When it comes to selling partially-used full-sized bottles of perfume, fragrance enthusiasts often use a unique method to determine the price. By calculating the cost per milliliter based on the original price of the bottle, sellers can charge for the remaining amount of fragrance. For example, if a 50ml bottle originally cost $150, that breaks down to $3 per ml. So, if someone is selling a 25ml partial bottle, they might charge $75 for it.
May K. Kanti, the founder of the “DC Maryland Virginia Fragrance Lovers” Facebook group, is not only a family therapist but also a fragrance aficionado who has invested between $1,000 and $3,000 in her collection over the years. In her group of 137 members, people often inquire about perfumes they are looking to part ways with. The group serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing preferences, decluttering, and swapping fragrances to curate collections filled with scents that truly resonate with each individual.
In a world where excess is celebrated, Alexandra Pauly, a beauty editor at Highsnobiety and a fragrance enthusiast, believes that having a massive collection of 200 bottles is not necessary. She recently organized a swap event in collaboration with podcasts Perfume Room Pod and Fat Mascara, as well as the perfume photography project Basenote Bitch, at Susan Alexandra’s store. According to Pauly, the focus on accumulating fragrances has led to overconsumption in the fragrance community.
Pauly emphasizes that swapping fragrances brings intentionality to perfume-buying and makes it more accessible. Sustainability is also a growing concern, as fragrances can lose their original scent after a few years, making them unusable. Kanti, with her collection of around 40 bottles, considers herself to have a small collection compared to others in the community. She believes that having a large collection of 150 bottles or more can be overwhelming and impractical.
The fragrance hobby often involves purchasing and trying out different scents, some of which may not suit one’s taste. In addition to virtual swaps throughout the year, Kanti organizes in-person meetups three times annually. During these gatherings, members of her group swap, sell, split, and decant fragrances they no longer want in their collections. This not only helps in decluttering but also allows fragrance enthusiasts to explore new scents without committing to full bottles.
