I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried a new fragrance in store, fallen in love with it, bought it, and then absolutely hated it on my skin. Relatable? Yep, your unique body chemistry will shake things up every time! Here’s the thing though: Good perfume is not cheap. So if I’m dropping hundreds of dollars on a new scent, I expect to use every last drop in that bottle possible. You could say I’ve developed a bit of trust issues with perfume, which is why buying travel-size fragrances before committing to a full-size is usually my workaround. At least, that used to be the case. What changed? I tried out Scentbird, a perfume subscription service that allows you to try out three sample scents every month. One word to sum up the experience? Game-changer.

After having tested and reviewed the subscription on my own, I got to immerse myself in the service and products firsthand—and I’m so glad I did. Let’s just say, I have some thoughts. If you’re debating whether Scentbird is worth it, continue to scroll on for my full unfiltered review.

But first, a quick rundown of the specs:

Base price: $16.95

Free shipping? Yes

Delivery frequency: Monthly

Number of items per shipment: 1-3 depending on subscription tier

Sample size: 8 mL

How does Scentbird work?

To be honest, I went into this journey with very little knowledge about the service and decided to dive in head-first. Luckily, the process was pretty straightforward. ICYMI: Scentbird is a monthly subscription service that gives you access to over 700 fragrances from which you can choose to sample travel-sized rollerballs each month.

On the brand’s website, you can start by taking a scent profile quiz to gain more insight into what the best fragrance for you might be, based on Scentbird’s existing catalog of designer and niche fragrances. I personally loved this experience because I’m nothing if not an extremely indecisive person. Through this quiz, I was able to narrow down the top three fragrances I wanted to try: Gucci Bloom, Prada Candy, and Miu Miu L'Eau Bleue. (Musky floral perfumes, FTW!) Of course, there were a ton of other fragrances I wanted to try too. Scentbird makes it super easy to earmark these scents: You can just simply add perfumes you’re curious about to your profile’s queue and try them out the following month! And if you leave your queue empty, Scentbird will send you its Fragrance of the Month by default, leaving you to unbox a surprise scent when your package arrives.

How much does Scentbird cost?

A Scentbird subscription comes in three different plans: The most basic plan allows you to pick one 8 mL-sized bottle for $16.95/month. For $27/month, you can sample two 8mL bottles. And for $37/month, you can sample three 8mL bottles. To put that in perspective, most travel-size sprays cost upwards of $35 for just one 10 mL-sized bottle. So while Scentbird’s atomizers are slightly smaller than the average travel spray bottle, I would still say that this is a pretty darn good deal. And, yes, you can easily change your plan if you decide to upgrade to more bottles a month!

(P.S. First-time subscribers are eligible for 50% off their first order and will even get a free case for their fragrance sample. Basically, you can get your first order for as low as $8.47.)

Daisy Maldonado

Delivery and packaging

After signing up, you’ll have 12 hours to add items to your queue before Scentbird processes your order. From there, Scentbird’s promise is that the package should arrive within 10 to 13 days of your order date. Your package will come in a recyclable gray bubble mailer with the Scentbird brand name on the back (no unnecessary cardboard box!). Inside, you’ll find a gray mini cloth drawstring bag and a magnetic protective case that holds your glass atomizer bottle inside. This case also makes it easy for you to carry around the atomizer without it accidentally spraying inside your purse. One detail I really enjoyed was the information card you get about your chosen scent(s) that details instructions and the fragrance’s notes and ingredients.

Daisy Maldonado

Daisy Maldonado

Scentbird’s perfume samples come in 8mL-sized atomizers that resemble travel-sized rollerballs. Each one holds roughly 140 sprays, so you can really test out the fragrance before going all-in on a full-sized bottle. The atomizers are pretty cute too with their fluted, gold hardware and sleek, glass vial.

Daisy Maldonado

Quality

If you’re wondering… Nope! No dinky little travel-sized vials of perfume here! Scentbird’s atomizers are designed with quality and ease of use in mind. The glass vials are as long as a mascara tube and feel as sturdy as your typical perfume rollerball (and much sturdier than those free, mini perfume samples you’d typically get as part of your Sephora purchase). But for added protection, Scentbird’s glass vials come with magnetic cases that are designed to keep your bottles from getting crushed or accidentally spraying inside your bag when you’re on the go (just twist it to the right to lock your bottle inside). However, despite its intended design, the case feels quite flimsy and like it could easily pop off inside of my bag.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great price
• Easy to search for fragrances by brand, note, fragrance family, or scent type
• Includes designer fragrances
• Packaging feels luxe and durable
• Free delivery
• Size is TSA-approved
• Option to pause subscription for up to three months

Cons

• Some fragrances are set with additional premium costs up to $15
• No returns or exchanges are available for subscription orders
• No option for express shipping
• The magnetic case seems to easily pop off
• Some reviewers have mentioned getting in touch with customer service can be difficult

Who is Scentbird good for?

Scentbird is great for fragrance newbies or exploratory shoppers. It’s for people who want to try out multiple scents without committing to full-sized bottles or those who enjoy switching up their go-to fragrance. Especially for those on a budget, it’s a great alternative to buying a pricey full-size bottle.

Final thoughts

If you are still searching for your signature scent or you just like to switch things up every couple of months, I wholeheartedly recommend Scentbird. I think it’s a great option to test out the scents and how they mesh with your body without the commitment of a full-sized bottle. As someone who has a bit of a taste for the finer things in life, my wallet constantly gives me a much-needed reality check. So being able to try out designer fragrances like this so easily genuinely feels like a life hack. If after trying it out I decide I need it in a large size, then I know I can do so confidently after my trial. Plus, I love how luxe the packaging feels. It truly rivals some of the travel sprays I’ve purchased in the past.

I only have a few real qualms with Scentbird. For starters, I imagine that after a while, subscribers are inundated with atomizers lying around their apartments, which feels a bit unsustainable. The no-returns or exchanges policy is a hang-up for me as well—what do you do with the fragrances you don’t like? Also, I personally don’t feel like I need 8 mL worth of fragrance to decide whether or not I’m a fan. While this size is nice to have as a convenient on-the-go spray for a fragrance that I love, I don’t feel that I need a travel-sized vial of a fragrance that I’m wear-testing. Just a few spritzes would do. Overall, I’d say Scentbird is worth the try if you enjoy wearing different scents regularly or are serious about finding your “signature scent”.

Frequently asked questions

Does Scentbird send authentic perfumes?

I hear ya. Counterfeit perfumes run rampant in this world, but no need to panic! Scentbird only sells authentic products provided by authorized vendors or directly from perfume brands themselves. So rest assured that all of the products you get here are the real deal.

Can you return or exchange Scentbird products?

Unfortunately, Scentbird does not allow you to return subscription items, with the exception being unless they’re damaged or defective. However, you are able to make a return on full-size fragrances and gift sets for up to 15 days after delivery.

Can you cancel your Scentbird subscription?

In the case that you decide a fragrance subscription is not for you, you can definitely cancel your Scentbird subscription. Just make sure you do so before your next billing date so you can cancel your subscription before being charged for your next box. Note: You can also pause your membership if you want to take a break for a few months, but don’t want to shut down your subscription altogether.

Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram. 

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