Perfume gift guide

Perfume is a lovely gift and an easy one to get wrong. A decant takes the pressure off: they get the real perfume, and time to fall for it before anyone buys a full bottle.

How to choose for someone else

  • Look at what they wear now. The notes on that bottle are your best clue.
  • Match their life, not yours. Fresh for the gym-and-office crowd, warmer for the candle-and-knitwear kind.
  • When in doubt, give two or three 3ml decants instead of one bigger guess.
  • Choose a 10ml for a scent you are confident about: weeks of wear, pocket-sized.

For the classics lover

Scents that have earned their place. More in our hall of fame.

  1. Parfums de Marly

    Delina

    Notes: Bergamot, Musk, Cashmeran

    3ml €17.90 · 10ml €48.90 · 30ml €123.90

  2. Nishane

    Hacivat

    Notes: Bergamot, Cedar, Oakmoss

    3ml €14.90 · 10ml €40.90 · 30ml €103.90

  3. Dolce&Gabbana

    Light Blue

    Notes: Apple, Bamboo, Amber

    3ml €8.90 · 10ml €27.90 · 30ml €70.90

  4. Lancôme

    La Vie Est Belle

    Notes: Black Currant, Iris, Patchouli

    3ml €8.90 · 10ml €25.90 · 30ml €65.90

Picks follow the order of our bestseller list and refresh when it changes. Prices are in euros and include VAT.

For the one who has tried everything

Smaller houses with a stronger point of view. More in niche perfumes.

  1. Creed

    Aventus

    Notes: Apple, Moroccan Jasmine, Ambroxan

    3ml €13.90 · 10ml €42.90 · 30ml €127.90

  2. Amouage

    Guidance

    Notes: Hazelnut, Jasmine Sambac, Akigalawood

    3ml €17.90 · 10ml €52.90 · 30ml €132.90

  3. Parfums de Marly

    Valaya

    Notes: Aldehydes, Lily-of-the-Valley, Akigalawood

    3ml €15.90 · 10ml €43.90 · 30ml €112.90

  4. Maison Francis Kurkdjian

    Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait

    Notes: Bitter Almond, Egyptian Jasmine, Ambergris

    3ml €23.90 · 10ml €60.90

Picks follow the order of our bestseller list and refresh when it changes. Prices are in euros and include VAT.

For date night

Warmer, closer, made for evenings. See all of date night.

  1. Amouage

    Guidance 46

    Notes: Bitter Almond, Jasmine Sambac, Akigalawood

    3ml €22.90 · 10ml €65.90 · 30ml €165.90

  2. Louis Vuitton

    Ombre Nomade

    Notes: Oud, Geranium, Benzoin

    3ml €25.90 · 10ml €69.90

  3. Mugler

    Angel

    Notes: Bergamot, Apricot, Amber

    3ml €10.90 · 10ml €30.90 · 30ml €79.90

  4. Tom Ford

    Black Orchid

    Notes: Amalfi Lemon, Fruity Notes, Amber

    3ml €10.90 · 10ml €33.90 · 30ml €85.90

Picks follow the order of our bestseller list and refresh when it changes. Prices are in euros and include VAT.

For sunny days and travel

Light, bright and easy to wear. See all of summer days.

  1. Louis Vuitton

    Imagination

    Notes: Calabrian bergamot, Ceylon Cinnamon, Ambroxan

    3ml €20.90 · 10ml €52.90

  2. Ex Nihilo

    Blue Talisman

    Notes: Bergamot, Georgywood, Akigalawood

    3ml €18.90 · 10ml €49.90

  3. Amouage

    Reflection Man

    Notes: Petitgrain, Jasmine, Cedar

    3ml €16.90 · 10ml €45.90 · 30ml €115.90

  4. Xerjoff

    Torino21

    Notes: Basil, Black Currant, Musk

    3ml €16.90 · 10ml €46.90 · 30ml €117.90

Picks follow the order of our bestseller list and refresh when it changes. Prices are in euros and include VAT.

More ideas in summer perfumes.

For the one who wants something different

Less obvious picks from under the radar.

  1. Calvin Klein

    Euphoria

    Notes: Green Accord, Black Orchid, Amber

    3ml €7.90 · 10ml €25.90 · 30ml €68.90

  2. Tom Ford

    Lost Cherry

    Notes: Bitter Almond, Jasmine Sambac, Benzoin

    3ml €24.90 · 10ml €75.90

  3. Hermès

    Un Jardin Sur Le Nil

    Notes: Carrot, Bulrush, Cinnamon

    3ml €9.90 · 10ml €28.90 · 30ml €73.90

  4. Burberry

    Burberry Her

    Notes: Black Currant, Jasmine, Amber

    3ml €10.90 · 10ml €30.90 · 30ml €79.90

Picks follow the order of our bestseller list and refresh when it changes. Prices are in euros and include VAT.

The practical bit

Every price is in euros with VAT included, and delivery is free on orders over €75. If a scent is not right, our refund policy explains the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Questions people ask

Is a perfume decant a good gift?

Yes, especially when you are not sure of their taste. They get the original perfume in a size they can wear for weeks, and can buy the full bottle later if they love it.

Which size makes the best gift?

A 10ml for a scent you are sure about. Two or three 3ml decants when you want them to choose their own favourite.

How do I pick a perfume for someone else?

Start from what they wear now and where they will wear it. Choose a scent from the same family, or give a few 3ml decants so they can decide.

Do the picks on this page change?

Yes. Each list follows our bestseller order within its collection and updates as the catalogue changes.

10ML is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the perfume houses whose fragrances we sell.