Wise words my friend, people get very caught up, and can turn in to obsession..hence why people end up with 1,000+ bottles in their home. Where 95% of them sit never used collecting dust every year. It's easy to be overly materialistic, but excess becomes normalised in this community
200 bottles later... much of my collection came from loneliness. A stop at the perfume counter seemed to do the trick... until the following weekend. Such is life. Haven't bought a perfume in several months. I'm done.
This is EXACTLY why I respect your videos so much, Nikhil. You say things that no other fragrance reviewer says. Honest, straight from the heart, no BS stuff. In my very limited experience with fragrances, I have understood that fragrance addiction could be a real thing and certainly needs to be put under control. An eye opening video indeed. Thanks so much, sir.
8 years ago I started diving into this perfume hobby, with a few designers, since then I’ve made many purchases, many,too many, but only God knows that, I lost my first marriage in part due to my fragrance addiction, I feel no shame to say it, this video touches me very closely. This is a beautiful yet dangerous hobby and it can get out of hand very easily. I’ve since 8 years ago learned a lot, but I still need to learn a lot more about controlling and balancing my perfume passion and personal life, this is your best video ever released.
*GREAT VIDEO! Finally someone talks honestly about this... and you are absolutely right... It IS stress... I'm on a perfume buying ban since January because 200+ bottles is enough and I've realized that I was buying and buying, obsessively watching reviews, obsessively posting on FB and reading and answering comments, obsessively watching my sub count and feeling sad when I lost a sub... worried about every negative comment, fighting against trolls and haters... and that's not the live I want to live. There's much more out there than fragrances. I enjoy my 200 bottles now, try to sell some (and already did) and save money. And feel better like that. Thank you for this video.*
I'm Your Fan btw thanks for reviewing Encre Noir Extreme, :) I know what I like in a Fragrace like Resins, Orange Blossoms, vetiver..etc and when the time comes to buy a new perfume I get to reviews of the stuff that I like this way i never get disappointing experience from a blind buy
So true. You should never forget that perfume is just an accessory. People forget it and develop HUGE expectations from some particular perfume. As a result they get disappointed and the "searching for the perfect perfume" cycle starts again.
Fantastic words ... As a 53 year old with hobbies like perfume, photography and a vinyl record listener I couldn't agree with you more on this. My take on this - I believe everyone needs a hobby to maintain sanity in this stressful world - but the hobby shouldn't become so stressful that it drives you towards insanity !!! Love Nikhil ...god bless
🙌FREAKING AMAZING AMAZING VIDEO! I just did a live video on budgeting and you and I share so so many similar values!! It's great to know that you, a person I fully respect, had similar opinions with in this subject. That's why I NEVER NEVER suggest in ANY of my videos that you "HAVE TO BUY THIS" or even "NOT BUY THIS" because my opinion may differ and I never want message someone feel like they have to spend money to be happy! 🙏Thank you so so much for sharing this!!! Blessings your way, Sir!
Find a good splitter .Become a good splitter. Pass somethings along like samples , and hopefully things will be passed along to you. Make sure you love it . Wait for the deals . It's very good you covered this Nikhil . It does need to be said. _best wishes brother_
Man you've made this video at the Right time, I'm going through similar situation These days regarding perfumes and Watches. This video has got me thinking about it. I need to stop with this. And honestly nobody needs a 100 bottles of designer or niche perfumes just narrow down the good ones and restock it if it's over, the perfume industry is never going to stop making new concoctions to lure the market to spend money on it. They've hacked the human psychology and they are doing great to make us an addict. I've been noticing my behaviour pattern for the collection of fragrances and watches, and now after you talking about it I'm realizing how unhealthy and exhausting this obsession is. I'll try to control these desires now. Thankyou doctor saab for talking about it!
I was putting frags in my shopping cart online for the last days and when I saw yesterday I had put 13 frags with a total of almost 1K euro I realised this was never going to be healthy. Thank you for your wise words.
Fantastic topic. I myself just implemented a slow-buy. I was impulse-buying too many bottles after just one or two testings. Even though they were mostly affordable fragrances, it adds up! Now, I must finish a larger decant in addition to finishing the sample before I allow myself to purchase a full bottle. And with over 40 decants in my collection, I don't anticipate getting through them very quickly!
Be careful tho. Decants dont stay fresh long. After only one year all of my Tom Ford decants lost all scent . I had to throw them all out . So I don’t do decants anymore. I’d rather buy a full bottle and sell decants til I have about 20mls left and then stop selling and keep the rest . Also what I do is buy samples and spray it a lil bit, then when I have a whole bag full, I’ll sell them all on eBay. I’ve sold my used samples for $200. I did it several times. Ppl like buying in bulk. And since each sample costs me between $12-$25 per sample, it’s a good deal to get 40 or 50 samples for $200. This way I make back some of my money and someone else gets to sample a whole lot for a great price. Coz u have to figure, if Im selling 50 niche and designer samples for $200 that’s about $700-$1000 in samples and even if they’re half way used, you are STILL getting $500-$1000 worth of juice for $200. So this is how I always am able to easily sell my used samples. And not all are used. Some I have extras of and many I get free with purchase and just don’t like. So yeah. You gotta do what u gotta do. I’ve gone thru $25,000 in a year just buying perfumes . I now own about $150 bottles and a few hundred samples and about 30 decants. 15ml and 30ml. They’re the ones I try to use up next. I made a list of all the perfumes I own and told myself I need to pick only 30 to keep and sell the rest. No matter how hard I tried I could not get lower than 100. And i really tried . It’s hard because I have an amazing collection of Niche. There are a very few designers I love too but 90% of my collection is Niche and Indie. I sadly admit I am a frag addict. I have friends on ebay begging me to sell off my collection, one woman said she’ll pay whatever I ask. I worked very hard for my collection and really don’t want to sell them. But as I thought about it. If i had to keep only a few, it would most definitely be my Areej Le Dore, Kerosene, Xerjoff, MDCI Chypre palatin, TRNP embers, Ormonde Jayne, and my Nasomattos.
Social Media validation is a pretty interesting thing to begin with and I loved what you had to say in this video! One needs more than 1 hobby for sure.. preferably one that doesn't cost this much $ hahaha
An eye opening video. Everyone of us needs this. Sometimes you become obsessed with something in your life and you don’t realize unless someone points it put. We have to have a life outside this. Thanks a ton.
I have way too many in my closet and I was about to pay for the cart from a discounter buying over 30+ bottles, your words woke me up. This is straight way to keep the balance and leading towards the hype, I sure have made this mistakes, but your really really an amazing person. Thanks A lot for this video this was needed more.
I started down that road years ago in fashion. I own several blazers that I never wear. The style I was sold and bought into didn't match my lifestyle. I am not a businessman, so I didn't need to dress that way, but thought I should. Great video. I do samples for my excitement, I have too much to wear already.
Hey Nikhil, thank you for your advice. I am sorry to hear you feel stressed. I can see why making reviews and being up to date in the fragrance world can be stressful though. I don't follow that trend, I do my own thing and that's probably why making videos or talking about perfumes gives me enjoyment and makes me feel happy. I don't stress myself to grab the newest fragrance so I can review, I don't buy fragrance based on hype and I honestly probably spend 10% of my day on social media these days. I don't let it get to me and I don't let my passion for perfumes take over my life. It's a topic that is hardly ever discussed in my household. The problem is when it starts affecting your life, then it becomes a problem. Or when something you love doing becomes annoying, stressful or a chore to do. You have given great advice, I hope that anyone going through this situation watches your video and follows your advice ❤
Confession time - buying quality samples can be just as addictive and destructive. Here it's not the top 10 lists of designer releases but the "must buy before the source is gone forever", "the 100 year old whatever", the scarce genuine musk, ambergris, soon to be prohibited precious ingredient, completing a collection of wild, old oud from every country, even buying backups for investment purposes or before the inevitable reformulation. These can be hundreds of dollars for a single gram. These have become my temptations, no longer the designer concoctions or the nice bottles - I don't care if its a vial or a test tube, in fact a fancy bottle makes me suspicious like I'm not getting value for my money. And I tell myself this is a learning experience, become a snob because my collection uses only natural ingredients from sources only a few know, a must have bucket list of exotics. And when in pursuit of a signature scent, even reviews whether video or blogs or forums are just a means to more resources and narrowing ones choices because its sooo subjective and personal and you should wear fragrance to please yourself not others - a narcissistic ego run amok. Am I alone? : )
Bellesativa .... no you are not alone. I love wearing expensive fragrances, but I do not have a lifetime to wear them all! So many fragrances so little time. After purchasing into the thousands of dollars, I had to quit.
Thank you so much. You are so honest and inspiring. At this time, I have about 100 plus bottles of fragrances which I don't use. They are just sitting everywhere in my apartment. It is a bad addiction and obsession. I tell myself that they make me happy but I know that it's a lie. I promised myself that I will stop but I never did. In fact, I am now thinking of getting another Giorgio Armani fragrance but I am restraining myself. My friends are not helping at all. They are all enablers. They are all addicted to either fragrances, shoes, bags or watches. I can't dump them all because they are my friends. We all need help.
Thank you for this real talk. Thanks a lot. This is what experience is. You know what we are/will be going through. You were correct about getting new perfumes every few days even if you don't have money and getting stressed about it.
This is something of a wonderful surprise. Good on you!!! I agree. I've put too much toward a period of time that is fading faster than any fragrance. Sample$ add up too. It was a trap with false fast fun that ended up not that much fun. Back to the basics for me. Take care and thanks for this important reminder. I respect you for such integrity & truest insight. 🌲👣👣🌲🌲🐦💚🐚✨🐈
A video that can touch a lot of people from this comunity. A real and serious subject. We need more of this! Perfume needs to be only a thing that can help us, just like money, but life is more beautiful than a perfume world.
Very honest opinion brother ! This is just not limited to perfumes only , I have experienced similar issues with all hobbies , as you get deep into any hobby these issues related to stress come up .
Thanks for this video. Loved to listen to you. I have tried to strictly limit my collection only having bottles of notes I love (1 oud based fragrance, 1 rose based, 1 citrus, and a few more) and for all occasions. This way I can use all my fragrances and put a very nice limit on my collection. Thanks for helping me finding a good rose fragrance!
Feels like you are talking directly to me :D yes agree with you 100% , OCD obsession, hype trains, reviewing stuff ASAP without actually wearing it properly. I hardly watch youtube nowadays, gotten bored of the majority of channels with a select few. Yes, I have a lifetime's worth yet keep buying more, hmm.
Yes, pure excess on my behalf, and I've only been into this hobby for 2 years. Over 100 bottles, close to 200 samples, countless oils (mostly cheap ones until this past month) - but I do feel 2 ways about it. I do enjoy making fragrance content and I just downright enjoy the hobby overall and it's thankfully not putting me into financial disarray so it's not too bad. Granted I could've used the money towards other things, but could be worse things that hobby indulging. I do feel partially torn on the issue and see it from both sides I've seen you post too how you don't use your sprays now and rather use oud oils instead, I'm curious if the same will happen to me in time
Bro, best video of yours till date. I had a similar thought process last month.... Picking the correct perfume everyday morning and spending money every month have put a dent in my wallet... I thank you for making this video....
That’s amazing, your honesty is much appreciated. I’m glad a reviewer finally said it. You know you might get a lot of hate for this however, I believe you are 100% correct. This truly shows your here for the community in parallel to your passion. I will share you video just in case some are blinded or hide behind it all and are ashamed to admit that this is in part a reality to this hobby or any hobby actually. I’m glad you look at this from a people’s perspective rather then the industry and driving sales for likes.
Many many thanks for doing this video. It's the first one I've seen from your channel, and you just won a subscriber. Such an humane person. I am so glad you spoke so openly about this issue.
Thanks you for this video. Most reviewer only talk about what to buy, must have, frag haul. And, I am right now having problems with fragrance buying addiction, and I feel that if I still continue this spending habit, I might have a problem with my saving and my marriage life.
I thought this video was going to be a meme. You just prevented me from digging a hole for myself. Just noticed myself starting to spend on fragrances the collectors types. I will continue to collect the must haves like old spice, brut special reserve , 4711 and vice versa. But I will spread the spending over a long time. Remember you have a whole life so buy fragrances when you accomplish a milestone in your life. I’m 17 so I can save up so I can invest next year and for my time at university
I personally feel like you aren't just making us understand but making your self understand as well... I totally understood and Thanks for the video Really made ma day
Some of the reviewers out there are cunning salesmen (or women) trying to hype up the latest release or top ten list but they are really after clicks and views to fill their pockets I'm sure. It's harder to tell the genuine guys from the fakes these days. These guys get given most of their bottles (or use you tube earnings) to hype them up so the companies get their names out there and make more coin. It's far to easy to get hooked on buying. Great advice my man!
Real talk from a real man. I still get pulled into that addiction every now and again so i understand what u r talkin about. Hats off to u brother for the great video.
You talk about each and every aspect. This is something what is lovely about you. I started following your videos that really made me crazy and stressful. I wish to buy all the fragrances you reviews. But that's not life and that's what you wanna say. Salute you dear to be honest and showing me the real aspect.
Wise words Nikhil. Any hobby that takes over your life is a mental jail. All attachments especially material attachments will lead to self induced suffering. I think you've indirectly sum up the true crisis of the perfume industry. Too many niche brands popping up here and there, too many flankers, too many releases. Its not healthy and or conducive to quality.
so real and so true. i miss the days when i was in college and a "casual fragrance person". I'd buy 100ml of Armani Code and wear that every day for 8 months until it was gone then buy a new bottle of something. now i want an attar, a good oud, a freshie, an office scent. It's good to put things back in perspective like this and enjoy the frags i have. I hope you don't feel bad for some people going overboard nikhil. yes i bought a full bottle you recommended and didn't like it, but you also introduced me to Safari Blend and it's probably one of my top 3 frags in my collection :) all the best buddy
Thanks bhaiya, made me tear up. I've obsessviely consumed perfume content for a month now, making my first perfume purchase today and getting done with it. Thanks for saving me a lot of future pain.
Jeremy has drastically reduced his collection; Ike Does Stuff - spoke about this; Bottom Note (search for "Fragrance Addiction a Disease") - I first heard him talk about this subject.
You are so unbelievably honest and true...The whole world, the entire generation is surviving in a virtual world.. My friends and relatives have laughed at me and my wife since we are not on facebook..but we are at peace with ourselves..We enjoy music, nature and animals..Happy to see your video..God bless you
Big words of wisdom on sunday, Nikhil! My perfume journey is mainly about to explore the best smells that fullfill my heart in unconciousness regions for a lifetime. Before buying a full bottle (most of them are really expensive) I've done my research process, studied the notes/reviews, had my samples/decants and spare my money for many years (sometimes 2-3 years!) to afford it. I just don't let my collection of 26 perfumes grow to much overboard. Juice for next 20 years is enough. No need to hurry & don't forget the wonderful reallife outside with social relationships! Sending big hug to the bhai with the golden heart. 🖖😄🏆
Yessssss... well stated my friend. I've really slowed my purchasing and, at times, my viewing of Reviewers. If I could completely start over, I'd sample much more and I'd have maybe 25 full bottles. There are too many fragrances hitting the market these days with so much hype, yet not much difference from countless others. I've always appreciated your channel and your perspective. Excellent post.
The Perfume Channel : I can relate. I won't mention how many bottles I own, but I'll say that my appreciation remains. I'm ok with not owning everything... unlike before. I've learned to appreciate the gift and what I'm blessed to have. I was buying wayyyyyy too much and realized that searching for the next fragrance blocked my ability to appreciate the many gems in my possession. I've done a great job not buying into the hype over the last year. I've never reviewed and have been a big supporter of the many in the "Community ", until I recognized that many of them weren't buying fragrances, but then were selling those very bottles they received a couple of weeks after their post.
I'm an Addict for sure. Amazing topic to touch upon,so much to relate.I would like to add in on the subject,most of us fall for top 10/20 fragrance lists put up by the reviewers no disrespect intended and incur financial crisis upon ourselves,we've got to ask this question to our self that do i really need this much fragrances? For the amount of fragrance i have i am set for life and could go about it without even needing to buy a bottle but this human tendency of fascinating about getting what you don't have and others are having puts you in a tight spot both mentally and financially. So to sum it up my advice would be to have just about 6-8 fragrances out of which 2 could be your signature scents and others that you'd reserve for special occasions. Thank you for your time nikhli bhai
Preach Nikhil, I'm all about sampling now and i only get the full bottle of the ones i fall in "love" with if i just enjoy it i'll use whathever i have from my sample and move on with my life and no more 100ml for me as well. Cheers from Paris :)
