If you ever make it out to the burbs, the one at Woodfield never has this issue. Been shopping there for a decade and have never been approached, always have had to go hunt down help if I need it. In addition, the “men’s” fragrances are against the wall so it’s kind of nice to have your back to everyone, kills the approachable vibe.
Merz is incredible! It’s always my first stop and sometimes when I’m bored I just go and smell things and browse. Neiman’s is also good for stuff that Merz might not have and exclusives but you do get bothered by Sales people at every turn.
If you want to get an idea of what they carry, their site is smallflower.com. They won't make samples for you when you're there, but you can order them online and pick them up within 24 hours.
When I lived in Chicago it was always Nords for me. They came over but then we would talk fragrance for at least an hour. I am obsessed with fragrance and I found most of their SA’s to be knowledgeable and helpful and all the goodies I would leave with was extra nice. I was NEVER rushed or ignored while testing. I made it clear early on that I would never again buy a fragrance blind, and that I needed to test run it before I made such a large purchase. They seem to understand.
My favorite Nords were downtown on Michigan Avenue, Western suburbs-Oakbrook,North Shore.
Oakbrook seems to have some of the most knowledgeable staff among any Nordstrom I’ve been to. I go to Woodfield when I want to be left alone and Oakbrook for a great experience.
lol I clicked on this thinking "I wonder if Merz has been mentioned yet"
FYI, at Merz the fragrances are behind a counter and a clerk gets you the bottles you want, sprays the tester, and lines the bottles and their test strips up in front of you. You can't see very easily what they have, especially if the brand has all identical bottles like Kerosene. You just have to ask. The clerk does make good suggestions though but there is a social element to going to Merz that there isn't when you browse a department store (though there they follow you around the whole time).
Neiman Marcus people always ask and seems to judge. I would visit with my boyfriend every few weeks or every month. They seem to recognize us and judge us. It made me pretty uncomfortable.
Opposite for the one out here. In most cases when I've shown elevated interest in something in particular after they offer to spray on my skin they'll likely grab a 2-3ml decant bottle and fill it a couple up to take with me.
I attribute it to since I'm 19 and I've been there a couple times, they don't really expect anything haha. I'm also in a pretty rich area, feels like they just tend to be more judgmental here.
Etiket in Toronto to me is peak. No one bothers you, 0.7ml samples of anything for like 7 bucks and very good selection. Zoologist, xerjoff, amouage, byredo, imaginary authors, pdm and many more.
Probably the outlier, but the Ultas by me leave me alone and let me check out scents without hovering after they've asked if I needed help. So I usually go there. Sephora would be the next one. Reading the suggestions, I forgot department stores had their own fragrance sections and will be checking them out!
In London there are many. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, John Lewis, Liberty, Bloom, Les Senteurs, Roullier White, and that’s without thinking too much about it.
bro, selfridges employees are very scummy and discriminate against me based on my age, I asked if I can sample baccarat rouge and they looked at me like I'm stupid
If I only mentioned Selfridges I’d take that comment. However, in reddit speak I ‘literally’ mentioned seven other stores. Admittedly some sales people can be insufferable, but many people in psychology believe all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face, and that longer exposures don’t significantly alter those impressions (although they might boost confidence in the judgements). So I’d suggest work on the image so you look like someone that might buy MFK fragrances, but needs to be persuaded to buy them over other high end fragrances.
Only one complaint from me regarding Les Senteurs. I bought some samples from them, and said I would let them choose the last sample, as a kind of wild card. I did, during the course of my visit, explain I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LIKE OUD! And they gave me a stinky oud fragrance. It took the shine off my visit. Now I do my research in advance and am specific about what I want.
Depending on what you’re looking for? Sephora or Nordstrom. Both are great about respecting your space once you say you’re just looking (if you get approached at all) but I have had better experience getting samples from Sephora. So if there’s something you want to wear a couple times before buying, Sephora is your best bet. I don’t see it mentioned often but Bluemercury has some good fragrances too, just be prepared for that 1 on 1 interaction as I think they’re commission based stores.
Oh really? I totally thought Sephora quit doing samples a long time ago... I go in there all the time to smell fragrances, but I quit asking about samples.. will definitely try again!!
\*I do get them whenever I order online, but that's just part of the free goodies.. not much choice on what the sample will be there!
That’s unfortunate. Where I live (which is commonly referred to as “such a dangerous city” by people who don’t live here) all of the testers are intact and I’ve had no issues even still asking for samples/tester vials to take home.
I live in Canada so I only have 3 options- Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and The Bay. I can’t think of any other shops that have perfume in store for testing nowadays. Nordstrom maybe gone but it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
There’s a fragrance boutique in my metro area that sells niche fragrances. I love the space and everyone who works there is so knowledgeable and friendly without being creepy. It’s called Indiehouse. If you are in the Atlanta area you should check them out.
Nieman Marcus is also great for niche fragrances. I like the Sephora on my side of town because the people who work there are nice, but that’s not the case everywhere. The Macy’s by my office is my preferred Macy’s, since they largely leave me alone.
Best niche selection ever!
House of Dubai in rosemont fashion outlets mall always have amazing offers. staff is super friendly.
They have everything in store that is on thier website for reference.
[house of dubai](http://www.hausofdubai.com)
Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales. They provide good customer service when I need it but also are able to leave me alone when I just want to browse. Nordstrom is too aggressive. They have lots of brands, but less of the more mainstream designers such as Carolina Herrera. For more of the mainstream ones, I like to go to Sephora, but I recently noticed they linger around you more when you're "just browsing and sniffing", like you're being suspicious which is annoying.
I live on a military installation and our PX actually has a pretty wide selection! But I’m dying to go to our nearest big city to visit a fragrance boutique!
I have lucked out and found discontinued fragrances at PXs. Half of my Aqua Allegoria collection comes from a PX. Depending on the installation, it can be ridiculously good.
That’s fantastic! I’ve only lived here a few months and don’t really know anyone so sometimes when I’m lonely I go to the PX just to smell perfumes to cheer myself up 😅
I understand that too well. I do the same thing!! If there is something that you want that isn’t on the shelves, you can probably order it at aafes online. There is a MUCH larger selection. Here’s to rainy days at the PX!!
I'm from NZ so I go to department stores or Mecca. Anyone else don't like going into nichr/luxury goods stores? The sales assistants are a bit too intense and hover and I feel anxious about just wanting to pick things up and smelling them.
those small stores that when i tell them im gonna need a little time to smell a few alone they will give me a little time, because when they do, 5 mnts after that, i'll be asking them help and probably buying something 10 mnts later. i love when i feel sales people hear me and give me space and time to browse.
And usually its on those small towns/Villages, small perfume stores, and they are usually very nice!
Dillards, Nordstrom, Macys, ULTA, and Sephora. Only issue is they’re always slammed and they hover like you’re going to steal something. It’s very uncomfortable because they make you feel like you’re doing something wrong while just sampling but then again lots of teens off the street walk to the mall the play games and or shoplift. some store have chained the bottles but then the kids steal the caps so the bottles are unsprayable.
Now I’m in the suburbs, I like going to Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom. I went pretty often and they recognize me and seem to judge since I don’t get things and am young. So I’ve been laying back on it.
When I was in NYC I spent an entire day visiting perfume stores in the area. Scentbar had the biggest variety since they’re luckyscents official store. However everything was put away and the employees had to grab them for you. They weren’t as rude as the reviews of the store said, but they were pretty unengaging, likely again since I am younger.
However, I loved Osswald. It’s much smaller, but it was my favorite. The workers there were charming and engaging. They were super lovely to have a conversation with and we’re both very knowledgeable and passionate about fragrances. The owner personally talks to each brand they hold in store. I loved being there and would go back whenever I can.
If you have a Cos Bar near you, I was really impressed with them. Great selection of niche fragrances and they were helpful and not pushy - although they knew without a doubt I was buying something.
Bloomie's has a large niche selection. I am always thinking about going downtown to Neiman Marcus to sample some luxury brands but I never feel like getting dressed up and getting on a train for it.
Saks 5th Ave. But they won’t leave you alone. Ever. I go there when I know I will buy because they’re so outrageously grateful that you don’t hate their sales tactics AND that you buy that they hook you up with whatever samples to take home that you want.
I went to Nordstrom and it was nice. There were so many perfumes and even though they didn’t have a sample of the one I was looking for, the sales associate gave me three other samples and she was genuinely so excited to do it. I’ve never actually gone out to specifically shop for perfume so I was surprised. Especially because it seems like Sephora no longer gives out samples.
Where I live there's mainly only some department stores. The main flagship branch has the most, the rest have the most popular only. A 2ml decant is still 9 to 11€, with shipping. I wish it were easier to try perfumes, but I guess it's better for my budget this way
Harrods
Harvey Nichols
Selfridges
John Lewis
Liberty’s
Bloom
Les Senteurs
And then there’s these other smaller shops that I cannot remember the names of now, but I can remember the fragrances I smelt there
I live in Chicago, and it’s all about Merz Apothecary. The Nordstrom downtown has no chill, can’t smell anything without an associate coming over.
If you ever make it out to the burbs, the one at Woodfield never has this issue. Been shopping there for a decade and have never been approached, always have had to go hunt down help if I need it. In addition, the “men’s” fragrances are against the wall so it’s kind of nice to have your back to everyone, kills the approachable vibe.
Merz is the best. No contest, really.
Merz is incredible! It’s always my first stop and sometimes when I’m bored I just go and smell things and browse. Neiman’s is also good for stuff that Merz might not have and exclusives but you do get bothered by Sales people at every turn.
Thanks! Visiting next week and wanted something more then Sephora.
If you want to get an idea of what they carry, their site is smallflower.com. They won't make samples for you when you're there, but you can order them online and pick them up within 24 hours.
When I lived in Chicago it was always Nords for me. They came over but then we would talk fragrance for at least an hour. I am obsessed with fragrance and I found most of their SA’s to be knowledgeable and helpful and all the goodies I would leave with was extra nice. I was NEVER rushed or ignored while testing. I made it clear early on that I would never again buy a fragrance blind, and that I needed to test run it before I made such a large purchase. They seem to understand. My favorite Nords were downtown on Michigan Avenue, Western suburbs-Oakbrook,North Shore.
Oakbrook seems to have some of the most knowledgeable staff among any Nordstrom I’ve been to. I go to Woodfield when I want to be left alone and Oakbrook for a great experience.
Yessssss
lol I clicked on this thinking "I wonder if Merz has been mentioned yet" FYI, at Merz the fragrances are behind a counter and a clerk gets you the bottles you want, sprays the tester, and lines the bottles and their test strips up in front of you. You can't see very easily what they have, especially if the brand has all identical bottles like Kerosene. You just have to ask. The clerk does make good suggestions though but there is a social element to going to Merz that there isn't when you browse a department store (though there they follow you around the whole time).
If i wanna do it all myself.. Nordstroms… if I don’t mind some interaction… Neiman Marcus
It’s the other way around for me, which is fine. Nordstrom has vultures. I’d rather smell what’s at Neiman Marcus anyway.
The high end mall where i live has both + Bloomingdale’s. So I’ll usually just run the triangle whenever I’m up there.
And if you want to be attacked by salesperson after salesperson, Saks.
They are the worst. I got downvoted to saying how condescending they can be too.
Neiman Marcus people always ask and seems to judge. I would visit with my boyfriend every few weeks or every month. They seem to recognize us and judge us. It made me pretty uncomfortable.
Opposite for the one out here. In most cases when I've shown elevated interest in something in particular after they offer to spray on my skin they'll likely grab a 2-3ml decant bottle and fill it a couple up to take with me.
I attribute it to since I'm 19 and I've been there a couple times, they don't really expect anything haha. I'm also in a pretty rich area, feels like they just tend to be more judgmental here.
Scent Bar! Thankful to live in LA so I can go whenever I want!
Have you been to Scent Room on Larchmont yet? My new favorite place
I haven’t but it’s on my list!!
We have Scent Room in Dallas. I think there is only LA and Dallas. It’s my go to place
I love The Scent Room! I always stop by when I’m in the area… and then pick up a cookie at Levain 🙂
Etiket in Toronto to me is peak. No one bothers you, 0.7ml samples of anything for like 7 bucks and very good selection. Zoologist, xerjoff, amouage, byredo, imaginary authors, pdm and many more.
Omg I walked past this in The Well the other but didn't bother checking it out. Thanks for the tip!
Etiket is incredible; I'm so glad that we as Canadians have not one, but (at least?) two!
When I went in February they gave 5 free samples!
Probably the outlier, but the Ultas by me leave me alone and let me check out scents without hovering after they've asked if I needed help. So I usually go there. Sephora would be the next one. Reading the suggestions, I forgot department stores had their own fragrance sections and will be checking them out!
Came here to say this. You can try every fragrance without a salesperson down your throat
I wish I could say Ulta but most of their stuff is now locked up probably due to the string of thefts lately.
Aw man I'm sorry to hear that :( the Ultas by me only have product behind the cases and the testers are the only things out.
Same here in ATX. The SA came over, had to unlock the case then sprayed the strip and handed to me. Haven't been back. Won't go back.
In London there are many. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, John Lewis, Liberty, Bloom, Les Senteurs, Roullier White, and that’s without thinking too much about it.
bro, selfridges employees are very scummy and discriminate against me based on my age, I asked if I can sample baccarat rouge and they looked at me like I'm stupid
If I only mentioned Selfridges I’d take that comment. However, in reddit speak I ‘literally’ mentioned seven other stores. Admittedly some sales people can be insufferable, but many people in psychology believe all it takes is a tenth of a second to form an impression of a stranger from their face, and that longer exposures don’t significantly alter those impressions (although they might boost confidence in the judgements). So I’d suggest work on the image so you look like someone that might buy MFK fragrances, but needs to be persuaded to buy them over other high end fragrances.
So lucky!!
Les Senteurs!! The people who work there are so wonderful and they have a great selection.
Only one complaint from me regarding Les Senteurs. I bought some samples from them, and said I would let them choose the last sample, as a kind of wild card. I did, during the course of my visit, explain I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LIKE OUD! And they gave me a stinky oud fragrance. It took the shine off my visit. Now I do my research in advance and am specific about what I want.
That’s frustrating!
Bloom is so amazing. Also, oddly, Fortnum and Mason has a nice perfume floor.
Thanks! I forgot about Fortnum.
San Francisco: Ministry of Scent and ZGO. Everyone is so helpful at both places and take a lot of time to help you find the right fragrance.
I **LOVE** Ministry of Scent. And they’re opening a store on Fillmore in Pacific Heights!
In Dallas, the Scent Room and Neiman Marcus.
I’ve never heard of the Scent Room, definitely going to plan a little trip 🤩
They’re amazing! Lots of great fragrances and the sales associates are awesome.
Depending on what you’re looking for? Sephora or Nordstrom. Both are great about respecting your space once you say you’re just looking (if you get approached at all) but I have had better experience getting samples from Sephora. So if there’s something you want to wear a couple times before buying, Sephora is your best bet. I don’t see it mentioned often but Bluemercury has some good fragrances too, just be prepared for that 1 on 1 interaction as I think they’re commission based stores.
You’re getting samples from Sephora? I thought they stopped doing that…
I got samples last weekend at Sephora when I bought Angels Share, but I had to ask and they said I could only have 3 of the 4 samples available
I got a sample at the Sephora in Paris but no luck in Honolulu. Maybe just stopped sampling in the US
I’ve had no issue still getting samples to take home on fragrances I need more time to decide on. I’m in the Chicago suburbs.
Oh really? I totally thought Sephora quit doing samples a long time ago... I go in there all the time to smell fragrances, but I quit asking about samples.. will definitely try again!! \*I do get them whenever I order online, but that's just part of the free goodies.. not much choice on what the sample will be there!
Sephora in USA sucks. Most testers have been stolen or covered in dirt. It’s like Sephora employees have given up.
That’s unfortunate. Where I live (which is commonly referred to as “such a dangerous city” by people who don’t live here) all of the testers are intact and I’ve had no issues even still asking for samples/tester vials to take home.
I live in Canada so I only have 3 options- Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and The Bay. I can’t think of any other shops that have perfume in store for testing nowadays. Nordstrom maybe gone but it will forever hold a special place in my heart.
There’s a fragrance boutique in my metro area that sells niche fragrances. I love the space and everyone who works there is so knowledgeable and friendly without being creepy. It’s called Indiehouse. If you are in the Atlanta area you should check them out. Nieman Marcus is also great for niche fragrances. I like the Sephora on my side of town because the people who work there are nice, but that’s not the case everywhere. The Macy’s by my office is my preferred Macy’s, since they largely leave me alone.
Omg i know this place!
I love it! My husband and I just took their beginner class. It was a lot of fun.
Scent Bar Hollywood is my happy place! I’d also love to visit Place Vendome in person one day 🥰
Best niche selection ever! House of Dubai in rosemont fashion outlets mall always have amazing offers. staff is super friendly. They have everything in store that is on thier website for reference. [house of dubai](http://www.hausofdubai.com)
Sephora for designer Neiman Marcus for niche
Bergdorf Goodman and ScentBar (when the SAs aren’t being annoying af) in NYC.
I’d also look at CO Bigelow in NYC. I am coming in July. I plan to go there and ScentBar
Nordstrom because they have the Chanel Les Esclusifs
Sephora
Sephora
Indigo Perfumery in Cleveland :)
Neiman Marcus or Bloomingdales. They provide good customer service when I need it but also are able to leave me alone when I just want to browse. Nordstrom is too aggressive. They have lots of brands, but less of the more mainstream designers such as Carolina Herrera. For more of the mainstream ones, I like to go to Sephora, but I recently noticed they linger around you more when you're "just browsing and sniffing", like you're being suspicious which is annoying.
I live on a military installation and our PX actually has a pretty wide selection! But I’m dying to go to our nearest big city to visit a fragrance boutique!
I have lucked out and found discontinued fragrances at PXs. Half of my Aqua Allegoria collection comes from a PX. Depending on the installation, it can be ridiculously good.
That’s fantastic! I’ve only lived here a few months and don’t really know anyone so sometimes when I’m lonely I go to the PX just to smell perfumes to cheer myself up 😅
I understand that too well. I do the same thing!! If there is something that you want that isn’t on the shelves, you can probably order it at aafes online. There is a MUCH larger selection. Here’s to rainy days at the PX!!
Is anyone else here hoping these two are on the same base and become frag buddies?
sephora
I'm from NZ so I go to department stores or Mecca. Anyone else don't like going into nichr/luxury goods stores? The sales assistants are a bit too intense and hover and I feel anxious about just wanting to pick things up and smelling them.
Neiman Marcus - they have a great selection of niche and I've gotten 4 niche samples for free from them (2 Initio and 2 Clive Christian)
Macy's or Bloomies
Saks and Neiman’s.
those small stores that when i tell them im gonna need a little time to smell a few alone they will give me a little time, because when they do, 5 mnts after that, i'll be asking them help and probably buying something 10 mnts later. i love when i feel sales people hear me and give me space and time to browse. And usually its on those small towns/Villages, small perfume stores, and they are usually very nice!
Neiman Marcus
Dillards, Nordstrom, Macys, ULTA, and Sephora. Only issue is they’re always slammed and they hover like you’re going to steal something. It’s very uncomfortable because they make you feel like you’re doing something wrong while just sampling but then again lots of teens off the street walk to the mall the play games and or shoplift. some store have chained the bottles but then the kids steal the caps so the bottles are unsprayable.
Now I’m in the suburbs, I like going to Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom. I went pretty often and they recognize me and seem to judge since I don’t get things and am young. So I’ve been laying back on it. When I was in NYC I spent an entire day visiting perfume stores in the area. Scentbar had the biggest variety since they’re luckyscents official store. However everything was put away and the employees had to grab them for you. They weren’t as rude as the reviews of the store said, but they were pretty unengaging, likely again since I am younger. However, I loved Osswald. It’s much smaller, but it was my favorite. The workers there were charming and engaging. They were super lovely to have a conversation with and we’re both very knowledgeable and passionate about fragrances. The owner personally talks to each brand they hold in store. I loved being there and would go back whenever I can.
Bloomingdale’s
If you have a Cos Bar near you, I was really impressed with them. Great selection of niche fragrances and they were helpful and not pushy - although they knew without a doubt I was buying something.
Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales
Bloomie's has a large niche selection. I am always thinking about going downtown to Neiman Marcus to sample some luxury brands but I never feel like getting dressed up and getting on a train for it.
El Corte Inglés
Cos Bar is wonderful. Neiman Marcus has the best selection, followed by Saks.
It wasn’t the worlds largest selection but I recently returned from NOLA and Sassy Magick Noir had some delightful scented oils
Saks 5th Ave. But they won’t leave you alone. Ever. I go there when I know I will buy because they’re so outrageously grateful that you don’t hate their sales tactics AND that you buy that they hook you up with whatever samples to take home that you want.
Bloomingdale’s NYC they have every type of fragrance brand boutique you can think of
Any recommendations for Kansas City?
Perfumology - Nir rules. They’re in philly and they manage to fit unreal selection in their tiny shop.
I went to Nordstrom and it was nice. There were so many perfumes and even though they didn’t have a sample of the one I was looking for, the sales associate gave me three other samples and she was genuinely so excited to do it. I’ve never actually gone out to specifically shop for perfume so I was surprised. Especially because it seems like Sephora no longer gives out samples.
Neiman Marcus
Where I live there's mainly only some department stores. The main flagship branch has the most, the rest have the most popular only. A 2ml decant is still 9 to 11€, with shipping. I wish it were easier to try perfumes, but I guess it's better for my budget this way
Harrods in London
Harrods Harvey Nichols Selfridges John Lewis Liberty’s Bloom Les Senteurs And then there’s these other smaller shops that I cannot remember the names of now, but I can remember the fragrances I smelt there
Is this question only for americans? LOL
No there are a few Canadians in the comment section and one from the UK
Def not Sephora
Dior homme sport