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Post by Holly
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Hiya APJ gang!
I have formed a club, and I’m recruiting members! There are no requirements, no dues to be paid, no meetings and your participation is gonna be mostly in your own head! That’s where most things start anyway, right? You don’t even have to declare your membership. In fact, I will now assume that you are all members of The Move On Monday Club. Welcome!
Move On Monday Club
No doubt you’re wondering “what the hell does this have to do with perfume?” Good question! You see, over the last year I got myself into a pickle with my um, sincerely enthusiastic purchasing of perfume samples. I had my reasons, but now it’s time to move on. No whining, cringing, hand-wringing, sobbing, reviews of my PayPal account, denial or regret. So I’m hoping you’ll help me out. My Move on Mondays are my way of dealing with thoughts, feelings and things that have been lurking in the depths and need to be addressed. I like the alliteration, and the mindset helps set the tone for the week for me.
I have more than 300 samples. All from the last eighteen months. Yep, I went apeshit crazy! Then suddenly, about six months ago, I became overwhelmed. I stopped opening the Olfactif boxes and envelopes from decanters and so on and so forth. I kept ordering. I’d get to it. Then, I put the boxes in a huge box, and envelopes in giant trash bags, and tossed them into closets. Nut job! Move on.
Now I know that there are many people who have tons of samples and are comfortable with that. I personally am not. For a while, I created an image of The Sample Sea, where my samples are gently drifting in and out, and I thought that eventually I’d surf the sea and accept whatever drifts along my way. That has been a comforting image for a while, but now the sirens are singing and the samples are hissing and spitting and demanding attention. The Sample Sea is a gyre, replete with plastic bags, paper envelopes, cardboard boxes and detritus.
So what I’d like to know is what is your perfume sampling journey like these days?
Do you have a clear sense of your style and prefer to stick with it? Has it been consistent?
Do you like to experiment and will try almost anything?
Do you consider what you have to be a collection, or kinda willy-nilly?
Do you plan your purchases?
Do you organize your samples?
How do you sample? Do you pick one at a time, or five or ten?
Do you have a yes, a no, and a maybe pile?
How do you decide what is full-bottle worthy? Do you have particular requirements such as price, sillage, longevity, consistency from the top notes through the dry down?
Some popular Sample Sites include: Surrender To Chance, Posh Peasant, My Perfume Samples
Them there’s a lotta questions! Whew! I hope this doesn’t look like homework, and that you’ll enjoy sharing some of your insights. Thank you in advance.
Love and hugs to all,
Holly xo
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Hey Portia!
You need a secretary! But failing that, you need to get your organisational skills going. So many samples leads to lethargy, malaise and inertia, in other words the funk your in now, so here’s my remedy. Enter all your samples on your computer, then categorise them according to the Michael Edwards fragrance wheel. Physically categorise them as well, so that when you feel like, say, an Oriental fragrance, you have them all in the one place and you can compare the ones you have that belong to that group. You can rank them over time, making notes on your computer, and decide which ones are FB worthy. Can’t wait to hear what gems you find amongst your samples!
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Hi Jane!
Thank you so much for your suggestions!
My goodness, you’ve got this well under control! I’ve read about people using spreadsheets for their bottles and decants, but not for their samples. I often use both the Michael Edwards fragrance wheel(and fragrance finder), but I must admit it never occurred to me to use it for my samples.
Holly xo
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I read the title as Move on, Monday…and totally agreed, am over Monday. But to get to your question-
I will try anything that sounds interesting, does not have to be new. Samples do go into 3 boxes labelled yes, maybe try again, and get this out of my house.
If I love something I will usually buy a decant, but if I then find it is a true love then I must buy a bottle.
Price sometimes not declared to husband.
I am a mere dilettante though, compared to you!
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Hi, Jackie b!
Thank you for your comment. I hope your Monday goes well!
I was doing a yes, a no and a maybe pile. Then I started speed-dating my samples, and realized that perhaps the maybe pile should just be transferred into the no pile. I’m curious if you ever actually go back to the maybe pile. I have the thought that if I get rid of something that was a maybe, I’ll regret it. But then again, I don’t want to have the mindset that I have made a mistake. I can always purchase another sample … just not right away!
Holly xo
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I have probably purchased about half that number of samples in the past year (maybe more, haven’t counted in a while). I almost always do a first impression sniff from the vial upon arrival so I don’t spray something later that makes me recoil. I also try to enter them into my spreadsheet ASAP so I don’t miss any and I don’t get too many duplicates. Admittedly, this takes time and the ability to wrest the laptop from my husband during down time so I sometimes don’t get it done as promptly as I should. I then move my vials to plastic ammo boxes which desperately need to be reorganized. I usually have one for new arrivals and one for those I’m really wearing a lot or considering a FB or larger decant of. I have learned that a spray sample is almost always worth splurging on, I can always unscrew the sprayer and dab if I prefer.
I suppose I can imagine a world where I was overwhelmed by my sample stash. I’m occasionally tempted to give away the ones I don’t like but I haven’t taken the time to sort those out. I also like having them for reference. Often, if there is an interesting review of or conversation about something I’ve not cared for I pull it out to see if I can smell what others smell. Usually it’s a failure but occasionally my tastes or mood have changed enough that I find a gem among the detritus.
I don’t have set rules for FB purchase. If I’m wearing something a lot it goes on the list. I’m a huge perfume flirt so usually don’t jump on a purchase quickly and prefer to spend money on samples most of the time. Lately I have been trying to rein it in as some of the things I want have risen dramatically in price or become unavailable so I’m actually buying bottles while I can. I’m trying to get stuff that has been on the list longest since I know I’m not just in temporary lust with those.
I do usually try to sample several from a line at a time. It helps me to avoid repeats and to get a feel for whether a house suits me. If I have hated everything, the new release isn’t something I will lust after. With a few exceptions it has worked really well for me.
I hope you get your closet monsters under control soon. You can always swap them for large decants of stuff you really want or just give them away 😉
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Hi, MikasMinion!
Thank-you for stopping by!
So you’re also a spreadsheet fan. I’ve just realized that it’s not just the time involved (move on) but also seeing everything in black and white. Like if it’s a mess, I can’t actually see it. That’s good for me to acknowledge and then … move on.
I tend to sample one thing at a time on skin, but I’m no longer satisfied with that. Perhaps once I get the current situation under control, I’ll go back to that method. I also like to have reference scents, and luckily I have plenty of those. I agree with you – spray samples are preferable, certainly worth the few extra bucks.
I have no worries when it comes to passing on my samples. I have an ongoing project with eldercare facilities where we explore scents and memories associated with them with the residents and their families. I also leave stuff at hospital ICU restrooms, and at women’s shelters, and recently I found a CVS employee who loves perfume and can’t afford it, so I bring things to her. At least in that regard, I feel organized!
Holly xo
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All great questions! Until last October I considered myself the Grand Poobah of organization, especially of samples. I had my spreadsheet, anything that came in got smelled, cataloged and put in the sample chest (an old silverware chest). Then, through a series of unfortunate incidences, it all went to hell in a hand basket. That being said, I am now back to sampling, cataloging and shipping. Out with the old, in with the new. I figure I will catch up sometime in early 2017.
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Hi, JanLast!
Thank-you for commenting! Yes, I had a series of unfortunate incidences as well, and got derailed in innumerable ways. I’m glad you’re back on track, and I’m also at the point where I know that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train. It’s good to hear that someone else has gone through something similar, and come out on the other side.
Holly xo
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I’ve bought samples but with the exception of a few, most have been a waste of time and money. The samples that Jan Last sent me on perfume posse fairy godmother were my favorite. It’s interesting to me that someone I never actually met managed to find things I love better than I could find for myself. Thanks again Jan.
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Thank you! I do try to put a lot of thought into my sample shipping, and you are most welcome!
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Hi, Katherine!
Thank you for stopping by!
Yes, I understand that experience of realizing that the time and money spent are often not worth it. I guess that’s what happens with stuff – it comes to have more meaning than the actual objects themselves.
I’m so glad you have enjoyed your Perfume Posse fairy godmother experience – it’s such a lovely feature, isn’t it?
Holly xo
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I may as well confess my sin first thing so you ca decide to quit reading right away of you choose to, but one my samples out grew the jewelry armoire I bought to house them, I switched over to ammo boxes.
They come in boxes to fit every sample/decant size, depending on the caliber, they’re dirt cheap, and you can store them all in an ammo can (or three), which makes it very easy to grab and go.
The downside is, it is impossible to read individual labels, but I tend to remember roughly what box any given sample is in.
Samples are organized by vimtage, keep for reference, try again, buy a decant for sure, give away.
Decants are not especially organized, other than roughly by house.
I still have a boatload of samples, but my buying of them has slowed way, way down. I know what to avoid now (woods, vetiver, musk, tuberose, grapefruit) and even what to think twice before biting on ( orange blossom, gardenia, rose de mai) What little sampling I do now tends toward finding a specific note…ie, “my” leather, iris, etc.
I say just put your samples away for awhile! Wait til missing them overcomes feeling overwhelmed by them, then tackle the organizing again.
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Hi, tammy!
Thank you for commenting! It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has indulged with abandon!
You’re the second person to recommend ammo boxes, so that might be the way to go in terms of storage.
Like you, I’ve also slowed way, way down. I’ve realized there will always be sales, and if the stuff is discontinued or I never experience it, that’s perfectly fine by me. I also know that tuberose is my nemesis, that rose rarely works for me, and I don’t like gardenia. It’s a start!
Holly xo
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What an interesting topic. You made me look to see how many samples I have – just under 40. An artistic friend helped me out. She gave me some small round containers that are the height of vials and hold about 10 each. One has the “you’re awful” samples, the others are “maybe” or “I like” samples. I use up the “I think I love you” samples and add them to a list of FBW or to try larger decants. Larger samples go in a bigger bowl or small box. This same friend helped me out in another way. She took non-drying clay and rolled it into 5″ strips (about 1/4″ wide and high) and pressed them onto a book/curio case I have. You push in the sample vials – they stand up and you can read what they are. Each strip holds about 7. I use them for all new samples and ones I want to continue trying. I don’t order new ones until I tried all the ones I have. I eventually give away all the samples I don’t care for or use some so-so ones in the bath.
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Hi Maya!
Thank you – I’m so glad you found it interesting! I must admit I was concerned that I’d get some judgmental comments about my out-of-control behavior, so I really appreciate that people are being so kind and helpful. Otherwise I’d have to add getting over today’s negative comments to my Move on Monday. 😉
Forty samples sounds doable, and your storage solutions are awesome. Hugs to your artistic friend! I’ve also read that some people use florist’s foam to stick their samples into, and there are always woodworkers on etsy who make really nice ready-made or customized sample holders. For a while I was using a large Crayola box with the flip-top, but I donated that whole shebang to an eldercare facility.
It’s so nice to see the many ways that people approach this topic, and it’s helping me immensely.
Holly xo
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I could never be judgmental about out-of-control perfume behavior. I’ve been there and enjoyed every minute of it! 😉 I still have my weak moments. LOL
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I have quite a few samples and while they are contained they are not terribly organized. I have a general idea of what I’ve got. I stopped buying samples for a while in the hopes of using up what I have or at least trying them and making a final decision on them. Some I keep and want to purchase more of, some I need to think about, others I have no interest in and pass on to someone they maybe better suited for. I tried making a list but it’s so hard to keep up with it. I should update it and use it more than I do.
Sometimes I just do a purging and send packages off to people. It makes me happy and it makes them happy usually. I’m going to try keeping a journal with my impressions on things so I can refer back to it and refresh my memory on things I’ve tried. I envy people who have their collections all organized. Someday I’ll be that person.
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Hi poodle! It’s so nice to see you here!
I agree, it would be nice to be organized and keep up. I simply could not, and I’m just gonna forgive myself for that.
Perfume has always been a source of joy and inspiration for me, and to have it transformed to mls of misery and angst is far from what I was looking for. I could certainly spend a lot of time delving into that, but I need to let that go as well. I could certainly justify or bemoan my behavior, but I no longer feel the need. My main goal is to move away from whatever is not bringing me peace and serenity in my life, and often it’s my own thoughts that are in the way. My Move on Mondays are about gentle acceptance of myself and others, and a personal awareness of what feels right for me to do at present. I’m simply learning, and I’m grateful for that. I might not ever get it “right” and my ducks may never be in a row. So be it.
Holly xo
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Hi Holly,
I’m with Katherine. I think most of the samples I have purchased for myself (with some notable indie exceptions) have been a waste of money and eventually a waste of space. I have wasted the most at Lucky Scent 😉 I like receiving Olfactif, though, and will continue to subscribe there. Olfactif’s cute slide out boxes help me keep track of these samples. Otherwise, one solution I have come up with is to only send for individual samples that I want to review or really want to try. No more of those big sample packs – if I can help it! And oh yes! I am not organized at all…
Azar xx
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Hi Azar!
Thank you so much for commenting!
Those Olfactif boxes are the best, aren’t they? I seriously wish I could buy a gigundo empty Olfactif box and just use that for my samples. However, it’s likely I would have the empty gigundo box AND the full Olfactif boxes and the random samples hissing and spitting in the Hefty bags. Sigh…
Plus, the Ormonde Jayne sample set is beautifully packaged. I just want the box…
It HAS occurred to me that I would be better off buying one sample, plus shipping vs ten samples or sets.
It’s good to hear you’re not organized, and it sounds like you’re ok with that. Contrary to what it sounds like, in general I like to be IN CONTROL and it’s refreshing to hear from someone who accepts lack of organization in their lives. I have much to learn …
Holly xo
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For most everything I require organization and symmetry, but I learned a long time ago that the sample situation was a lost cause and not worth fretting over. There will always be more important things to keep organized. As a result most of the samples and many of the perfumes have become forgotten treasures. I never really know what I will find when I rummage through the perfume storage.
Once in awhile the chaos results in serious duplication of full bottles but not often enough to warrant putting things in order 😉
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Thanks, Azar! I love the thought of not fretting and acceptance, which is definitely part of the move on process. To me, it’s more about the thoughts and feelings as opposed to the actual stuff. It’s great to hear that you feel at peace with this aspect of your life, and that’s something I aspire to.
Holly xo
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As a rule I do not buy samples any more. I make exceptions from time to time if I really want to try something (this year I bought 2 samples – both were misses but I wouldn’t be able to try those otherwise) but in general I either test everything at a store or swap samples with friends.
Nevertheless, samples keep multiplying 🙂 Samples for those brands that either come all in the same/similar-sized containers or represented by just a couple of perfumes in my sample stash I store in ammo boxes (I had a post about it a while ago if you’re curious). If I have the same brand’s samples in a variety of sizes, I store them together in small plastic bags and then put those bags upright in a bigger carton box in a drawer. In that box they are not sorted by any means other than physical configuration of those bags to maximize the number of bags in the box. I remember in general where I keep samples for which brand and I have a database where I record the names (and other information) for all perfumes that I have (bottles, samples, decants). In the same database I track my perfume usage and sampling. So I can always check what I haven’t tested yet when I decide what to test next. Currently I have about 70 untested samples.
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Hi Undina!
Thank you so much for commenting!
Yes… could you please send me the link for that post? I’d really appreciate it!
The best I have figured out thus far is to realize that I should notate what is in my “no” pile. Otherwise, I could be swayed by reviews and comments and re-purchase something that just doesn’t work for me. I tend to consider everyone and appreciate their perspective. Now I’m beginning to understand that I just need to stick with me.
Holly xo
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Total disorganisation here Holly.
You would weep.
Portia xx
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Aw hell no I wouldn’t!
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Hi Holly!
There is so little that I like enough to buy a full bottle of. I have an extremely small collection for a perfume junkie. Not 30 bottles. I believe it was Christopher Chong who said having a long relationship is more satisfying than lots of one night stands. Something like that anyway. 🙂 I do like to sample things though, and living in the midfe of Europe it is very easy to get hold of most things. I have a small box of samples that I like to look at. I have a big bag from the Esxence and Pitti that I never look at. I send things to people who can’t get hold of stuff. All my things are kept in a dark cool cupboard. And let’s face it – how many samples do we get really excited by? Great post. Bussis. xxxx
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Hi Val!
Thanks for stopping by! I don’t aspire to have a huge collection either. I only buy full bottles that I truly love, and I also enjoy sending samples on. I’m in a suburb of Washington, DC, and the only stores selling perfume are in indoor malls which I abhor. That’s about to change, though, as Ari from Scents of Self is opening a perfume shop fifteen minutes from my home and it’s a first for DC! I’m so excited!
I agree, I too rarely get excited by what I sample. I’m just now learning how to ignore rave reviews and get a sense of my own style and what speaks to me.
Holly xo
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That is freaking exciting!
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It really is!
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Hi Holly! Just so you know you’re not alone — I have bought more samples than you in the past year. :^) Which I have no regrets about. I’m not a mall rat either — work work work too much to spend my free time in malls — so STC and TPC are my best friends. And swap buddies, of course!
I keep a spreadsheet for all my samples, or there’s no way I’d remember what I’ve already tried. Swiss cheese for brains apparently. I file the samples in small ziplocs – 3″ x 4″ – by house, and I write the house name in BIG letters on a card in the bag, so I can read them without my glasses. snort.
To keep the choices manageable, I usually pick out a group of 10 or so, set them in a bowl, and that’s what I pick from til the bowl is empty. I put the ones I like back in the ziplocs, and I have two give-away boxes, one for a friend’s daughter who likes mall juice, and one for perfumistas :^) I have a couple of regular swap buddies whose tastes I can make a good guess at, and they have their own little bags where I stash samples I think they might like more than I do. I try to get rid of all of the rejects about once a month.
I can’t say I have a good system for deciding what’s FBW. Usually it comes down to irrational lust. But that’s a good enough system, huh?
Have fun with your samples, remember that’s what they’re for :^)
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Hi pixel!
Thanks for stopping by and yay! I KNEW there were other people out there who have wildly indulged so I appreciate that you have chimed in.
Your sorting method sounds definitely doable. Yep, I can do that. Ten at a time, check! That sounds manageable. Passing stuff on, I’ve got that covered. I’m gonna up my game and test more than one sample a day as I’ve been stubbornly sticking with that method and I don’t think it’s necessary to be fair to my samples. Thus the speed-dating!
Irrational lust is always good, imo. 😉
Holly xo
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Yeah I do ‘speed dating’ too, otherwise it would be hopeless. I generally do two samples at a time, and if I hate the open, it gets scrubbed off quickly (why would I ever buy a FB of something which has a nasty open?) So I can motor thru 8-10 samples in a day sometimes. Scents I’m really dubious about — free samples from the mall, typically — get sprayed on paper, and don’t make it to skin if they flunk the paper test.
My acquisitions have slowed way down, so I am actually making progress thru my Sample Sea. Hoping to maybe get thru the backlog by the end of the year. It has been fun trying out so many new scents, and a great learning experience.
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I’m only up to two at a time, but I admire your ambitiousness! Eight to ten in a day, you say? I remember someone (Portia?) mentioning applying one per finger. That could certainly make quick work of this project, but could also just devolve into a hot mess. I’m hoping to find the correct balance in here somewhere that feels right to me.
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I only do 2 at a time. Nose confusion otherwise. But typically I scrub them off (quickly, or after a couple of hours) and then can do another 2.
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Got it! I think I could test four a day if I dump my be fair and give it a chance attitude. Like you, if the top notes don’t appeal to me, ultimately I don’t really want to keep going. Thanks for sharing your thoughts – they’ve helped me immensely.
Holly xo
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Hello Holly,
I am more than a week late reading about Move On Monday after being away and living without dependable internet access for a time. It was a relief and rather relaxing to let the email pile up unseen, but now I’m sailing the online sea, which is not as much fun as the fragrance sample sea . . .
In any event, your comment about sharing your sample stockpile with others reminded me to share one of my favorite items for organizing perfume sample vials – it is the humble EZY Dose Pill Pouch, a 3 inch by 2 1/2 inch ziploc-type bag made of extra thick polyethylene. I can get 100 bags at my local pharmacy for US$3. They make nice little organizers for fragrances.
I can fit about 10 small sample vials in one bag. I leave them unzipped most of the time for quick access, but if I have a sample that is leaky or particularly strong, or I’m just worried about evaporation, I zip it up. I write notes and names on the outside of the bags with a Sharpie marker or a ballpoint pen when I want to label a group of samples by house, note, or style. Or I use the little pre-printed check-boxes for AM and PM depending on the time of day I like to use a fragrance. I sometimes write a note on a scrap of paper and tuck it inside the bag with the sample vials and I can read the note through the plastic bag. It’ fun.
Whenever I find a small cardboard box (from jewelry, from a gift, from soap, whatever) about three inches wide I save the box and use it is a little filing drawer for my EZY Dose sample bags. The bags are nice for shipping samples to friends, too.
So . . . these days I am not often moved to buy samples. I’m more devoted to using up what I have. In a year I amassed about 200. I get a kick out of finishing a sample and then making a note (would love a FB, want a decant, want another sample, ewww never again) followed by throwing the empty sample vial in the trash. Bye-bye!
My sampling journey has led me to believe that I’m a citrus-aromatic and floral-vanilla lover with a low tolerance for most patchouli and some (but not all) musks, but I’m up for trying anything. You never know, right?
I do feel like I have a “collection” of samples for what it’s worth, simply because I’ve managed to try more than 75% of what I’ve accumulated and I’ve kept those organized. The untried samples are kept willy-nilly in their own box.
I do plan purchases to keep myself from buying so much perfume that it will outlive me. I like to see the bottles getting empty as I use them up. It makes me smile. 😀
I do like to sample just one or two fragrances at a time. My nose gets tired and confused quickly. Sometimes I do have a speed-dating sample trial because I can definitely toss away anything that makes me recoil when I first sniff the vial. Sometimes you just know right away. I don’t believe in suffering through awful top notes even to get to a fabulous dry-down.
Movin’ on! Thanks for the inspiration.
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Hi Tiffanie!
Wow, thanks so much for taking the time to comment after you’ve been away for a while! I really appreciate it.
Aha! EZY dose bags would be perfect for sorting, and I love your suggestion for writing on the bags. The AM/PM selection is great – I could also use AM for hot weather, and PM for cooler weather. Or office-appropriate vs. a night out. Fun!
I definitely have small boxes I’ve saved swirling around in the gyre. I knew they’d come in handy! (I think this may be how hoarding starts. Oops! Move on.)
I’m so glad to read your comment “it’s fun.” That’s really what this can be, and what the move on process is about for me. I can get bogged down by my own thoughts instead of just releasing them and enjoying myself. I’m very happy that you were inspired, and I hope that you will enjoy the move on experience however it applies to you.
Holly xo
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Hi holly , is it illegal to sell samples or 3 or 5 ml decants in Australia ? I’m guessing it is lol . J
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