
Trying to Save My Wallet From This Hobby
So, I (27F) learned the hard way that fragrances were expensive. I'm unfortunately quite impulsive and I tend to buy whatever my heart desires without thinking further. As a way to try and curb my expenses, I have devised a rulebook (of sorts) that I follow to avoid the risk of overspending and cluttering my space (which is limited). This article is more about me and for me, but I thought about sharing it anyways. If my guidelines can help you manage your hobby, then so be it! Let me know if you have any personal rules and what you think of mine!
- Buy discovery sample kits first and ask for free samples when shopping in-store or when shopping online
For the fragrances that are not part of a discovery set:
- Try and get my hands on free samples OR buy a 10ml (or less) travel bottle.
- If I love the perfume and I finish the travel size, move on to a level higher (ex. 30ml)
- Keep increasing until 50ml bottles.
- Only buy 100ml bottles if it's a perfume I absolutely adore and I want to permanently add to my collection as a classic / staple.
Other rules for my collection:
- Maximum 15 full bottles, unlimited number of travel sizes, sampler sizes and minis.
- Try to keep maximum 2 perfumes that have similar scent profiles.
- Prioritize spray bottles over rollerballs or dabbers
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Things to remember that help keep things in perspective:
- I usually apply 5-6 sprays (1-2 to the chest, 2 to each arm: wrist and crook of the elbow). This is roughly equivalent to 147 days of perfume or almost 5 months.
- I've also read somewhere that 1ml is about 9-15 spray. That means my travel size will last a month.
*** Cover from Emil Kalibradov
Last updated 05/19/2024 - 10:11 AM
4 Comments

1
Before buying something new always remember, the production cost was probably under 10$, most likely there won´t be any NEW Fragrance that isn´t atleast smilliar to something you already own :D And try to use a fragrance instead of collecting them :P

1
True :) Except if you do it to collect the bottles too, which I know some people do!

1
So relatable! I have set my limit to 100 bottles and it is still a struggle lol. I sell my less favorite bottles, so I can keep changing my collection. With the more expensive perfumes, I have a sell-one-buy-one rule and that kind of eases the pain

Wow, 100 bottles :O I unfortunately don't have the space in my appartment for that amount xD I feel you for the rotation of perfumes. Much as I'd like to keep them all, the experience I have gained allows me to realise some perfumes were great when I started, but less where I'm now.