I don't even have a RUclips channel and I can feel the pull of that rabbit hole. I'm sinking a lot of money into decants and samples, but at least I'm not blind buying loads of bottles... For me, setting a monthly budget helps (even though I invariably overspend that!)
@@ScentitarFragrance I am sometimes a little afraid that I 'm not in control, because I got into colognes last year but bought most of my fragrances this year
@@heinzentertainments4661 dont fear my friend ! 6 fragrance in a year is not bad. Take things at your own times, if you find yourself buying for entertainment, then that is where you can control the spending.
One thing I learned some time ago in my fragrance journey is that just because you think a fragrance smells great doesn't mean you need to own it, or that you would even wear it. I love Tea For Two, but I don't want to walk around smelling like lapsang souchong all day. You get what I'm saying. Fragrance is an art form, and you can appreciate a piece of art without owning it. Moreover, the more fragrances you own, the more fragrances will likely sit on your shelf, and the less you will actually wear them! So own what you can't live without, and just appreciate the rest.
I agree I've actually approached my fragrances similarly to how I approach my wardrobe, capsules. a few staple versatile pieces that fit the season and are appropriate for many types of occasions. So I usually have two fall/winter scents and two spring/summer scents in full bottles.
Ash, I’ve been sober for a year and a half (drugs and alcohol) and felt like this was becoming another vice (I’ve purchased 37 colognes in 7 months). Thanks for your honesty, it’s making me take a step back now and truly look at my weekly purchase list. Thanks for your honesty man.
Voice88out, try not to knock those who unfortunately became addicted to drugs and alcohol, it’s not something we’d wish on our worst enemy. Glad you weren’t one of them. Peace.
I watched this 6 months too late. Ironically, your channel is one of the reasons for the escalating addiction. But I really needed to watch this. A shot in the arm. Thank you.
I appreciate you making this video. When I started my collection I'd justify the small purchases mentally not realizing how quickly they add up. During my fragrance journey I've also regrettably blind bought full bottle based off a reviewers suggestion. I've even tried to justify the purchases by saying "I can make my money back and then more if I begin to sale decants" and never got around to it smh. It's just as bad as any addiction but swept under rug and just not talked about. At my worst point I found myself hunting down rare or hard to find fragrances via foreign sites and using a service like Parcl to have it shipped to me here in the US. Thank you for being honest and sharing your experience.
Thank you for bringing up this issue. I feel like most of the community laughs it off but for many it is a real problem. I nearly fell into the cycle of buying new frags for that sweet dopamine rush, but sat down and calculated that with my small collection of only 13 bottles I had enough fragrance to last me daily for ten years... Now I've stopped and am happy with what I have!
Literally gained a lot of respect from me on this post. I learned very early how expensive this hobby could become so to save money I would sample around and ultimately if my wife love a particular fragrance I would purchase it. The catch is if the purchase didn’t come from living expenses nor set me back from financial goals then it’s fair game.
Great to hear about this topic being discussed. Appreciate your Insight and sharing your personal experience. 🙏 I think any hobby has an addictive stage , it doesn't matter if it's fragrances / martial arts or painting. When you start something new , it becomes what you talk & think about most often The thing with fragrances is that they cost money every time that you indulge the hobby where as other hobbies don't often cost money every time you partake in it. It'll be interesting to hear from others if they choose to share. It can only help others. Stellar as always 👌
Thanks for this chat...I was feeling as if I were the only one going through this. I’ve bout 30 fragrances in a little under two months thankfully all from discounters. Luckily I have a great job so no debt but I still would like to get back to saving money. I do have an addiction issue (video games, clothes, etc...) and this is the latest passion. Thanks again!
One tip for not buying too many fragrances: Test as many fragrances as you can, without buying. Then at the end of the search, decide which ones were the best and go for those. The most common 'mistake' people do is, they try a fragrance, they like it a lot and buy it immediately. Then a week later, try another one from the same category (say, aquatic) and like it even more, and buy the new one (and so on). What happens? The first ones that they liked get left behind because they simply have other ones they like more. And the collection just gets bigger.
@Florent Fejzula Story of my life. Example: Bought Armani Code Absolu and love it love it. Now bought Stronger With You Intensely and Freeze and I like them even more. Now Code Absolu hardly gets used even though I love it.
I bought the entire ysl y line just to realize the only one i ever wanna wear is the edp, what a waste of money. I have been spending a lot on decants lately
Thank you, man! It really means a lot when a fragrance reviewer of your value speaks from his heart and doesn't push you to buy "the maximum fragrance out there", like others do... You are really an inspiration for me, I'm 20 and almost bankrupt from buying frags :) So thank you A LOT for the piece of advice. Keep up with the great work and stay blessed!🙏 Greetings from Romania :)👋
This is totally me. I'm trying to pay off my credit cards now and I still wanna keep buying. Totally need this advice. Very honest, which is why I love this channel
After watching this video was when I started the rule to only buy a new fragrance when I have finished a bottle/ resold a bottle. My collection stays steady at 12 fragrances now.
I dunno how mine started a year ago. I think I heard someone say every man needs a signature scent. And the hunt began. Wanted by Night was my first real non-Wal-Mart fragrance I bought.
I bought Prada Luna Rossa Carbon and Wanted by Night as my first on this journey as well... Once you experience a smell like those, your eyes are opened lol
much respect, takes integrity and empathy to put this out, thank you. I am coming to the end of my initial binge, it’s tenuous with my money, gotta put the cap back on so to speak. I am going to enjoy the ones I have now.
Thank goodness I saw this video! Before I only had two fragrances: Bleu de Chanel EDP and Luna Rossa Carbon. A friend had six Creed fragrances-- which got me into the hard stuff. I bought Creed, Parfums de Marly, and high end designers. Watched hours of fragrance reviews. Think I'm gonna stop now and enjoy what I have.
You are right I just started collecting 3 weeks ago and I’ve spent more than $15000 on blind buys and I have over 60 I need to stop because I don’t think I’d ever finish this ones and also the money leaving my account. Thanks this video really helped.
Thanks for the honesty and vulnerability. Addiction is totally a topic worth discussing. I avoided much debt by participating in bottle splits and picking up partials, but it still was expensive and fueled an addiction. It is also expensive in terms of time spent searching-many hours, as time is a more precious asset than money. Love your channel, Ashton. Thanks for sharing.
Brother I needed this video. Thank you. That being said, I'll order my last 2 bottles.... I PROMISE! Haha. Kidding aside, I just started my detox from buying fragrances and this video is really timely. Thanks Ash.
This is real af! I bought like 50 fragrances in a few months of starting and only bought "cheapies" for the first month! Thankfully I slowed down and didn't put myself in debt! Now I will only get 1 every month or so
bporter1220 Same here I’m at one a month or 100$ a month. My wife finally said something when she found the stash under the sink. 72 bottles in 14 weeks.
Thank you for the vulnerability man! I am a beginner fragrance fan and since seeing all these fantastic fragrance reviews I really feel the pressure to build a large collection of fragrances in order to "match up" to collectors. I still decided to keep my collection at a level where my usage is in balance with my purchasing and for me that balance is at having exactly 12 fragrances. This made me really consider what I value in a fragrance and each one in my little collection is very special to me and serves a very different purpose. I'm glad you opened up and did not give air to guilt-tripping or shame. Thank you!
Getting into debt over an addiction is so bad and should be stopped. I knew a guy who blows all his income so easily over fragrance and has debt over them. He is more under control but he has got problem
i've been using that oud/vanilla for a year or so, i love it. the shampoo/shower gel stuff leaves the shower smelling great. i got the cologne from india when it first came out. it is an excellent scent imho.
Didn't realize that I was actually starting to get into that mind set. Addictive personality runs in my family badly and while I've stayed clear all my life from drugs and feel the itch in my brain to want to drink irresponsibly I realize it and keep it in check. What i didn't realize was I was getting severe fragrance addiction. I just got off of a Gfuel collecting addiction and didn't realize all i was doing was chasing the next dopamine rush through fragrances...Every day I want to go to Marshalls for a new deal on a cologne and didn't realize it was getting serious, I didn't realize I was feeling a pressure to catch up in cologne collecting that was pointless until you pointed it out. This is seriously brought me awareness and now I can keep myself more in check responsibly with my money. Thank you Gentscents
Exactly how I felt watching this only I have a few more then that 😄 couple grand within a couple.months but what a rush lol I'll still be watching and maybe a hit or two here and there but what I've been doing has got to stop lol
@@dusthart8303 I'm still buying them up but I appreciate them more. I've tried sampling a lot more which doesn't always work cause some sample prices are ridiculous. Pay 10 bucks for a noir extreme sample by Tom ford and I get a vial smaller then my pinky and as thin as paper 😂 or I've seen nautica voyage samples for 5 bucks before taxes and shipping on Mercari when that fragrance costs 12 bucks for a full size at Marshall's. Your best bet honestly and what I've learned to do, is to sample at fragrance places and make friends there. If you do you'll get tons of samples for free and what ever you can sample you can try on there. I know a guy at blooming dales who gave me TONS of samples. Literally handful of samples and everytime I see him it's now a routine that he offers any creed samples I want. He gave me sauvage edp, bleu de chanel edp, 2 terre d'hereme eau intense, h24, Bvlgari pour homme, allure homme sport, and about double of every creed fragrance. Definitely test if you can cause I've smelled a LOT of fragrances I have held off on buying because I got samples. I was able to come to conclusions that I don't want things and it puts my mind to rest when I want a cologne. For example I got a sample of spice bomb infrared. Was disappointed by it. On the other hand I got a sample of eau intense vetiver and I fell in love with the woody feel. And smokey nuances in it and have decided on getting a bottle but I've accepted I'll get a 50ML because ill use it for fancy, nicer clothes and its not a lazy day fragrance, unless the deal for a 100 ml is so much better
As usual another great video! Fragrance addiction is real! I started a little less than a year ago and have about 25 bottles. And like you said as soon as I receive a bottle I'm looking for the next.
I'm not addicted (to buying bottles), but I am *obsessed* with fragrances. I've liked fragrances around 10 years. Got really deep into them the last 3 years. Still, I only have 10 bottles (around 100 samples/decants), but I watch fragrance videos and go on forums everyday hours a day. That said, if I don't have the money I just won't buy a fragrance. Even if I did, I don't think my collection would get passed 100. That's still insane, but I have a limit in mind.
@@gummybear41283 I always maintain a 1 sample per day rule; If I buy 10 samples, I wont buy anything else fragrance related for the next 10 days. that way if I buy 30 samples, that's at least a month of not buying fragrances.
Nice video, I was a 1-3 Fragrance guy for most of my life. Since I paid off my mortgage and my daughter’s college tuition my collection has grown over 40 bottles and dozens of samples over the past ten years. Like you mentioned this can apply to anything and along with the easy access to information about any subject, it’s easy to over spend whatever your interests are.
From what I think I find that many people who are "addicted" to fragrance collection are people who Mr. Smelly (another RUclips frag influencer) rightfully diagnosed as 'broken people'....people who are quite fractured in their personal lives and are desperately seeking some tangible proof of "beauty* out there....somewhere...to compensate for the lack of 'beauty" (love, nurture, kindness etc) in their lives... Think about it. This makes sense .
I appreciate that you talked about this because I can relate. I've been interested in fragrances since I was in high school, but only got into collecting and watching fragrance reviewers about 5 or 6 months ago and I've already had that realization that I needed to slow my roll on the spending. Thanks for your insight!
This that real talk truth that needs to be spoken and put out there in fragcomm as a quick reality check for whoever may need it 🙋🏾♂️ I appreacite the heart to heart and sharing your experience with fragrance addiction. Everyone has this at some point...admitting you do is the 1st step. I'm working to better control my impulses. Thx again Snifflord for the words of wisdom👏🏾
Thanks for this valuable video. What helped me curb my fragrance purchasing enthusiasm was to start being more mindful of what I already had. Just enjoying the chase, putting more energy into reading up about fragrance and learning more about perfumery, and focussing on quality rather than quantity. Gone are the days of blind buying cheapies and never using them. I try limiting myself to samples instead of full bottles now, cos I rarely use the samples up anyway. That way I always have plenty to choose from and can invest more thoughtfully when finally buying full bottles.
This is so true. When I think of how little of my 100mL bottles I've used, and I'm still looking at acquiring more... I'll have liters of fragrance just sitting on my shelf. More than enough for 1 lifetime. Great video, this made me press the subscribe button.
What i always say, collect based on your lifestyle. If you work 5 days a week and like to spend your spare time chilling out at home and do simple errands throughout the weekend, how many bottles do you really need? My collection is strictly casual and easy to wear scents that i can wear at almost any time. The rest is in form of 5ml decants.
Just found video and it’s spot on. I got into collecting fragrances after I had a heart attack and had to quit smoking. I replaced one addiction with another. I’m 3 years into collecting and I have approximately 50 bottles which is probably more than I will ever use. When I first start this journey I wanted to get as many bottles as I could and I bought exclusively from retail stores. Making purchases hasn’t created any negative issues but recently I could see where I was starting to spend to much time, effort, energy into looking for new fragrance. I realized at the end of 2021 that I spent more money on fragrances than what I would want others to know. I have decided that purchasing will be dramatic cut. Great video I would say most people collecting fragrances or anything else for that matter can relate to this
I appreciate your honesty, I get the “addiction” portion, especially when new things are constantly coming out. I found that keeping an excel spreadsheet like a complete nerd helped with the need/want to buy. Cuz it was like I satisfied the “ok I want this, and it’s marked down now, so I’ll get it one day down the road”, and made it much easier to not buy so much.
This is a must have conversation. I noticed it’s so easy to hoard full size bottles because they look nice and are also difficult to actually finish. You almost don’t want to use them while still desiring new fragrance experiences. You’re certainly in my Top 3 fragrance channels! 🏆💯
Thank you for your video. It's not just guys who get addicted. It's not a gender issue it's a personality issue. I know I have a problem. I'm not in debt but I have a problem. Your video has helped me make a decision to do something about it.
This video has brought me to the realization that I have been down playing this very topic! It Is A Real Issue Too Many Have Allowed To Flourish! My ADDICTION was in finding popular Fragrances in oil form! I have close to 20 colognes and maybe 30 oils! Thanks a million for the this video again! Much respect and Great Work well done!
My guy I feel like your family or something weird I know, I don’t want to have an intervention tho. I’m watching this video 2 years later but your authenticity is real not just in this video and this is why I love watching. Great. Honest. Real. Thank you
I just did this. Don't get me wrong, I love my collection but I bought 150 bottles in 2 months. I spent over 6000 in that time period as well. I had to cool it and sit back and realize that I could never use all of what I own in my lifetime. I wanted to do a RUclips channel which I have started but the addiction is real and I really appreciate you for talking about it and bringing light to it. You are real one for this video!
I just got into fragrances and have been keeping myself to 5ml decants max. Nice to hear someone be honest about how collecting can be a problem if you're not responsible.
You will easily continue to rise. Probably the first guy I started watching doing reviews along with Chaos Fragrances. Congratulations on hitting 50K. Great reviews and always an honest opinion. Great to get your wife's opinion too, the point is for guys to get recognized by women and smell great to themselves so it really helps. thank you.
first of all, thank you. i clicked into this video to see what you had to say, and i ended up realizing i have a fragrance addiction and i'm going into debt right now. i have about 40 fragrances in my collection (it's been two years of collecting), more than one for each occasion, and it might just be time for me to chill out a little. thank you again.
I have over 110 bottles zero debt , thank goodness..... I want bleu de channel and have tested it 3 times since last Christmas with decants and still haven’t pull the trigger.. if I love I will buy it on the spot , if not will not buy just to buy ... nice video
In a very similar way I also got FRAD. Luckily I was working at a duty free frag shop on cruise ships back in the mid 90's. The samples were endless. Especially during training sessions from the vendors. These days, after having sampled tens of thousands of fragrances I find that generating my own blends in a private mini lab satisfies this need best. Logically, it seems that most of the truly dedicated noses end up here. Peter at Fragranceview even did a 'how to' video on it. I couldn't recommend it enough if you have a little cash, some time and a sterile work area. Thanks for the content Ash. Your Objective views save me time.
Literally, break myself, to this day, buying fragrance after fragrance after fragrance. Each and every month. Instead of going to the newest restaurant, I chose new fragrances instead. Still, have outlets to sell the ones I dislike, and my friend on eBay helps me as well. First Fragrance Ever: Chaps by Ralph Lauren, First Cheapie was Chaz.
Thanks for being open and having this conversation. Fragrance haul videos got me going to a bad place. I’m trying to shift to a minimalist mindset in regards to fragrance, clothes, etc.
I admire you for being so honest about this topic, because it feels very relatable. Getting new perfumes can be indeed very addicting, I noticed it with myself too... you buy the fragrance you wanted to buy all the time, and as soon as you get it, you look for the next exciting ultimate scent, the holy grail scent that suits you perfectly. Gladly I didn't make debts, but I already noticed just buying and buying is useless, and very costly, because the perfumes just end on a shelf or in a closet and often are not even used, because there are just so many options to chose from, and it would take ages to use them up. I kinda adopted a minimalist approach to try only having 3 full bottles of perfumes at a time. If I want to experience more perfumes I buy samples (like niche perfume samples). If I want a new full bottle I sell one of the current 3 or just wait till I finished one.
Glad I came across this video. As someone who has just started getting into fragrances, it's such an important reminder especially coming from a prominent fragrance figure like Ash!
Thank you for speaking on this topic, I have an addictive personality and it was evident when I started getting fragrances. Luckily I was able to recognize and stop spending $$ on full bottles. I was able to satisfy my urge by getting samples which are free from the store or if niche I would just get the sample pack. It worked for me and I realized I didn't need every new release. People who watch frag reviews don't realize that most fragrance reviewers get sent free bottles for review by the manufacture and they aren't spending a lot of their own $$ once they get an established channel.
Fair play. So refreshing to hear a fragrance content creator come out with this message. I’m a new collector with a modest budget to spend that i’m lucky enough to be able to invest. Samples included, am currently at maybe 150 fragrances. Loving the journey, but your observations on addiction and always looking for the next scent are so on point. I accidentally got started buying fragrances after watching several fragrance channels. Glad I did, but Its genuinely really refreshing to see you raise this issue. Most people really only need a maximum of 4 or 5 fragrances (even 2 is fine!) and shouldn’t fall down the rabbit hole! Much thanks
I'm addicted to RUclips and I collect a lot of fragrances, nail art supplies, makeup, clothes, news and stocks. Your frank conversation is basly needed on many communities within RUclips. Most importantly, we give up time to develop our lives to watch and develop content.
Brother, this one really spoke to me, and I very much appreciate your insight, honestly. I could easily fall into that addiction, if it weren't for limited finances, but those shoes, fit me very well, for sure. I have always loved fragrances, since I can remember, envied others for their collections, but still wanted to be set apart, so I set out to find ones that I genuinely enjoyed, not just because everyone was wearing those colognes. I now have a modest collection of my own, I do really enjoy those that I own, but this video reminded me, that with my personality, I could easily fall into the addiction trap, and even though I want to have more fragrances, that I need to keep myself in check, period. I should enjoy what I have, and not try to build my collection, just to grow it, but to experience the joy that fragrances truly bring to me, and others that I encounter. Sorry for the book, though I did shorten it way down, thank you, very much, for this discussion, I needed to hear it. All the best, brother!~
Was listening to you so carefully after I blow my credit cards with over charges and still waiting for a way to pay off. I get the addiction is a part of your interest but it did harmed my wallet from past 6 months. Sitting down with 456 bottles never wanted all this but I cant sell any because they all special to me. Its a big thumbs up. This video will bring a stop to many of us who over spend. Like you said nothing satisfies you. Lesson learned. Ash you got me this time. Thank you for this wonderful video.
Wow! This has to be one of the realist video I’ve seen. It’s a taboo topic but it’s a very real problem. Thanks for always being one of the most honest reviewers! Much respect.
Thank you bro! This is actually what i needed to hear, after 60+ fragrances in less than 2 years i feel you and this validates what ive been trying to tell myself everytime i go on discounters websites "just to check what they got". This video really hit in the heart, when you said that we feel that we need to catch up and increase the collection and still not be satisfied because they'll always be a new flanker or release down the road!! Uff...
I definitely fell into the rabbit 🕳 I started my collection a year ago and I have 19 fragrances to date I’m starting to get into niche with Layton and it blew me away now I’m getting everything from this house pls help me Ashton 😌
Alarming the amount of interests people can lose themselves in. I tried years ago to find a scent for myself but never found one that spoke to me or stood out. Did have a couple i liked but the dry downs smelled terrible. Over the last week i’ve been watching your videos and making a list of ones to try. Ordered 175$ in samples (40+) and hope one sticks. Its really admirable you’ve realized you had a problem, turned it around and now make some money from YT revenue and are able to share your passion with anyone who finds your videos. Keep on doing your thing and thanks for making great content!
Great video.. I'm new to fragrance collecting and could relate to so much you said.. I'm not a wealthy guy but must of spent about £350 in the last 6 weeks on fragrances and am trying the justify buying some aventus even tho I know I can't afford it.. Hopefully I will keep this video in mind.. Thanks again..
Yea I’m noticing that I have “the” problem. Mercari and fragrance net are the main places I purchase. It’s never enough for me and I’m always looking for the next new fragrance. Love my bottles I only have 11! Hehe but I think 11 bottles in 3 years is not bad! I try to space out my purchases. I really want Tresor Midnight Rose.
Ash, thank you. I’ve always felt that you’re perhaps the most honest and genuine reviewer out there and this video only reinforces my belief. Many of us today struggle with variations of this problem. it’s tragic for those who put themselves in debt, but even for those of us blessed enough to be able to afford these afflictions, at some point we must recognize our own insanity. For instance, i have close to 100 fragrances. But i also probably have 4-6 months of socks and underwear and maybe 50 dress shirts (many white) that i no longer wear because I’ll probably never step foot into an office for work ever again. As “Modern” men, Sigma, Alpha, Beta, whatever, we need to wake up from the merchandising and marketing nightmare and realize it’s just stuff. Most of which we never really had to have or need to fulfill our lives.
Nice video and thanks for the honesty. I never really went into debt over fragances but even so, it hit me when I wouldn't really worry about buying other things I needed over fragance. I realized I was buying way too much more than I was spraying so I pretty much stopped to just enjoy and finish bottles. This year I have bought no more than 10 fragances. Preferred Stock is where it began for me back in the 7th grade and it got serious a few years later when I got Xeryus Rouge bottle as a gift. Totally blown away by Givenchy.
Thank yo so very much for this. I'm waiting on 3 fragrances now and pretty much buy 3 or 4 a month. In a year I'm up to about 30 including everything from Creed, Bonds and PDM's all the way to Ross and Burlington cheapies. I spend a lot of time watching youtube and reading Fragrantica and Bassnote reviews. I'm bad enough that I'm hiding it from my wife because I know she thinks I'm crazy. I do exactly what you say and open it, smell it and shelve it. I give them to my son's hidden as a gesture of kindness but in reality, making room for more buys so my wife does'nt notice that the 2 spice rack displays I have are over flowing. And I'm constantly looking for that rush, or that compliment. If I get a compliment it just feeds it more. Funny this all started with Drakkar for me as well as I love that stuff and one day decided to look for something similar smelling but more expensive smelling. Aqua Digio Profumo is the closest I've gotten to a spicy expensive version of my fave Drakkar.Any way just wanted to say thank you, I am going to try and go to maybe one new scent a month and try and be cognizant of my addiction. But as for now I've got XS Pure Night, VIP Black and 212 Men that I'm tracking due for a delivery today. Thanks for your vids and reviews, you've become one that I lean on for similar taste and accuracy. Update I’ve done well scaling back and haven’t purchased some juice since then. Now instead of Cologne reviews I started exercising and dieting. I didn’t realize I had an issue with scent collecting. I feel better now and have plenty of money during the week. Thanks.
Buy samples! Can't recommend it enough, I've owned literally every single fragrance mentioned in 90% of fragcom through samples. 2mL samples that most of the time I dont even use 1mL of. saved me a load of money.
Thanks for sharing that. I've never been addicted to fragrances nor has collecting them been a hobby of mine, but I've owned a few over the years. My first ones were gifts from my late mom (passed away in 2004), during my junior high and highschool years. One of them was a Drakkar but I dont recall the bottle looking anything like the one you got there. Everyone loved that and it pretty much became a fad at the time in our tiny island community! Another one was I believe a Givenchy? (blue bottle) that she brought from one of her trips to Japan, but I could be mistaken. Now I remember that one being a little intense and I rarely wore it. The very first fragrance I bought for myself was Calvin Kleins' Escape for men, followed by Davidoff's Echo. Years later after I got married, I bought a bottle of Chanel's Allure Sport, when it was first released. I currently own a bottle of Bleu De Chanel which my wife loves and got for me as an anniversary present. My interest in fragrances has only recently been rekindled, and I have been enjoying your videos along with other channels like Redolessence and Chaos Fragrances. Wow, that's the most I've ever mentioned in a RUclips comment! Lol
Hey seriously Thank you. You've kinda opened my eyes to what Im doing as somone one month into fragrence.. I dont even spend any time enjoying the fragrence I just got before searching for my next fix. Your videos like this and the scentbird vid is why You have my trust entirely. You are truly a solid Man for posting things like this 🙌
Bought my first 'real' fragrances 1 week ago. I know that I am the type of person who would get addicted, I've watched and read so many reviews during the last 2 weeks, but I've set myself a limit. I will only buy the ones in the 'most complimented' category and will stop after, even though those usually don't get approved by the 'fragrance community'. I won't be getting into niche fragrances, etc.
I agree Bottle Addiction is REAL!!! Great subject to cover. I had to slow down and ask myself what I'm doing, and asked how I got so many bottles so quickly. Maybe I've been playing the Catch Up Game.
Excellent and much needed video. I’ve also learned that if I’m going to buy a fragrance, to buy the smaller size. If I’m really going to wear it that much, I can rebuy it (which has yet to happen). I also owned Brut. For me it really started with Polo Green, Drakkar and Aqua di Gio.
Great video Ash. You still remind me of the bad guy in the new version of the Magnificent Seven but I love you anyway! Fragrance addiction? I have a LOT of designer and niche fragrances and have slowed down big time in the past few years and have learned the power of two things : 1. Decants before committing to a full bottle and 2. Decant your bottles and get some of your money back!
There's a fine line between a passionate collector and being addicted to something. I find it helpful to take long breaks from buying whatever you are collecting. Take that time to go back and enjoy those things you've bought. If you find that you can't take a break, you know you have a problem.
Yep People need to get a grip out there I use approx 5 to 7 frags in aut/win And the same in spring/ summer Hence i go through 10 to 15 bottles a year I always buy bigger bottles because they are better value
my name is dweller.. and I am a fragrance addict. I just spent about $800 on fragrances in the past week. I used to be into fragrances and then it died out for whatever reason. recently i dug up some old fragrances and fell back in love and now even harder that I'm getting into niche fragrances.
Sephora has gotten a bit tight on the samples out here. I may slide through and ask if they have any, and 9 out of 10 times, they say they don't. I think they are selling them online for themselves. I used to be able to refill my own up there, or I could buy a 50 ml bottle, and they would throw me like half a dozen.
Preach brother!A lot of RUclips frag channels have been vanished because of that.Any addiction is bad.Set a monthly budget for your fragrance purchase and go with quantity over quality.
Hi Ashton. Great video. Much respect to you for this content. I am an artistic person all my life. I believe this is why I caught the frag bug, and own over 60 guitars. I can afford it, but I do recognize the sense of urgency when seeing something that appeals to someone (especially with an artistic side). Well done. I appreciate all the work that goes into the videos you and other reviewers do. It's a real passion and commitment.
And great topic Ashton. My advice to those wanting to enjoy fragrances but avoid debt is to sell or trade your bottles once you 'fall out of love' with them and use that money to buy others that you might be interested in so you can enjoy the hobby. Kinda like recycling. Your goals should be to keep the "gems" .. you dont need 1000 bottles
Fragrance addiction is definitely a real thing. Luckily I never went into debt however I found myself spending every extra dollar on fragrances. It’s an easy addiction to have because you can rationalize it by saying you’re investing in yourself and in your confidence. So it’s great to acknowledge it’s a real thing. Great video, keep it up.
My addiction happens to be fragrances and bags. Bad combination as they both can be expensive. I ran out of excuses. I don't smoke, drink alcohol, gamble or do drugs so I must have some sort of a vice so here they are ! You're absolutely correct. Addiction comes in many forms.
Hey Ash, amazing video. You're a great person and it takes courage to come publicly as you did talking about this topic. I completely agree with you, it can happen with any product, and it's especially easy to buy something you don't need to through e-commerce and also digital games. I can't say that for sure, but I'm under the impression that some people try to find that "special product" that will make them extremely unique or completely stand out from the crowd. And it's probably more common with younger guys that fear getting rejected or that think a fragrance will make it easier for them to date or something (and we know that fragrances help, but are far from being the only factor in relationships). One thing that maybe contributes to fragrance addiction is the risk of them being discontinued. Decants are an option in this case, as you said. Thanks for the high quality content.
This is perhaps one of the most open, honest and real video. Speaks to a deeper issue about addiction in general and I appreciate you putting it out there. Cheers!
Amazing video! Even from a financial and life lessons perspective. This is why you’re my favorite fragrance reviewer and enthusiast. I really like these chilled personal conversations type of videos you make now. It’s incredible. Thank you for everything! Keep up the great content!
I feel you and I have spent all my free money into fragrance . I need to sit back and enjoy what I have.
I don't even have a RUclips channel and I can feel the pull of that rabbit hole. I'm sinking a lot of money into decants and samples, but at least I'm not blind buying loads of bottles... For me, setting a monthly budget helps (even though I invariably overspend that!)
I dont buy other things , but I bought like 6 Fragrances this year. I need to slow down
@@heinzentertainments4661 ya, it all really depends on your wants, needs and if you are in control. Enjoy those great fragrances my friend.
@@ScentitarFragrance I am sometimes a little afraid that I 'm not in control, because I got into colognes last year but bought most of my fragrances this year
@@heinzentertainments4661 dont fear my friend ! 6 fragrance in a year is not bad. Take things at your own times, if you find yourself buying for entertainment, then that is where you can control the spending.
This isn’t talked about enough. Thanks for putting this out there and being honest about your experience.
One thing I learned some time ago in my fragrance journey is that just because you think a fragrance smells great doesn't mean you need to own it, or that you would even wear it. I love Tea For Two, but I don't want to walk around smelling like lapsang souchong all day. You get what I'm saying. Fragrance is an art form, and you can appreciate a piece of art without owning it. Moreover, the more fragrances you own, the more fragrances will likely sit on your shelf, and the less you will actually wear them! So own what you can't live without, and just appreciate the rest.
Lol Sharpie cologne 😆
@@jraybay gasoline
I agree I've actually approached my fragrances similarly to how I approach my wardrobe, capsules. a few staple versatile pieces that fit the season and are appropriate for many types of occasions. So I usually have two fall/winter scents and two spring/summer scents in full bottles.
Amen
I’m kind of addicted to fragrances, but it’s so OK! Better than alcohol or drugs!!
voice88out agree
That's because you are buying bad quality designer drugs. U need niche or indie drugs 👍
Until you go broke being addicted to fragrances. lol
Ash, I’ve been sober for a year and a half (drugs and alcohol) and felt like this was becoming another vice (I’ve purchased 37 colognes in 7 months). Thanks for your honesty, it’s making me take a step back now and truly look at my weekly purchase list. Thanks for your honesty man.
Voice88out, try not to knock those who unfortunately became addicted to drugs and alcohol, it’s not something we’d wish on our worst enemy. Glad you weren’t one of them. Peace.
I watched this 6 months too late. Ironically, your channel is one of the reasons for the escalating addiction. But I really needed to watch this. A shot in the arm. Thank you.
Really enjoyed this, and I can of course relate. Thanks Ashton.
Im not in debt but the addiction is real smh lol
I appreciate you making this video. When I started my collection I'd justify the small purchases mentally not realizing how quickly they add up. During my fragrance journey I've also regrettably blind bought full bottle based off a reviewers suggestion. I've even tried to justify the purchases by saying "I can make my money back and then more if I begin to sale decants" and never got around to it smh. It's just as bad as any addiction but swept under rug and just not talked about. At my worst point I found myself hunting down rare or hard to find fragrances via foreign sites and using a service like Parcl to have it shipped to me here in the US. Thank you for being honest and sharing your experience.
Thank you for bringing up this issue. I feel like most of the community laughs it off but for many it is a real problem. I nearly fell into the cycle of buying new frags for that sweet dopamine rush, but sat down and calculated that with my small collection of only 13 bottles I had enough fragrance to last me daily for ten years... Now I've stopped and am happy with what I have!
Brother you got me I feel like you talking to me thanks for this video.
Literally gained a lot of respect from me on this post. I learned very early how expensive this hobby could become so to save money I would sample around and ultimately if my wife love a particular fragrance I would purchase it. The catch is if the purchase didn’t come from living expenses nor set me back from financial goals then it’s fair game.
Yea I’m officially “done” for now. I’m super happy with what I have. I don’t need anymore now.
Great to hear about this topic being discussed. Appreciate your Insight and sharing your personal experience. 🙏
I think any hobby has an addictive stage , it doesn't matter if it's fragrances / martial arts or painting. When you start something new , it becomes what you talk & think about most often
The thing with fragrances is that they cost money every time that you indulge the hobby where as other hobbies don't often cost money every time you partake in it.
It'll be interesting to hear from others if they choose to share. It can only help others.
Stellar as always 👌
You and Medhi really can't get enough ay?
@@Denco12 😂 our projection and sillage are far reaching
Thanks for this chat...I was feeling as if I were the only one going through this. I’ve bout 30 fragrances in a little under two months thankfully all from discounters. Luckily I have a great job so no debt but I still would like to get back to saving money. I do have an addiction issue (video games, clothes, etc...) and this is the latest passion. Thanks again!
Bought *
One tip for not buying too many fragrances:
Test as many fragrances as you can, without buying. Then at the end of the search, decide which ones were the best and go for those.
The most common 'mistake' people do is, they try a fragrance, they like it a lot and buy it immediately. Then a week later, try another one from the same category (say, aquatic) and like it even more, and buy the new one (and so on). What happens? The first ones that they liked get left behind because they simply have other ones they like more. And the collection just gets bigger.
I've spent $300 on just samples in the past week
@Florent Fejzula
Story of my life. Example: Bought Armani Code Absolu and love it love it. Now bought Stronger With You Intensely and Freeze and I like them even more. Now Code Absolu hardly gets used even though I love it.
@@pereiraplaza222 why do you like them more?
I bought the entire ysl y line just to realize the only one i ever wanna wear is the edp, what a waste of money. I have been spending a lot on decants lately
@@danfragrancelife3449 why do you like the edp
Thank you, man! It really means a lot when a fragrance reviewer of your value speaks from his heart and doesn't push you to buy "the maximum fragrance out there", like others do... You are really an inspiration for me, I'm 20 and almost bankrupt from buying frags :) So thank you A LOT for the piece of advice. Keep up with the great work and stay blessed!🙏 Greetings from Romania :)👋
This is totally me. I'm trying to pay off my credit cards now and I still wanna keep buying. Totally need this advice. Very honest, which is why I love this channel
After watching this video was when I started the rule to only buy a new fragrance when I have finished a bottle/ resold a bottle. My collection stays steady at 12 fragrances now.
I dunno how mine started a year ago. I think I heard someone say every man needs a signature scent. And the hunt began. Wanted by Night was my first real non-Wal-Mart fragrance I bought.
I bought Prada Luna Rossa Carbon and Wanted by Night as my first on this journey as well... Once you experience a smell like those, your eyes are opened lol
How many in your collection?
much respect, takes integrity and empathy to put this out, thank you. I am coming to the end of my initial binge, it’s tenuous with my money, gotta put the cap back on so to speak. I am going to enjoy the ones I have now.
Thank goodness I saw this video! Before I only had two fragrances: Bleu de Chanel EDP and Luna Rossa Carbon. A friend had six Creed fragrances-- which got me into the hard stuff. I bought Creed, Parfums de Marly, and high end designers. Watched hours of fragrance reviews. Think I'm gonna stop now and enjoy what I have.
You are right I just started collecting 3 weeks ago and I’ve spent more than $15000 on blind buys and I have over 60 I need to stop because I don’t think I’d ever finish this ones and also the money leaving my account. Thanks this video really helped.
Jesus lol
@@Lahautz I’m rid of the addiction
Lol that's pretty funny
@@Ramonimalik Have you tried selling off your fragrances?
@@aaronrubalcava7810 i stopped following RUclipsrs and left all groups
Thanks for the honesty and vulnerability. Addiction is totally a topic worth discussing. I avoided much debt by participating in bottle splits and picking up partials, but it still was expensive and fueled an addiction. It is also expensive in terms of time spent searching-many hours, as time is a more precious asset than money. Love your channel, Ashton. Thanks for sharing.
Brother I needed this video. Thank you.
That being said, I'll order my last 2 bottles.... I PROMISE! Haha.
Kidding aside, I just started my detox from buying fragrances and this video is really timely. Thanks Ash.
“Detox” this aint nicotine 🤣
This is real af! I bought like 50 fragrances in a few months of starting and only bought "cheapies" for the first month! Thankfully I slowed down and didn't put myself in debt! Now I will only get 1 every month or so
bporter1220
Same here I’m at one a month or 100$ a month. My wife finally said something when she found the stash under the sink. 72 bottles in 14 weeks.
@@moeg3752 I hear ya! My wife would just look at me crazy af everytime I'd bring a package in the house
Thank you for the vulnerability man! I am a beginner fragrance fan and since seeing all these fantastic fragrance reviews I really feel the pressure to build a large collection of fragrances in order to "match up" to collectors. I still decided to keep my collection at a level where my usage is in balance with my purchasing and for me that balance is at having exactly 12 fragrances. This made me really consider what I value in a fragrance and each one in my little collection is very special to me and serves a very different purpose. I'm glad you opened up and did not give air to guilt-tripping or shame. Thank you!
Getting into debt over an addiction is so bad and should be stopped. I knew a guy who blows all his income so easily over fragrance and has debt over them. He is more under control but he has got problem
i've been using that oud/vanilla for a year or so, i love it. the shampoo/shower gel stuff leaves the shower smelling great. i got the cologne from india when it first came out. it is an excellent scent imho.
Didn't realize that I was actually starting to get into that mind set. Addictive personality runs in my family badly and while I've stayed clear all my life from drugs and feel the itch in my brain to want to drink irresponsibly I realize it and keep it in check. What i didn't realize was I was getting severe fragrance addiction. I just got off of a Gfuel collecting addiction and didn't realize all i was doing was chasing the next dopamine rush through fragrances...Every day I want to go to Marshalls for a new deal on a cologne and didn't realize it was getting serious, I didn't realize I was feeling a pressure to catch up in cologne collecting that was pointless until you pointed it out. This is seriously brought me awareness and now I can keep myself more in check responsibly with my money. Thank you Gentscents
Exactly how I felt watching this only I have a few more then that 😄 couple grand within a couple.months but what a rush lol I'll still be watching and maybe a hit or two here and there but what I've been doing has got to stop lol
@@dusthart8303 I'm still buying them up but I appreciate them more. I've tried sampling a lot more which doesn't always work cause some sample prices are ridiculous. Pay 10 bucks for a noir extreme sample by Tom ford and I get a vial smaller then my pinky and as thin as paper 😂 or I've seen nautica voyage samples for 5 bucks before taxes and shipping on Mercari when that fragrance costs 12 bucks for a full size at Marshall's. Your best bet honestly and what I've learned to do, is to sample at fragrance places and make friends there. If you do you'll get tons of samples for free and what ever you can sample you can try on there. I know a guy at blooming dales who gave me TONS of samples. Literally handful of samples and everytime I see him it's now a routine that he offers any creed samples I want. He gave me sauvage edp, bleu de chanel edp, 2 terre d'hereme eau intense, h24, Bvlgari pour homme, allure homme sport, and about double of every creed fragrance. Definitely test if you can cause I've smelled a LOT of fragrances I have held off on buying because I got samples. I was able to come to conclusions that I don't want things and it puts my mind to rest when I want a cologne. For example I got a sample of spice bomb infrared. Was disappointed by it. On the other hand I got a sample of eau intense vetiver and I fell in love with the woody feel. And smokey nuances in it and have decided on getting a bottle but I've accepted I'll get a 50ML because ill use it for fancy, nicer clothes and its not a lazy day fragrance, unless the deal for a 100 ml is so much better
@@nonnone7060 yes Ino more blond buys that's where I went wrong 😅 love this hobby tho
I was expecting you to say ; How can I help you to get out of it 😂
I need that way more ... and my first fragrance was same brut 🙏RESPECT
As usual another great video! Fragrance addiction is real! I started a little less than a year ago and have about 25 bottles. And like you said as soon as I receive a bottle I'm looking for the next.
I'm not addicted (to buying bottles), but I am *obsessed* with fragrances.
I've liked fragrances around 10 years. Got really deep into them the last 3 years. Still, I only have 10 bottles (around 100 samples/decants), but I watch fragrance videos and go on forums everyday hours a day.
That said, if I don't have the money I just won't buy a fragrance.
Even if I did, I don't think my collection would get passed 100. That's still insane, but I have a limit in mind.
I've spent $300 on just samples in the past week
@@gummybear41283 I always maintain a 1 sample per day rule; If I buy 10 samples, I wont buy anything else fragrance related for the next 10 days. that way if I buy 30 samples, that's at least a month of not buying fragrances.
Nice video, I was a 1-3 Fragrance guy for most of my life. Since I paid off my mortgage and my daughter’s college tuition my collection has grown over 40 bottles and dozens of samples over the past ten years. Like you mentioned this can apply to anything and along with the easy access to information about any subject, it’s easy to over spend whatever your interests are.
From what I think I find that many people who are "addicted" to fragrance collection are people who Mr. Smelly (another RUclips frag influencer) rightfully diagnosed as 'broken people'....people who are quite fractured in their personal lives and are desperately seeking some tangible proof of "beauty* out there....somewhere...to compensate for the lack of 'beauty" (love, nurture, kindness etc) in their lives...
Think about it.
This makes sense .
I appreciate that you talked about this because I can relate. I've been interested in fragrances since I was in high school, but only got into collecting and watching fragrance reviewers about 5 or 6 months ago and I've already had that realization that I needed to slow my roll on the spending. Thanks for your insight!
This that real talk truth that needs to be spoken and put out there in fragcomm as a quick reality check for whoever may need it 🙋🏾♂️ I appreacite the heart to heart and sharing your experience with fragrance addiction. Everyone has this at some point...admitting you do is the 1st step. I'm working to better control my impulses. Thx again Snifflord for the words of wisdom👏🏾
Everytime I find myself doing it. I watched this post. Thank you.
Same
Thanks for this valuable video. What helped me curb my fragrance purchasing enthusiasm was to start being more mindful of what I already had. Just enjoying the chase, putting more energy into reading up about fragrance and learning more about perfumery, and focussing on quality rather than quantity. Gone are the days of blind buying cheapies and never using them. I try limiting myself to samples instead of full bottles now, cos I rarely use the samples up anyway. That way I always have plenty to choose from and can invest more thoughtfully when finally buying full bottles.
This is so true. When I think of how little of my 100mL bottles I've used, and I'm still looking at acquiring more... I'll have liters of fragrance just sitting on my shelf. More than enough for 1 lifetime. Great video, this made me press the subscribe button.
What i always say, collect based on your lifestyle. If you work 5 days a week and like to spend your spare time chilling out at home and do simple errands throughout the weekend, how many bottles do you really need?
My collection is strictly casual and easy to wear scents that i can wear at almost any time. The rest is in form of 5ml decants.
Just found video and it’s spot on. I got into collecting fragrances after I had a heart attack and had to quit smoking. I replaced one addiction with another. I’m 3 years into collecting and I have approximately 50 bottles which is probably more than I will ever use. When I first start this journey I wanted to get as many bottles as I could and I bought exclusively from retail stores. Making purchases hasn’t created any negative issues but recently I could see where I was starting to spend to much time, effort, energy into looking for new fragrance. I realized at the end of 2021 that I spent more money on fragrances than what I would want others to know. I have decided that purchasing will be dramatic cut. Great video I would say most people collecting fragrances or anything else for that matter can relate to this
Great topic👍
I stopped buying full bottles and mostly just buy decants. If I love it then....I'll buy a full bottle.
Peace✌
Same here
I appreciate your honesty, I get the “addiction” portion, especially when new things are constantly coming out. I found that keeping an excel spreadsheet like a complete nerd helped with the need/want to buy. Cuz it was like I satisfied the “ok I want this, and it’s marked down now, so I’ll get it one day down the road”, and made it much easier to not buy so much.
This is a must have conversation. I noticed it’s so easy to hoard full size bottles because they look nice and are also difficult to actually finish. You almost don’t want to use them while still desiring new fragrance experiences. You’re certainly in my Top 3 fragrance channels! 🏆💯
Thank you for your video. It's not just guys who get addicted. It's not a gender issue it's a personality issue. I know I have a problem. I'm not in debt but I have a problem. Your video has helped me make a decision to do something about it.
This video has brought me to the realization that I have been down playing this very topic! It Is A Real Issue Too Many Have Allowed To Flourish! My ADDICTION was in finding popular Fragrances in oil form! I have close to 20 colognes and maybe 30 oils!
Thanks a million for the this video again! Much respect and Great Work well done!
This legit just woke me up to the fact I have been falling into this.
My guy I feel like your family or something weird I know, I don’t want to have an intervention tho. I’m watching this video 2 years later but your authenticity is real not just in this video and this is why I love watching. Great. Honest. Real. Thank you
I just did this. Don't get me wrong, I love my collection but I bought 150 bottles in 2 months. I spent over 6000 in that time period as well. I had to cool it and sit back and realize that I could never use all of what I own in my lifetime. I wanted to do a RUclips channel which I have started but the addiction is real and I really appreciate you for talking about it and bringing light to it. You are real one for this video!
I just got into fragrances and have been keeping myself to 5ml decants max. Nice to hear someone be honest about how collecting can be a problem if you're not responsible.
You will easily continue to rise. Probably the first guy I started watching doing reviews along with Chaos Fragrances. Congratulations on hitting 50K. Great reviews and always an honest opinion. Great to get your wife's opinion too, the point is for guys to get recognized by women and smell great to themselves so it really helps. thank you.
Dude you caught me. This is what I needed to hear brother. Thanks.
first of all, thank you. i clicked into this video to see what you had to say, and i ended up realizing i have a fragrance addiction and i'm going into debt right now. i have about 40 fragrances in my collection (it's been two years of collecting), more than one for each occasion, and it might just be time for me to chill out a little. thank you again.
I have over 110 bottles zero debt , thank goodness..... I want bleu de channel and have tested it 3 times since last Christmas with decants and still haven’t pull the trigger.. if I love I will buy it on the spot , if not will not buy just to buy ... nice video
In a very similar way I also got FRAD. Luckily I was working at a duty free frag shop on cruise ships back in the mid 90's. The samples were endless. Especially during training sessions from the vendors. These days, after having sampled tens of thousands of fragrances I find that generating my own blends in a private mini lab satisfies this need best. Logically, it seems that most of the truly dedicated noses end up here. Peter at Fragranceview even did a 'how to' video on it. I couldn't recommend it enough if you have a little cash, some time and a sterile work area. Thanks for the content Ash. Your Objective views save me time.
Literally, break myself, to this day, buying fragrance after fragrance after fragrance. Each and every month. Instead of going to the newest restaurant, I chose new fragrances instead. Still, have outlets to sell the ones I dislike, and my friend on eBay helps me as well. First Fragrance Ever: Chaps by Ralph Lauren, First Cheapie was Chaz.
Thanks for being open and having this conversation. Fragrance haul videos got me going to a bad place. I’m trying to shift to a minimalist mindset in regards to fragrance, clothes, etc.
I admire you for being so honest about this topic, because it feels very relatable.
Getting new perfumes can be indeed very addicting, I noticed it with myself too...
you buy the fragrance you wanted to buy all the time, and as soon as you get it,
you look for the next exciting ultimate scent, the holy grail scent that suits you perfectly.
Gladly I didn't make debts, but I already noticed just buying and buying is useless, and very costly,
because the perfumes just end on a shelf or in a closet and often are not even used,
because there are just so many options to chose from, and it would take ages to use them up.
I kinda adopted a minimalist approach to try only having 3 full bottles of perfumes at a time.
If I want to experience more perfumes I buy samples (like niche perfume samples). If I want a new full bottle
I sell one of the current 3 or just wait till I finished one.
Glad I came across this video. As someone who has just started getting into fragrances, it's such an important reminder especially coming from a prominent fragrance figure like Ash!
Thank you for speaking on this topic, I have an addictive personality and it was evident when I started getting fragrances. Luckily I was able to recognize and stop spending $$ on full bottles. I was able to satisfy my urge by getting samples which are free from the store or if niche I would just get the sample pack. It worked for me and I realized I didn't need every new release. People who watch frag reviews don't realize that most fragrance reviewers get sent free bottles for review by the manufacture and they aren't spending a lot of their own $$ once they get an established channel.
Fair play. So refreshing to hear a fragrance content creator come out with this message. I’m a new collector with a modest budget to spend that i’m lucky enough to be able to invest. Samples included, am currently at maybe 150 fragrances. Loving the journey, but your observations on addiction and always looking for the next scent are so on point. I accidentally got started buying fragrances after watching several fragrance channels. Glad I did, but Its genuinely really refreshing to see you raise this issue. Most people really only need a maximum of 4 or 5 fragrances (even 2 is fine!) and shouldn’t fall down the rabbit hole! Much thanks
Great advice!! Where was this video 2 years ago?? Lol
I'm addicted to RUclips and I collect a lot of fragrances, nail art supplies, makeup, clothes, news and stocks. Your frank conversation is basly needed on many communities within RUclips. Most importantly, we give up time to develop our lives to watch and develop content.
Brother, this one really spoke to me, and I very much appreciate your insight, honestly. I could easily fall into that addiction, if it weren't for limited finances, but those shoes, fit me very well, for sure. I have always loved fragrances, since I can remember, envied others for their collections, but still wanted to be set apart, so I set out to find ones that I genuinely enjoyed, not just because everyone was wearing those colognes. I now have a modest collection of my own, I do really enjoy those that I own, but this video reminded me, that with my personality, I could easily fall into the addiction trap, and even though I want to have more fragrances, that I need to keep myself in check, period. I should enjoy what I have, and not try to build my collection, just to grow it, but to experience the joy that fragrances truly bring to me, and others that I encounter. Sorry for the book, though I did shorten it way down, thank you, very much, for this discussion, I needed to hear it. All the best, brother!~
Was listening to you so carefully after I blow my credit cards with over charges and still waiting for a way to pay off.
I get the addiction is a part of your interest but it did harmed my wallet from past 6 months.
Sitting down with 456 bottles never wanted all this but I cant sell any because they all special to me.
Its a big thumbs up. This video will bring a stop to many of us who over spend. Like you said nothing satisfies you.
Lesson learned.
Ash you got me this time. Thank you for this wonderful video.
Wow! This has to be one of the realist video I’ve seen. It’s a taboo topic but it’s a very real problem. Thanks for always being one of the most honest reviewers! Much respect.
Thank you bro! This is actually what i needed to hear, after 60+ fragrances in less than 2 years i feel you and this validates what ive been trying to tell myself everytime i go on discounters websites "just to check what they got". This video really hit in the heart, when you said that we feel that we need to catch up and increase the collection and still not be satisfied because they'll always be a new flanker or release down the road!! Uff...
I definitely fell into the rabbit 🕳 I started my collection a year ago and I have 19 fragrances to date I’m starting to get into niche with Layton and it blew me away now I’m getting everything from this house pls help me Ashton 😌
Alarming the amount of interests people can lose themselves in. I tried years ago to find a scent for myself but never found one that spoke to me or stood out. Did have a couple i liked but the dry downs smelled terrible. Over the last week i’ve been watching your videos and making a list of ones to try. Ordered 175$ in samples (40+) and hope one sticks. Its really admirable you’ve realized you had a problem, turned it around and now make some money from YT revenue and are able to share your passion with anyone who finds your videos. Keep on doing your thing and thanks for making great content!
The story of your uncle was incredibly heart warming. Just goes to show it's really the thought that counts when it comes to gifts like these.
This is deep man, an eye opener for sure.
As a newbie in collecting fragrances, I am really glad I came across this video. This is for me. Thanks Man!
Great video.. I'm new to fragrance collecting and could relate to so much you said.. I'm not a wealthy guy but must of spent about £350 in the last 6 weeks on fragrances and am trying the justify buying some aventus even tho I know I can't afford it.. Hopefully I will keep this video in mind.. Thanks again..
How about how?
How are you now do you still buy Fragrance?
Yea I’m noticing that I have “the” problem. Mercari and fragrance net are the main places I purchase. It’s never enough for me and I’m always looking for the next new fragrance. Love my bottles I only have 11! Hehe but I think 11 bottles in 3 years is not bad! I try to space out my purchases. I really want Tresor Midnight Rose.
Ash, thank you. I’ve always felt that you’re perhaps the most honest and genuine reviewer out there and this video only reinforces my belief. Many of us today struggle with variations of this problem. it’s tragic for those who put themselves in debt, but even for those of us blessed enough to be able to afford these afflictions, at some point we must recognize our own insanity. For instance, i have close to 100 fragrances. But i also probably have 4-6 months of socks and underwear and maybe 50 dress shirts (many white) that i no longer wear because I’ll probably never step foot into an office for work ever again. As “Modern” men, Sigma, Alpha, Beta, whatever, we need to wake up from the merchandising and marketing nightmare and realize it’s just stuff. Most of which we never really had to have or need to fulfill our lives.
Nice video and thanks for the honesty. I never really went into debt over fragances but even so, it hit me when I wouldn't really worry about buying other things I needed over fragance. I realized I was buying way too much more than I was spraying so I pretty much stopped to just enjoy and finish bottles. This year I have bought no more than 10 fragances. Preferred Stock is where it began for me back in the 7th grade and it got serious a few years later when I got Xeryus Rouge bottle as a gift. Totally blown away by Givenchy.
Thank yo so very much for this. I'm waiting on 3 fragrances now and pretty much buy 3 or 4 a month. In a year I'm up to about 30 including everything from Creed, Bonds and PDM's all the way to Ross and Burlington cheapies. I spend a lot of time watching youtube and reading Fragrantica and Bassnote reviews. I'm bad enough that I'm hiding it from my wife because I know she thinks I'm crazy. I do exactly what you say and open it, smell it and shelve it. I give them to my son's hidden as a gesture of kindness but in reality, making room for more buys so my wife does'nt notice that the 2 spice rack displays I have are over flowing. And I'm constantly looking for that rush, or that compliment. If I get a compliment it just feeds it more. Funny this all started with Drakkar for me as well as I love that stuff and one day decided to look for something similar smelling but more expensive smelling. Aqua Digio Profumo is the closest I've gotten to a spicy expensive version of my fave Drakkar.Any way just wanted to say thank you, I am going to try and go to maybe one new scent a month and try and be cognizant of my addiction. But as for now I've got XS Pure Night, VIP Black and 212 Men that I'm tracking due for a delivery today. Thanks for your vids and reviews, you've become one that I lean on for similar taste and accuracy.
Update
I’ve done well scaling back and haven’t purchased some juice since then. Now instead of Cologne reviews I started exercising and dieting. I didn’t realize I had an issue with scent collecting. I feel better now and have plenty of money during the week. Thanks.
Buy samples! Can't recommend it enough, I've owned literally every single fragrance mentioned in 90% of fragcom through samples. 2mL samples that most of the time I dont even use 1mL of. saved me a load of money.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing that. I've never been addicted to fragrances nor has collecting them been a hobby of mine, but I've owned a few over the years.
My first ones were gifts from my late mom (passed away in 2004), during my junior high and highschool years. One of them was a Drakkar but I dont recall the bottle looking anything like the one you got there. Everyone loved that and it pretty much became a fad at the time in our tiny island community!
Another one was I believe a Givenchy? (blue bottle) that she brought from one of her trips to Japan, but I could be mistaken. Now I remember that one being a little intense and I rarely wore it.
The very first fragrance I bought for myself was Calvin Kleins' Escape for men, followed by Davidoff's Echo. Years later after I got married, I bought a bottle of Chanel's Allure Sport, when it was first released. I currently own a bottle of Bleu De Chanel which my wife loves and got for me as an anniversary present.
My interest in fragrances has only recently been rekindled, and I have been enjoying your videos along with other channels like Redolessence and Chaos Fragrances. Wow, that's the most I've ever mentioned in a RUclips comment! Lol
Hey seriously Thank you. You've kinda opened my eyes to what Im doing as somone one month into fragrence..
I dont even spend any time enjoying the fragrence I just got before searching for my next fix.
Your videos like this and the scentbird vid is why You have my trust entirely. You are truly a solid Man for posting things like this 🙌
Bought my first 'real' fragrances 1 week ago.
I know that I am the type of person who would get addicted, I've watched and read so many reviews during the last 2 weeks, but I've set myself a limit.
I will only buy the ones in the 'most complimented' category and will stop after, even though those usually don't get approved by the 'fragrance community'. I won't be getting into niche fragrances, etc.
I agree Bottle Addiction is REAL!!! Great subject to cover. I had to slow down and ask myself what I'm doing, and asked how I got so many bottles so quickly. Maybe I've been playing the Catch Up Game.
I started collecting around three months ago and I already bought over 25 fragrances so I’m glad I found this video.
Excellent and much needed video. I’ve also learned that if I’m going to buy a fragrance, to buy the smaller size. If I’m really going to wear it that much, I can rebuy it (which has yet to happen). I also owned Brut. For me it really started with Polo Green, Drakkar and Aqua di Gio.
Great video Ash. You still remind me of the bad guy in the new version of the Magnificent Seven but I love you anyway!
Fragrance addiction? I have a LOT of designer and niche fragrances and have slowed down big time in the past few years and have learned the power of two things : 1. Decants before committing to a full bottle and 2. Decant your bottles and get some of your money back!
There's a fine line between a passionate collector and being addicted to something. I find it helpful to take long breaks from buying whatever you are collecting. Take that time to go back and enjoy those things you've bought. If you find that you can't take a break, you know you have a problem.
Yep
People need to get a grip out there
I use approx 5 to 7 frags in aut/win
And the same in spring/ summer
Hence i go through 10 to 15 bottles a year
I always buy bigger bottles because they are better value
My first was gravity from Walmart. Thank you for your words your right.
my name is dweller.. and I am a fragrance addict. I just spent about $800 on fragrances in the past week. I used to be into fragrances and then it died out for whatever reason. recently i dug up some old fragrances and fell back in love and now even harder that I'm getting into niche fragrances.
I’m probably more addicted to reviews and free samples at Sephora 👀😎
Being smart with your money was a point he talked about... 😎
Sephora has gotten a bit tight on the samples out here. I may slide through and ask if they have any, and 9 out of 10 times, they say they don't. I think they are selling them online for themselves. I used to be able to refill my own up there, or I could buy a 50 ml bottle, and they would throw me like half a dozen.
Preach brother!A lot of RUclips frag channels have been vanished because of that.Any addiction is bad.Set a monthly budget for your fragrance purchase and go with quantity over quality.
Hi Ashton. Great video. Much respect to you for this content. I am an artistic person all my life. I believe this is why I caught the frag bug, and own over 60 guitars. I can afford it, but I do recognize the sense of urgency when seeing something that appeals to someone (especially with an artistic side). Well done. I appreciate all the work that goes into the videos you and other reviewers do. It's a real passion and commitment.
And great topic Ashton. My advice to those wanting to enjoy fragrances but avoid debt is to sell or trade your bottles once you 'fall out of love' with them and use that money to buy others that you might be interested in so you can enjoy the hobby. Kinda like recycling. Your goals should be to keep the "gems" .. you dont need 1000 bottles
Fragrance addiction is definitely a real thing. Luckily I never went into debt however I found myself spending every extra dollar on fragrances. It’s an easy addiction to have because you can rationalize it by saying you’re investing in yourself and in your confidence. So it’s great to acknowledge it’s a real thing. Great video, keep it up.
My addiction happens to be fragrances and bags. Bad combination as they both can be expensive. I ran out of excuses. I don't smoke, drink alcohol, gamble or do drugs so I must have some sort of a vice so here they are ! You're absolutely correct. Addiction comes in many forms.
Hey Ash, amazing video. You're a great person and it takes courage to come publicly as you did talking about this topic. I completely agree with you, it can happen with any product, and it's especially easy to buy something you don't need to through e-commerce and also digital games.
I can't say that for sure, but I'm under the impression that some people try to find that "special product" that will make them extremely unique or completely stand out from the crowd. And it's probably more common with younger guys that fear getting rejected or that think a fragrance will make it easier for them to date or something (and we know that fragrances help, but are far from being the only factor in relationships).
One thing that maybe contributes to fragrance addiction is the risk of them being discontinued. Decants are an option in this case, as you said.
Thanks for the high quality content.
This is perhaps one of the most open, honest and real video. Speaks to a deeper issue about addiction in general and I appreciate you putting it out there. Cheers!
I totally agree with "I started collecting x and have this amount" I see it in groups and it blows me away sometimes
So true on the fragrance addiction. Thanks for this video!
Amazing video! Even from a financial and life lessons perspective. This is why you’re my favorite fragrance reviewer and enthusiast. I really like these chilled personal conversations type of videos you make now. It’s incredible. Thank you for everything! Keep up the great content!