I just learned a life hack for saving money on cologne and perfume. Here's how it works.

• A perfume hack is going viral, but it's also causing confusion.
• The social-media post claimed Macy's would refill empty fragrance bottles for $27.
• Macy's and Sephora employees clarified each company's policy around refills.

A buyer's hack that could potentially save consumers a lot on designer perfume is going viral online — but how does it really work?

A string of viral posts on social media platforms X and TikTok suggested that there are department stores that will refill empty perfume and cologne bottles for a fraction of their original price.

One particular post to X garnered over 16 million views. The user claimed that Macy's would refill empty fragrance bottles for only $27. Responses to the post said that cosmetics store Sephora offered a similar deal.

Eager to see if I'd just stumbled upon the ultimate beauty hack, I reached out to both companies for more information.

While my email to Sephora didn't receive an immediate response ahead of publication, I was able to speak to employees on the phone at two New York City locations.

It seemed they weren't caught off guard by my questions as the viral posts had sparked similar queries lately.

Both workers had the same answer — it's kind of true. You can't bring in your empty bottle of your favorite fragrance and expect a refill for $30. But, you can purchase a bottle designed to refill the one you already own for a discounted a price.

For example, a 3.4-ounce bottle of Maison Margiela's "Replica" is $160 on Sephora's website. When you run out, you can purchase a refill bottle the same size for $118.

As for Macy's, the claims are a bit more accurate. Macy's stores will refill Mugler Angel and Alien scent bottles for a discounted price if a customer brings in an empty bottle they paid for in full, Jennifer Capuano, vice president of fragrance at Macy's, told Business Insider.

For other brands, it works the same as Sephora. A customer can purchase refill bottles for less than the original bottles to top off their perfumes and colognes.

Not all luxury brands offer refill options for their fragrances, but if you're lucky enough to find your favorite scent, it turns out that you can save $20-40 a few times a year.