Top 10 Starting My Perfume Collection Again Things I've Learnt About Fragrance YouTube Addiction

[@VeronicaSays]

All wise points, Claire! Some learned the hard way, as is part of any "hobby." You've done a service here for our new fragrance friends. 👍👍👍

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thanks Veronica. Yes, I think for a lot of these, it took me a while! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@mzsaintsquare8923]

Blessings to you for the real truth. ❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! 🥰

[@vivililly6887]

What I've noticed in this expensive hobby is that you can unknowingly buy similar scent perfumes which can be frustrating. Something I've recently been conscious of is not buy similar smelling perfumes, to avoid duplication.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Absolutely! That's definitely something I've been conscious of too! In fact, I have a video on Saturday to hopefully help people to understand that their taste might be quite narrowly focused and to show the scale of the range of fragrances out there. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@neilsant1194]

Me too. Now, there is much conscious effort on assessment on getting new. It tend to happen because these are your personal alfactory biased preferences that u truly love. Its just u discover & explore others later on & u cannot resist not to get it. One strategy is "its ok to buy smaller bottle size on sale/discounted even if you can save on getting bigger one" since u are a collector.

[@jaxbeautifulyou]

This hobby is definitely a journey. It takes awhile to really learn what you like and don’t like. It’s fun but sometimes frustrating and sometimes overwhelming!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes slow is the way, there's no big rush to buy a lot at once. Sampling is key, although not always possible annoyingly.

[@sherylwickenheiser2582]

I have loved fragrance since I was a child. My mom didn’t wear makeup but she always wore perfume. I worked at cosmetic counters in the 80’s and found my forever love Chanel 22. You tube has caused to purchase more than I used to. I have always had and worn several scents at a time. Different ones for different occasions. I buy and wear it for me and for nostalgia. Scent memories. Nice video. Thanks

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ Yes same in a way, my mum wore makeup but she was never that bothered but she was a dedicated fan of Rive Gauche! I think working on counters, you really get to know the products and the discount maybe means you try a little more too. I know KZbin has caused my collection to grow to 120 bottles now, which for me feels a little too many. I'd like to get it back to around 100 again. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@kgrahm2695]

I still sometimes struggle with wanting to purchase the bigger bottle because of the lower price per ml!! You're 100% correct, though. I will never get through all my fragrances, so ultimately it's a waste of money to buy the big bottle. Such great advice.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! 😊 I have the same internal debate with myself each time over which size to buy but I'm trying to be better at choosing the smallest. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@sunnyscents1818]

The rubbish myths 🤣 I will continue rubbing my wrists, spraying a scent that someone told me is not for summer, I’m too old to be told what to do 😭 I always look forward to your uploads ❤️❤️❤️

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Haha completely! I think that's it, we all buy our fragrances, we can do what we want with them and really we should enjoy them however we want to! Thanks for watching, I appreciate it 🥰

[@marialopes9365]

Ditto ! ❤

[@marcialythcott5532]

How dare they tell me that my likes are (bad word coming) vintage!

[@CarmenScentrix]

This video years ago would have saved me sooo much money!! I hope it reaches the people who need to hear it before it's too late! I love this video! Specially the part of the "particle collision"😂😂😂 What a mic drop moment from an actual scientist!!👏

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thanks! ❤️ I think for me, I probably needed to make these mistakes myself in order to learn from them. I'm not sure I could have got those points drilled in just from a video. LOL could you tell my sheer annoyance at people stating that molecules are destroyed 😂

[@zannatulfarin574]

I'm so glad you promote second-hand shopping! Not only is it more affordable but it's also more sustainable. The fragcom like all other internet niches promotes so much overconsumption. Atleast buying this second hand means you're making use of something that's already out there collecting dust somewhere else.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Exactly! I actually have a whole video about buying fragrance secondhand and on auction sites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4O5pKaPibOooqs they are rare on KZbin because influencers can't earn money through links from secondhand I guess 🤷‍♀️ it makes me feel a little better about the amount that I've bought. It's way too much obviously, but at least it wasn't all new. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@zannatulfarin574]

@@dr.claire.perfume thanks for giving the link! yes, it is too much but at least it's a better and more responsible way of indulging in your perfume passion

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Absolutely 💯

[@jmb2467]

This is one of the most rational take on fragrances….especially in a sea of fragrance propaganda. Thank you for the video!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! Yes, I think a lot of people are a bit fed up of the unfounded hype, constant big new release and big sell for influencer affiliate cash. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@andersdottir1111]

I love dark strong fragrances but also don’t go out that much; I just wear them anyway. I’m sitting up in bed on a Sunday morning, drinking coffee and rocking Portrait of a Lady lol

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Love that 😂 definitely! Every day is a special occasion 👌

[@Xena395]

With the way the world is and where it’s headed, every day is a special day. Rock the fragrances you think should be for special occasions at home, work. I where all of my fragrances, I don’t have special occasions to go to.

[@kara8911]

Me too! I am a super boring person (happily) never go out except to run errands, always with my kids and hubby and I never go on dates but I love to wear so many of those deep dark perfumes even when I’m only walking around the block with the dog and kids.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes I think in the winter, I'm with you! ☺️

[@christinalucas5540]

Hi Claire! My perfume journey has been similar to yours, influenced heavily by the pandemic. It’s become entertaining for me to observe some of the hype around certain perfumes on KZbin. This is definitely a first world hobby. People must have considerable disposable income to buy baccarat rouge or other perfumes hyped on the net, especially if they don’t jive. However I believe I’m curating a nice personal collection. Over the course of time I’ve developed a better nose, appreciating well blended fragrances - like a beautiful painting or a fine bottle of wine. And you don’t have to spend a lot of money! Like you I buy smaller quantities, sample first, and buy second hand. Thanks so much for your video! You’ve made some valuable points!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes Christina, that's an interesting point, a first world hobby, you're correct that you need a lot of disposable income if you are a channel starting out and hauling £200-300 fragrances 5 at a time. I just don't have that budget. I want to enjoy fragrance and not bankrupt myself 😂 I really think I've learnt to appreciate what I think is a good fragrance and it's taken me a while to be able to do that... I agree it's very much like wine, it's a eureka moment when you suddenly ambroxan or synthetic woods, you might not know what it is, but boy if those are done badly, you will know! I completely agree that secondhand is the way to go for me. I will always try to buy there first. I also but secondhand clothes a lot of the time so this is just another form of me trying to be environmentally friendly as well as hopefully saving money. 🤞 Thank you! I'm glad that you enjoyed watching this ❤️

[@helencavanagh8119]

Love what you put here! My fragrance journey is a combination of following a lot of fragrance accounts on Instagram/KZbin, spending ALOT of time on Fragrantica researching different notes & perfumes that help broaden my knowledge on what’s out there. I have made a couple of ‘expensive’ mistakes after falling for the hype from other reviewers..luckily managed to sell on eBay! Learnt to sample in department stores & buy sample discovery sets off eBay because tbh I have rent to pay 😳(priorities and all that)

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes I agree, it's not worth making yourself worry over money and spending for something like fragrance... Better to have just a few lovely ones that you know you enjoy and be financially stable. 👌

[@VeritasVincitFragrancesVeritas]

I unsubscribed from all Channels with those affiliated links, I just don't trust their opinion to be 100% honest. It's all about money, unfortunately many channels are like that, and I hate it. I fully agree with all your words !!!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yeah it's a shame when people are more focused on income than passion. It's the same with content here, clickbait gets more views and if it's not got haul, collection or declutter in the title then it's not going to get shown to anyone but your subscribers. It encourages creators to abandon creativity because there is zero reward for making different but likely more interesting types of videos 🤷‍♀️ it's really sad...

[@bhuda_finger1004]

You know you don't have to instantly buy because an influencer said something is good. Sample and if you like it use the affiliate link and make a saving while showing love to the influencer that put you on to the fragrance.

[@yetnotdead9135]

If I could like this video twice, I would. Deeply insightful, especially your point about self-deception when buying something and then telling yourself you should like it. And great point also about appreciating a fragrance without wanting to wear it yourself. Thank you for your videos, very rare nowadays!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! I really appreciate you writing that! ❤️ I still blind buy, it's exciting, but I always have a ceiling price and I try not to do it all of the time. I do think sniffing more has taught me that there is artistry that I can appreciate but would never ever want to wear 🤣 and I can see that fragrances like cloud and br540 stand out and are interesting but yeah, just not for me. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@alicja4751]

LOL 🤣the "large hadron collider" comment made me laugh so much! Love your sense of humour and content - I have been binge-watching your videos since xmas. My perfume obsession that started in my teens and have been somewhat dormant for several years, has recently come back in full force and I find myself in a very different world - some of my absolute favourites being discontinued and others reformulated and watered down. Love your advice about buying second-hand and testing/sampling too. I live in a big city in Europe, which means I have access to many designer and even niche brands that I can test in stores,. But, I also like to try new brands I have never heard of via discovery sets. Once I test them I can then resell the samples online, so it doesn't feel like I am spending that much money and yet I get to discover new fragrances regularly.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Oh thank you ❤️ I have a new video later today and also another channel here has interviewed me so I will post about that when it's up too so people can watch it if they want. I totally agree about sample sets, they can be pricey, but they are so good for actually getting to know the fragrances and also you can often resell them for relatively close to their retail price, so they can effectively be quite low cost in the long term. I find sampling the best bit of all of this. I agree too about how the fragrance landscape has changed and yes, things are just not as strong and get reformulated, which can be very disappointing if you know and loved the fragrance. Thanks for watching 🥰 have a fab Saturday 😊

[@ohtheparfum5354]

i keep hearing stories about ppl spending their monthly paycheck away on fragrances and trying to make it to the next month and next paycheck, so i totally get many points u said in this video, i dont really like to tell ppl what to do with their money but some things in this hobby/addiction r very alarming and it definitely has lots of consequences.. some seller i know had a huge sale going on lately the prices were soo tempting but i told my self , sorry i cant buy them all, now we're at the half of 2023 and i still didnt buy any 2023 new designer releases, i still need to use and enjoy the ones i got in 2022-2021-2020-2019 that r looking at me right now as i am typing this comment lol.. fab video ♥

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes I agree, it's personal choice with what people spend their money on but I think people also have to realise that if they buy something and never open it or try it once and forget it, it's not necessarily bringing them joy in the long term and of course if it also bring financial instability, then that's a whole other more serious issue. Good luck in enjoying what you have and thanks for watching ❤️

[@nela3934]

Thank you for the low buy advice. I remember the times when I wore my signature scent only, I knew every note of it, I knew how it worked in summer and how in winter, how it perfomed during the day and in the night. Now I have so many perfumes I sometimes forget why I liked them.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! I've been trying to reaquaint myself with mine and also just finish or declutter a few. I would like a smaller collection so I can focus on the ones that I love. 🥰

[@justaddlight]

Sample sample sample! Enough for at least 3 full wears, spaced 1-2 weeks apart. For me, the honeymoon phase was almost always between the second and sixth wearing. After that, whether or not it's a keeper would become exceptionally clear. But point 8 was the kicker for me! I went in thinking that I'd get 10 bottles and be done with it...150 bottles later, and becoming sensitive to certain molecules... 🤣 Still, with the way the world economy is going, I don't regret a thing! In fact, many of us may have hit the sweet spot in terms of price and availability. Synchronicity? Fate?

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes that's an interesting way of looking at it actually... I think even when I've decluttered fragrances and resold them, I've not often lost money and certainly not much. Stuff has got a lot pricier, very quickly. And actually I think for sure designer fragrances have got a lot less interesting over the last three years, although maybe that's also me having tried more? Buying more back in 2020 was probably a better bet than now in a way. Same, I remember hitting 30 in 2020 and thinking wow that's a lot and now look, I'm at about 115. 😂 Thanks for watching ❤️

[@chaca500]

One thing perhaps not fully addressed in point 10 is that it's okay to declutter fragrances that you're not using, and you have no plans to 'collect'.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

For sure! Letting go is a really positive thing to do as long as you really understand why that purchase failed for you so you can learn from it. 😊 I think my declutters follow a pattern of me not testing beforehand or just not knowing enough about a fragrance before blind buying it. There are also certain notes and certain brands that I've learnt as generally nos for me too! That can be super useful to discover! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@oscardog6719]

Hi Claire, the timing of this video is spot on for me! My friend and I both went from having 3-4 perfumes each a year ago to quite a collection today. We were having a sip and sniff session (bubbles and sample sets) and I said I would do things differently if I was starting again with my collection. And now tonight here you are! Everything you said had me nodding along. I don’t blind buy any more. Sample sets are lots of fun, and when I’ve bought a set to try one perfume in particular, I often find another in the collection which I prefer. Or I will get individual samples from one of the websites selling those here in Australia. Thanks for your interesting and varied content. 😃🇦🇺

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Oh wow! That is a coincidence... I would love a sip and sniff session! That sounds like so much fun! I totally understand. I went crazy to begin with, I was blind buying and not being discerning at all really. Looking back, I think there are a lot of fragrances that I wouldn't have bought had I sniffed them first and I am trying to work through my collection and either declutter or use those up. Same with sample sets, or just going to try stuff from new brands, I always get swept up in the hype over one fragrance and find that actually when I try it with others from the brand, another one is really the one that I would choose and want to own. Thank you! I'm happy that you enjoy my content, that's lovely to read! Greeting back from the UK 🇬🇧

[@ceewng5042]

I absolutely adore that you are a scientist and a fragrance KZbinr. My husband is an engineer and hobby painter ❤️ it's the connection of Stem + artistry

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I need some way to relax and fragrance and YT is that. I think a lot of scientists have other interests, it's all too intense and focused otherwise. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@ericspace8816]

AFAIK rubbing your wrists is from times when many perfumes often didn't have a sprayer and were also very strong, so it makes sense to use only one drop and spread it. You don't want to have it on your fingers, though, hence rubbing the wrists. But maybe that's an urban myth, too, I haven't checked.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

For sure, I think it comes from when most fragrances were dabbers, I think you are right. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@OpinionatedScents]

Yes!!!!! I rarely ever buy 3.4 fl oz unless it's all that's available. I've even stopped buying 3.4 sizes and wait for the smaller to come out.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes 3.4oz makes zero sense when you have 100s. I'm at about 105 right now and I am good with 1oz or even less in most cases.

[@AnneMelb2010]

That's once point I totally agree on. I buy the smallest I can find of the fragrance initially because I do tend to get bored very quickly and I just don't use the whole bottle up even when it's 30ml.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! You never really know how you feel about a fragrance until you own a bottle and live with it for a while...

[@Spikypotato.]

I remember around 2010, I was watching youtube makeup videos to do my own bridal makeup and how often did people say things like ”guyys this company was sooo kind to send me this, how cute is that?! I really wanna thank them, this is SO good…this lipstick is a TOUCH more pink but honestly I’d buy both, they are all the best I ever tried…” I think we were all a bit naive😅 looking back, IMAGAINE how much free hype and praise makeup got. Just a simple thing like the Nyx Butter Gloss, how many europeans ordered that all the way from the US because it was ”the best”. It was just an ordinary gloss! But soo hyped up. (I’m happy I never bought in when the chocolate palette and tutti frutti craze era took over, because it blew away every sane pricepoint😂)

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, I think promotion was mostly undeclared and really poorly enforced and managed. It's clear now that there are rules but actually no one does it properly still... It's a huge problem with fragrance. Does everyone who has been gifted a product declare it every time they use that fragrance in a video? Definitely not...

[@Spikypotato.]

@@dr.claire.perfume True. You explain very well in this video, as always!🥰

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you 😊

[@TheMichelex20]

Decants is where it’s at for being mindful about fragrance. I wear the decants for a significant amount of time and if I’m in love I save for a larger bottle purchase.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

This is a very sensible strategy. 💯 Thanks for watching 🥰

[@sarahglen1140]

Really, the only thing that I would add, which you sort of covered, is that there's really no rush. You don't need to get a huge collection right off the bat. You can take your time. Most of these fragrances will be around. Even if one gets discontinued, there are so many others out there that you could get. There's no need to rush.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes that is a fantastic point! There's no rush at all, don't get swept up in the hype of it's discontinued so you need it... Waiting can mean you can find things at a good price and can make more considered purchases. And yes, something else, that smells even better, can be just around your perfume corner. 😊

[@CatherineBriseboisCatWoods]

Excellent point on the ''don't rush''. I'm slowing down. At first you want to smell everything, but then you realize half of your fragrances are OK, but you barely wear those. I'm slowly learning to curate and sample.

[@sarahglen1140]

@@CatherineBriseboisCatWoods Omigoodness, same. I JUST posted a bunch of stuff on Mercari for that same reason today, actually.

[@CatherineBriseboisCatWoods]

@@sarahglen1140 I don't have Mercari here. I've given some to my mother and family and friends (and to a trift store). I'm moving soon, so I got rid of a few... I'm trying to behave and not blind buy like somekind of a maniac. On the plus side, I will lve close to 2 Sephora's. Testing certain fragrances will be easier!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I completely agree that meh ones you will not wear. There has to be something about them that makes you want to reach for them. Having said that, if I don't really love something but don't want to declutter it and it suits the setting, I will wear some fragrances to bed.

[@crystal2373]

I found for me, using up at least 8 or 10ml when sampling has helped me make better purchases. I find also watching reviews of the perfumes I already own rekindles a love for that fragrance again. Great video!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

These are great tips! Thank you! ❤️ I certainly used to watch reviews of fragrances that I already owned before I started to make videos myself. They help you to get excited about wearing the fragrance again and they makes you curious to see what people love about them too! Using up large decants is actually pretty difficult when you have a larger collection and using that much of something and still wanting more of it is a good way of indicating that you probably will end up enjoying a bottle of it. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@MrVoayer]

Another Must See video for novices and, even more, for those who had fallen through the rabbit hole already. This is twenty+ minutes of sher logical and well argued reasoning and healty common sense that could be lost quite quickly. Thank you for this very important and highly valuable confession !

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ I really felt like no one addresses that some niche is really not that great quality wise, I was so shocked when I smelt PdM etc and smelt heavy ambroxan and iso E super! 😂

[@davidthom7127]

I agree about all your points. Now and again I want to sample different kinds of note centered fragrances or sample collections from houses. So I do. And I enjoy that time. But I very rarely buy. It's a long time since I bought any bottles as result of that. I only own 4711. I can't say this will continue. It's how I am now. You can't imagine when you're young what you're going to need when you're old. Does that make sense?

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I also have 4711! Yes I understand. My taste has changed immensely in almost every aspect of my life. I find myself no longer valuing things that I loved in my twenties now I'm in my forties. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@Naturallyliz41]

I just did a video on the Good Bad and Ugly of having a large fragrance collection which had some points you mentioned. One of the things I would tell myself is to really enjoy my fragrances and give myself a break.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I missed your video 🤦‍♀️ I will check it out, you are good at the chatty and seeing sense in things ones, you give good and kind advice. And yes, I completely agree, if you've purchased a lot, enjoy them or declutter but don't feel bad about it, learn from it, it's done, and fragrance is supposed to be fun. 🥰

[@Naturallyliz41]

@@dr.claire.perfume thank you Claire!!!!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

👍

[@neilsant1194]

All you said are TRUE! Perfume= individual taste, subjective, personality reflection, memory & experience. If we all and agree 100 on all scents, it will strip away individuality identity and diversity, all people will smell the same, excitement & surprises will be gone.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! It's personal experience and therefore also taste, there's definitely beauty in diversity. I'd hate it if everyone loved what I love, I'd get absolutely no good deals 🤣

[@roni-yah9342]

One of the best videos about fragrance I've ever seen on KZbin. You are spot on about so many things in the KZbin fragrance community and about fragrance buying in general. 👍🏽

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ that is so incredibly kind of you to write that! I really appreciate it. Thank you so much for watching ❤️

[@jaxbeautifulyou]

It is 💯 ok to dislike what everyone likes! Yes! I cannot get with BR540 either.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yay! Another person exists in the world who doesn't love it 🤣

[@headless.scents]

Thank youuu! For Goodness sake, every time someone says rubbing yor wrists together destroys the molecules, it makes my brain hurt 🤦‍♀️ this is the power of misinformation. Excellent video!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes me too, there's an internal tutting 🤣 I think that KZbin is full of misinformation sadly, there's a lot of good stuff out there too though, you just have to sort through it all! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@ekaterinal8631]

This is so, so helpful. It even handles some psychological issues that can come with fragrance. Fragrance is for you. That’s what I needed to hear most. And shaping it around your lifestyle!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ Yes! Absolutely! And to enjoy it to the max, everyday fragrances that you love are going to be important 🥰

[@sanneparf]

I used to think I hated patchouli.. so I totally agree with you about testing the same note in multiple variations. Sometimes I still dislike a prominent patchouli in too sweet or, very fruity compositions, while really enjoying it in woody, ambery blends. Same goes with ouds & leather. When I first started, I couldn't understand why some perfumes made me feel dizzy & since then I have learned that an unbalanced amount of Ambroxan & Iso E Super does that to me. I love cashmeran in general and - it's so true what you said - if it's unbalanced & low quality blend (no matter the price), the scent will feel off-putting. Some expensive brands are a huge no, while some cheaply priced vintage stuff can spark so much joy in me ❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, it's not the notes that I dislike, it's how it's used sometimes. Some fragrances are just instant nos because of it, like the Shay and blue fragrances I reviewed a few months back, so many of those smelt off-putting to me. I guess some people are sensitive and others not. I actually don't think I'm that picky when it comes to synthetic chemical type notes, I do love certain fragrances with huge amounts of ambroxan, but I like it when it's clear and glacial feeling rather than fuzzy and grainy. 🤷‍♀️

[@yeezy7751]

i genuinely do love cloud, BR540 and la belle. loved this video though. i'm the same way, i always buy going out fragrances lol!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

😂 exactly, I know I'm odd! Thank you ❤️ I'm happy that you enjoyed it!

[@victorashul]

regarding about how notes come across - those are most of the time marketing choices... there is a perfumer here on youtube called Sam Macer and he talked in a video about the huge difference between what the notes are presented to the consumer versus what chemicals go into creating the actual fragrance

[@dr.claire.perfume]

For sure, the same chemical can smell very different depending upon context and dilution. 😊 And for sure, people won't write ethylmaltol, they'll write cotton candy or brown sugar. It's about making it sound appealing and not like a bunch of chemicals to the consumer I think. 😊 Yes Sam! You watch his opening to his musk video and my opening to mine and then look at the release dates 😉 I have to admit I didn't make it beyond that opening part of his video as I was concerned that I might find other similarities. I'm sure the rest is different, perhaps it was just coincidence. He is very knowledgeable for sure though and has a unique perspective as a perfumer. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@victorashul]

@@dr.claire.perfume yeah... though if you look at modern note breakdowns, they are starting to list obvious ones like ambroxan, iso-e super, cetalox etc.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

@@victorashul I think that's good 😊 I really don't understand, when we can mass spec anything and just work out what they've used, why companies don't provide full ingredients lists for fragrances, at least on websites. It's no longer top secret for any particular reason.

[@victorashul]

@@dr.claire.perfume here's the thing... we are not the majority of buyers... people in the frag-com and collectors are a fringe minority compared to the whole of the people who consume these products... and the majority of people want to know a point of reference (from their cultural background - like flowers, woods, spices etc.) so that they can get an idea about what they smell when they go into Sephora or other shops like this.. you see this in the fact that designer companies started to put out lazy 3 note breakdowns with their new releases

[@dr.claire.perfume]

@@victorashul absolutely! Jean Paul Gaultier are a good example of that. Also you look at the 80s fragrances notes lists and there are so so many compared with today 🤣 I agree, our interests are not the general public's at all. But also I just don't know how fragrance companies don't have to reveal all their ingredients when all other cosmetics have to. 🤔

[@sidselalbertsen898]

THE TRUTH❤Thank you.. KZbin has become less “innocent” recently… I dont really like watching fragrancecreviews anymore, yet I still do😅😅 YOU are VERY trust worthy and even if we dont share same taste in fragrances, I really ENJOY your uploads.. Like THIS❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! ❤️ That means a lot! I think I'm tired of watching people who I'm not sure actually like anything they discuss because most of it is gifted, or they are being paid to talk about it, or they get money from sales through links... It's difficult to know whether to trust any of what these people say...

[@sidselalbertsen898]

@@dr.claire.perfume Im at the exactly same page.. There are only a few left, that I feel are very down to earth, true collectors or just sharing their PASSION… There still are some☺️I LOVE Arlene Delicious delight as an example.. She has been here for decades 😅 and still just shares her passion.. And others to offcause❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Oh yes Arlene ❤️ she is so excited and enthusiastic about so many styles of fragrance! A true collector!

[@evelynbarry5046]

😂😂you are so right about the wrist thing. Wow it seems like people are so sensitive about it. It is what we always did because before not all perfume was sprayed, we used to dab it with our fingers.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

That's such a fab point! I hadn't thought about that at all! You're right, dabbers were much more of a thing! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@OpinionatedScents]

I've seen so many perfumers say to never rub your wrists together so that's probably where that comes from. The molecule part...idk. I don't do it because there's no point. I don't need to. I also don't like the way it feels.. Lol

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, I think that's it isn't it? You just do what you feel comfortable doing. It's not important enough for anyone to say this is wrong, stop doing it and vice versa. The destroying molecules thing really puzzles me. I guess people maybe mix up evaporation/volatility and the scent breaking down??? No idea... 😂

[@mnop1774]

I just replayed this video and it's exactly what I needed to hear. I am trying to be mindful and make certain I only add fragrances I truly love and will wear. I hit the pause button after nearly placing an order last week. I got caught up in the excitement and hype over a couple of new releases and I had not actually worn them on my skin. They were both great in the bottle but I asked myself some of these questions you raise. I will replay this again from time to time to remind myself to take my time, think it through. There's no urgency and I will feel calmer and better about my choices because you're exactly right. Thank you Claire. Your approach really resonates with me.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Aah! I'm glad it helped. ❤️ I think buying something you will love is fab! It's just knowing isn't it? Definitely a good thing to try it on skin 👍 I hope the fragrances turn out to be just as good when you do get to try them fully. 😊

[@АннаКорнилова-ф4э]

It is so true about ending up with a collection you didn't really want. I was into blind shopping so much, that now I just do not know how to get rid of fifteen inexpensive bottles. Looks like nobody wants them second hand, cause they are not hyped, and I cannot simply throw them into a trash bin.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yep, been there. I think the way to go is perhaps to list them somewhere as a bundle or a few bundles if you want to resell them, that or perhaps take them to work and offer them around maybe? Or perhaps donate them to charity? I know it's hard to off load them!

[@АннаКорнилова-ф4э]

​@@dr.claire.perfume Thank you so much for the support and the ideas!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

@@АннаКорнилова-ф4э no worries 🙂

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

All great advices Claire! I thought I could be wiser at my age and yet I still fall in some rabbit holes… 🫤 A night out is mostly a family dinner out for me so I stopped buying « heavy sexy man hitters »! 😂 I have made so many mistakes and expensive ones at that… I have calmed down and I am trying to make better choices but I’m still weak sometimes for FOMO reasons like Red Temptation Summer by Zara I bought yesterday. 😅 Blind bought it and it’s very meh. 🫤 And it’s not always the youtubers fault. Different skin, different tastes, different weather, we don’t get the same results with the same perfume. 🙂 Have a great weekend! ❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes the man eater fragrances are few and far between for me now too 😂 I agree, the FOMO with the cheaper here for a short time ones, like seasonal Zara fragrances, is very real and it's hard to resist when it's only $15 or whatever... There's nothing wrong with the occasional blind buy though. It's exciting and fun, I guess it's good to have a ceiling price beyond which you promise yourself you will sample first though. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@susanwilson862]

Such good advice!! I started getting into fragrance about 3 years ago and fell into all of the pitfalls you talked about. I simply wanted to find a new fragrance, started watching KZbin videos, and it took off from there. I still absolutely love fragrance and it's my favorite hobby, but am now much smarter about what I purchase. I sample everything and buy the best priced decant or second hand fragrance I can find. They should make this video "required viewing" when someone first starts getting into fragrance. I appreciate your advice and really like the approach you take when presenting fragrances.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! ❤️ I think everyone has to find it all out for themselves to a certain extent. I think I bought way too much and in a very unfocused way when I first started. I'm hopefully more discerning now, but I certainly still make mistakes. I do hope that I learn from each though. Sampling and secondhand are where it's at for saving yourself from costly mistakes for sure! Thanks for watching and for your lovely comment, I appreciate it ❤️

[@One-Butterfly]

So true! I was watching so manny videos from other ladies on youtube and they always say how nice those fragrances are and I made the mistake to buy online so manny perfumes and I ended up using just half of them, the rest I couldn't kipp because it wasn't what I like, and I offered as gifts to other ladies.Big mistake to blind buy!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

For sure! Blind buying can be exciting but it's very risky and other people have very different taste. It's hard to blind buy consistently successfully unless you are really not picky! 🤣 Thanks for watching 🥰

[@ms.s.vincent]

Thank you for your advice! I’ve only recently started my collection and I’ve been sampling a lot, which has, like you said, helped me create a more curated collection, so I totally agree! Sample, sample, sample! Also, there are a few fragrances that I’m always reaching out for so I know this is definitely something I will repurchase. It’s nice to have fragrances that you genuinely enjoy and will get a lot of wear out of☺️

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes for sure! I really didn't start sampling early enough and I ended up with a collection with a lot of likes rather than loves. I'm slowly weeding through my collection with finishing up perfumes and decluttering, but it's been a long long process of curation that is still going on. Thanks for watching! 🥰

[@roseayalaperfumeaddict5059]

Hey Claire! Great video and great points! I have also learned a lot about the world of KZbin😅. There is definitely alot of fake people. It’s not right to encourage people to spend on something they don’t like or need. Honesty is a rare thing these days.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Hi Rose, for sure I actually had no idea at all with how any of this worked... it's not just views on fragrance either, I didn't even realise that other channels were the people who comment to begin with. I should have watched some KZbin how to video 🤣 I just didn't know 🤷‍♀️

[@AnneMelb2010]

Hi Claire l like your straightforwardness and so keep coming back for more. I did chuckle when you mentioned staying calm and taking a moment to enjoy the fragrances that you do have instead of running off to buy yet another. Forever searching for the Holy grail fragrance is how l feel about that compulsion in me. Lol I’ve also found that even though l might love the smell of a fragrance doesn’t mean once l put it on that it really feels right on me or for me if that makes sense? Thanks again and looking forward to more of your channel. 👍👍😀😀

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you 😊 Yes! I completely understand that feeling of a perfume not feeling you, despite the smell being something pleasant or even addictive. I feel that a lot with gourmand fragrances and heavy ambers. Searching for the one all the time can feel exhausting but I think we all do it, it's what keeps us trying new things and sometimes buying a little too much 😂 thanks for watching 🥰

[@DebraMarsters]

I'm a new subscriber to your channel, and I feel very lucky to have found you Claire. The way you share your knowlege and oppinions in such an open and honest way is such a breath of fresh air. Thank you so much!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ I'm happy that this is useful for you! I wish I had realised a lot of this when I first started but to some degree, everyone has to just discover these things for themselves. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@LoevensRambles]

The biggest mistake I made when I first started out, was collecting too quickly. I fell in love with Elizabeth Arden Green tea, and it's affordability. So I set on a quest to collect every possible flanker of it, ever made (in 100ml bottles ofcourse). Resutling in me now either selling or trying to use up most of them as my tastes quickly evolved into something different. I started getting annoyed at their poor longivety and realized that I don't need that much of the same thing, with slight variations.I do have two perfumes I still collect (Mugler Alien and La nuit Tresor comes to mind) But I do not go out of my way to obtain disctontinued versions that are marked up in price, and if I don't like something I will skip it, also any new release will be sampled before I decide if I really want it. I realized I don't need a complete collection of anything to be happy with my collection. I also learned that negative reviews are just as valuable if not more, to me when it comes to deciding if a fragrance is for me. Often the reason I fall in love with a perfume, can be what others hate about that perfume.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

That's a good point actually. I think a lot of people end up having that kind of completionism with particular lines of fragrances and yes, the likelihood is that you won't love them all. I think Mugler got me early on with that a bit but the newer ones haven't excited me so I've left them. I agree, that what people hate in fragrance can be what I love, it's always interesting to hear what people think, good or bad. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@o0mew0o]

I bought a bunch of dupe fragrance oils and also original but solid perfumes. I realized recently that I love spraying the fragrances, and I rarely use any of the oils, nor the solids. I'm trying to use them up so I can get the spray versions of them.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes I find oils are something I forget about most of the time.bwheb I do use them, it's usually when I've got more time to choose something, like when I'm at home. Format is everything sometimes! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@j_elena6328]

Thank you for this video❤. It really needed to be said

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes it's so biased on KZbin. The affiliate link marketing is a huge huge issue that no one mentions, because ultimately I guess the people making the videos are the people that do it. I find it odd that if people have an affiliate link and get paid for people buying stuff they talk about then surely that video should be labelled as an AD because that is what it is, an advert, yet those videos aren't labelled like that... Thanks for watching 🥰

[@basicbaroque]

I'm really thankful. When I started, I found a reddit thread where somebody suggested trying both a sample, and a travel size before getting a full sized bottle. I can't tell you how many times, I've gotten through travel sizes and didn't want to repurchase. It also helped me realize I'm a light sprayer. It's why I really enjoy my subscription service.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

That's some great advice! I wish more fragrances came in smaller sizes, I am looking for a good UK subscription service actually, do you know of any with a good range of fragrances? I think I'm similar, if you watch my perfume empties, you will see that it is super rare that I ever want to repurchase and in most cases, when I do, the fragrance is discontinued anyway 😂 Thanks for watching ❤️

[@TWILIGHTR0SE]

So glad you mentioned the bit about rubbing your wrists together. Had a clerk at L'Occitane tell me dont rub, it destoys the scent. I was taken aback, thought really? Ive done it my whole life. Well, thanks, I'll be back to doing my thing after you corrected that nonsense.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, I know. People go on about it but unless you are a perfumer and sniffing every little millisecond of how that fragrance evolves, it will make zero difference. To any normal perfume wearer, I don't think it will matter at all. It just warms the fragrance slightly more so it might evolve very very slightly faster.... That's it 🤣 thanks for watching 🥰

[@CeeChroniclesTalkingScents]

Candid advice! I had no clue that some people don’t declare what they’ve been given to promote

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Last year I saw so much Commodity stuff that was clearly gifted, yet it was never mentioned. Same with Orientica. To me, any video that contains affiliate links is in my mind an advert as the person is paid if you purchase those products, yet these videos aren't described as adverts.

[@neilsant1194]

Realization in this content is telling me, yes i made mistake on buying perfumes i did not like at all (for sake its hype & hit) because i just want to splurge & collect (which i regret financially😅) This content also telling me to find the most useful & find that truly fits to me and not be affected by hyped& influencers. Your content taught me again dr.Clair. tnx

[@neilsant1194]

But im very happy that what i have collected lately went lots of considerations before i get one. I am curating my own collection not based on salesperson opinion nor unfluence by chic person.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Sounds like you don't need advice, you seem very much like you are on that collection journey and are enjoying what you have and what you've bought recently. 👌 Sounds pretty good to me 🥰

[@docm5314]

Thankfully I got a grip on myself early as far as blind buying with only 1 FB. I did make mistake of dismissing fragrances too early and trying decants immediately upon arrival vs letting fragrance settle only to retry a year later and actually have a totally different experience. I only have absolutely FB loves (after going through decants 1-3x) and then only decants for the olfactory experience for the joy of them. If I don’t have holiday or birthday cash, no buying of anything 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s my one indulgence after not spending any money on myself for decades (as a mom everything was for my child and family).

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, I think fragrance can be that one thing in people's lives that they treat themselves with. That's the same with me really. I don't spend money on much else. Sampling lots is for sure the way to a collection that you love. I wish I'd been slower in my purchasing at the beginning, I'm still sorting out my collection as a result! 🥰

[@Ceko]

I’m glad to have found your channel Claire! Love your talks on everything fragrance related ☺️

[@dr.claire.perfume]

@@Ceko thank you and welcome! 🥰

[@jthorne1358]

I love that you mention sampling. Not only does it help us avoid mistakes but its quite an adventure!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

For sure! Definitely what to do if you want to find the gems and have some really interesting experiences along the way too 🙂 you can love stuff and not buy it... which is often the case for me as I often try things way beyond my budget 🤣 thanks for watching 🥰

[@MonikaRoguska]

Hi Claire! Thank you for this video. I’ve been on the perfume discovery journey for the last few months. It all started with me trying to establish my signature scent, something unique yet one that I love and can use daily. I stumbled on a whole new world of reviews, KZbinrs and sample purchasing. Don’t laugh (I work with data), I even tried to select the next sample by my most purchased notes Excel spreadsheet 😂 Hundreds of pounds later, I still haven’t found the fragrance.. what’s wrong with me!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Haha, I'm a scientist and I also thought about selecting by notes but I realised there's bias in frequently used notes and also how prominent each is and bias because of the effects of other notes. It's complicated 🤣 I also tried by perfumer and brand... Sniffing is unfortunately the only reliable method 😂 it's an interesting hobby at least. Good luck with finding your signature scent! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@ScentedByMwendi]

Good lessons learned Claire. The beauty of this perfume hobby is that we evolve and keep learning. There is so much to try from. I am quite your opposite, I am almost always out that's why I don't even have time to film and edit 🙈 Thank you for talking about going against the grain on hyped up perfumes.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Haha, yes you sound and look like the party animal on Instagram 😂 and yes the hyped ones are often not loves for me, but occasionally they hit the spot! 😊

[@amberfranklinmk93]

I did that thing before I purchased Miss Dior that I kept saying oh I don’t like that. But when I actually tried it on my skin in John Lewis I liked it. So the next time I went into boots I purchased it.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! Trying on skin can make a huge difference! Especially with fragrances with musks, those can smell so flat on paper, but come alive on skin. 👍

[@marialopes9365]

I always try to look for a small bottle. And found out about "youtubers hype" when many of them promote almost the same brands. Thank god we get to smell them before buying. Txs for the video ! Cheers !

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, 20 videos all about one brand in the space of a week is really quite a tell tale sign 🤣 thanks for watching 🥰

[@mrskewr]

Pausing 8 mins in because I couldn’t stomach BR540. It literally turned my stomach. I blind bought that and Gentle Fluidity Gold together and I returned both! Cloud was also a no for me, I gave it to a younger family member. And JPG La Belle I purchased on the spot after smelling in on a tester. Bought it home and ugh It smelled soooo bad on my wrist! Like bad breath mixed w some weird warm vanilla and cinnamon. I know that sounds nuts but it was awful 😂. Immediately returned it. I happen to come across this video and I’m glad I did. This is great advice, especially for future collectors. ❤️✌🏽

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! I'm happy that you think this is good advice 😊 Wow! It looks like it's just you and me with those fragrance preferences 🤣 most people seem to love these fragrances I think... It's really interesting to hear people's experiences of them, both positive and negative. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@sofiakyro2811]

I'm feeling your rabbit hole point. I feel I am ruined since all the Fragrances I liked before now just smell cheap and waaaay to sweet.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yep, this happened to me... Once you start smelling more fragrances you become more discerning. Noticing ambroxan, iso E super, amberwood and cashmeran was also something that hit me. I realised that iso E super and amberwood are often a no for me and even in fragrances that I do like overall, they tend to bother me. Ambroxan and cashmeran depend on dosage. There's definitely some points of realisation that make you reassess, although those points seem different for different people. It's worth continuing though. You will find some new loves! 🥰

[@karenconquest658]

Thank you so much for saying this, I am really not keen on influencers per se, it’s like all one big show off, it makes you feel lacking in some way, and yes it’s triggering and people go and buy lots of things they think they need and can’t afford it….a lot of social media is fake…so thank you for being real and responsible. ❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Oh no worries. I absolutely hate the rubbish that I see on KZbin "you need x" then next week it's something else... I have made a decision never to use affiliate links that benefit me with money. Some of those links pay 15%, I don't think people realise that influencers can earn £100s from them in just one video. It totally throws the dynamics of making recommendations. This stance is really backfiring for me though, I was recently asked to do a video by a company who wanted to know how much money I would charge them, I said, please send me the fragrance, I will make a video, then you can make a donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital (as they saved my life) and that's enough. I've not heard back... I find this ridiculous. Do they only work with people that they pay? I feel like making a video about it 🤦‍♀️ anyway, I'm rambling, thanks for watching, have a lovely Sunday 🥰

[@ALLIENYC]

The image of Kim 🤣. Yes this does happen you see this all of sudden a brand being spoken about. But with magazines going away social media is the only place now for brands to advertise. Fragrance is totally subjective. And yes depending on what other notes a particular scent is mixed with it make it smell very different just like colors can look different in different circumstances. I could never get into Obsession it is an older perfume but it never appealed to me. Yes good to try a scent by buying a smaller bottle. Your taste may change and yes if you have a lot agreed you will never finish it. Great discussion here! Wow did not know you buy second hand.👍

[@dr.claire.perfume]

It's true, there's been a big shift from print to social media. I think that's something the established brands are only just cottoning on to. I think that is entirely changing the perfume market and allowing smaller brands to potentially flourish more easily. Yes I don't think I could have afforded a collection of fragrances without buying partially secondhand, it cost a lot of money to purchase from new. I buy a lot of secondhand clothes too, I'd say about 10% of my wardrobe is proper vintage and 15% is secondhand. Thanks for watching 🥰

[@sweetsimpleslowlife2709]

Claire, I can definitely relate to point number four 💯 I too don’t like Cloud and think BR540 is just ok. I was very disappointed that Musc Noir Rose doesn’t work for me because everyone and their mother and their dog and their cat and their bunny loves this fragrance 😂 I’m over it now!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Haha yes musc noir rose did the rounds 😂 I don't even like any fragrance that reminds me of BR540, however peripheral. 🤷‍♀️ Anyway, it saved me money 😂 I'm looking on the bright side 😂

[@sweetsimpleslowlife2709]

@@dr.claire.perfume absolutely 💯 I've been saving lots of money by only sniffing fragrances during my travels and not actually buying anything expensive 😅

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! Getting your fix from just sampling them! Travelling light! I love travelling, it makes you focus on what you really need and appreciate in life. 👌

[@sweetsimpleslowlife2709]

@@dr.claire.perfume precisely, my dear friend 🤗🌹

[@dr.claire.perfume]

👍

[@momijiyamanishi4548]

I have been told, the best way to tell if your perfume is a fake is to look at the numbers on the outside of the packaging, and match it with the outside numbers of the bottom of the perfume bottle.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I think that can be a good thing to check for sure. Counterfeiters quite often forget those little details. 🥰

[@ΛΕΜΟΝΙΑΤΑΣΟΥΛΑ]

I am also a person that doesn't go out much. I just go to work and about once a week for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with my friends but that doesn't influence my choise of fragrance. I just like loud fragrances but fortunately for my colleagues and my students my skin somehow eats up fragrance, so unless they come very close to me they can't actually smell me. But at least I have learnt my lesson when it comes to clothes. I used to buy a lot of evening dresses because I was just drawn to them which was kind of ridiculous since I rarely go out and didn't have enough casual clothing. I finally managed to change that.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! I agree so much with this! I too used to buy fancy dresses that I never ended up wearing. I think looking at clothing and fragrance in terms of how often you will wear it and spending more on things that you think you will love and appreciate when that's appropriate is really that way to go. And yes! I still wear scandal by night or black orchid to work occasionally, because well, why not?! 🤣 Thanks for watching, have a fab weekend ❤️

[@amk68sco]

This is exactly everything I've just recently came to realise and put into practice. Can't argue with one word of this.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! I think it's the conclusions that most people eventually come to, it just takes a while! Thanks for watching 😊

[@amk68sco]

@Claire Smith you're welcome. I'm currently enjoying lots of sampling. Which has saved me countless hundreds of pounds and the rest. Also affords access to previously unattainable fragrance due to cost per bottle and eliminates the buyers regret once you find out although its expensive it doesn't naturally follow that the scent is to your liking. It's a total game changer for me the inception of companies offering samples. I never blind buy any more and I'd rather miss out than take the chance on a bottle.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

That sounds like a good way forward. Sampling really is the way to a collection of loves. It's finding a reliable sampling service though if you are going to buy brand sets. There are unfortunately so many fakes out there. I guess blind buying seems ridiculous to anyone not into fragrance. It is a bit mad! 😂

[@amk68sco]

@Claire Smith a bit mad yep and certainly irrational 😆 but rational goes out the window at times when your locked on to a beautiful bottle of what you hope is the smell of the most fabulous concoction 😆. I use perfumista and fragrance samples couk also good old ebay , you just have to do your due diligence on the seller.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank for the suggestions, I will check them out. Yes, eBay can be the wild west sometimes.

[@jeanettemarkley7299]

Thanks for giving me the heads up on the way some fragrance influencers do business. I really love your channel and I have a great deal of respect for your profession. I like to think of myself as a skeptic and I love all things science (that I manage to understand). I was concerned that I would buy too many fragrances because of seeing some of the collections here on youtube, so I bought a small wine cooler to keep it in check and to keep them longer. My house is always very warm and I have had my fragrances go off in 6 years.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I am not sure most people realise how much certain channels make through affiliate purchasing. I remember noticing that certain influencers only link using certain companies so I checked a few out and saw how high the commission was. It made me doubt everything and take with a pinch of salt channels that earn money through links. Thank you so much for the huge compliment, I really appreciate you writing that ❤️ I am really glad that you have organised good storage for your fragrances, you will be able to enjoy them for much longer hopefully ☺️ I hope they you have a lovely Sunday 🥰

[@jillshorten3457]

Yes, yes and YES! Agree with all of this Claire - excellent points. I have always owned and loved fragrances, but it’s only in the last 3 years that I’ve become *hardcore* 😳 and have learned almost all of this the hard (and expensive 💰) way. I also now buy travel sizes and second hand. Haha loved the wrist comment! 🤣

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Hi Jill! Yes! I have no clue what it was about the pandemic but it just made people find solace in fragrance somehow. Maybe it just justified blind buying? 🤷‍♀️ But yes, I started watching perfume KZbin and just got obsessed 🤣 Travel sizes, 30ml and second hand are great ways to own more fragrances for less! And yes, could you tell the pent up annoyance in my wrist comment 🤣 it had clearly been brewing for a while... 😂

[@KYLIN123]

I like to have various fragrances…of differing scents and seasons. I have a bathroom cabinet filled with 10 fragrances now. I’m giving myself permission for 12, and that is really all that will fit! I like some boundaries with things, and also appreciate organization and minimalism. It’s easy to agree that fragrance is a rabbit hole….but ultimately it’s ok and healthy to choose some boundaries when I have multiple of something I like really helps with the finality of the continuation of additional fragrances.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I have a similar system (albeit on a larger scale) where I have one surface and when that is full, I go back through everything and reconsider do I need this? I don't want my collection to grow into a room of fragrance and I would like to get back to 100 fragrances from my current 117. It's too many for me at the moment. 🥰

[@itsmeGeorgina]

10 -12 fragrances is just perfect, a great feeling of luxury without the pressing feeling of guilt that "all that money" could have gone into a new roof on your house.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

This is so true! 🥰

[@bellissimabeautyblog9006]

Well said, Darling❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ I hope you have a lovely week 🥰

[@pryak6581]

Very helpful video! :) The main point for me is sampling. Don't rush into buying any fragrance after only sniffing it on a strip in store. Buy decants and test a fragrance thoroughly on skin and clothes, under different weather conditions and on different occasions. If you love it after all those times wearing it, than go ahead and buy. Consider buying secondhand, so worth it! And if you test a lot of fragrances, take notes, sounds nerdy, but those notes can come in handy some time.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes testing is really important, especially if it's a pricey fragrance! And that's good advice... Secondhand can save you a lot of money but there are fakes too so you do have to be careful. And yes taking notes is good, especially with samples because different wears can be very different experiences. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@kara8911]

One thing I’ve found is that I don’t listen to the type of advice “this is for a boss babe”, “this is for date night only”, “this is for the beach”. I’m no “boss babe” (dislike that term strongly), never go on dates with the hubby, and never go on vacation. Haha! Yet, I love so many of those perfumes and have stopped listening to that type of “advice”.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Completely! Fragrance can be for any occasion and even if it suits one thing for one person, it doesn't pigeonhole the fragrance for everyone else... I feel the same about coconut fragrances, honestly I'm never going to take one on holiday with me 🤣 and yes boss babe seems a bit sexist somehow and even a little degrading, it almost assumes bosses can't be women in the norm.

[@44percentstronger]

Here are some comments about your points: (Point 1): 2:41 I agree about this point in general, but even when you find a channel whose owner's taste are the same as yours, you should still sample. And that's because sometimes there are some subjective influences about what notes we like. Once I saw someone say: "It smells like barnyard (about some oud) and in general I would hate it, but since I like horses and grew up riding horse i kind of appreciate the smell". That is quite subjective and if she didn't say that and just said "Oh, I love this oud!" then you might have gone wrong with that blindbuy. (Point 3): I totally agree about not judging a perfume by the notes listed. Besides what you already said (learn how do these notes actually smell and knowing that each note can have different "tones" to it) it also needs to be considered how present those notes are (since some notes are barely present in a perfume) and how they combine with the other notes listed. Also, in some occasions the notes listed can be just wrong or incomplete. (Point 5): This is imo the most important point. Sampling is KING when it comes to deciding if you want to buy a perfume. Fortunately I understood quite early the need to it, but I am still working on my patience. I usally try the perfume just once on my wrist and wait until it fades out to see how I like it, sillage and longevity. But I don't have the patience to wait for weeks or months and try it in a different season (which should be done at least with fragrances you are trying in the wrong season). Up to now, it generally went well, although sometimes once I buy a perfumes it smells a bit differently from my first impression, but the difference is just minimal (up to now at least). (Point 8): The quality is a big deal for me, too. There are some frangrances that I liked, but once I smelled some other ones with better quality I couldn't enjoy the older ones anymore. (Point 9): It is very important to know oneself to be able to make the correct choice about wich size to buy. Like I wrote in the previous point, there are frangrances that I stopped enjoying because my nose got used to other standards. However since I am guilty of being an oversprayer, finishing a bottle is not much of a big deal. And I don't if this is something that everyone does, but I put on my perfumes even evenings or at night. Even when I am alone.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thanks for your thoughts! Yes I agree that context is everything with taste... Scent memory in particular can play a huge part. For sure notes are often listed wrongly, especially in Fragrantica and actually you just smell what you smell and familiarity with some things over others might make some stuff more or less prominent to you. I guess notes are only a guide. Sampling I think suffers from the fact that reformulation happens, probably more often than we all think and batch to batch variation with naturals is also certainly something I've experienced... Also just decanting can make samples smell a bit different to full bottles. Yes quality is just critical now for me, if there's something that jars for me I'm not ever going to wear the fragrance. I also wear fragrances just for me at home and to bed, you are not alone! Thanks for watching ❤️

[@44percentstronger]

@@dr.claire.perfume Indeed decanting makes samples smell different from full bottles, and I would say that it affects low priced frangrances more than the more pricy one. I think the "alcohol blast" is less prominent in the samples. Thanks a lot, both for this video (I don't know how I forgot to say it in the first comment) and for reading my somewhat long comment and answering.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Oh thank you! No problem 😊 I love a long comment! Thank you so much for your insight. 🥰

[@reneecrotty6910]

THIS IS SO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Baccarat Rouge is plain jane for me! Nothing special at all... And GUIDANCE literally makes my head spin. I have tried wearing it so many times and I have to actually run (almost in a panic) to SCRUB it off because I feel so ill! And 2 different men in my life told me "What are you wearing... I don't like it" or..."its okay.... Its not my favourite... Its not you... its not as good as your others" etc...(I have had a compliment though from a random woman who asked me what it was in a grocery store and kept saying how amazing it smelled and all I could think of was... I need to get home and scrub it off!) Yet everyone on KZbin goes on and on about it! Now I'm the sample first Queen! hahaha! I agree with you so much! I realised I don't like what everyone else likes! … another example is I like Delina and to me the Exclusif smells like a really cheap hippy shop! haha Yet everyone seems to like it more etc... Great video! I trust you more than a lot of other KZbinrs. You have integrity.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ oh yes, testing is always the best way to ensure you get something you will love. I can't say I get the hype most of the time, so I'd waste a lot of money if I didn't do loads of testing! I've not tried Guidance other than a quick spritz at a friend's house so I don't think I paid enough attention to it. I need to try it again properly and see what I think! Thanks for watching 🥰

[@jojobee42]

I would also advice myself to get to know different brands first, because they all have their own *style* smell-wise. You don't have to smell many perfumes from each brand to get the idea of their overall style... It helps to narrow down the search for new fragrances ~ otherwise you're just all over the place! This would have helped me A LOT back in the day.. Then I wouldn't have wasted so much time and money on brands that really weren't my style ~ like Mugler, if I didn't like their 1-2 perfumes then most likely the next 1-2 aren't my cup of tea either, if it's the *style* of those perfumes I didn't like in the first place.. If that makes sense?

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes, I think I've realised that particular brands aren't for me in general for sure. E.g I'm not ruling out new ones from them, but in general, Paco Rabanne, Moschino, MFK, JHAG, Molecule, Creed, Shay & Blue, BDK, the new l'Oréal style Mugler. Trying a few can definitely help you to focus your attentions, I totally agree! ☺️

[@ScentedByMwendi]

I am with you on the greediness for fragrance. I want to start buying small bottles more. Only my repurchases will be full bottles if possible. I am also big on pre-owned bottles. It is such a cost saver.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! Totally! Secondhand cuts costs massively! Partials too, there is something psychological to most people when they see a 100ml bottle with only 30ml in, effectively that is still a small bottle's worth of fragrance, yet the price can be next to nothing... I don't get it, but I'm glad 🤣 thanks for watching ❤️

[@Roberto-xc5xy]

Very good video Claire. "My fragrances are for me" !! Agree 100% !! Thank you!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you 🥰 I'm happy that you enjoyed this!

[@TheEagleslover]

Claire you touched on so many things I agree with that I can’t begin to list them. Although I have quite a few fragrances I often remind myself that I’m not a collector. I love everything that I own and some I will never part with while others I freely give away. I’m weird that way. Oh and thanks for dispelling the myths and speaking truth through science. Have a great weekend.❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes I feel the same, I'm not a reviewer, I'm not a collector, I'm a fragrance user who chooses to share their experiences and thoughts. I don't buy every release, I don't rush out videos, I'm just enjoying perfume and learning about it. I also agree with you that I am incredibly sentimental about some of my fragrances and others I would happily give to someone who wanted them! Some just don't have that connection despite me enjoying them.

[@stacyr3743]

Oh wow. I bought into the rubbing the wrists thing too. May have even repeated it. I needed a scientist to debunk it. Now I feel like an idiot. 😅

[@dr.claire.perfume]

🤣 sorry...

[@stacyr3743]

@@dr.claire.perfume lol. Don’t be sorry. You saved me from spreading the lies. 🤣

[@dr.claire.perfume]

😂 ok! 🥰

[@Joss-Fragrance-Mixology]

Ah yes, if only we knew then what we know now - great points Claire!!!🥰

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thanks Joss ❤️ hope you are well.

[@KYLIN123]

Also, give yourself the freedom to give away or throw away what i you don’t like. Let it go!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes! Reselling fragrance is a great way to recoup costs of ones you don't love. 😊

[@fionaH101]

100% agree with all your points Claire. This will be such a useful video for fragrance newbies, those unsuspecting innocent souls who have yet to discover what a dangerous (to one's wallet) obsession fragrance can be 😂 I think you like heliotrope too? Have you tried the new D&G called Q? It's really lovely but not very strong. As you sometimes like softer fragrances i thought you might like it. Hopefully the price will come down in time as it's stupid expensive for designer. Have a great weekend ❤❤

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Hi Fiona! Yes getting into perfume can be really expensive really quickly. I think there's a lot of pressure from KZbin to buy and also a message that pricier brands are better and that you should be aspirational to own those. I say, do what you want, have sampled and can afford. 😊 I do love heliotrope and I did try Q in store a few weeks back, but only on card (cos I had an armful already 😂 typical...), I found it to be very short lived and I don't really remember much about it. I will go to retry it on skin. Thanks for the suggestion 😊

[@teenoso4069]

Thoughtful points conveyed in an objective way. Personally, I will have a maximum number of 12 fragrances at anyone time. I will test in store multiple times or buy a sample and only once finished will I consider a full bottle. If I want to add one, I must either finish, sell or swap one out. I prefer to divide my fragrances into seasons and once the season arrives I put away the "out of season" and refamiliarise myself with the "in season" - it keeps it fresh. The Hedonic treadmill loves loves loves the fragrance collector.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

You're right, so many people don't have that kind of controlled approach and just go crazy and end up with huge collections. I am there! 😂 But I'm trying to be better at waiting. I've also been trying to finish some of the fragrances that I have so I can reduce my collection. It's telling to me that nothing stops me buying new bottles like sampling does. I guess I get to try new things and it just satisfies me somehow. Thanks for your interesting and insightful comment and thanks for watching ❤️

[@teenoso4069]

@@dr.claire.perfume Often the hardest negotiation is the one we have with ourselves

[@dr.claire.perfume]

That's very true 👍

[@MichaelaLigman]

I’ve been skeptical about the wrist rubbing taboo, but hadn’t really considered the science behind it. Thank you for validating that skepticism 😂

[@dr.claire.perfume]

🤣 did you feel the pent up annoyance in my comment, that had been a long time coming in a video I think 🤣 thanks for watching ❤️

[@VeronicaSays]

The rubbing wrist together myth drives me insane. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

[@Naturallyliz41]

I thought it was true 😭 😂and now I don’t know why 🤷‍♀️

[@VeronicaSays]

@@Naturallyliz41 don't feel bad. When soooo many people say something, we tend to take it as gospel. Human nature. 🤷‍♀️

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I guess the idea is that yes it will help it dry faster and therefore that might affect how you sense the top notes but, we are not gas chromatographs, I'm not sure I will notice the minute difference and the bit of it that gets me is when people say you will destroy the fragrance molecules... Err no... On so many levels!

[@klauslispector]

I'm no chemist and have always rolled my eyes when people say that 😂

[@dr.claire.perfume]

😂

[@raquelkutsch5600]

Great points! Sample do not blind buy! I’m currently on a low buy palette cleansing period! For a few months.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ Yes! I have to say that nothing stops me buying like sampling does! I get the thrill of trying a new fragrance without a whole bottle purchase and that often satisfies my curiosity. I bought quite a lot of fragrance in April, I think because I'd finished quite a few and I felt justified (it wasn't justified 🤣 I have too many), so I am now on a low buy for a bit. Nothing new for 3 weeks so far, but early days.

[@Jenn_N]

Hello Claire, great advice for someone starting out! I too 'fell down the rabbit hole' when I began and have made some disappointing purchases. I think the pressure can come from FOMO, when starting out. I believe sales tactics like making things 'limited edition', can also pressure people to buy when they might otherwise wait. Another point of pressure to purchase can come from something being discontinued. My biggest lesson is to test fragrances out multiple times before committing to a bottle. I have wide ranging taste, but I still have notes that I find challenging or that I outright dislike. It can be hard to know if a perfume will 'play nice' on ones skin, even if the note listing looks like a winner when you read it. I think making sure I finish a bottle of something that has a similar profile, to a fragrance I am testing keeps purchasing in check. I agree that trying a smaller bottle and wearing until it's done will help anyone figure out if they really love it enough to buy a larger bottle. One can love it or simply be done with it all together. I am currently on a 'no buy' to help me use up the perfume I have. It's helping me rediscover things that got ignored and helping me use up some of my mistakes. Thanks for your wisdom through experience! 💛🌷

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Hi Jenn! Yes me too with a low buy or ideally a no buy. I feel I went a little crazy in April 🙊 I think it was because I'd finished so many, psychologically, it makes me feel justified in making new purchases but I don't want my collection to ideally be more than 100 bottles and right now it's 117. 🤦‍♀️ I agree that sampling can save you from huge mistakes. Nothing makes me buy less fragrance than sampling, because too, I get the joy of a new perfume without buying a bottle. I recently won some 10ml decants and I've been loving trying those out, they seem like the perfect size! ☺️ Thanks for watching as always, have a lovely Sunday ❤️

[@pinkfabulous248]

Great video. Yes so many channels are just sales channels. But I guess that’s just their job. 🌸

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I guess the problem for me is even channels my size use affiliate links... It's not just people who make a living from it, it's most people!!!

[@wardiya3arbiya]

I dont have much to add to this discussion but definitely liked, sub and learned lots.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you ❤️ have a lovely Friday ☺️

[@cheriew8009]

I started my interest in fragrances in 2020 When stores opened I started buying the more affordable bottles at stores like TJMAXX and Burlington’s. I found good ones. It became a way for me to deal with stress at the time. If I started over I would buy resales and lightly used perfumes so I could buy more expensive ones at a better price. They were all blind buys at that time, as well. And I like 1 Oz bottles, too and travel sizes recently. I don’t have many dents in my perfumes and there are loads of sprays in 10 to 15 ml travel size. You are lovely, Claire. I like your videos so much! Thank you.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes me too! I think I did a lot of TKMaxx browsing! I do think it was the pandemic that triggered the fragrance obsession for a lot of people. It's an interesting phenomenon. I agreed that 10-15ml is enough of most things. I regret some of my larger bottle purchases now as I will never finish them and some I don't love but weirdly I don't declutter them either. Thank you so much, I really appreciate your super kind comment! I'm really happy that you enjoy my videos, that means so much! 🥰

[@PerfumeswithPat]

I agree first impressions can be off.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Totally! 😊

[@tammyroxanne.]

Yes! You made so many amazing points here! I definitely have experienced many of these things as well and I’m new in my fragrance journey- I try to buy travel sizes most of the time now, there’s no point in having such large bottles 🥰

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! Yes travel size fragrances are the way to go. I think there's a real shift in thinking when you start getting into fragrance, that for me at least took a while 😂 thanks for watching ❤️

[@mirakaucic3130]

Claire, thank you for sharing your experience and honesty. I also found by watching many interesting YTbers changing into hardcore sales people and leaving their initial exuberance, genuine interest and honesty behind. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with and in selling it's just the price you pay for success..... and YT is a harsh "employer" a bit reminiscent of a pimp. I would love to hear your take on it.

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Yes I agree with you, the amount that people are paid by KZbin ad revenue is extremely low for the amount of effort that it takes to plan, film, make and edit a video. I can see why people do sponsored stuff and have links, but only if it's their job... What gets me is that so many people see KZbin as a hobby and say they are passionate about perfume, yet they treat it like a side hustle, if you have a job already, why do you need to be a salesperson? If you are passionate, why do you need to push people to buy stuff through your links? I guess it's all about your personal motivations though. I just want people to enjoy my videos, to hopefully spark some debate and thoughts and just to enjoy exploring the world of fragrances. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts. I found them very interesting to read, you make some very interesting points. 🥰

[@mirakaucic3130]

@@dr.claire.perfume thank you for replying. I am not a YTber but am genuinely interested in many things happening on this platform and chapeau to everyone who is putting their creativity, time, interest and fun into this "modern" hobby or genuine job.... I am in almost all your ten points like you despite having at least 40 years seniority 😊 on you. Good luck and keep saying your truth because it matters not only to you but to the many who will find you and appreciate your views and perfumes. I did, of course, fall into the proverbial rabbit hole and ended up with more than 200 perfumes in over two years 😂😂 and have learned a lot about perfumes- scientifically, mentally, emotionally and chemically. It was a fun journey 🙏

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I am months away from 40 so we might be closer in age than you think... It's incredibly easy for a collection to grow super duper fast! I am trying to be conscious about how much stuff I'm bringing in but I know I buy way more than I can ever use... I think for me, if it begins to worry me or I start not to enjoy it as much or I have stuff I've bought and not worn, I know to take a step back for a bit now. Good luck enjoying your collection to the max 😊

[@mirakaucic3130]

@@dr.claire.perfume 😊😊 well, in that case only 30! Anything after 30 is interesting.... Enjoy it 🙏

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you 😊

[@sharonlee2005]

I think you are bang on with all10 points. You describe all of the things i have done. I got rid of so many of the early purchases i made due to a fragrance that was hyped up that i did not end up liking. I also learned about quality the hard way also. Now so many that i sample smell so "generic". Now i watch you tube knowing not to get swept up by the hype. I love fragrance still but my buying is very selective. Thanks for this video!

[@dr.claire.perfume]

Thank you! Yes! I agree, I smell a lot of fragrances, both designer and niche and just feel completely underwhelmed and sometimes also surprised by a perceived lack of quality. There's usually hype around particular fragrances that isn't that warranted. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@PaolaBianka]

Hahahah me too!! I used to have or wanted a lot of going out fragrances… even though i knew that i never go out 😂

[@dr.claire.perfume]

I guess when you first start, those are the wows and you learn to appreciate the subtleties later!