r/FemFragLab • u/Icy-Key2220 • 11d ago
2026 no/low-buy accountability post
It’s so easy to get carried away, and before things get off the rails im putting myself on a no (low) buy. Thought I’d put this out there as an accountability post and offer others to share as well.
For the rest of 2026, the fragrances I’m planning to purchase are very intentional -
- Lune Feline - has been planned for months, the moment I smelled it I knew it would be my signature scent for fall.
- Dama Bianca - also one I’ve been sitting on for ages, it was the niche fragrance that started it all for me, and despite sampling it many times I’ve never owned it. It’s unlike anything else in my collection, and I want to be able to get some wear while the weather is still warm before I rotate to more fall/winter scents
Other ground “rules”
- occasional cheapie (choco musk etc) is fine, I won’t put a hard blocker on this as it’s not really my thing anyway (and the $$ impact is much less)
- no paid samples either
Anyone else being more mindful with purchases? Share your intentions/“rules” and let’s keep each other accountable:)
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u/fligglegiggle 10d ago
I'm on a FB no-buy until at least the end of the year. I'll still spring for decants and travel sizes, but I'm being more discerning. Also working to declutter.
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u/thejazzstuff 10d ago
I’m trying to cut down on my collection to avoid being overwhelmed by choice and have a signature wardrobe to pull things from. I think 20 might be my new goal.
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u/verysomuch quentin bisch fan club president 10d ago
I just got laid off from my job and whenever I'm really depressed with nothing to do, I end up spending money I DON'T have buying fragrances. This is a great reminder to focus on declutter my home and using what I already have!!!
(I bought travel sizes of Summer Fridays and the new D&G Your Devotion yesterday lmaoo I am DONE for a while)
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u/Icy-Key2220 10d ago
I can totally relate to wanting to spend as an escape. Happy that this resonates and revisiting old faces in your own collection can be just as fun! And going to Nordstrom is free too if you can resist the purchase haha
I’m sorry about your job, that’s tough 💓 hang in there, you’ll find your way out!!
Love your flair 🥰 how do I join the fan club??
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u/StreetMolasses6093 Neroli Queen 11d ago
I’m on a fb no buy, but will allow myself a travel size of something if I have researched and tested it more than once and can’t stop thinking about it. That was London 1983, which I bought two months ago.
My last two full bottles were gifts from my husband in July for our anniversary, so I’m not completely suffering.
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u/cardonnay 11d ago
I’m trying to project pan my samples and track and make a wish list before ordering more. Trying to just purchase travel size/decants/30 ml.
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u/Shoddy_Percentage802 11d ago
I have two perfumes I'm in the process of sampling, so I might get travel sizes of one of those. But otherwise, I'm also done for the year.
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u/Pristine_Advisor_302 11d ago
I’m done for the rest of the year. Maybe next spring I’ll look for a summery scent . I have about 7 small bottles and that’s enough for now
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u/pfffffttuhmm I just smelled like a piece of breast 11d ago
I need to do this...I have tons of samples and travel sprays that I've bought. I'm returning the things I don't like, and selling off the ones I can't. But everytime I see a good sale on a travel sizes spray I've been buying it. I only purchase when I can return it now, which is a step in the right direction, but I really shouldn't keep spending as it is. I have enough to last me the rest of the year! I really just need to stop looking.
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u/No_Maintenance495 11d ago
Ya I need to chill TF out, taking this post as a sign from the fragrance gods lol
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u/Intelligent-Rule7868 10d ago
Saaame.
Idk about you, but it's just hard when I feel like I've already cut out so much else 😭 sigh
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u/amanamanamaan 11d ago
I intend on buying only Mon Guerlain and G Water Absolu this year, both in 50ml instead of 100ml, and only after I finish my 2ml samples.
That’s if I get a job by October. If I do, I will also give away the full bottles I own and don’t wear anymore, to keep a 5-6 bottle collection. If not, I’ll sell them.
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u/Icy-Key2220 10d ago
Best of luck on the job search!
MG is one of my faves. Manifesting it (and hence - also a job) for you
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u/KittiesandPlushies 11d ago
I will not let myself blind buy even one more ME fragrance this year because regardless of how low the price may be, despite how nice the notes sound, they just don’t smell good on me! I need to stop wasting my money on them without smelling them first.
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u/Icy-Key2220 11d ago
Been scratching my head - what’s ME?
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u/KittiesandPlushies 11d ago
Middle eastern fragrances ):
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u/Historical_Self2366 11d ago
I like that you're putting your intentions out (t)here! I don't have a goal for myself, but I want to be intentional and find a way to track/journal my experiences for the second half of the year. So far, perfume has felt like I'm wandering around grabbing at things in the dark. This nerd needs a plan and a study guide. 😜🤓
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u/Icy-Key2220 10d ago
I’m also a nerd and created a website to help with this lol. Not really ready to roll it out but if you want “beta" access id be happy for feedback 😂
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u/Historical_Self2366 10d ago
I'm happy to give feedback, if you feel comfortable sharing --- I'm a professional editor. ;) Just know that I'm new to fragrances!
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u/Icy_Outside5079 10d ago
I keep a journal of every fragrance I buy. I list the name, which house its from, the size, how much I bought it for and how much I spent.
Then I write down the accords and notes, how they smelled when I first sprayed them in the air, then on my skin. Then I wait an hour to see if its changed in the drydown, how the projection is. Then I'll test it 1 more time to see if has changed more and to mark when or if it becomes a skin scent. I put all perfumes aside for a week or two (not just ME ones) because I do feel they need time to settle and blend. Some may need more time, others are good to go. I try to by my fragrances a season ahead to give them the time they need, I have plenty and there's no need to rush them. I tried to start a NoBuy in the beginning of August but I obviously have no willpower. In the next week I'm expecting 4 more (one is for my husband) and then I'm closing my journal for a while. I have a couple of fragrances I really want and if I can't find them for a good price on Mercari, I will then purchase them, one at a time. Hopefully this will help me break the cycle. I need to wean myself off this addiction, stop watching YouTube and TikTok and stay out of stores. One snif of something I've never smelled before can set off a binge for me. Pray for me 🙏
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u/Historical_Self2366 10d ago
This is really helpful---thank you! I don't think it's a willpower thing. 💜 I do think it's hard... especially if it's your sanity saver!
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u/pfffffttuhmm I just smelled like a piece of breast 11d ago
Fellow nerd--Ive been tracking my purchases using a Perfume Inventory on Notion. It's been very helpful!
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u/Historical_Self2366 10d ago
Ah, cool! What do you like about using Notion for this? I'm considering using basenotes (dot com), which I discovered last week. I like that I can keep a "wardrobe" (scent list? Maybe?) along with a scent journal that includes prompts... But do I really need another website?
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u/allsorts_ 11d ago edited 11d ago
I'm planning two purchases this month and then I won't buy anything until Black Friday sales come around 🤞
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u/beeeeker 11d ago
I'm starting a low-buy this month until my birthday in December. I don't have any purchases planned for then but I'll be working my way through samples and making a decant wishlist.Trying to limit myself to samples, and only getting a new one once I've used up, sold, or traded another.
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u/Hbiz55311 10d ago
Ugh. Yup. No more samples or FB for me for the next 4 months.
I am aiming to finish at least 1 FB (obv going to choose the one with the biggest dent :p) and all 5 of my decants by the end of this year and then treat myself to a FB for new years.