travel size perfume

I Downsized My Perfume Collection from 58 to 13—The Mini Versions of My Faves

When I packed up my Culver City apartment last November in order to move into my new place in Santa Monica, it became immediately clear that I had an obscenely large, completely unhinged perfume collection:  58  if we want to chat specifics. I'm  a Taurus through and through, so even though I stubbornly insisted on packing every last one and taking it to my new, much smaller apartment, upon arrival, I was deluged with regret. Suffice to say, I quickly abandoned my packrat ways and painstakingly downsized my  perfume collection from 58 to 13. (I will say that I have about 20 additional bottles hiding out at my parent's house in Arizona, so I can't act all that high and mighty.)

Of course, I only kept the perfumes that I wear most often and consider prized possessions, all of which are handily available in  nibble-friendly travel sizes to boot. People frequently ask me about my fragrance collection or what my favorite scents of all time are , and if you keep reading, you'll uncover the answers. And since the majority are pretty steep investments if you spring for the full size, I led with their more affordable travel-size alternatives. Keep scrolling, the 13 best travel-size perfumes, according to me, are just ahead.

1. Glossier You Solid Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Ambrox, ambrette, musk, iris root, pink pepperGlossier You is already an iconic fragrance in its own right, and it definitely has to be in my top 10 favorite perfumes of all time. The brand somewhat recently relaunched the cult-loved scent in solid form, so you can bask in its milky, ambery, musky perfection, any time, anywhere. I actually have the full size and two of the solids— that's how obsessed I am with this perfume.

Shop the full size:

2. Ellis Brooklyn Rrose Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Centifolia rose, Sicilian lemon, musk, patchouli, peony, rhubarb I own eight—yes, eight—of Ellis Brooklyn's stunning clean and sustainable perfumes (Bee, Salt, Sweet, Super Amber, Après, Fable, Fawn, and Rrose), but if I had to choose a favorite child, I'd easily select the latter. It's beautiful, classic, and entirely luxurious. It's the kind of scent I can imagine wearing on my wedding day. I actually received the travel size from the brand when it launched, and I loved it so much that I bought the full size as soon as it was available. I highly recommend it for the floral perfume connoisseurs out there. 

3. Tom Ford Bitter Peach Private Blend Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Pêche de vigne, blood orange, patchouli Bitter Peach is my favorite fragrance of all time. I have never smelled something so juicy, complex, and all-around addicting. It lingers and melts into your skin for a really warm and beautiful finish, but the mix of peach, davana (an aromatic herb native to India), and patchouli is so unique—I've never smelt anything like it. I can't get over it, and the second I spritzed it, I knew it was over for me and every other perfume I ever claimed to love. Buy the travel size (and perhaps eventually the full size), and it will be the best thing you gift yourself maybe ever. Normally, I say fragrance and perfume are extremely subjective, but this bottle just might be the exception.

4. DedCool 03 "Blonde" Eau de Parfum

Key Notes : Juniper berries, pomelo, saffron, accord cuir, black violet. cristal rose, blonde woods, raspberry vetiver I love this perfume from sustainable, nontoxic, and vegan fragrance brand DedCool, and it's been a heavy hitter in my rotation ever since I discovered it a little more than a year ago. (Also, if you care about this kind of thing, it's the most-loved perfume in my collection whenever I ask guys to rate their favorites.) The brand says, "You attract what you are. This scent smells like you'll get stopped on the street when you walk by—a smell that everyone around you will be thinking about all day," and honestly, I couldn't agree more considering that's pretty much been my experience with it!

5. Kilian Paris Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Tuberose absolute, jasmine, narcissus, orange blossom, osmanthus No one's fragrance wardrobe is complete without one of Kilian's bewitching fragrances. The brand makes numerous favorites beloved by celebrities and beauty editors alike, but if I had access to your shopping cart and credit card, Good Girl Gone Bad is the poison I'd pick for you, and I can't imagine my scent collection without it. I sure do have a type, so, surprise surprise, this one, which is a member of Kilian's "Narcotics Family,"—fruity and floral with starring notes like orange blossom, osmanthus, and tuberose. Try it in the handy travel size first if you want the dent in your wallet to be less dramatic.

6. Byredo Young Rose Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Ambrette seeds, sichuan pepper, orris, damascena rose, musks, ambroxan If I had to describe my fragrance MO in one word, it would be "pretty." I tend to like light, floral, semi-sweet scents, but they have to have enough of a base to not lean too saccharine. I love rose perfumes, and this one balances Damascus rose with spicy Sichuan pepper, and headier hits of musk, Ambroxan, ambrette seeds, and orris, It's floral but far from basic. People always want to know what I'm wearing when I'm wearing this and they hug me, and if you ask me, it definitely deserves a spot atop your vanity this season.

7. Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Rose, violet, pink and black pepper, muskAccording to the Serge Lutens website, Lutens considers the perfume-making process an art, not a job—something you'll instantly understand the second you get a whiff of any one of his remarkable French-made fragrance masterpieces. La Fille de Berlin leads with rose, but more unorthodox additions like violet, musk, plus pink and black pepper, reveal said rose's thorns. Rumor has it that Berlin It girl, Marlene Dietrich, was the inspiration for this scent. It's a masterpiece, and it always rakes in the compliments when I wear it.

8. Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace

Key Notes:  Pink pepper, orange flower petals, clove oil, chestnut accord, gaïac wood oil, cade Oil, vanilla accord, Peru balsam, cashmeranSay hello to Replica's best-selling perfume, and my personal top pick from the collection, By the Fireplace. While it might incite cozy thoughts complete with a crackling fire, roasted chestnuts, toasty marshmallows, and a floppy cocker spaniel shrouded in plaid fleece (I'm having fun with this—can you tell?), it's surprisingly perfect all year round. It is, in fact, obsession-worthy. 

9. St. Rose Desert Nomad Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Ginger, bergamot, neroli, pepper, clary sage, sandalwood, palo santo, vetiver Every perfume St. Rose makes is a treat for any perfume lover, and while I quite honestly where all of them (I own the discovery set !), Desert Nomad is the one that I wear the most and requested in its full-size glory. The brand categorizes the scent as "smoky woods"—think a warm yet haunting mix of ginger, bergamot, neroli, pepper, iris, clary sage, sandalwood, palo santo, and vetiver—a composition of notes that I wouldn't think I'd like if I hadn't smelled this perfume. That being said, it's positively intoxicating, and the way it plays out once it's on your skin is incredibly unique and special. This is a fragrance that has already burrowed itself deep into my heart. Oh, and as if it even needed more brownie points, it boasts over 98% natural and naturally derived ingredients, so you can feel that much better each and every time you imbibe.

10. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Key Notes:  Ambrette seeds, sea salt, sageThis beloved Jo Malone London cologne, which is the next best thing to visiting the Cliffs of Dover—complete with windswept hair and salt-crusted skin—is timeless. The scent it leaves behind is so natural and dewy, like how you'd smell if you spent the afternoon outside soaking up the grass, fog, and salty seas. If you're someone who wants something more woody and earthy, but still velvety and luxe, it's the perfect antidote. It makes me feel nostalgic, I just can't pinpoint why. Which almost makes it even more enchanting?

11. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Féminin Pluriel Eau de Parfum

Key Notes : Iris, violet, rose. jasmine, lily of the valley, orange blossom, vetiver, orange blossom This delicate perfume smells like a bouquet composed of florals from all around the world: patchouli from Indonesia, Iris from Florence, Rose from Grasse, and jasmine from Egypt. Maison Francis Kurkdjian makes lots of very iconic scents—most notably Bacarate Rouge 540—but this dark horse scent is the one I slyly wear and recommend the most. 

12. Vilhelm Parfumerie Morning Chess Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Bergamot, Tuscan leather, galbanum, patchouli, black amber I like to have a variety of perfumes for every mood and occasion, and while I'm not typically a huge fan of ultra-green or fresh scents, this one is such a winner in my book and treads lighter and juicier thanks to the hits of black amber and bergamot. I liken it to the olfactory equivalent of the perfect white T or a luxe set of leather trousers. It's my top recommendation when people ask about Vilhelm's library of scents and is inspired by the grassy Swedish coast.

13. Fenty Beauty Fenty Eau de Parfum

Key Notes:  Magnolia, musk, tangerine, Bulgarian rose, vanilla, blueberry, coconut, geranium, patchouli Is there anyone on this planet who doesn't want to smell like Rihanna? I feel like the only answer there is no, right? The bottle itself is beautiful and so is the scent. Interestingly, it's comprised exclusively of middle notes and it has a unique, ultra-fine mist that rains down evenly on an entire area of skin—like your chest—without over-saturating. The smell itself is hard to describe, and unlike so many fragrances, it doesn't translate as purely floral, fruity, or saccharinely warm and sweet. It balances magnolia, musk, tangerine, blueberry, and light whiffs of Bulgarian rose absolute, geranium, and patchouli. In my opinion, it's one of the best fragrance launches in the past few years, grab the travel size, and you'll easily understand why. (Plus, I guarantee you'll come back for more!)

Next:  I'm Notoriously Impatient—13 Transformative Beauty Products That Work Fast

Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie . She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.

Everyone needs a pair, in my opinion.

By Natalie Munro

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy
• Accessibility Statement
• Advertise with us

Who What Wear UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

The 7 Best Travel-Size Perfumes

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her adventures around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

If you’ve ever caught a whiff of jasmine at night and been instantly transported back to a tropical trip you know that scent can be a powerful memory trigger. There’s even scientific evidence that our sense of smell is more strongly connected to our brains than other senses. 

Capitalize on this knowledge (and help create special travel memories) by packing perfume for your next trip. Wearing a new fragrance for a trip can help tie that scent to a location—so every time you smell it, you’ll be flooded with positive reminiscences. 

Perfume is subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule by airport security, so it’s important to bring a travel-sized vial. (You also don’t want to worry about a full-sized version breaking in your bag). 

These are the seven best travel-sized perfumes to take on your next trip. 

Nateeva: St. Vincent and the Grenadines

What could be a more perfect perfume to pack for a tropical vacation than Nateeva’s St. Vinecnet and the Grenadines ? Inspired by the island’s flora, the fragrance has notes of night-blooming jasmine, plumeria, orange flower, and violet leaf.  

Find it on Scentbird , a site that specializes in travel-size perfumes. You can make one-time purchases of specific fragrances, or sign up for a subscription to get a 30-day supply of different scents sent to you each month, so you’ll have lots to choose from for your next trip. 

Carnal Initiation: Initio Perfume 

Set the mood for your trip with Inito Parfums Prives. This high-end fragrance brand offers initiation sets that are perfectly travel-sized so that you can take its perfumes on the road. 

Choose from the Carnal or Hedonist lines—both will come with a coupon to redeem the price of the set towards a purchase of any of the full-sized fragrances once you decide which one you’ve fallen for. 

Is the Dyson Airwrap Worth It For Travel?

Vahy: Neon Neroli

Inhale the fresh neroli, orange flower, and bergamot notes of Neon Neroli and you’ll feel like you’re lounging by the sea in Capri with this Italian-inspired perfume.

All of Vahy’s natural and vegan perfumes are made without synthetic fragrances, denatured alcohol, phthalates, parabens, or other bad stuff you might not want to spray on your skin.

Diptyque: 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Sold Perfume

Don’t want to worry about your travel-sized perfume shattering in your bag? Opt for a solid option, which you can rub on wherever you want to add scent. Diptyque’s solid perfume balm is a good choice—and if you’ve ever been to the brand’s store in Paris, you might recognize the signature scent.

Crafted with amber, patchouli, rose, cinnamon, blackcurrant, and floral notes, it’s the perfect pick for a sophisticated city trip.

Maison Margiela: Replica Beach Walk Travel Spray

The easiest way to transport yourself to a tropical beach vacation—a spritz of Maison Margiela’s Replica Beach Walk perfume . This fresh solar scent is designed to smell like a day at the beach, complete with salty air and sunshine. Bergamot, pink pepper, and lemon keep things fresh while heliotrope, coconut milk, and musk add a touch of sweetness. 

7 Essential Multipurpose Tools for Travel

Sol de Janeiro: Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ‘68 Beija Flor

Don’t limit your perfume to your skin—let your hair have some fun too. Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Crush Cheirosa mist was designed to be used on both hair and body (it won’t dry your hair out as regular perfumes might). 

This fruity-floral scent was inspired by the sunny gardens of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with notes of Brazilian jasmine, pink dragonfruit, and vanilla.

Sephora Deluxe Mini Perfume Sampler Set

Prefer to have options for your trip rather than sticking to one scent? Sephora’s Deluxe Mini Perfume Sampler Set lets you try out six popular fragrances: Clean Reserve Skin, Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Nest Baliense Coconut, Phlur Missing Person, and Versace Dylan Purple.

This money-saving set includes a certificate that you can redeem for a full size of any of the fragrances in the set. 

You Might Also Like:

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Madrid to Malaga: 8-Nt Southern Spain...

Luxe, 12-Night Spain, France, Monaco &...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel