Why Should We Choose Travel Size Perfumes?

If you’re a big traveler like we are, you’ll know that even something seemingly small as a perfume bottle can take up coveted space in your carry-on. Especially when funky shapes are in the mix, they can get clunky inside luggage, or they can max out what’s considered a TSA-friendly amount of liquid. Even the smallest travel-friendly size should be enough to get you through two weeks of a getaway. It’ll also give you enough time to determine if you even like it enough to invest in a full bottle. 

We also love having a different signature scent to tie to major moments. Obviously we’re not going to purchase a full-size of perfume every time we take a trip, have an event or go through a huge life experience. So therefore, having these minis is the perfect way to remember our moment forever. 

Want to create your own playful perfume set? Here’s some inspiration and our favorite picks.

Top Travel Size Perfumes for Every Occasion

1. Best Celebrity Travel-Size Perfume:

FENTY BEAUTY Fenty Eau De Parfum Travel Spray

Having the ability to smell like Rihanna every time we leave the house? Say no more. This warm floral aroma features notes of magnolia, musk, tangerine and more to create a sensual blend for the books. If you’re torn between sweet and floral, this offers a satisfying combination of both. 

2. Best Floral Travel-Size Perfume:

BY ROSIE JANE Missy Eau De Parfum Travel Spray

This lively floral scent gives us all the youthful energy we need. Playful and light, we get our share of white florals, tropical fruits, fresh citrus and more. Think: carefree vibes. Did someone say rooftop brunch? We’re so there.  

3. Best Budget Travel-Size Perfume:

PACIFICA BEAUTY Island Vanille Sample Size Perfume

Whether we’re on vacation or we want to be, this bad boy takes us right to the tropics. Sugar, vanilla, jasmine, and vetiver combine to form an intoxicating aroma backed by neuroscience. So basically this scent has actual effects on our brain function and mood. In other words, consider this your happy place even once you’ve checked out of your hotel.

4. Best Luxury Travel-Size Perfume:

JULIETTE HAS A GUN Pear Inc. Eau de Parfum

When we’re itching for something sweet but not too sweet, this is where we reach. This everyday scent is feminine, flirty, all the things. And the fact that we can get this typically high-end scent at a mini price point is all the more reason to love it. 

5. Best Fruity Travel-Size Perfume:

VILHELM PARFUMERIE Mango Skin Eau de Parfum

Not your ordinary fruity fragrance! We absolutely love this guy right here, thanks to its elevated sophistication. A blend of mango and blackberries pair beautifully with jasmine, patchouli, vanilla, pink sugar, and a dash of black pepper. Sugar, spice, and everything nice!

6. Best Clean Travel-Size Perfume:

GLOSS MODERNE Clean Luxury Perfume Travel Spray

Whenever we need a pick-me-up (for both the mind and body), this is where we turn. Notes of aquatic lily of the valley, sparkling yuzu, sandalwood, and sheer musk perfectly capture the essence of spring. And a little goes a long way, so expect to hold onto this a little longer. 

7. Best Date Night Travel-Size Perfume:

5 SENS In Too Deep Eau de Parfum

Ah, the alluring aroma of Tahitian vanilla, blended seamlessly with sparkling sugar and rich sandalwood. A hint of Italian bergamot and musk adds a grounding vibe, making this a cozy, woody gourmand.

8. Best Day-To-Night Travel-Size Perfume:

MAISON LOUIS MARIE No.14 Icila Eau de Parfum

If there’s one scent from the list that should be with you at all times, it’s this one. Not that we don’t love the others, but this will be your versatile knight in shining armor. Spritz it on for errands and reapply at night when you have plans. Citrus, florals, and warm woods will leave you smelling timeless yet modern.

How to Make Your Perfume Last Longer

If you’ve got a long day, you can’t be worrying about constant perfume application. If one and done is your vibe, there are several key ways to make your scent last longer. 

Hit Those Pulse Points

There are specific areas of the body that actually amplify the scent of a perfume. Think inner elbows, belly button, inside wrists, behind ear lobes, and back of knee. So yes, you’ve got many options. Whatever you do though, don’t rub a scent once you spray, as it essentially waters it down.

Store Your Perfume With Care

Three words: Avoid the sunlight. While it’s easy to reach for your scent fresh from the shower, moist or sunlit areas can completely transform your fragrance (not in a good way). Leave the scent in its box or in a drawer or dark room.

Apply Fresh From the Shower

Perfume goes on best when the pores are open. So think of how well your skincare sinks into the skin after a nice hot bath or rinse. Same can be said for scent. So don’t waste too much time in between washing, drying and spritzing.

Layer Your Scents

Many perfumes are accompanied by matching body lotions or mistier eau de toilettes in a gift set. Apply lotion fresh from the shower and spritz on the perfume to follow. Or, even if there’s no matching lotion, layering perfume over a non-scented balm or oil is also a way to get the perfume to stick. And, of course, if there’s a general combination you love (even if they aren’t matching), you can always mix and match with lotions or oils and perfumes.  

Final Thoughts on Travel-Size Fragrance

While you can’t show minis off as proudly on your vanity, they serve a serious purpose in all of our beauty collections. Pint-sized perfumes (or roll-on/rollerball sizes) are great for travel, scent exploration, gifting, and saving money. As our personal fragrance collections have grown, we realize we don’t need heaps of full-size bottles. We’re big on sticking to 2-3 regular-sized scents, while accumulating a nice selection of minis. That way we can just grab and go at any time. In fact, many brands create discovery sets so you can mix, match, and play around as you please. And believe it or not, all of your favorite brands create these miniature scents. So whether you’re itching for Burberry, Dior, Prada, Valentino, or more, you can smell like a million bucks without spending it.

IPSY has a diverse selection of best sellers, from budget-friendly brands to leaders in luxury, and unisex to super feminine. If you’re looking for your new favorite scent, the exploratory options are here. The best part about fragrance is that it’s different for everyone. So if you don’t like something you’ve sampled, you can just hand it off to a friend!