An observation regarding "then vs. now" reviews
There has been hubbub surrounding the politicization of a very popular perfume community. It has provided Parfumo quite the windfall in terms of growing membership; I found this community nearly ten years ago because a beloved member from that established community found their home here after enduring years of administrative-level harassment. I've always considered that move quite fortuitous. The community here is more grounded, more open-minded, possibly more passionate about fragrances and other pursuits. The functions here predate those of other online fragrance communities, allowing members to have a more active role here on Parfumo and enabling them to express their love of fragrance in really creative and meaningful ways.
All that considered, I've not entirely abandoned my membership in that established community: I made friends over there, I'm established as a swapper, I have my Monthly Perfume Tray Project over there and, more importantly, I've been a member for nearly fifteen years. It's hard to walk away from fifteen years of anything. I am finding these things are no longer enough of a reason to be so invested. I've built a virtual family here on Parfumo, too. People I love and adore are starting to move over here. I'm quite invested here. The blatant prejudices, the covert dog whistles, and the long-standing administrative bullying have presented me with a moral imperative—chiefly, I needed to migrate my reviews over here.
One thing I did not anticipate in the migration process was the need to update my old reviews. Initially, I thought I'd do a "cut and paste" of all my reviews. But I could not do that in good conscience. My opinions of a fragrance purchased for $20USD in 2011 might have been absolutely glowing but (a.) I've since tested many more fragrances and found said perfume is mediocre at best and (b.) said perfume has been long discontinued and is selling for $325USD on eBay. Conversely, I've written reviews for fragrances I once loathed but have since learned to love and appreciate. It's interesting to go back and see where I was in my fragrance journey and compare it to where I am now.
I still have dozens of reviews to migrate over here. I suppose I'll have something to say that will contradict my initial reviews. Isn't that the fun of being on this fragrant journey, though?
Exciter76
I gave up on B*notes when administrative personnel showed unbecoming candor.
I'm surprised more YouTubers don't reference Parfumo, great information here.
Also, not a fan of the other place.
I love your article, and totally agree with everything you said.
Before I heard of Parfumo, I checked reviews and kept my collection at 'the other one'.
Since my account here on Parfumo, I only check the other one every now and again, just to broaden the look upon some perfumes. Over there I take them more with a grain of salt, though :)
This community over here is great and the website provides many awesome tools and fun and useful updates.
People reading and agreeing: buy them a cup of coffee sometimes (or two or three) if you haven't done that yet! :D
Cheers, Tom
One of the most annoying things I find with fragrance reviews in general is websites allowing idiots and trolls to post reviews the second a fragrance is announced when it hasn't even hit the shelves, they might not like a note or two in it or they might just be doing it for the sake of it creating a negative image and could potentially damage the marketing of a fragrance where people behind it put in a lot of time and effort for people to at least actually smell it and judge it honestly instead of damaging its reputation in its very infancy, which is a great shame...!!!
I left the other site because it’s infested by all sorts of bigots, and, as a Ukrainian, I also don’t want to support pro-Putin Russian companies.
What are the best features on Parfumo that you enjoy most?
I hope I can make new friends here and contribute to the conmunity.
Do the admins read these comments? I wonder if a profile, wardrobe and review migration from F***ca can be automated? I get it will help many people like us jump ships.
Things I love about Parfumo: no balloons to hide your reviews, direct interactions regarding reviews (attached to said reviews), perfume and personal photos, a blog, the option to leave long reviews or short statements, the option to follow members, a friendly forum, a fragrance database built in collaboration with members and the admins, access to admins and so on.
Yes, we can mention that other site but I choose not to give them the attention. We all know who I'm talking about. 🤣
I hope you have a great day and I look forward to following you :-)
Well I left 'that' comunity for the same reasons and even asked them to remove my account (you can't remove it yourself which I found disturbing also...) and, with that, all my reviews there are gone :-)
But I think it is normal that your initial thoughts about perfumes can change. I noticed my preferences do change with trying new perfumes, with aging and with all kind of circumstances...Nothing wrong with that...!
Like you, I became a mod and got to know @DonVanVliet, who has made this community feel so much more like family. And you're right, thank goodness for Google Translate otherwise I wouldn't be able to help some of our fellow members!