Is "FragTalk" Ruining the Hobby? (5 Hard Truths We Need to Admit)

I posted earlier today about a video I watched and would like to break it down in a different way since most will not watch the video, so I wanted to throw some "unpopular opinions" out there to see where everyone stands. We all love the hunt for the perfect scent, but are we falling into some of these traps?

1. The "Beast Mode" Tax is Real

The obsession with performance is actually hurting our wallets. Brands have realized they can slap an "Extrait" or "Elixir" label on a bottle, pump up the Ambroxan, and charge us $400-$600 because we’ve been conditioned to think 12+ hours of longevity is the only metric that matters. Are we losing the artistry of subtle perfumery?

2. Buying isn't a Hobby—It’s an Addiction

We’ve all seen the "rate my collection" posts with 100+ bottles. A huge realization for me lately is that learning about notes and history is the hobby; the act of purchasing is just a shopping habit. If your collection can't be finished in 3 years, are you actually enjoying the scents, or just the hit of dopamine from the delivery?

3. The "Paper Strip" Delusion

It’s wild how many people still buy a full bottle based on the first 30 seconds at a counter. The opening is just the "pre-game." If you aren't living with the dry-down on your skin for at least 4 hours before committing, you aren't actually buying the fragrance—you're buying the marketing.

4. Subjectivity vs. The "Spectrometer"

Scent is the most subjective thing on earth, yet we argue for hours in the comments about whether a note smells like "pickles" or "luxury woods." We have to admit that our memories and associations (like the "makeup bag" Iris in Dior Homme Intense) color our perception more than the actual ingredients do.

5. The Clone vs. Original

Rivalry Clones are great for people who don't care, but a trained nose will almost always spot the 10% difference. Does that 10% difference justify a $300 price gap? For me, sometimes the "inspired" version hits the itch, but other times it’s like a sibling—close, but definitely not a twin.

I’m curious to hear from the long-time collectors: Has the surge in social media hype made this hobby better or worse for you? And which "beast mode" fragrance do you think is actually a total ripoff?

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