// Fragrance · How to Choose · Samples & Decants — L3 data

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesPageData = {
  type: "Samples & Decants",
  parent: { title: "How to Choose", href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/" },
  grandparent: { title: "Fragrance", href: "/en/fragrance/" },
  totalCount: 89,
  hero: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=1800&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop",
  heroAlt: "Small fragrance sample vials and decant bottles — editorial flat lay",
  h1: "How to test fragrance over days, not minutes.",
  deck: "The decant is the most useful tool in fragrance discovery. Here is where to find them, what to expect, and how to use the time.",
  intro: "The counter visit compresses the decision into a single afternoon under unusual conditions. The decant undoes that compression. A 2ml or 5ml vial of the fragrance you're considering lets you wear it on a Tuesday commute, in your own home in the evening, on a warm weekend afternoon. You learn things that no counter visit can teach you: whether the dry-down becomes cloying over a full day, whether the projection is appropriate for your actual life, whether you reach for it again the next morning or feel done with it. The decant economy has developed specifically to serve this need. It is possible, for modest cost, to assemble a testing wardrobe of almost any fragrance available commercially. The skill is in knowing which services to trust, what to do with a sample when you have it, and how to read the results.",
  byline: "Edited by Nelly · Beauty & Style Director",
  meta: { count: 89, updated: "Updated 4 May 2026", reading: "Avg. 4 min per piece" },
};

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesSiblings = [
  { id: "counter-discipline", title: "Counter Discipline", n: "01", href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/counter-discipline/" },
  { id: "blotter-first",      title: "Blotter First",      n: "02", href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/blotter-first/" },
  { id: "skin-test",          title: "Skin Test",          n: "03", href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/skin-test/" },
  { id: "samples",            title: "Samples & Decants",  n: "04", cur: true, href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/samples/" },
  { id: "blind-buys",         title: "Blind Buys",         n: "05", href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/blind-buys/" },
];

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesQuickFacts = {
  defn: {
    h: "What the decant economy is and how it works",
    body: "Decanting is the practice of filling small vials — typically 1ml, 2ml, or 5ml — from a larger fragrance bottle for sale or distribution. Legitimate decant services purchase retail bottles and fill vials by hand. The result is an authentic sample of the fragrance at a fraction of full-bottle cost. Decants differ from official brand samples, which are produced separately and may contain a slightly different formula or concentration. Both are valid testing tools. Decants are generally more widely available and cover a broader range of releases.",
  },
  myths: [
    { m: "Decants are lower quality than the original bottle.",
      t: "A decant from a reputable seller is drawn directly from an authentic retail bottle. The formula is identical. Quality variation comes from the seller's handling, storage, and vial hygiene — not from decanting itself." },
    { m: "You can only get samples from official brand counters.",
      t: "Official brand samples are scarce and not always available for niche or independent releases. The decant market covers a far wider catalogue, including many fragrances that have no official retail presence in your country." },
    { m: "A 1ml sample is enough to make a purchase decision.",
      t: "1ml is one or two applications — enough to assess the opening and part of the dry-down. For a purchase decision, a 5ml vial worn over several days gives a much more honest picture, especially for complex or slow-developing fragrances." },
  ],
};

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesBeginnerPath = {
  h: "Start here, if you've never ordered a decant.",
  deck: "Five pieces on finding, ordering, and using samples effectively. The decant system, explained.",
  steps: [
    { n: "01", t: "Where to source fragrance decants — the reputable services",          time: "4 min", note: "How the decant market works and the criteria for a trustworthy seller." },
    { n: "02", t: "What size vial to order for a purchase decision",                     time: "2 min", note: "1ml vs 2ml vs 5ml — what you learn from each and when to size up." },
    { n: "03", t: "How to store decants so they don't degrade",                         time: "3 min", note: "Light, heat, and air: the three things that compromise a vial." },
    { n: "04", t: "How many times to wear a fragrance before deciding",                  time: "3 min", note: "The minimum number of wears for a reliable impression." },
    { n: "05", t: "What to do when a decant impression differs from the counter test",   time: "4 min", note: "Why this happens, which result to trust, and how to reconcile them." },
  ],
};

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesTrending = [
  { rank: "01", t: "Where to source fragrance decants — the trustworthy services",        time: "4 min", auth: "Nelly", date: "May 2",  img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "8,114" },
  { rank: "02", t: "How many wears before a fragrance purchase decision",                  time: "3 min", auth: "Iris",  date: "Apr 28", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590156206657-ef4e3e56fa1c?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "6,870" },
  { rank: "03", t: "1ml vs 5ml decant — what you actually learn from each size",          time: "3 min", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 24", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887538-e3a2f32cb1cc?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop",  reads: "5,442" },
  { rank: "04", t: "What decanting is — how it works and who does it well",                time: "4 min", auth: "Iris",  date: "Apr 19", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541643600914-78b084683702?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "4,904" },
  { rank: "05", t: "When the decant and counter impressions disagree — which to trust",    time: "4 min", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 14", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "4,317" },
];

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesFormatGuide = {
  h: "Decant source, by format",
  deck: "Not all sample sources are equivalent. What each channel reliably delivers.",
  formats: [
    { name: "Brand official sample",    when: "Counter request after a test — not always available", avoid: "Assuming one is available for every fragrance",     note: "Issued by the brand. Formula may be slightly different from retail. Best for mainstream houses.", verdict: "Ask first" },
    { name: "Reputable decant service", when: "Any fragrance, including niche and discontinued",      avoid: "New or unreviewed sellers without community vetting", note: "Drawn from authentic retail bottles. Covers far wider catalogue than official samples.",  verdict: "Primary source" },
    { name: "Community split",          when: "Full bottle cost-sharing with other fragrance buyers",  avoid: "Organising with strangers without reputation",        note: "Splits are economical for full bottles. Community forums have vetting norms.",             verdict: "Advanced option" },
    { name: "1ml vial",                 when: "Initial impression — opening and first dry-down",       avoid: "Making a purchase decision from this alone",          note: "Adequate for assessing family and direction. Insufficient for longevity judgment.",       verdict: "Triage volume" },
    { name: "2–3ml vial",               when: "Three to four wears — enough for a genuine impression", avoid: "Rushing to a decision after the first wear",          note: "The practical minimum for a purchase decision on most fragrances.",                     verdict: "Decision volume" },
    { name: "5ml vial",                 when: "Full assessment — eight to ten wears across conditions", avoid: "Buying this for fragrances you already know well",   note: "Best format for complex, slow-developing fragrances. Worth the cost before a full bottle.", verdict: "Full assessment" },
  ],
};

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesHowTos = [
  { t: "Where to source fragrance decants — the trustworthy services",           time: 4, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Nelly", date: "May 2",  img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: true },
  { t: "1ml vs 2ml vs 5ml — what each vial size tells you",                     time: 3, tech: "Method",    auth: "Iris",  date: "Apr 28", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590156206657-ef4e3e56fa1c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: true },
  { t: "How many wears before you make a fragrance purchase decision",            time: 3, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 24", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887538-e3a2f32cb1cc?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: true },
  { t: "What decanting is — how it works and what makes a seller trustworthy",   time: 4, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Iris",  date: "Apr 19", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541643600914-78b084683702?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: true },
  { t: "When the decant impression differs from the counter — which to trust",   time: 4, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 14", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: true },
  { t: "How to store decant vials so they don't degrade",                        time: 3, tech: "Storage",   auth: "Iris",  date: "Apr 10", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590156206657-ef4e3e56fa1c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Storage",   pick: false },
  { t: "Official brand samples — what they are and how to get them",             time: 3, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 06", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887538-e3a2f32cb1cc?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
  { t: "Community fragrance splits — what they are and when to join one",        time: 4, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Iris",  date: "Apr 02", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541643600914-78b084683702?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
  { t: "Testing a decant in different seasons — why conditions matter",          time: 4, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 28", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: false },
  { t: "What to do with decants you don't buy — the secondary market",           time: 3, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Iris",  date: "Mar 24", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590156206657-ef4e3e56fa1c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
  { t: "Keeping a decant journal — what to record from each wear",               time: 3, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 20", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887538-e3a2f32cb1cc?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: false },
  { t: "Light and heat degradation — how fast a vial deteriorates",              time: 3, tech: "Storage",   auth: "Iris",  date: "Mar 16", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541643600914-78b084683702?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Storage",   pick: false },
  { t: "When a fragrance smells wrong in the vial — how to diagnose",            time: 4, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 12", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: false },
  { t: "Subscription sample services — what they cover and their limits",        time: 4, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Iris",  date: "Mar 08", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590156206657-ef4e3e56fa1c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
  { t: "How to decide between two decants you liked equally",                    time: 3, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 04", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887538-e3a2f32cb1cc?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: false },
  { t: "Decants for discontinued fragrances — where and how",                   time: 4, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Iris",  date: "Feb 28", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541643600914-78b084683702?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
  { t: "The difference between a decant and a counterfeit",                     time: 3, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Nelly", date: "Feb 24", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887537-15b4a8dff52c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
  { t: "Building a fragrance wardrobe through decants before buying full bottles", time: 5, tech: "Method", auth: "Iris",  date: "Feb 20", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1590156206657-ef4e3e56fa1c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: false },
  { t: "Travel decants — the practical format for testing on the move",          time: 3, tech: "Method",    auth: "Nelly", date: "Feb 16", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1547887538-e3a2f32cb1cc?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Method",    pick: false },
  { t: "How to request a sample from a niche house directly",                   time: 3, tech: "Sourcing",  auth: "Iris",  date: "Feb 12", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1541643600914-78b084683702?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Sourcing",  pick: false },
];

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesTechFilters = ["All", "Method", "Sourcing", "Storage"];

const FragranceHowToChooseSamplesCrosslinks = [
  { id: "counter-discipline", title: "Counter Discipline", deck: "The counter visit before you order a decant.",           count: 112, href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/counter-discipline/" },
  { id: "blotter-first",      title: "Blotter First",      deck: "The strip triage that precedes any skin test.",          count: 98,  href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/blotter-first/" },
  { id: "skin-test",          title: "Skin Test",          deck: "Using your time with a sample to assess the dry-down.",  count: 104, href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/skin-test/" },
  { id: "blind-buys",         title: "Blind Buys",         deck: "When decants aren't an option — the research method.",   count: 76,  href: "/en/fragrance/how-to-choose/blind-buys/" },
];

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  FragranceHowToChooseSamplesFormatGuide,
  FragranceHowToChooseSamplesHowTos,
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