Today, in the perfumery market, both women and men have the opportunity to purchase an aroma that is to their liking. Stores represent a huge variety of colognes, eau de toilette, perfumes, deodorants. Moreover, it is possible to purchase original products, a licensed copy or a tester. Perfume tester - what is it? How is it different from the original? Where can I get a tester? And will it be reasonable? Today we’ll try to understand these issues.
Perfume Tester
Perfume tester - what is it? Everything is very simple. This is a version of the original perfume, created for advertising purposes. In the people it is also called the "probe". With the help of a tester, the buyer has the opportunity to get acquainted with the aroma without buying a large (and, accordingly, more expensive) version. Testers in all stores are on shelves with original products with a special designation. In stores, the tester is not for sale, it is intended to demonstrate the original flavor. But, nevertheless, the tester is still put up for sale. Where can I buy it, and is it worth it? Let's try to find the answers to these questions.
Key Features
What is the difference between a tester and perfume? Yes, practically nothing. Here is the main difference between the tester and the original perfume:
- The packaging of the tester is simple compared to the original. Basically, this is a white cardboard box on which the name of the perfumery and its manufacturer are indicated.
- The bottle of the tester in most cases without a cap, only with a spray.
- On the bottle of the tester is the inscription "DEMONSTRATION TESTER". She points out that this bottle is a perfume probe.
- The tester bottle is not sealed.
The quality of the tester, in contrast to the original perfume
The buyer, purchasing a fragrance tester, can have no doubt about the quality of the perfume. It contains original products, just in less attractive packaging, but at a more attractive price. Perfume manufacturers produce fragrance testers in parallel with their originals for the purpose of advertising and product presentation to the consumer. Perfume testers are purchased with a batch of original goods.
Often in stores, women's perfume testers, as well as men's perfumes, are displayed next to the original products in order to demonstrate the aroma. The nominal volume of the tester can be the same as the original, or smaller. For example, toilet water is consumed more than perfume, for this reason the bottles with it can be quite voluminous - 50, 75 or 100 ml. Toilet perfume tester can be significantly smaller. This fact plays a significant role when a person does not want to buy an unfamiliar fragrance in a large bottle.
Tester Myths
Perfume tester - what is it? What is the difference from the original? There are two well-established myths about perfume testers.
Myth 1: Perfume in the tester has poor quality, weak fragrance, quickly disappears.
Myth 2: Testers produce better products than in mass versions. This is the manufacturer’s marketing move in order to attract a large number of people to purchase the original fragrance.
Myth rebuttal
In fact, these are really just rumors. The reality is:
- The perfume that is poured into the probe is the same as in the original bottle. The aroma manufacturer is interested in this, since the tester was created for the purpose of advertising and demonstrating products, and the demand for it directly depends on the advertising of the product.
- No self-respecting perfume company will risk its reputation. Perfume manufacturers are unprofitable to arrange the parallel production of two identical aromas, but with different quality. It is much more convenient (and easier) for them to pour perfume from the “one barrel”.
When the purchase of a tester is beneficial, its advantages
Is it possible to purchase a tester, and in what cases will the purchase be justified? Here are some points where this is appropriate:
- If the buyer wants to buy the fragrance he likes, but does not have a certain amount of money, then a tester is the best option: the same perfume, but for less money.
- If the packaging does not matter for the buyer, then there is no point in paying more, because the contents of the container do not differ from the original.
- If the consumer needs his favorite fragrance in a small bottle that you can carry with you in your purse or take on a trip.
- If the buyer wants to get to know his favorite aroma more closely, to “wear it” on himself, to experience it, then it would be wise to buy a small tester bottle.
- If the consumer very often uses this perfume.
Tester Acquisition Rules
Perfume tester - what is it? Perhaps a fake? Yes, unfortunately, it is possible that counterfeit can hide under a tester of a well-known brand. In frequent cases, the reason for this is the ease of packaging. It’s not difficult for fraudsters to pour a fake into a bottle, make simple packaging and sign it with a big name. For this reason, many perfume manufacturers prefer to protect their testers from counterfeiting in a certain way. It can be special signs or a specific way of designing bottles.
The first rule follows from this : it is necessary to know for sure whether the manufacturing company provides certain protection. If yes, then before buying you need to make sure it is available.
The second rule: in fact, it is impossible to buy a tester in an ordinary store, since it was created solely to demonstrate this or that flavor. That is, its sale is prohibited. This is indicated by the corresponding inscription on the package “Not for sale”. Violation of this condition is fraught for the store with the seizure of the entire batch of products by the manufacturer. The tester can be purchased at the online store. This is due to the fact that for him the demonstration as such loses its relevance, it makes no sense. Perfume testers, originals cannot be put on the shelf or demonstrated to the buyer. Therefore, perfume manufacturers make an exception for online stores and allow you to sell aroma testers. But at the same time, they reserve the right to demand a significant reduction in the cost of the tester bottle in comparison with the original packaging.

Rule three: it is not recommended to purchase a tester if the bottle is intended for a gift. Tester is a purchase exclusively for yourself, when the content matters, not the packaging. And in the present, according to the rules of good form, both are important.
Also, the tester is not suitable for perfume collectors. For them, manufacturers have developed a different type of design for their favorite fragrances - miniatures, the volume of which is from 3 to 10 ml, and the bottle and packaging are an exact copy of the original, only in a reduced version.
Rule Four: Oil perfumes are not sold in the form of testers. To demonstrate them, manufacturers offer miniature versions with a volume of 1 to 7 ml or flavored wipes. However, experts recommend purchasing oil perfumes in their original version, and not in the test one.
Consumer opinion
In online stores, perfume testers are in great demand. Reviews about them in most cases are only positive. Customers say the testers they purchased are no different from the original products. The difference between a tester and perfume is packaging. When buying a sampler, a person gets the desired aroma at an affordable price. People are really pleased that manufacturers provided such an opportunity - to purchase a fragrance tester, because there are many positive aspects. In particular, women buying perfume testers leave only positive reviews. However, it is better to try it yourself to make your own opinion.