Affordability: A single full bottle of perfume can be a significant investment, especially when you’re not sure if it’s "the one." Discovery sets provide access to multiple scents at a fraction of the cost, making them ideal for anyone looking to sample widely without breaking the bank.

- Exploration Over Ownership: For me, perfumery is about the experience of discovering new olfactory profiles and stories. Discovery sets allow me to explore a brand’s identity and artistry without the pressure of committing to a full bottle.

- Practicality: Living in France, I’m fortunate to benefit from minimal or even non-existent shipping costs for many discovery sets. This accessibility makes it even easier to dive into this world without logistical hurdles.

- Sustainability: Let’s face it—perfume bottles are often more than just functional; they’re decorative, luxurious items that take up space. By opting for discovery sets, I’ve significantly reduced the clutter in my collection while also minimizing waste.

- The Joy of Sharing: One of the unexpected delights of discovery sets is the opportunity to share samples with friends and family. It’s normal not to love everything in a set, and passing along a sample to someone who might appreciate it more is incredibly rewarding. These shared experiences often spark meaningful conversations about personal tastes and scent memories, adding a social dimension to what might otherwise be a solitary hobby.

How to Choose the Perfect Discovery Set

Navigating the world of discovery sets can be overwhelming, so here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:

- Know Your Preferences: If you have a preference for certain scent families (e.g., florals, woody scents, or gourmands), look for sets curated around those themes.

- Beware of the "Discount Trap": Many brands offer redeemable discounts on full bottles when you purchase a discovery set. While this can seem like an excellent perk, it’s also a clever marketing strategy designed to compel you to buy. If you’re not careful, you may feel pressured to purchase a full bottle simply to "make the most" of the discount, even if you’re not entirely in love with the fragrance. Stay mindful and ask yourself whether you truly want the bottle or are just being swayed by the offer.

- Read Reviews: Not all discovery sets are created equal. Reviews from other perfume enthusiasts can provide valuable insights into the quality and range of a set.

Brands Worth Exploring (In my opinion)

Here are some standout brands that offer excellent discovery sets, I separated them into categories from :

Easy try : 

- Essentials Parfum: This one is THE house I always recommend for someone that wants to discover more about niche fragrance. 10 samples fro 23€ which has the best values for money, period. Plus craft-man-woman-ship is excellent, it allows you to discover what scent profiles you like. Also the brand highlights the noses behind the fragrances which is the best way to learn which perfumer's works you like.
10, 10, 10 across the board ! 

- Obvious: Cute brand, with good propositions. They recently rebranded and updated their discovery set (new scents, no more dabber) Great option too. 16 samples for 33€

- The Hellenist: Very new house inspired by the Mediterranean coast, that only offers 3 fragrances. But so beautifully done. Their discovery sets is priced at 15€ 

- Sylvaine Delacourte: This brand offers 3 of 5-samples discovery sets (around 10 € each so 15 samples for €30). Each set focus on a core note, either Orange Blossom, Vanilla or Musc. Cute and very reasonable pricing. 

- CRA-YON: Swedish brand, with reasonable pricing. Not groundbreaking but good propositions that can be layered. 10 samples for 35€

- Histoire de Parfums: This one is clearly between my Easy Try and Unique classement as some of their fragrances can get really quirky, but they're mostly conventional. This house offers a variety of discovery sets, including themed collections. You can buy the full samples collection for 50€ and you have all the 24 fragrances the house. 

Unique :

- Etat Libre d'Orange: This niche house offers a 20-sample discovery set (around €44) showcasing their unique and often provocative creations. Expect bold, unconventional scents that push boundaries. A classic often recommended on many forums as a discovery sets. 

- Versatile Paris: Very unique, only make 15ml oil-based perfume (For 59€). All of their fragrances are based on French puns. Very good values for money 9 samples for 25€. The discovery sets is fun and playful, one my favorite. 

- Teo Cabanel: Offers a discovery set with their whole collection, 14 samples for 30€. Goes from classic florals and orientals to burnt plastic bubblegum mess. Quirky and fun.

- L'Orchestre Parfum: Lovely brand that create fragrances that are music themed. You can get two discovery sets (High frequencies or Deep Vibe) from them priced at 25€ for 7 to 8 fragrances. 

- Olfactive Studio: Brand that pair a photograph and perfumer to make "photo-realistics" scent, I love photographies so I had to try this one. I did not try their whole collection, as I know my own taste. But i believe that most of their fragrances are worth to try. They have 3 different sets of 6 fragrances each at 25 or 30€.

- Maison Crivelli: For me, this is the high-end version of Essentials Parfums. Their discovery kits have interesting propositions, as this house works with renowned perfumers. It's divided between their eaux de parfums and their extraits. 10 Eaux de parfums samples for 39€, and 8 samples of the extrait for 40€.

Nerdy :

- Naomi Goodsir: A true Classic among niche for Nuit de Bakelite (my favorite green tuberose ever). Expect sophisticated and intriguing scents around leather or incense notes with a focus on artistic expression. 5 samples for 35€ (I recommend especially to NEVER blind buy any Naomi Goodsir’s fragrances)

- Anatole Lebreton: French little weird house with its own peculiar DNA. They have like 12 to 15 fragrances to choose from. You can get a make you own set for 25€ with 5 samples.

- Marlou: Weirdest set in my collection for 9 € you can learn what a true "animalic" scent is. (Yup one those 4 smells like goat poop concentrate). Worth it, just to make your friends smell it and see their facial expressions !

Final Thoughts

Choosing to focus on discovery sets has not only refined my approach to perfumery but also deepened my appreciation for the craft. By valuing the experience of exploration over ownership, I’ve found a way to enjoy this hobby without the clutter, expense, or waste of excessive full bottles.

So, whether you’re new to perfumery or a seasoned enthusiast, I encourage you to give discovery sets a try. They’re a gateway to discovering your next signature scent or simply enjoying the artistry of fragrance in a more mindful way.

And don't hesitate to give your favorite discovery sets in the comment !

Happy sniffing!