Introduction

Finding the perfect perfume can feel like a treasure hunt. You want something that smells good, lasts long, and fits your budget. But where do you even start looking? With so many options out there, it can be a bit overwhelming.

This guide is here to help you navigate the world of perfume shopping. We’ll show you the best places to buy perfume, whether you’re looking for a fancy designer scent or a great everyday fragrance. We’ll also give you tips on how to choose the right perfume for you.

So, if you’re ready to find your next signature scent or just want to explore some new options, keep reading. We’ve got you covered with practical advice and top product picks.

Our Selection Criteria

When we picked the places and products for this guide, we focused on a few key things:

• Variety: Do they offer a wide range of perfumes, from popular brands to unique finds?
• Price: Are the prices fair? Do they offer sales or discounts?
• Authenticity: Can you trust that the perfumes are real and not fakes? This is super important.
• Customer Service: Is it easy to shop there? Do they help if you have a problem?
• Shopping Experience: Is it enjoyable to browse and buy, whether online or in a store?
• Accessibility: Are these places easy for most people to get to or buy from?

We looked for places that tick most of these boxes, offering a good balance of choice, value, and trustworthiness.

Top 10 Places to Buy Perfume

Instead of specific perfume products, we’ll focus on the best places to buy them, as this aligns better with your title “Where to Buy Perfume.” For each place, I’ll recommend a type of perfume they’re good for.

1. Sephora

• Description: Sephora is a beauty giant known for its wide selection of makeup, skincare, and, of course, perfume. You can find almost any popular designer or niche fragrance here. They have both online and physical stores.
• Key Features: Large inventory, knowledgeable staff (in-store), samples available, loyalty program (Beauty Insider), good return policy.
• Pros: Huge selection, ability to try scents in person, often have exclusive sets, good sales.
• Cons: Can be a bit pricey, sometimes overwhelming due to the sheer volume of choices.
• Best for: Trying out popular designer fragrances like Dior Sauvage, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, or YSL Black Opium. Also great for discovering new, trending scents.

2. Ulta Beauty

• Description: Similar to Sephora, Ulta Beauty offers a vast array of beauty products, including a strong perfume selection. They often carry both high-end and more affordable drugstore brands, making them a good all-rounder.
• Key Features: Wide range of price points, loyalty program (Ultamate Rewards), frequent promotions, salon services.
• Pros: Good mix of high-end and affordable, frequent coupons and sales, easy to find something for any budget.
• Cons: Less focus on super high-end niche brands compared to Sephora.
• Best for: Finding popular designer scents, but also for discovering more accessible options like Ariana Grande Cloud or Versace Bright Crystal.

3. Department Stores (e.g., Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s)

• Description: Classic department stores have dedicated fragrance counters where you can get personalized assistance. They stock many well-known luxury and designer brands.
• Key Features: Expert sales associates, ability to try on skin, gift wrapping, often have exclusive sets or travel sizes.
• Pros: Excellent customer service, luxurious shopping experience, can often get free samples with purchase, reliable for authentic products.
• Cons: Can be intimidating for some, prices are usually full retail, limited selection of very new or niche brands.
• Best for: Classic, high-end fragrances such as Chanel No. 5, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio, or Estée Lauder Beautiful. Great for gifts.

4. FragranceNet.com

• Description: FragranceNet is one of the largest online discounters for perfumes, colognes, and beauty products. They offer genuine brand-name fragrances at significantly reduced prices.
• Key Features: Deep discounts, massive inventory, free shipping over a certain amount, easy to use website.
• Pros: Very competitive prices, huge selection of both popular and discontinued scents, reliable for authentic products.
• Cons: No way to test scents before buying, customer service can sometimes be slower than larger retailers, packaging might be plain (tester boxes).
• Best for: Buying popular fragrances like Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana or Aventus by Creed (often at a better price) and finding discontinued gems.

5. Notino (formerly Beauty Spin)

• Description: Notino is an online beauty retailer with a strong focus on perfumes, offering a vast selection from designer to niche brands at competitive prices. They operate globally.
• Key Features: Wide range of brands, often better prices than department stores, good search filters, includes reviews.
• Pros: Excellent selection, often has sales and promotions, reliable shipping, good customer reviews.
• Cons: Primarily online, so no in-person testing, shipping times can vary.
• Best for: Exploring a wide variety of European and international brands, from Yves Saint Laurent Libre to more unique niche offerings.

6. Small Boutique Perfumeries / Niche Stores

• Description: These are specialized stores, often independent, that focus on unique, artisanal, or niche perfume brands. They offer a very different experience from large retailers.
• Key Features: Highly curated selection, expert staff with deep knowledge, unique and hard-to-find scents, personalized service.
• Pros: Discover truly unique and exclusive fragrances, support small businesses, get expert advice tailored to your taste.
• Cons: Limited selection of mainstream brands, prices are often higher (niche perfumes are generally more expensive), not available everywhere.
• Best for: Finding truly unique and less common fragrances like those from Le Labo (e.g., Santal 33), Byredo, or Tom Ford Private Blend collections.

7. Amazon

• Description: Amazon is an online marketplace where you can find almost anything, including a vast array of perfumes. You’ll find both official brand sellers and third-party retailers.
• Key Features: Convenience, competitive pricing (especially from third-party sellers), fast shipping (with Prime).
• Pros: Huge selection, often good prices, easy to compare different sellers.
• Cons: Risk of fakes is higher if you’re not careful about the seller, difficult to verify authenticity for all listings, no sampling.
• Best for: Buying well-known, high-volume fragrances like CK One or Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue, but only if you buy directly from the brand’s official store on Amazon or a highly reputable seller with many positive reviews. Exercise caution.

8. Drugstores (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid)

• Description: While not their primary focus, drugstores often have a small selection of very affordable, mass-market perfumes.
• Key Features: Convenient, very budget-friendly, easy to pick up on a quick trip.
• Pros: Very affordable prices, accessible, good for everyday body sprays or simple colognes.
• Cons: Limited selection, mostly celebrity scents or older, very common fragrances, no samples.
• Best for: Budget-friendly options like Body Fantasies Body Sprays, celebrity perfumes (e.g., Britney Spears Fantasy), or classic, inexpensive colognes.

9. Duty-Free Shops (Airports)

• Description: Located in international airports, duty-free shops offer perfumes without local taxes, which can lead to savings.
• Key Features: Tax-free prices, often exclusive travel sets, convenient for travelers.
• Pros: Potentially lower prices, guaranteed authenticity, good for last-minute gifts.
• Cons: Only accessible when traveling internationally, selection can be limited compared to large beauty stores, not always the best deal.
• Best for: Picking up popular designer fragrances like Chanel Chance or Paco Rabanne 1 Million when you’re already flying.

10. Brand’s Official Website

• Description: Many perfume brands, especially luxury and niche ones, sell directly from their own websites.
• Key Features: Guaranteed authenticity, often offer exclusive products or sizes, sometimes include free samples with purchase, gift wrapping.
• Pros: 100% authentic products, often the latest releases, good customer service directly from the brand, sometimes offer unique online-only deals.
• Cons: Full retail price, limited to one brand, no ability to compare across different brands.
• Best for: Buying a specific fragrance you already love, like Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt or Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540, directly from the source to ensure authenticity and get any brand-specific perks.

Buying Guide: What to Look For

Buying perfume is more than just picking a pretty bottle. Here’s what to keep in mind to make a smart choice:

1. Understand Fragrance Families: Perfumes are grouped into families based on their main scent notes. Knowing these helps narrow your search:

   • Floral: Smells like fresh flowers (rose, jasmine, lily).
   • Fruity: Sweet and juicy (apple, berry, peach).
   • Citrus: Zesty and fresh (lemon, orange, bergamot).
   • Woody: Earthy and warm (sandalwood, cedar, patchouli).
   • Oriental/Spicy: Warm, rich, and often sweet (vanilla, cinnamon, amber).
   • Fresh/Aquatic: Clean, airy, sometimes like the ocean or fresh laundry.
   • Gourmand: Sweet, food-like scents (chocolate, caramel, coffee).

2. Test on Your Skin: Perfume smells different on everyone. Your body chemistry affects how a scent develops.

   • Don’t test too many at once: Stick to 2-3 at a time to avoid “nose fatigue.”
   • Spray on pulse points: Wrist, inner elbow, neck. These warm areas help the scent unfold.
   • Wait: Give it at least 15-30 minutes for the top notes to fade and the middle and base notes to come through. The dry-down is the true scent.
   • Walk around: See how it smells on you over a few hours.

3. Consider Concentration: This affects how strong and long-lasting a perfume is.

   • Parfum (Extrait de Parfum): Highest concentration (20-40% pure perfume oil). Very long-lasting, often expensive.
   • Eau de Parfum (EDP): Next highest (15-20% oil). Lasts 5-8 hours. Very popular.
   • Eau de Toilette (EDT): Lighter (5-15% oil). Lasts 3-5 hours. Good for everyday.
   • Eau de Cologne (EDC): Lightest (2-4% oil). Lasts 2 hours. Often fresh and citrusy.
   • Eau Fraîche: Very light (1-3% oil). Lasts 1-2 hours. More like a scented mist.

4. Think About the Occasion:

   • Daytime/Office: Lighter, fresher scents (citrus, light floral, fresh).
   • Evening/Special Occasion: Heavier, richer scents (oriental, woody, gourmand).
   • Season: Fresh for summer, warm for winter.

5. Read Reviews (but take with a grain of salt): Reviews can give you an idea of a perfume’s general scent profile, longevity, and sillage (how much it projects). However, remember that scent is subjective.

6. Check for Authenticity (especially online):

   • Buy from reputable retailers: Stick to well-known stores (Sephora, Ulta, department stores) or trusted online discounters (FragranceNet.com, Notino) or the brand’s official website.
   • Be wary of “too good to be true” prices: If a luxury perfume is selling for a fraction of its usual price, it’s a red flag.
   • Examine packaging: Fakes often have sloppy packaging, misspellings, or cheap-looking bottles.

7. Don’t Rush: Take your time. Perfume is an investment, and you want to love what you buy. Get samples if you can.

Conclusion

Finding the right perfume is a personal journey, but knowing where to look makes it much easier. Whether you prefer the hands-on experience of a department store, the vast selection of Sephora, or the great deals from online discounters like FragranceNet, there’s a perfect place for you to buy your next signature scent.

Remember to consider your personal taste, the occasion, and always test scents on your skin. By doing a little research and being mindful of authenticity, you’ll be well on your way to finding a fragrance that you truly love and that makes you feel wonderful. Happy scent hunting!

FAQs

Q1: Is it safe to buy perfume online?

A1: Yes, it can be safe if you buy from reputable online retailers like Sephora, Ulta, FragranceNet.com, Notino, or the official brand websites. Be cautious on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, and always check the seller’s reviews and authenticity guarantees.

Q2: How can I tell if a perfume is authentic?

A2: Always buy from trusted sources. Check the packaging for misspellings, poor print quality, or cheap materials. The bottle should be high quality, and the serial number on the box should match the one on the bottle. If the price is too good to be true for a luxury brand, it probably is.

Q3: What’s the difference between Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette?

A3: Eau de Parfum (EDP) has a higher concentration of fragrance oil (15-20%) than Eau de Toilette (EDT) (5-15%). This means EDP usually lasts longer and has a stronger scent than EDT.

Q4: How long does perfume last on the skin?

A4: The longevity depends on the perfume’s concentration, the specific ingredients, and your individual skin chemistry. Generally, Eau de Cologne lasts 1-2 hours, Eau de Toilette 3-5 hours, and Eau de Parfum 5-8 hours or more. Parfum can last all day.

Q5: Can I get samples before buying a full bottle?

A5: Yes! Many places offer samples. Sephora and Ulta often give out free samples with purchases or have small “discovery sets” for sale. Some niche perfume boutiques offer sample vials for a small fee. Online retailers sometimes include free samples with your order, or you can buy sample sets from specialized decant sites.