Determining the Value of Partially-Used Perfumes
For fragrance lovers looking to sell partially-used full-sized bottles of perfume, there is a clever way to set a fair price. By figuring out the cost per milliliter based on the perfume’s original retail price, sellers can accurately value the remaining fragrance. For instance, if a 50ml bottle was originally priced at $150, it breaks down to $3 per milliliter. Therefore, a seller offering a 25ml partial bottle might reasonably ask for $75.
A Community of Fragrance Enthusiasts
May K. Kanti, who founded the “DC Maryland Virginia Fragrance Lovers” group on Facebook, is both a family therapist and a passionate perfume collector. Over the years, she has invested between $1,000 and $3,000 into her personal fragrance collection. Within her community of 137 members, many individuals often seek advice on the perfumes they wish to sell or trade. This group provides a valuable space for members to share insights, discuss their fragrance preferences, declutter their collections, and swap scents to create personalized assortments that truly reflect their tastes.
Intentionality Over Accumulation
In an era that often glorifies excess, Alexandra Pauly, a beauty editor at Highsnobiety and a dedicated fragrance lover, challenges the notion that a vast collection of 200 bottles is necessary. Recently, she hosted a fragrance swap event in partnership with the Perfume Room Pod, Fat Mascara podcast, and the perfume photography initiative Basenote Bitch, held at Susan Alexandra’s store. Pauly argues that the emphasis on amassing fragrances can contribute to overconsumption in the fragrance community.
The Benefits of Swapping and Sustainability
Pauly highlights that engaging in fragrance swaps encourages a more intentional approach to perfume purchasing, making it accessible to more people. Additionally, sustainability is a pressing issue, as fragrances can lose their signature scent after several years, rendering them less usable. Kanti, who maintains a collection of approximately 40 bottles, considers her assortment modest compared to others in the fragrance world. She feels that owning 150 bottles or more can be overwhelming and impractical for many collectors.
Exploring New Scents through Community Gatherings
The fragrance hobby often entails experimenting with various scents, and not all of them will resonate with individual preferences. To facilitate this exploration, Kanti organizes virtual swaps throughout the year and hosts in-person meetups three times a year. At these gatherings, members are encouraged to swap, sell, split, and decant fragrances that no longer fit in their collections. This practice not only aids in decluttering but also allows fragrance aficionados to discover new scents without the commitment of purchasing full bottles.
