Perfume Decants FAQ
What is a perfume decant?
A perfume decant is a smaller amount of fragrance poured from the original manufacturer’s bottle into a new, smaller vial or spray bottle. It is not a factory-sealed retail bottle. At Surrender to Chance, all decants are carefully hand-poured by us from authentic full-size bottles (retail or testers). We often secure the atomizer with electrical tape to help prevent minor leaks during shipping. Decant bottles are not designed for long-term storage because they are not factory-sealed. For best results, add a piece of electrical tape around the atomizer or cap if needed, and check the bottle periodically to minimize evaporation.
Why should I buy perfume samples or decants?
Decants and samples are the smartest way to explore fragrance. They let you:
- Test a scent on your own skin before investing in a full bottle
- Try rare, discontinued, vintage, expensive, or niche perfumes affordably
- Compare multiple fragrances side-by-side
- Find your signature scents without wasting money on blind buys
- Travel with your favorites in convenient sizes
Perfume smells different on every person, so sampling is essential.
Hop on over here for a lot more information on why perfume decants are perfect!
What sizes of fragrance decants do you offer (see picture above for how big a sample is)?
- 1 ml sample vial – Enough for 2–3 tests. Great for a quick first impression.
- 1 ml glass spray – A convenient spray version of the 1 ml size. Perfect when you prefer spraying over dabbing.
- 1.5 ml sample vial – Ideal for oils, vintage fragrances, or expensive scents where you want to avoid spray issues.
- 2 ml glass spray – Approximately 30 sprays. Excellent for testing; we recommend spraying as part of sampling since it gives different results than dabbing. Not for long-term storage.
- 3 ml glass spray – A little less than 1/8 oz (~43 sprays). Good step-up size for more thorough testing.
- 5 ml glass spray (1/6 oz) – Approximately 73 sprays. A solid size for extended testing.
- 8 ml glass spray – Just over 1/4 oz (~115 sprays). Nice balance of value and portability.
- 15 ml glass spray (1/2 oz) – Perfect when you like a scent but aren’t ready for a full bottle, or when the fragrance is very expensive.
Are decants of perfume good for long-term storage?
No. Decants are intended for sampling and short-to-medium term use only. They are not airtight like manufacturer bottles, so evaporation can occur over months or years. For beloved or vintage fragrances you want to keep for a long time, we recommend purchasing the original sealed bottle.
Do you have any special offers or updates?
Yes! Sign up for our Newsletter! to receive perfume news, tips, new arrivals, special deals, and a first-time order discount.
Explore our full selection of perfume decants and samples today and find your next favorite fragrance! Explore decants or samples today!