I have a growing problem, and that problem is perfume samples.

I'm not talking the paper inserts that come in magazines or catalogues (ugh and bleh, how can anyone tell what the perfume's supposed to smell like on your skin?), but the little glass bottles that you get from a fragrance counter or Sephora or wherever you buy full-sized perfumes.

And since it's so important to test out fragrances on your skin, and not paper, before you make the jump into buying a full bottle of something, I've got some suggestions (and secrets!) for where you can find your own perfumes to test out.

- Not only does Sephora allow you up to three free samples with every Sephora.com order, but they have some neat fragrance sampler kits available right now -- you get ten deluxe samples, a travel spritzer, and a certificate to trade in for a full-sized bottle of your favorite. (Unfortunately, you have to take the certificate in to an actual Sephora store, so if you don't have one locally, you're out of luck...)

There are three kits available for women: Best Sellers for Her (Aquolina Pink Sugar, Bulgari Omnia Crystalline, Calvin Klein Euphoria, Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual, Gwen Stefani LL.A.M.B., Lavanila Vanilla Grapefruit, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Philosophy Amazing Grace, Stella McCartney Stella, Vera Wang Princess), Trend Setters for Her (Burberry Brit Sheer, Dior Addict Shine, Emporio Armani Diamonds Intense, Ferragamo Incanto Heaven, Jean Paul Gaultier Ma Dame, Lolita Lempicka Fleur De Corail, Nina Ricci Nina, Prada Infusion D'Iris, Pucci Vivara), and New Classics for Her (Cartier Délices De Cartier Eau Fruitée, Guerlain Shalimar, Hanae Mori Butterfly, Marc Jacobs Perfume, Prada Parfums Prada, Robert Piguet Fracas, Thierry Mugler Angel, Vera Wang The Fragrance). It's a good introduction to various popular fragrances, and the fact that you get to redeem a certificate for a full-sized bottle is a nice touch -- it's not "I'm paying $50 for ten samples??", it's "I'm paying $50 for ten samples AND a full-sized bottle". (There's also one for men, if you're so inclined.)

- LuckyScent.com is the website for a Los Angeles shop known as Scent Bar -- a place to explore niche perfumes that not everyone down the street will be wearing. They have an extensive list of perfume samples available for you to order, ranging in price from $3 to $8 for a 1/32 ounce (1 ML) vial. You can also search through their catalogue by brand or by note and, generally, order samples from the perfume pages themselves. Their shipping is very fast, and if you do decide to come back for a full-sized perfume, they'll throw some free samples in there as well.

- Now here is my favorite hidden gem: ThePoshPeasant.com, run by the wonderful Abigail, offers samples and decants of scents both super-familiar (Chanel no 5, anyone?) and more obscure. What's better is that she offers them in the 1/32 ounce/1 ML vial... and sizes up to 10 ML.

Abigail explains why decants:

Well, there are several reasons why decants are a fabulous idea:

* Decants allow you to try as many perfumes as possible on your skin without buying a full bottle. Sadly, many department stores no longer give perfume samples upon request, and most stores only have a few set brands they they are pushing and will stick those samples in your bag only after you have purchased another perfume or cosmetic product.

* Decants allow you to have a stock of your favorite perfumes, in easy-to-transport vials that you can put in your purse, your car, your office and your suitcase rather than carrying around the large bottle.

* Decants make wonderful gifts. It's often difficult to purchase perfume for someone else. If you buy several decants a gift, you are giving that person several different perfume options to choose from, many of which may be rare or not available in the US.

* And last but not least, decant purchases are frugal, particularly for the rare and exclusive perfumes. You many not want to pay for an expensive full bottle before being able to test it on your skin a few times. You also may not be able to travel internationally to buy perfumes not sold in the US.

It's a great way to get a decent amount of perfume for not a ton of money -- I'll never need an entire bottle of Shalimar, but having a small spray-top bottle for $7.50, yes please thank you. And if I do end up using it all up and still wanting more, then I likely will make the investment in the whole full-price bottle.

In addition to the variety of perfumes available in decants, the Posh Peasant also has a wonderful sample set section with all sorts of fun mini-collection that you can purchase, varying from samples of specific brands like Chanel, specific scent groups like gourmands ("foody" perfumes) or notes like rose or citrus, the top 10 all-time perfumes from Perfumes: The Guide, or just for fun, like Big Hair, Blue Eyeliner, and Skin Tight Jeans or The Big Interview. The groupings are inspired, clever, and a great way to explore perfume.

So there you have it -- three places where you can get a wide variety of perfume samples. Check 'em out, try 'em out, and let me know if you find anything amazing...