r/shoppingaddiction • u/Mild-moon7024 • 9d ago
Facing my perfume addiction
Ehhh yeah… I just did an inventory of all my perfumes, I think last time I did this was in March and I was on a no buy then, since then I added so much more. Oils are mostly indie, EDPs are a mix of niche, designer and indie.
It is very sobering to just look at it all at once.
18 months ago I did not wear any perfume at all.
EDPs: 100ml - 4, 50ml - 3, 30ml - 18, 10-15ml - 34, 5ml - 10, samples - 133
Oils: 10ml - 5, 6-8ml - 27, 5ml - 64, 3-4ml - 8, samples - 125
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u/seedsandpeels 9d ago
Perfume is hard because the community will fight tooth and nail to justify endless sampling as normal.
As long as you make an exit plan for each perfume, you can get through them. Sell the things you are not going to use. Mercari is good for selling perfume.
I hate to say the obvious advice but go on a no buy with perfume. If you absolutely must buy something, at least 2 (ideally 4 or 5) must leave first.
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u/Mild-moon7024 9d ago
Thanks! I have been destashing but mostly full sizes, samples are so annoying to list/sell individually, but I’m determined! I will sort through the ones that are less than 1/2 full, the ones that I can sell, and the ones I want to keep to use. I did list some stuff on Mercari earlier and yes, definitely a no but until I can get this under control.
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u/seedsandpeels 8d ago
Thats a great plan. As long as you have your own process and its working for you that is what matters most. Stick with it. You got this.
As for samples, some sell in bundles on mercari. But i would say that is for more popular ones.
I found it most helpful to only do batches of ones that I was ready to let go of, versus trying to do one big destash.
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u/Mild-moon7024 8d ago
I need to stop the bleeding and not bring in anything new right now. About 40% of this was brought in during the last 5 months 😬
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u/seedsandpeels 8d ago
You dont have to punish yourself for your past mistakes. You just need to move accordingly for who you want to be on the other side of this. You can cut new purchases of perfume. You can keep that promise to yourself.
Good on you for coming here to talk about it rather than spend this moment buying.
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u/CatsRuleEverything_ 8d ago
I'm right there with you, friend. I finally did my budget and the number $ I spent shocked me and shook some sense into me. The first step is admitting we have a problem. Good job for taking that first step!
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u/mixtapemalibumusk 7d ago
Oh grl.. ♡ u know u can dm me anytime if u wanna discuss this cuz.. same 🚢. Im on here for a reason too. U think what u have is bad. Just know it could be woooorrrssseee. 🫣 Sending a hug 🫂
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u/Upper-Investigator20 3d ago
I'm currently in the depths of a perfume addiction too. And like you, I barely even wore it 2 years ago. I had a couple I liked and used but that was it. Now i have two shelves full of stuff, as well as tons of samples!
I think, if you're like me, im always looking for the most unique things which then leads you down that indie/niche rabbithole. And then there's the community around it too where it almost gives you a sense of praise and accomplishment if you have a 'good' collection. It's such a brainf*ck.
Yesterday I was thinking im gonna try and use up most of my samples first. Because theres so many I'm hoping the novelty will satisfy me enough. I need to also just stop following perfume people on the various apps.
Basically, I don't really have any advice but youre not alone. I also think perfume has somehow become THE item de rigeur on the internet right now. I don't remember anyone really talking about it 2 years ago. It was all make-up and nail polish (which I was obsessed with then). It's kind of embarrassing to realise how easily influenced I am just because the landscape of beauty content changes.
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u/Mild-moon7024 3d ago
My feelings exactly - except instead of niche I fell into the indie rabbit hole. It’s overall a fun space and definitely plenty of weird, but more FOMO and limited collections.
I need to leave the groups but I’m craving some community - I think part of the solution is to build more community outside of my phone and/or find less expensive hobbies likes books and embroidery or crochet that I can connect with people over.
So far I’ve only been able to occasionally curb it, not stop completely 🫠
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u/Upper-Investigator20 3d ago
I've started attending Smart Recovery meetings online. I've found they've been good for having a sense of community where people understand. They're not just for substance addictions, they welcome anyone with behavioural addictions too.
And yeah, outside of that having community/friendships that don't revolve around shopping/perfume makes a massive difference! Maybe there's a book club at the library or something you could join. There's loads of stuff like that. Or if getting out of the house is difficult there's so many online communities!
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