Quick Answer
The main difference is quantity: a sample (like a 1.5 ml tester) gives you a few wears to evaluate a fragrance, while an extrait is a full bottle meant for daily use. Samples are perfect for testing and rotation; extraits offer the complete experience and better value per wear if you love the scent.
What Exactly Is an Extrait?
An extrait de parfum is the most concentrated form of a fragrance, typically containing 20-30% perfume oil. This means it lasts longer on skin and projects more intensely than eau de parfum or eau de toilette. Maison Crivelli's extraits, like Safran Secret and Tubéreuse Astrale, are designed to be worn as a signature scent, offering depth and evolution over hours.
Safran Secret
Because of the higher concentration, extraits are more expensive per milliliter, but you need fewer sprays. A 50 ml bottle can last months with daily use, making it a worthwhile investment if you've found a fragrance you truly love.
What Is a Sample Size?
A sample, often called a tester or vial, is a small amount of fragrance—usually 1.5 ml or 2 ml—that lets you try a scent before committing to a full bottle. It's ideal for testing on your skin, checking how it evolves over a day, and seeing if it works with your body chemistry.
Samples are also great for travel, tossing in your bag for a refresh, or exploring multiple scents without the expense of full bottles. However, a 1.5 ml vial typically gives only 5-10 sprays, which is enough for a couple of wears—not a long-term supply.
How Many Wears Do You Get from a 1.5 ml Tester?
A 1.5 ml sample provides roughly 15-20 sprays, depending on how generously you apply. For a typical 3-4 sprays per wear, that's about 4-5 full applications. This is enough to test a fragrance in different situations—work, evening, or a casual day—and see how it performs on your skin over time.
If you want to compare multiple fragrances, samples are the perfect way to do side-by-side tests. Apply one on each wrist, and you'll quickly learn which one you prefer.
When Should You Buy a Full Bottle Instead?
If you've used a sample and still find yourself thinking about the scent days later, that's a strong sign you're ready for a full bottle. A full extrait bottle makes sense when you've confirmed the fragrance works with your skin, you love the dry-down, and you can see yourself wearing it regularly.
Also consider the cost per wear: a 50 ml extrait might cost more upfront, but if you wear it daily, it's far more economical than buying multiple samples over time. Plus, you get the full experience of the fragrance's evolution from opening to base notes, which a sample can't fully deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 1.5 ml sample last?
A 1.5 ml sample gives about 15-20 sprays, which is roughly 4-5 wears if you apply 3-4 sprays each time. This is enough to test a fragrance in different settings and see how it evolves. Use samples to evaluate a scent over several days, not just one quick sniff.
Is a sample the same as a decant?
No. A sample is a small, often complimentary or low-cost vial (like 1.5 ml) meant for testing. A decant is a larger amount (usually 5-10 ml) transferred from a full bottle, offering more wears but still not the full bottle experience. If you need more than a few wears, a decant might be a better middle ground.
Can I judge a fragrance from a single spray?
Not fully. Fragrances evolve over hours, and skin chemistry affects the scent. A single spray only shows the opening; you need to wear it for several hours to experience the heart and base notes. Always test a sample for at least a full day before deciding on a full bottle.
Maison Crivelli Products to Consider
- Safran Secret: Safran Secret s'inspire d'une aventure mystérieuse vécue par Thibaud Crivelli, au cours de laquelle il a découvert des champs de safran nappés d'une épaisse couche de brouillard. This extrait is a perfect candidate for sampling first—its saffron and fog-inspired profile can evolve dramatically on skin, so a 1.5 ml tester lets you experience that transformation before committing to a full bottle.
- Tubéreuse Astrale: Tubéreuse Astrale évoque la magie d'une nuit d'été, où les tubéreuses diffusent leurs effluves sous les paysages féériques de la voie lactée et des étoiles filantes. If you're drawn to tuberose but unsure how it wears, a sample is a smart way to test its powdery, suede-like contrast on your skin. Once you know it works, the full extrait offers a more immersive experience.
- Oud Maracujá: Cette bougie Oud Maracujá reproduit fidèlement les facettes boisées, fruitées et exotiques de l'extrait de parfum. If you love the Oud Maracujá scent but want to try it in a different format, the candle is a lower-commitment option to enjoy the fragrance at home—especially useful if you're still deciding on a full perfume bottle.
