Are fragrance gift sets good value? How to do the maths
A simple way to work out whether a fragrance gift set is cheaper than buying the bottle on its own, using price per ml.
Gift sets look generous: a bottle, a mini spray, maybe a body lotion, all in one box. Sometimes they're excellent value. Sometimes you're paying extra for things you'll never use. A few minutes of maths tells you which.
Step 1: find the bottle on its own
Check what the same bottle sells for alone. It must be the same size and the same concentration. A set with a 90ml eau de toilette isn't comparable with a 100ml eau de parfum. See EDT vs EDP vs parfum.
Step 2: compare the prices
- Set costs less than the bottle alone: you're getting the extras for free, or better. Usually a good buy.
- Set costs more: the difference is what you're paying for the extras. Decide if they're worth it.
Step 3: value the extras honestly
Mini sprays of the same scent have real value. Work it out at the main bottle's price per ml: divide the bottle price by its size, then multiply by the mini's size.
Body lotion, shower gel and pouches are worth something only if you'd buy them anyway. If not, count them as zero.
A worked example (made-up numbers)
These figures are invented to show the method. They are not real prices.
- Bottle alone: 100ml for £80, so £0.80 per ml.
- Gift set: the same 100ml bottle plus a 10ml travel spray and a body lotion, for £85.
- The travel spray is 10ml × £0.80 = £8 of the same fragrance.
- So you pay £5 extra for £8 of fragrance, plus a lotion. That's good value, if you'll use the travel spray.
If the same set cost £95, you'd be paying £15 extra for £8 of fragrance and a lotion. Only worth it if you really want the lotion.
Watch out for
- Smaller bottles. Some sets contain a smaller bottle than the standard sizes. Always check the ml.
- Older stock. Sets are seasonal. Leftover sets can sit in stock for a while.
- "Worth" claims. A box saying "worth £120" isn't a price anyone paid. Ignore it and do your own sums. See how to tell if a deal is real.
When sets are cheapest
Sets arrive before Christmas, Mother's Day and Father's Day. Leftovers are often reduced after Christmas, from Boxing Day into January. Read when fragrances go on sale.