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The Fragrance Club Review

Thursday, February 13th

2025 Perfume Subscription Reviews

The Fragrance Club Review 2 Star Rating

The Fragrance Club

2 Star Rating
  • About 40 perfume options to choose from
  • 100% authentic fragrances
  • $18.95 for monthly deliveries
  • $19.95 for bi-monthly deliveries
  • $189.48 for an annual (prepaid) subscription
  • Free shipping on all clubs
  • Cologne subscription also available
  • In operation since 1997

In operation since 1997, The Fragrance Club is structured like most perfume subscriptions on our list: you create a queue of scents that you like, and you get a monthly delivery of a 10mL bottle that lasts for approximately 150 sprays (roughly 30 days' worth). There are options for both perfume and cologne, and you can decide if you want to set up your subscription for monthly or bi-monthly deliveries. Your first shipment comes with a free leather "casing” for safe storage of your perfume, and you'll never pay for delivery (shipping is included in the price of each subscription).

Under $20/month

Speaking of the price, what does The Fragrance Club charge? You'll have to decide if you want to set it up for monthly or bimonthly deliveries, and if you'd like to pay as you go or in full for a year. Here's how the pricing shakes out:

  • $18.95/delivery for month-to-month perfume (or cologne) subscriptions
  • $19.95/delivery for every-other-month subscriptions
  • $189.48 for a prepaid annual subscription (12 deliveries)

Extremely limited selection

Those prices are pretty comparable with rival perfume subscriptions, but the selection at The Fragrance Club is beyond disappointing. When we went to set up our membership, there were only 37 perfumes to choose from, and some of them were really old-fashioned for our tastes - like 5th Avenue by Elizabeth Arden. Most of the selections were from Vince Camuto, Oscar De La Renta, Kenneth Cole, Jimmy Choo, and Coach. Those are decent, reliable brands, but you'd go through a third of the available fragrances here in the first year. It definitely lacks the variety we expect to see when we sign up for a perfume subscription.

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Not many details to guide you

And, when you click on an individual fragrance that might be one you want to try, you'll get fragrance notes (that are sometimes misspelled... like "rasberry leaf”...in addition to many other site typos), and that's about all. The Fragrance Club doesn't have a place for other subscribers to leave their honest assessment of the perfume, so you're really on your own here.

Refunds only after the first month

What if you get a scent that just isn't right for you? The Fragrance Club's terms say that you can request a refund within 30 days of joining. In other words, if Month #1's perfume is just perfect, but Month #2 delivers one that you can't stand... you're out of luck. That's a big downside compared with at least one rival subscription that lets you make a certain number of no-cost exchanges every year.

Outdated but should be getting a new look soon

We can't really say that The Fragrance Club is at the top of its game. When we started browsing its perfume subscription options, we found that one option was the "2019 Get Started” package (which, you may notice, is more than a few years ago). That's not exactly a good sign, so we reached out to make sure the company is still in operation - especially since, on their socials, the last "signs of life” were almost a year prior to this evaluation. The only other way to contact The Fragrance Club is via email, and somewhat surprisingly, we did get a response: "Yes we are still in business. We actually are erasing and relaunching our socials these next few months to change appearance slightly. Sorry for the inconvenience."

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No recent feedback

But, unsurprisingly, there's not really any current feedback to speak of for this perfume subscription. Listing with the Better Business Bureau? Not that we could find. Facebook reviews? Nothing over the last year (and prior to that, it wasn't exactly what we'd call "enthusiastic”). Trustpilot? No listing we could spot.

Lots of room for improvement

We won't say that this is the worst perfume subscription out there - at least the company responded when we reached out, and maybe they'll truly be new-and-improved in the near future with that relaunch. But, with a number of rivals out there who have consistently delivered amazing scents and gotten tons of rave reviews from subscribers, The Fragrance Club has a long way to go before it can move up from our below-average rating.

Which Perfume Subscription is the Best?

Perfumes have been an integral part of human culture for centuries, with scents carefully crafted from flowers, herbs, and exotic spices. From ancient Egypt to modern-day fashion houses, wearing perfume has always been a way to express identity, mood, and even status. Fast forward to today, and the art of choosing a fragrance has evolved.

Perfume is no longer just about sniffing your way through the options at the department store counter - perfumes can capture emotions in a bottle, or even become as distinctive as your signature. But here's the thing: perfume shopping in traditional stores can be overwhelming.

The Best Perfume Subscriptions Compare Perfume Subscriptions Compare Perfume Subscription Reviews What are the best Perfume Subscriptions Best Perfume Subscription Reviews

Perfume Subscription FAQ

A perfume subscription is a membership that delivers new fragrances to your mailbox every month. Think of it as a "scent club”: just like foodies can get hot sauces and fashionistas can get accessories, fragrance fans get to try out something new with each delivery.
As long as you get your subscription from a reputable retailer, yes. You'll often see the word "decant” used in reference to these services and to other discount perfume shops: it just means that they buy the original, authentic fragrances in bulk and transfer them to smaller containers.
Yes! Perfume subscriptions eliminate the "blind buy” expense of getting a full bottle of a fragrance you hope that you'll love... but wind up hating. Maybe you already have a Jimmy Choo or Marc Jacobs scent in your regular rotation and you want to see if you like their newest release. Or you're going way out of your comfort zone and trying something with notes and a profile totally new to you. That's the beauty of perfume memberships: all the fun for much less money.
That depends on the one you select. Most clubs' monthly deliveries feature a small glass bottle with approximately 8 mL (or 0.27 oz) in an atomizer case. Some retailers expect you to swap out the tube in the case with every new perfume that comes, while others include a new case every time. Also, some perfume subscriptions include more than one fragrance per month. And, most memberships give you rewards points and/or discounts that can be used to get full bottles of any perfume you wind up wanting to add to your permanent collection.
Niche fragrances typically come from independent, lesser-known perfumers. They're not your well-known brands like Bvlgari or Calvin Klein. Some perfume memberships stick strictly to designer brands, others focus solely on niche brands - and a few let you choose freely from a catalog that includes both. If you love the idea of wearing a perfume that's cutting-edge or that no one else has, niche scents are the way to go.
Not at all: you'll get about 30 days of scent for the price of a couple of lattes. Most perfume subscriptions are priced between $15-$20 per month, and some memberships give you the first month at a big discount.
Unfortunately, most perfume memberships have a strict "no refunds” policy - but it's much more affordable to try a $14 sample size and find out you don't like it than to buy the whole bottle. However, our #1 perfume subscription lets you exchange anything you get that isn't a good match, up to five times every twelve months.
Yes! Why should women get all the fun? While some perfume subscriptions focus just on more traditionally feminine scents, most plans have options for cologne too. If you want to get both cologne and perfume, be sure to choose a retailer that offers that kind of flexibility. One of our top rate perfume subscriptions lets you get two scents (or more) in every delivery, and another gives you three masculine/unisex and three feminine niche fragrances each month.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

The options seem endless, and after sampling just a few, your nose might struggle to differentiate between scents. Add the high price tags for full-sized bottles, and you might feel hesitant to commit to a single perfume without fully experiencing it. Enter perfume subscriptions, the modern solution to all your fragrance woes.

Perfume subscriptions are all about convenience and discovery. For a monthly fee, you receive sample-size perfumes from a wide range of brands. It's the perfect way to try new fragrances before buying the full bottle, which can save you money and prevent any buyer's remorse. Plus, it's a way to break out of your usual scent preferences and experiment with something new - whether that's a light, breezy scent for spring or a deep, sultry fragrance for fall.

Another perk? Perfume subscriptions often partner with both luxury and niche brands, giving you access to a curated selection that you might not find at your local department store. And, since most subscription services come in handy travel-friendly sizes, you can carry them wherever you go - ideal for someone who's always on the move or who needs to freshen up after work and before drinks.

Additionally, these subscriptions sometimes come with personalized recommendations, often after giving you a quiz to see which scents match your style and favorite notes. With fresh perfumes arriving every month, it feels like a little just-for-you luxury delivered straight to your door.

With so many options available, it's super-easy to find the right perfume subscription for your "scent style”. Here are some criteria to consider when deciding where to get started:

  • Brand variety. Some subscription services focus on well-known luxury brands, while others offer a mix of niche or indie fragrances. If you're someone who loves the classics, look for a subscription that includes iconic names. If you enjoy discovering up-and-coming perfumers, a service that focuses on smaller, boutique brands might be a better fit.
  • Customization. Look into whether the subscription allows you to choose the scents you want to try or if it's more of a mystery each month. Some people enjoy the surprise, while others prefer more control over what they receive. Also, check if there's an option to swap fragrances if you get one you don't love.
  • Pricing and flexibility. Prices for perfume subscriptions can vary, so choose one that fits your budget. Look into whether they offer monthly, quarterly, or annual plans, and whether you can pause or cancel your subscription easily.
  • Value. The vials that come in perfume subscriptions sizes can range from tiny vials to larger travel atomizers that last for nearly 150 sprays. If you're someone who likes to really wear a fragrance before deciding, opt for a service that offers more generous samples.
  • Additional perks. Some subscriptions offer added bonuses, such as discounts on full-sized bottles, access to exclusive perfumes, or fun packaging. If you're someone who loves those little extra touches, these perks could make one subscription stand out from the rest.
  • Reputation. Perfume subscriptions can look really similar on the surface, so check out what members are saying about the overall experience. Does the company deliver what it promises, on time, with no drama if something goes wrong? What does the Better Business Bureau have to say?

Ready to smell fantastic? The fragrance fans at Top Consumer Reviews have put some of today's most popular perfume subscriptions to the sniff test and ranked them from first to worst. Whether you're new to perfumes or a seasoned collector, there's a subscription for you, so prepare to experiment a bit and find your next favorite scent - without breaking the bank.

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