Sample Before You Splurge | Vol. 03

Curating Your Collection

Discovery sets are one of my favorite ways to explore fragrance. They allow you to experience scents on your skin over time, avoid blind-buy mistakes, and better understand your personal scent preferences.

This round of Sample Before You Splurge features six niche perfume houses — each offering something distinctly different. Some impressed me immediately, others grew on me with wear, and a few reminded me exactly why sampling matters.

Below are my honest impressions, favorites, and whether each set earned a spot on my wish list — or inspired a full-size purchase.

---

Atelier Des Ors

White Collection Discovery Set

5 × 2.5 ml | $45

The Scoop:

The White Collection represents the search for happiness, focusing on crisp citrus, fresh florals, and airy compositions — and yes, it genuinely made me very happy. I adored all five fragrances and would be hard-pressed to choose a single favorite.

Nuda Veritas feels fresh and ethereal, with a pillowy softness built around white florals and a subtle watery accord. Blanc Polychrome is modern and vibrant, almost sparkly. Blue Madeleine (yes, like the cookie) is creamy, sweet, and whimsical. Villa Primrose smells like the color pink — an elegant, mature rose.

My Favorites:

Nuda Veritas — fresh floral with watery vibes

Blue Madeleine — smoky, creamy, slightly spicy

Verdict: Full Bottle Worthy

Longevity: Moderate to long

Projection: Moderate bubble

---

d’Annam

Memories of Japan

9 × 2 ml | $59

The Scoop:

Another beautiful scent journey across the Far East. This discovery set is a sophisticated, non-obvious tribute to Japanese culture. The presentation is thoughtful and elevated, including scent strips and artwork with notes and perfumer details.

The collection spans woody, gourmand, and spicy florals, with several photorealistic compositions that truly feel like an "olfactory passport" to Japan.

Favorites:

Matcha Soft Serve — photorealistic green tea powder with creamy milk and a lightly sweet vanilla dry down

Hinoki Meditation — crisp, spicy, woody incense; deeply calming and spiritual

Verdict: Wish List Worthy

Longevity: Moderate to long

Projection: Moderate bubble

---

Akro

Discovery Kit

10 × 2 ml | $52

The Scoop:

A fascinating and imaginative fragrance line with strong projection across the board. This collection explores scent through cravings and vices — inspired by human addictions such as caffeine, tobacco, and sweets.

As someone living in recovery, I was especially curious to experience this olfactory interpretation. Standouts include Bake, a photorealistic lemon-vanilla cupcake that’s sugary and decadent, and Glow, where grapefruit and neroli capture the energy of a seductive dance floor. East brings Middle Eastern spices to life with a touch of sweet raspberry — and while I’m not typically an oud lover, this one does oud well.

Favorite:

Breathe — aquatic, crisp, green musk; truly like a breath of fresh air

Verdict: Wish List Worthy

Longevity: Moderate to long

Projection: Moderate to strong bubble

---

Les Soeurs de Noé

Discovery Set

10 × 2 ml | Price varies

The Scoop:

A beautiful niche French fragrance collection with beautiful packaging and a helpful reference card. These perfumes are rich with personality and complex, unexpected notes. I only wish the projection and longevity were stronger — because they smell incredible and deserve to be noticed. The collection feels like a journey from France to Morocco, weaving florals, fruits, woods, and ambers.

Midnight Call is a floral amber with a subtle nuttiness. Bohemian Absinthe bursts with eucalyptus, offering a fresh woody opening that softens beautifully. Jardin de Macarons delivers cotton-candy sweetness with plum, settling into iris and patchouli. Overall, this was an artistic introduction to the brand.

Favorite:

Call Me Iris — elegant, sweet, modern iris

Verdict: Full Bottle Worthy (purchased immediately!)

Longevity: Soft to moderate

Projection: Skin scent to soft bubble

---

Jovoy Paris

Signature Discovery Set

16 × 2 ml | $65

The Scoop:

I already own Fire at Will and Remember Me, so I was excited to explore this house more deeply. The included description cards were a creative touch and made the exploration feel guided, immersive and quite artistic.

The collection spans woody, musky, incense-heavy, and gourmand styles. One standout moment was Gardez Moi, which opens with gardenia and instantly brought me back to my mom. She had a gardenia bush that scented our entire house — this fragrance felt like a memory.

Touche Finale offers sweet berries and florals with pink pepper and a powdery dry down, while Amber Premier is warm, spiced, and softly sweet.

Favorite:

Musc Pallas — a unique second-skin musk; clean, powdery, and gently sweet

Verdict: Wish List Worthy

Longevity: Moderate to long

Projection: Moderate to strong bubble

---

Electimuss London

Discovery Set

20 × 1.8 ml

The Scoop:

I really wanted to love this brand — partly because the logo, while a Roman eagle, reminds me of an owl face, and owls are deeply tied to my connection with my mom. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint.

Out of 20 fragrances, ten were immediate connections. The Roman-inspired themes explore fresh spices, citrus, florals, gourmands, and many ouds. While oud isn’t my favorite accord, I could appreciate the craftsmanship even when a scent wasn’t for me.

Black Caviar stood out with woods, herbs, and savory notes. Cupid’s Kiss delivered pink pepper, orris, and suede-like leather. Trajan was especially beautiful — a modern citrus warmed by lavender and sage.

Favorites:

Imperium — versatile blackcurrant, spice, orris, and vanilla

Vanilla Edesia — rich contrast of spicy top notes and creamy sweetness

Trajan — fresh citrus with aromatic warmth

Verdict: Full Bottle Worthy

Longevity: Moderate to long

Projection: Moderate to strong bubble

---

Final Thoughts

Sampling before committing has saved me from impulse buys — and helped me fall deeply in love with perfumes I might’ve otherwise overlooked. Discovery sets aren’t just practical; they’re part of the perfume lover’s experience.

If you’ve tried any of these, I’d love to know your favorites. And if you’re sampling something new, tell me what’s on your radar.