When it comes to selling partially-used full-sized bottles of perfume, fragrance lovers have developed a clever technique for pricing. They determine the cost per milliliter based on the original price of the bottle, allowing sellers to fairly charge for the remaining fragrance. For instance, if a 50ml bottle was originally priced at $150, that breaks down to $3 per ml. Thus, if someone offers a 25ml partial bottle, they might set the price at $75.
May K. Kanti, the visionary behind the “DC Maryland Virginia Fragrance Lovers” Facebook group, is not just a family therapist; she’s also a passionate fragrance collector who has invested between $1,000 and $3,000 in her collection over the years. Within her community of 137 members, many seek advice about perfumes they wish to sell. The group acts as a hub for sharing insights, discussing preferences, decluttering, and swapping scents, helping members tailor their collections to reflect their individual tastes.
In an era where excess often reigns, Alexandra Pauly, a beauty editor at Highsnobiety and fellow fragrance enthusiast, argues that owning an extensive collection of 200 bottles isn’t essential. Recently, she hosted a fragrance swap event in partnership with the Perfume Room Pod and Fat Mascara podcasts, along with the perfume photography initiative Basenote Bitch, at Susan Alexandra’s store. Pauly points out that the emphasis on building vast collections has contributed to overconsumption within the fragrance community.
She highlights that fragrance swapping encourages more mindful purchasing and enhances accessibility. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important; fragrances can deteriorate over time, losing their original scent and becoming unusable. Kanti, who maintains a collection of about 40 bottles, considers her collection modest compared to others in the community. She feels that owning 150 bottles or more can be daunting and impractical.
The fragrance hobby often involves experimenting with various scents, some of which may not align with one’s preferences. In addition to hosting virtual swaps throughout the year, Kanti organizes in-person meetups three times a year. These gatherings allow her group members to swap, sell, split, and decant fragrances they no longer desire. This not only aids in decluttering but also gives fragrance enthusiasts the chance to explore new scents without the commitment of purchasing full bottles.
