travel size perfume chemist warehouse

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.

Elegant might as well be her middle name.

By Natalie Munro

Glastonbury, let's go.

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The 7 Best Travel-Size Perfumes

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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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. 

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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.

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Jet Set: The Best Fragrances for Travel

From a floral scent liquid balm and a solid compact to a rollerball and glitzy atomizer, these are the best travel-sized perfumes that we’re loving and coveting right now.

Welcome to  Jet Set , a recurring feature in which we highlight our favorite accessories and travel must-haves that are perfect for any kind of trip. Travel is back and better than ever, and whether you’re already packing for your next adventure or you’re just beginning to contemplate venturing out again, we’re here to help with all your jet setting needs. Even the most gifted of packers knows that there's one particular toiletry that tends to be more difficult than others when it comes to prepping for a trip, and that's fragrance. It's even trickier for those of us that prefer to stick with a carry-on bag, because not only is toting around a full-size perfume a no-go, but doing so also brings with it the possibility of your favorite fragrance breaking and spilling all over your clothes. Plus, no one wants to lose a full-size bottle of their most beloved scent at airport security. Luckily, there are plenty of travel-sized perfumes perfect for throwing in your cosmetics bag or keeping in your purse for easy application. And no, we're not *just* talking about mini-sized versions of your go-to scents—there are now plenty of other formulations, too. From a floral scent liquid balm and a solid compact to a rollerball and glitzy atomizer, these are the best travel-sized perfumes that we're loving and coveting right now.

Diptyque Paris Refillable Solid Perfume in L'Ombre Dans L'Eau

Maison francis kurkdjian 724 eau de parfum travel set with refill, glossier you solid perfume, le labo rose 31 liquid balm, chanel chance eau fraîche eau de toilette twist and spray.

You won't have to worry about size limits or your favorite perfume bottle breaking in your bag if you bring a solid perfume. Diptyque's balm-like solid perfume comes in several of the French brand's beloved scents; this one features rose, bergamot, patchouli and fruity tart blackcurrant berries. Simply dab it onto your neck and wrists with your fingers. Best of all, it's refillable.

$75, shop now

If you're a fan of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's elegant scents, consider splurging on one of these sets, which include five TSA-approved travel-sized perfume refills of your chosen fragrance (the 724 is delightful, with top notes of bergamot oil, along with white floral accord, jasmine, sandalwood and white musk), and a gold Globe Trotter travel spray case, which conveniently holds your perfume of choice to spritz on while on the go.

$275, shop now

Glossier's cult-favorite Glossier You perfume, with its notes of pink pepper, ambrette, musk and white florals, comes in a very convenient solid version, in a refillable pink enamel compact. It's travel-friendly and also just a great option for everyday on-the-go application; you either directly pat it into your skin or use your fingertips.

$32, shop now

While Le Labo's best-seller Santal 33 tends to get most of the attention, we highly recommend trying a less obvious signature scent from the brand, like this rose perfume that comes in a convenient rollerball formulation, for a warm yet floral fragrance with rose absolute, cumin, vetiver, musks, cedar and amber.

$105, shop now

Chanel's Chance Eau Fraiche is, in our opinion, one of the brand's most slept-upon fragrances, often looked over in favor of the classic pink Chance. This is one of our favorite scents from Chanel; it is a lovely and enticing combination of fresh citrus with jasmine and teak wood, for a bright yet floral aroma. The on-the-go mini perfume format comes with two travel-sized refills and a chic green atomizer.

$120, shop now

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Billie Eilish Eilish Eau de Parfum Travel Spray

Item 2594567

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• Clean Ingredients
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The Eilish Eau de Parfum Travel Spray is a captivating Amber Gourmand fragrance featuring notes of sugared petals, creamy vanilla, and warm musks.

• Paraben Free
• Carton made with 100% Wind Energy & Envirofoil
• Biodegradable Cello Wrap

Fragrance Family

• Amber Gourmand
• Top - sugared petals, mandarin, warm berries
• Middle - creamy vanilla, soft spices, cocoa
• Base - sleek woods, warm musks, tonka beans

Precautions: Flammable liquid and vapor. Keep away from heat/sparks/open flame/ hot surfaces. No smoking. Avoid spraying in eyes.

Ingredients

Alcohol Denat., Fragrance (Parfum), Water (Aqua), Citric Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Propylene Glycol, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Yellow 5, Red 4, Blue 1.

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Savvy Travel Advice

12 Tips for Traveling with Perfume

Last updated: March 23, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 12 Comments

Perfumes are a common item to pack on a trip, and they are also popular items to buy during a trip as a souvenir or gift. If you are planning on traveling with perfume, you might be wondering what the rules are for bringing perfume on a plane and how you can protect your perfume from damage in transit.

Perfumes are often expensive and come in fragile glass containers that are not ideal for travel. In addition, most perfume bottles hold much more perfume than you need for a vacation. We’ll share information on airport regulations, choosing a travel sized perfume bottle, how to use a travel atomizer, and advice on packing and protecting your fragrances.

If you are planning to buy fragrances during your trip, you’ll want to know the rules around custom duties, luggage allowances, and international shipping. We’ll also cover buying perfumes from duty free shops and how to determine if a purchase is a good deal or not.

Finally, we’ll also share tips about when it is appropriate and when it is not appropriate to wear perfume in various travel situations so you can be a respectful and mindful traveler. Traveling is a great time to learn more about perfumes and we’ll discuss some ways you can explore the world of fragrances on your travels.

This is a guide to traveling with perfume based on both our own research on the topic and our many years of travel. So let’s dive into the world of traveling with fragrances!

Table of Contents:

We are going to cover everything that relates to perfume and travel. This includes how to choose travel sized perfume bottles, how to safety pack your fragrances, how to take your perfumes through an airport, how to shop for fragrances at duty free shops, and how to prepare for custom duties.

We also cover etiquette related to wearing fragrances while traveling, international shipping regulations, and how to have fragrance-related experiences on your trip.

Depending on where you are going and your specific travel plans, some of these are unlikely to apply. So you can skip to the sections relevant to your trip.

Make Sure Your Perfume is in a Travel Sized Bottle

Travel sized bottles take up less room in your luggage and help you travel lighter. However, in addition to just being practical, if you are traveling carry-on only, you need to use travel sized bottles to be compliant with airport security regulations.

Almost all airports and countries regulate the amount of liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols that you can bring in a carry-on bag through airport security and onto the plane.

Most are the same as the USA’s Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) 3-1-1 rule. Each passenger’s liquid and gel items are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item . All these items must also fit into a small bag that is 1 quart (or 1 liter) in size. This bag should be resealable and clear (or transparent). Each person is allowed one bag.

You can read more about the TSA’s liquids rules here .

So, if you want to bring any perfume bottle over 3.4 ounces (100 ml), you need to pack it in your checked luggage (the luggage you check with the airline before security). Otherwise, it will be confiscated as you go through security.

If you want to take liquids, gels, creams, aerosols, or pastes on the plane in your carry-on luggage, make sure they are each 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less and all of them fit together into a resealable 1 quart sized bag (or 1 liter sized bag) together.

For metric measurements, your items should each be 100 ml or less and they all need to fit comfortably into a clear resealable 1 liter / litre sized bag.

For the quart sized bag, you can use something like the typical Ziploc plastic bag , a clear plastic cosmetic bag , or a reusable quart-size silicone bag . If you like the idea of the more sustainable silicone bags, Stasher also makes these beauty specific ones that are TSA compliant.

Now you can, of course, take larger full-sized bottles of perfume with you in your checked luggage. However, I would avoid doing this unless it is necessary as you don’t want to risk a full-sized bottle breaking or leaking in your luggage. Those large bottles also take up a lot more space than mini ones.

Many full-sized bottles are designed to look nice on your vanity, but are not practical for travel. Imagine traveling with a full-sized bottle of Caroline Herrera’s Good Girl perfume , Mugler’s Angel Nova , or Marc Jacobs Daisy . These bottles are interesting and unique but are so impractical for travel. Best to keep these at home and decant them into a travel atomizer, such as these ones , for your travels!

Pack only the amount of perfume you need. Very few people need more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) on a trip. In fact, 100 milliliters of perfume will last most people months, if not years! Most travel atomizers hold between 5 milliliters and 20 milliliters, and I would say that 5 ml to 10 ml of fragrance is plenty for most trips.

Note that there are not normally any regulations for perfumes on other forms of transport, like trains, buses, and cruises, but it is always a good idea to check. But you definitely need to be prepared when you travel by air or your perfume could be confiscated.

Save Your Perfume Samples

Most of us have some perfume samples or mini bottles lying around. Perhaps you got some free perfume samples with a recent beauty purchase. Maybe a travel sized bottle came with the purchase of a full-sized bottle. Or maybe you’ve been gifted a mini perfume sampler box.

These mini bottles are perfect to keep for when you travel, just make sure that the bottles don’t leak before packing them. You can always transfer the perfume into a travel atomizer if needed.

Many people transfer their rollerball or splash samples into an atomizer in order to be able to use them as a spray perfume.

Invest in a Travel Atomizer

A travel perfume atomizer is a small fragrance container that sprays a fine mist. The bottles are normally refillable and reusable. They are meant to be used to store smaller amount of fragrance to be used away from the home so are designed to be less likely to break or leak when thrown in your purse, backpack, or luggage.

Designs can vary but most perfume atomizers consist of an inner container that stores the perfume, a spray system, an outer protective shell or case, and a matching cap. I personally prefer ones with inner glass contains and aluminum cases, but there are a lot of variations out there.

Travel atomizers come in a variety of sizes and most hold between 5 milliliters (0.17 fl oz) to 20 milliliters (0.67 fl oz) of fragrance. I would say that atomizers that hold between 5ml and 10ml (0.17 to 0.34 fl oz) of perfume are generally a perfect size for most people.

So, with a travel atomizer, you just need to transfer your fragrance from its original bottle to your travel atomizer. This can be done in a variety of ways, but it depends on the type of fragrance bottle you have (e.g., spray bottle with removable pump, spray bottle with crimped neck, splash bottle, rollerball, etc.) and the type of atomizer.

We’re going to write a separate article on how to choose an atomizer and fill it, but for now, I’ll say that you can transfer almost any perfume if you have a mini funnel, a pipette, and/or dispenser pump refill tool. You can buy an inexpensive perfume refill kit like this one if you need these tools.

Most travel atomizers allow you to unscrew and remove the spray pump. These atomizers can be filled in a variety of ways, such as pouring, spraying, or dropping in the liquid with a pipette or eyedropper. The great thing about these atomizers is that they can be used with just about any kind of fragrance bottle you may have.

Some universal travel atomizers you might consider:

• Lil Ray – This brand offers inexpensive refillable atomizers that generally come in sets of 3 or more. Two options to consider are these classic black ones and these twist top style ones . I have some of these budget-friendly atomizers and they have generally performed well, especially for the price.
• AllbottlesUSA   – This USA based company caters more to businesses buying in bulk but will also sell individual single bottles. I have purchased several atomizers and other bottles from them with no issues, including this black atomizer and this purple atomizer .
• AtomizersKing – This Canadian company offers atomizers in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes, and styles. You can purchase them both from their Etsy store as well as on Amazon (under the Alice-Aliya brand name).
• Essential Atomizer Co – This UK based company specializes in selling atomizers and perfume transfer accessories.
• Tom Ford – If you want a refillable designer name brand atomizer and have a bigger budget, some fragrance brands like Tom Ford sell refillable atomizers.

There is a second main type of perfume atomizer that only works with fragrances that come in a spray bottle. These travel atomizers come with an integrated pump system and a small hole in the bottom where you insert the tube on your perfume bottle. You place them on top of your perfume’s spray tubing and you then pump the fragrance directly up inside the atomizer.

It should be noted that these will work with most, but not all, perfume spray bottles. For example, sometimes the tubing of a perfume bottle is too thick for the atomizer.

The best known brand within the integrated pump and fill system atomizers space is Travalo. The Travalo Classic atomizer is their basic model, but they have more decorative ones as well such as this Milano one . If you are going to invest in one of these types of atomizes, they are a good brand to consider as they are dedicated to making atomizers, are better quality than most of the Amazon dupes, and come with a 1-year warranty.

If you want this type of pump and fill system but want something cheaper than a Travalo atomizer, there are many Amazon dupes out there you can try for much less. Just be sure to read the reviews and test them out once you receive them. They normally come in packs of 3 or more.

Most travel atomizers are inexpensive, but designer branded ones are going to be much more expensive. For instance, if you have a bigger budget and want something a little nicer, you can get one from one of your favorite fragrance brands such as Tom Ford or Creed .

Just make sure if you buy a designer branded travel atomizer that it is one you can actually refill as brands are notorious for making ones that can only be refilled with their own brand’s refill bottles. For example, this Chanel purse spray can only be used with Chanel vials. This would be perfect for someone who only wears Chanel No. 5, but it isn’t going to work if you want to be able to reuse it for another brand’s perfume. So just know what you are buying.

I normally travel with one perfume atomizer and Laurence also has one of his own. But I know a lot of people travel with two (or more) of them, one for a more daytime perfume (fresh, light scent) and then one for a more nighttime appropriate perfume. If you are traveling with multiple atomizers, it is a good idea to label and/or color code them so you remember what is in each one.

No matter what travel atomizers you decide to buy, be sure to test them once you get them to make sure that you are able to fill them, that they don’t leak, and that the spray system is working properly. Fill them (although not to the top!), shake them around, and carry them around in your purse or backpack for a day or two to test them. You want to make sure they are in working order before tossing them in your luggage for a long trip.

Give your Perfume Some Space (Ullage)

Before packing any fragrance, especially if you are transferring it to an atomizer or a travel sized container, you need to make sure that there is some empty space left at the top of the bottle.

Ullage is the amount of air space (or empty space) in your perfume bottle or atomizer. This is necessary to help prevent leakage that can occur when the liquid inside reacts to changes in pressure and temperature.

If you fill a bottle all the way to the top, it is much more likely to leak during travel. This is especially true during air travel where there are often large changes in pressure. If you don’t leave some space in the bottle, the expansion of the liquid is much more likely to cause a leak if the bottle is filled to the brim.

Note that this also applies to any other liquid, cream, or gel that you are packing as well. Never fill any container up to the top when traveling, especially if traveling by air.

If you have ever filled a water bottle to the top in an airport before boarding a plane and then it spilled all over you when you opened it later in the flight, this is why!

Pack Your Perfumes Carefully

Travel is fraught with danger for your perfume. There are extremes in temperature, pressure changes, careless luggage carriers, and the everyday bumps and jolts of travel.

Again, we have found that one of the best ways to mitigate this is to invest in a travel atomizer and just take a small amount of your perfume with you on your travels. An atomizer is designed for travel and is much less likely to break than a standard glass perfume bottle.

When traveling by air, I would recommend placing your perfume in a sealed waterproof bag (plastic or silicone) within a padded toiletry bag or dopp kit with a waterproof lining. This gives it at least two layers of protection.

If traveling carry-on only make sure it’s in a clear quart-sized bag that you can easily take out for security screening. We like to use the reusable and durable quart sized silicone Stasher bags , but you can also, of course, use a basic resealable Ziploc bag .

Always try to pack your liquids and anything that is breakable in the middle of your suitcase so that it is more protected in the case of a fall or direct blow to your luggage. If your bottles are particularly fragile, you can also always wrap something soft and absorbent like a towel, socks, or T-shirt around them for extra protection.

During your travels, try to keep your perfume out of direct sunlight and try to avoid leaving it in really hot places (e.g., all day in a hot car or next to a heater), Sunlight and heat can degrade your perfume and lead to faster evaporation.

Protect Your Other Belongings

While protecting your fragrances is important, you also want to protect the rest of the things you pack in your luggage in the event that your bottles leak or break. The reality of travel, especially travel that includes air travel, is that even the best atomizers or the most securely protected perfume bottles can leak or break in transit.

If traveling by air, I’d recommend double protection (especially if traveling with any kind of bottle with exposed glass). You can place the bottle in a small waterproof plastic or silicone bag and then place that within a larger waterproof (or at least water resistant) toiletry bag. This way if your perfume leaks, it doesn’t get everything else wet in your toiletry bag.

If you are planning to travel by air with several bottles of perfume (especially if they are full glass bottles), then you might consider buying some of the absorbent bags designed for wine bottles such as these ones by JetBag or these ones by WineSkin to help protect your fragrance bottles as well as the rest of the items in your suitcase. They are designed so that if the bottle breaks, all the glass and liquid will stay inside the bag.

If you are considering buying fragrances as gifts on your upcoming trip, packing a few of these absorbent bags can be a very smart idea and give you more peace of mind.

Be Mindful of Others when Wearing Fragrances when Traveling

When traveling, you’ll likely find yourself in tight spaces next to other people, so you want to be mindful of how much fragrance you are wearing. Strong scents, good or bad, can lead to headaches, migraines, respiratory difficulties, nausea, and even trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in some people, so you want to be mindful and respectful of others.

I know I have personally gotten headaches in the past from “secondhand scents” from other people’s perfumes and body sprays. It seems I am not alone in having a fragrance sensitivity. In one study ( Steinemann, 2016 ), 35% of Americans reported health problems, such as migraine headaches or respiratory difficulties, when exposed to fragranced products. A recent study of migraine sufferers ( Imai et al., 2023 ) found that over 50% reported perfume as a trigger of a  migraine attack.

So, we all know it is rude to wear too much perfume or cologne in public, but how much is OK to wear? Generally, another person shouldn’t be able to smell your perfume or cologne unless they are touching you or standing close to you. And you shouldn’t apply or reapply a perfume in public spaces (especially while on an airplane!).

Remember that people are going to be able to more keenly smell you in small, cramped, and hot spaces. So the amount of perfume that might be perfectly acceptable in a shop, restaurant, or a club setting, can really bother someone sitting next to you on a hot bus or stuck next to you on a plane.

If you ask etiquette experts, there are a number of places that are commonly cited as places where you probably should avoid wearing perfumes. These include hospitals and any type of medical facilities, gyms, shared office spaces, hiking, and around babies. Travel related scenarios where you might consider avoiding wearing fragrances (or at least keep them to a minimum) include airports, public transportation (e.g., metro, bus, tram), tour buses, and on longer car rides with others.

Note that it is also not a good idea to wear perfume when wine tasting and many vineyards and tasting rooms discourage it. This is because the scent of your perfume can interfere with being able to fully smell and taste the wines. Same when perfume shopping as you don’t want the perfume you are wearing to interfere with the ones you are testing.

Now this, of course, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear your fragrances at all while traveling, but you should be mindful about how much you are using and wearing. And there are a few situations where it might be better to avoid wearing any perfume, such as on air travel days.

Limit Use of Fragrances in Natural Areas

Another place to limit your use of fragrances and scented products is when heading into the great outdoors. Whether you are out hiking, boating, biking, climbing, or just sightseeing at a national park, fragrances are generally a no-no. Most people want to breathe in the fresh air and smell the scents of the natural environment.

The synthetic scents of perfumes often become very noticeable to people when in a natural environment. And they don’t necessarily smell very nice when mixed with sweat, bug spray, and sunscreen! So it is generally best to wait to put them on after you’ve come back from the trail and had a shower.

It also should be noted that certain fragrances can attract insects and other wildlife which is another good reason to avoid them when spending a lot of time outside!

Save Money with Duty-Free Perfume Shopping

If you travel internationally, you are likely to run across duty free shops in airports as well as train stations, seaports, cruise ships, and even some land border crossings. “Duty free” means that you don’t have to pay certain local taxes or customs taxes, or duties, in that country.

Duty free shops are designed for international travelers who are getting ready to depart a destination and are taking the goods out of the country. The idea is that you don’t have to pay the local customs duties because you are leaving that country. It also can help avoid double taxation for those who may have to pay the customs taxes at their destination.

While some countries also offer tax free shopping refund programs for international travelers (e.g., the European Union’s VAT Refund program ), duty-free shops are easier for travelers because the taxes have already been removed from the purchase price. With tax refund or rebate programs, you have to fill out forms and claim back the taxes later. Duty free shops also don’t normally have any sort of minimum purchase amounts unlike tax rebate programs.

The most popular goods sold in duty-free shops are items that are more heavily taxed and regulated such as alcohol, tobacco products, perfumes, and sweets. Now, duty free shopping can lead to significant savings on some items but it really depends. The actual prices and savings on a specific fragrance can vary by country, city, airport, and even airport terminal.

According to this 2019 CNBC article , The Points Guy team did some research and concluded that Europe is generally the best place to buy fragrances at duty free shops for the biggest savings. They specifically highlighted Madrid’s Barajas Airport, Portugal’s Porto Airport. and London’s Heathrow Airport as the best for perfume shoppers.

For fragrances, I would say it is best to only shop for fragrances that you already know you want to buy. If the fragrance is available in your home country, you’ll want to check the price you’d pay to buy it there. Then you want to compare, taking into account any currency conversions, to see if a particular perfume is a good deal or not.

Let’s say I want to buy a 100ml bottle of Guerlain’s Mon Guerlain Intense. The Heathrow airport price is £99.58 ($126.30) and the average retail price in London with taxes is £138.33 ($175.45). So that seems like a good savings; however, when I check prices in the U.S., I can currently get the same size bottle of Mon Guerlain Intense on Amazon for sale for only $107!

Let’s do that again with a 100ml bottle of Diptyque Philosykos which is priced at £90 ($114) and the average retail price in London with taxes is £125 ($158.82). So again that seems like a good savings and when I check prices in the U.S., I can currently buy same size bottle of Diptyque Philosykos on Amazon for $140. So that does seem to represent a good deal.

I generally find that the savings are generally not huge for American shoppers on fragrances as you can often find good deals on perfumes locally. But this does depend a lot on currency exchange rates and can really differ by brand.

Duty free shopping can be a great place to buy fragrances for people from countries where the price of perfume is high, or their selection of locally available perfumes is limited. Just be sure to do your math and don’t just assume it is a good deal!

If you have a flight with any layovers or connections, it is best to buy anything from the duty-free shop at your last international stop after going through screening. So for example, let’s say you are flying back from Jamaica and live in Toronto, Canada. You are flying from Jamaica to Miami to Toronto. It is best to do any duty-free shopping in Miami to avoid having to go through security screening at the Miami airport with items that don’t comply with the TSA liquids rule.

You can, in most countries, bring in duty-free items through screening if you are transiting to another destination, but you need to make sure that you have the purchase receipt in hand and that the items are kept in the original proper secure tamper-evident bag from the duty-free shop. You could also of course place them in your checked luggage if you have access to it during the layover.

Finally, you must remember that items sold in a duty free shop are free of duties only for that country in which they were purchased. So, for example, if you buy items at a duty-free store at the airport in Dubai, they still need to be declared at your final destination. If the items exceed your personal allowance, you may still be subject to customs duties upon entering your destination country.

Be Aware of Potential Customs and Import Duties on Perfume

A customs duty is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders. This includes items travelers have in their carry-on bags and checked luggage.

So if you are going to buy perfume internationally, you should also be aware of any customs or import duties that may be placed on goods brought into your destination country. Each country has its own set of rules around importing products from overseas. Generally, there is an allowance of good you can bring in for free, but once you go over a certain value you may have to pay a customs fee for any items beyond that allowance.

The customs rules may regulate the number of items and/or the total value of the goods. For example, in the United States, residents can bring up to $800 worth of goods into the country from most destinations without paying any extra duties or taxes. However, non-residents may only bring in up to $100 worth of goods into the USA. You can see more detailed USA customs info here .

In the United Kingdom, residents can currently bring in up to £390 worth of goods (in addition to alcohol and tobacco allowances) through customs. You can find UK customs info here .

While most countries don’t have specific rules about travelers bringing in perfumes, there are a number of countries that do have specific rules related to importing perfumes. You’ll want to check the customs regulations and taxes for your country or final destination.

There are about 40 countries with specific rules around importing perfumes. Some also specifically regulate the type of perfume so a country may have different allowances for a parfum or eau de parfum versus a toilet water or eau de toilette . These differences relate to the concentration of perfume oil used in the fragrance.

For example, at the time of writing, Tanzania allows adult visitors to import up to 125 ml of perfume and 375 ml of toilet water, South Africa allows 50 ml perfume and 250 ml eau de toilette, Turkey allows up to 5 bottles (up to 120 ml each) of perfume, cologne, eau de toilette, essence, or lotion, and Japan has a very strict allowance of only 2 ounces (60 ml) of perfume.

To find out the customs allowances for travelers to your final destination, you should check an official government customs, trade, or travel website. If you are not sure where to look, a web search for something like “traveler customs personal allowance restrictions perfume for [country] ” should help you find the information. Be sure to get the information from an official government page to ensure it is the most updated and accurate information.

Generally, customs duties are only going to apply to those planning to buy more than a couple of bottles of perfume or those buying very expensive items. But it is always a good idea to check if you are planning any purchases.

Check Out Domestic and International Shipping Restrictions and Fees

You may be interested in shipping perfumes because you either want to ship your luggage when traveling or because you purchased fragrances during your trip and you want to mail them home. If you are planning on mailing any fragrances, you need to know about any applicable domestic or international shipping regulations.

Almost all fragrances contain ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is very flammable, and are therefore classified as hazardous materials. This means that almost all countries have a number of restrictions in place on the shipment of perfumes.

Generally, you can only send perfumes via ground transportation or by water. Air shipping is usually illegal in most countries or is heavily restricted. There may also be restrictions on the amount of perfume allowed per package. Some mail services will not ship fragrances at all.

Further you often need to declare that you are shipping perfume, and it needs to be labeled and packed in a very specific way. This often means each perfume bottle needs to be individually sealed in a plastic bag and then wrapped in a protective layer of something like bubble wrap.

You should also be aware of any customs or import duties that may be payable on perfumes mailed internationally. Each country has its own set of rules around importing products from overseas. Generally, once you go over a certain value you may have to pay a customs fee for your items. This is similar to when bringing products into a country in your luggage as discussed above.

So, if you’re looking to send perfume through the mail, it’s important to be aware of the shipping regulations in place and whether it is legal, possible, and practical for you to do so. If you are buying perfume from a fragrance shop that caters to tourists, they can often help you with this and even arrange to have it shipped to you directly.

Explore New Perfumes when Traveling

One of the great joys of travel is that you get to explore new places, learn about new cultures, taste different types of food, and meet new people. This includes being exposed to new types of smells and being able to test fragrances that might only be available in certain regions.

Scents can invoke vivid memories and transport you back to people, moments, and places in your life. Chances are that you associate certain smells with certain destinations from your travels.

Now while some brands like Replica and Penhaligon’s do a nice job of recreating scents from around the world so we can “ travel from home “, there are also some fragrances that you can only get while traveling abroad. Because of the costs and strict shipping regulations, many smaller fragrance brands, especially those handmade by small businesses, are regional.

Further, even big international brands, often release different scents to suit certain markets. For example, some of the perfumes released in the North American market are different from those released in the Middle Eastern market.

There are also lots of opportunities to learn about fragrances, from how the raw materials are produced to how modern noses work to create new perfumes. These opportunities exist around the world.

Some examples include visiting the Farina Fragrance Museum in Cologne, Germany to learn how the first modern cologne was created, learning how perfume oils are made from raw ingredients in Egypt, touring rose fields in Turkey or Bulgaria, or doing a perfume factory visit in Grasse France.

Not surprisingly, one of my favorite fragrance destinations is France. Not only is Paris a wonderful place to try and buy fragrances, but Grasse France , in southern France near Nice, is also the center of France’s perfume industry. Grasse is widely known as the perfume capital of the world as so many fragrance companies are based there.

In Grasse, you can take a tour to visit some of the perfume factories in Grasse . Even today, the world’s most famous perfume, Chanel No. 5 , still uses flowers (jasmine) that are harvested in Grasse.

One of my favorite travel experiences has been to attend perfume workshops and classes. For instance, I’ve done a perfume workshop in Paris and a perfume workshop in Grasse where I was able to create custom fragrances. Not only were they educational, but I also got to create unique fragrances to take back home with me!

So those are our 12 tips for traveling with perfumes, and I hope that this helped answer any questions you may have had about traveling with your fragrances.

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If you have any questions about how to travel with perfumes, just ask us and we are happy to try to help. If you have tips or advice from your own travels related to fragrances, we’d love to hear your personal experiences and tips.

If you are planning a trip and have some questions related to traveling with perfumes, feel free to ask us any questions in the Comments section below and, as always, we’ll do our best to answer your questions!

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Chris Post author

May 17, 2024 at 12:06 pm

very helpful, I am wondering if you know if any of the travel or customs regulations apply for solid perfumes or solid cologne?

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

May 17, 2024 at 1:34 pm

Great question, and solid perfumes can be a great alternative to liquid perfumes for traveling as you don’t need to worry about potential leaks or breaks.

So in terms of packing, since solid perfumes or soild colognes are not a liquid or gel, there shouldn’t be any real restrictions on packing them. You should be able to pack them in your carry-on or checked luggage on flights. You should also be able to pack as many as you wish.

For customs, it will depend on the country. Obviously if any goods are purchased abroad, you have a total duty-free customs allowance for all goods which would of course include solid fragrances. So if there is a $400 duty-free limit for all goods in your final destination, you will pay duties on any goods purchased beyond that amount during your trip.

But whether the specific fragrances customs roles would apply to solid fragrances can be unclear, and would vary by country. But I think most of those rules were written to regulate purchases of liquid fragrances such as eau de parfume and eau de toilette and generally give a specific liquid measurement (e.g., up to 100ml of fragrances). So, in general, I wouldn’t worry too much about customs unless you are planning to purchase a very large amount of them!

For shipping, the main concerns regarding fragrances are their alcohol content and that they are liquid. Since these products are solid and most don’t contain alcohol (or very little), you would have many fewer shipping restrictions on solid colognes than liquid ones. The main concern if shipping internationally, would just be the regular customs allowances and completing the regular customs shipping forms. But of course you would need to check local laws as some places do have restrictions on toiletry and cosmetic products. But in general, shipping soild perfumes would be much easier than liquid ones domestically and internationally.

Hope that helps and happy travels! Jessica

Joséphine D Post author

April 1, 2024 at 4:37 am

some nice travelling tips here…I am intrigued by the clear silicone bags, I did not know such things existed, much nicer and more durable than plastic, yes? what size in photo?… also I have to say that at least for me when I travel I often do find deals on perfume which has high import duties in my country with duty free shopping but it is intersting to learn it is not always a good deal for some from other countries

April 1, 2024 at 5:48 am

Hi Josephine,

Glad you enjoyed our perfume tips! So yes, reusable silicone bags are going to be more durable than the typical thin reusable plastic ones (e.g., Ziploc). They are much thicker than a regular reusable plastic bag.

For the ones in the photos, the larger clear colored one is this 1 quart sized one (40 fl oz, 7.5 x 8.75 x 1.5 in / 19.5 x 21.6 x 3.8 cm) and the smaller (greenish transparent one) is a Snack size bag (12 fl oz, 7.5 x 4.5 x 1 in / 19.1 x 11.4 x 2.5 cm), both by Stasher. We bought them as part of a multi-pack and most of our Stasher bags are used in the kitchen for food stuff storage. But we also have a couple set aside for use for non-food use such as travel.

And as you say in regards to duty free shopping for perfumes, it really depends a lot on where you live, where you are traveling, and which specific fragrances you are interested in as to whether you are going to save money in those kinds of stores. We recommend that travelers do a little research in advance to have an idea of prices at home to see if they are getting a deal or not.

Happy travels! Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

March 10, 2024 at 11:42 am

Very interesting topic! I do like perfume, and I wear it at home. I’m not a real connoisseur, but I like to wear it. I do think it is hard to travel with. I used to save the perfume samples, but I don’t find them around much anymore. Seems like most of the samples are just sprayed to a card these days, which I can’t then use myself.

I have an atomizer, but to be honest, it is hard to open and use. I think I should check into the ones you suggested. My cheap one is too much of a hassle.

I never would have thought to limit perfume in natural areas and at wine tastings. I can see that, if a person wears a lot, this could be an issue. The national conference of professional organizers is always “fragrance free” because we have some members who are super sensitive. That is the first time I ever thought about how my wearing perfume might negatively impact someone else. I try to keep it minimal now.

March 10, 2024 at 3:14 pm

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, it does seem to be harder to get free sample vials – I think brands are more likely to sell them these days as part of perfume discovery kits. I know some beauty companies do still include free samples with purchases.

For suggesting a new atomizer, it depends on what specifically you don’t like about your current atomizer. They should be really easy to use after you fill it. I would say for someone who doesn’t wear a lot of perfume, than a 6ml atomizer is probably a good size and the small ones are about the same size as a tube of lipstick. You can see some here that are the universal type and they come with a glass inner container and in a variety of colors with either an aluminum shell and cap or a plastic shell and cap. But if you want one of the pump and fills, then Travalo is the main brand there. And of course you can get a more luxury one like the one by Tom Ford or Creed.

It depends on the type of perfume bottles you have and what kind of atomizer you want, because not all atomizers will work with all perfume bottles. But generally if you have one of the “universal” atomizers, you can use those with any kind of fragrance as you can either spray, pour, or pipette it depending on the type of bottle. You’ll just probably want a mini funnel to prevent spilling. If you have spray bottles, most of those will also work with the pump and fill ones such as the Travalo branded ones. I was going to go into a lot more detail on choosing and filling an atomizer but because of all the nuances that is going to have to be a seperate article, hopefully I’ll have it ready to publish in the next month or two!

I don’t think I’ve been to a conference before that was designated as fragrance free but that makes sense, especially as many work spaces have fragrance policies. Yes, I think there isn’t that much awareness about fragrances and how they can impact others. I think its a minority of people who are really guilty of wearing way too much fragrance but they can be really hard to sit next to on a plane or even stand with for a few minutes in an elevator.

When traveling, I always find it ironic that between security screening and the gates at most airports, you have to walk through so much perfume via the duty-free shops – I imagine this is really frustrating for those with fragrance sensitivites!

Best, Jessica

janelle Post author

March 7, 2024 at 10:55 pm

I also use those little atomizers for hand sanitizer spray (liquids not gels), always keep one in the purse for on the go

March 8, 2024 at 11:19 am

Hi Janelle,

Thanks for taking the time to comment. That is a great idea to use it as a purse atomizer for hand sanitzer. You can really use them for anything that is a liquid that you want to spray while traveling!

Happy travels, Jessica

Selena Graham Post author

March 7, 2024 at 12:10 pm

Some great tips here on perfume and travel! I have been traveling with a perfume atomizer for several years and its been great, to be honest I didn’t even know it was called an “atomizer”. I bought it on Amazon, it is a twist top one. I need to get some more to use for other scents. I have Calvin Klein Obsession in it and also want to also have one for my new Byredo Mojave Ghost and Kilian Love Don’t be Shy. Can you wash them and reuse them for another perfume, or best to get new one for each?

When I was reading how perfumes can attract bugs and wild animals, and no doubt that is true, But this reminded me of a story I read about a fisherman who used some kind of Victoria Secret perfume or scented lotion to repel mosquitoes and bugs – seems crazy who knows?!!

March 7, 2024 at 1:01 pm

So happy to hear you enjoyed our post on traveling with perfume!

So for the question about cleaning and reusing perfume atomizers. You absolutely can reuse most atomizers. I am going to assume you have atomizers like these ones on Amazon based on your description. So those have a screw off top and a glass bottle container (the part where the perfume is stored) which is good as glass is easier to wash and remove a smell than plastic. If you want to clean one to replace the perfume, I would recommend washing out it all with warm unscented soapy water, spraying the soapy water through the spray system, and then drying out. Then fill the glass part with isopropyl alcohol. I’d let that sit for a day or two, then wash again with unscented soap and hot water. Hopefully that will remove the smell of the old perfume. If not, I’d repeat the process again.

If your containers are made of plastic, it can be really hard to remove a scent from them, especially if you have had a perfume in it for years, so for those might be best to dedicate one for each perfume or to just replace them.

Now, if you want to be able to travel with all three of those perfumes, then I would just get two additional atomizers. I would just label or color code them so you know which is which. That is probably the easiest solution as those atomizers are not expensive and you won’t have to clean them between each use if each is dedicated to one fragrance. But if you are no longer going to travel with Obsession, then it obviously makes sense to clean that one out and reuse it for a new perfume.

Yes, I have also heard that about people using fragrances to ward off insects. The product I’ve always heard was Avon Skin So Soft oil, but also with various Victoria’s Secret products such as the Bombshell perfume and with lotions like Amber Romance and Vanilla Lace. I wore Vanilla Lace lotion as a teen and got bite by mosquitoes every summer so not sure it works, haha. But a research study was actually done with Victoria’s Secret Bombshell perfume and Avon’s Skin-So-Soft original bath oil and it did find that they can repel mosquitoes (at least the 2 species studied) for short periods of time. You can read the full research study here which was published in the Journal of Insect Science . However, the study found that they are not nearly as effective or lasting as products with Deet or p-menthane-3,8-diol in them. So they are not recommended by health experts as a replacement for a real insect repellent, such as those with deet or picaridin in them, but it does seems there is a little truth to those stories.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Selena Post author

March 7, 2024 at 1:59 pm

Thanks, amazing!! yes those look like the same atomizers I have and I will order a couple more right now! Tonight when I get home from work I will be reading that article about insect repellents, very interesting

March 7, 2024 at 2:17 pm

You’re very welcome, and hope you enjoy your new atomizers and the article!

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21 Best Travel Perfume Bottles

Traveling allows us to explore new horizons and create memories. For fragrance enthusiasts, carrying your favorite scents along on these journeys is an essential part of the experience. Enter travel perfume bottles – compact, convenient, and oh-so-chic! In this guide, we’ll explore the 21 best travel perfume bottles that not only ensure you smell delightful but also add a touch of elegance to your travel routine.

Skogfe Refillable Perfume Atomizer Bottle

This set of travel perfume bottles offers a lot of variety and sizes for on the go fragrance. The traditional perfume style bottle is pretty as well. 

VONOVO Portable Mini Refillable Perfume Atomizer

The sleek design of these portable perfume containers really stands out. Made from sturdy aluminum, these bottles will hold up to travel. 

Kewjug Refillable Mini Perfume Atomizer Bottle

Another good looking and compact perfume bottle you can take on the go. 

Lil Ray Perfume Atomizer for Men & Women

These simple travel perfume bottles are a great f ragrance essential while traveling. 

Tekson Travel Perfume Atomizer

This set of c ompact perfume bottles have a beautiful array of colors to choose from, whether masculine or feminine. 

Vitog Travel Perfume Bottle

A gorgeous and stylish set for o n-the-go perfume solutions. Check out the extra color options available as well. 

IKSKEY Gifts for women,Perfume Atomizer

Feel a little fancy and stylish with this travel perfume bottle. The pink feels very feminine and pretty. 

H&D HYALINE & DORA Vintage Refillable Perfume Bottle

Feel like you have your expensive department store perfume with you when you use these r efillable travel fragrance bottles. 

Refillable Perfume Bottle Atomizer for Travel

Another great travel perfume bottle option! Users say the bottle was easy to fill and did not leak. 

Facewegen 6 Pcs Portable Travel Refillable Perfume Atomizer

Mix it up a little with the fun designs featured on these travel perfume bottles!

Amidst the packing challenges of travel, the convenience of travel-sized fragrance options is really helpful. Portable perfume solutions like refillable atomizers offer an easy way to maintain your signature scent while on the go. These miniatures fit snugly into your travel beauty pouch, granting you the freedom to touch up your fragrance whenever and wherever.

Whether you’re exploring a vibrant market in Marrakech or sipping espresso in a Parisian café, these travel perfume bottles ensure that you exude an air of sophistication. Scents often times remind us of people or places that we’ve been. It’s nice to have a convenient way to carry those scents with you no matter where your journey takes you. 

My Favorite Travel Credit Card Right Now: Chase Sapphire Preferred

Earning credit card points and miles is an important part of my travel routine. I love the versatility of this card in earning 3x points on restaurants, streaming and groceries. You can rack up the points with everyday purchases. 

PRO IPLAS Perfume Travel Refillable Atomizer Sprayer

Add a little sparkle to your suitcase with this set of p ortable perfume containers. 

KAYZON Mini Perfume Refillable Travel Atomizer

What a beautiful design this compact perfume bottle has! Check out the other colors offered in this design as well. 

Bewudy Travel Mini Perfume Refillable Spray Container

Looking for ultra slim travel perfume bottles for your bag or suitcase? You can take multiple scents with you anywhere with this set of compact atomizers.

Lil Ray 8ML Portable Mini Perfume Atomizer Spray Bottle

Find designs that fit for you and your partner in this travel-sized fragrance set. 

Saiveina 8ml Travel Refillable Perfume Bottles

Another great set of bottles to use on the go, either in your suitcase, gym bag, or purse. 

HOSEH Refillable Perfume Atomizer

Is a more unique design on a compact perfume bottle what you are looking for? This pretty blue and white bottle is for you! 

Travel Size Perfume Cologne Bottle Refillable

The matte leather-like finish on this travel perfume bottle is a nice touch. Other colors offered are green, black, and navy blue. 

Mini Refillable Empty Cologne Spray Bottle

Sleek red and black o n-the-go perfume bottles are a nice travel scent option. 

BRILIFLED Refillable Perfume Bottle

How gorgeous are these grey and brown travel perfume bottles? Click to see the other color combinations available. 

Travel Size Refillable Empty Perfume Bottles

Want a more retro style c ompact perfume bottle? The design on this one feels like a throwback. 

Tvoip Gold Glitter Diamond Bottles

Glitter and gold is such a good pairing on these beautiful travel perfume bottles. 

FREE Carry-on Packing Guide

Pack smarter and more efficiently with this carry on baggage travel guide. learn how to pack essentials, keep electronics safe, and more on your next travel adventure.

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Elevate your travel experience with the perfect fragrance companion. These 21 best travel perfume bottles combine style, convenience, and the aromas you love. From classic style to unique designs, there’s a travel perfume bottle for every fragrance enthusiast. Don’t let your journeys be scentless – carry your favorite fragrances wherever you roam.

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