Every hobby has it. The unspoken hierarchy. In fragrance, it can show up as subtle dismissal, designers versus niche, mainstream versus obscure, new collector versus vintage hunter. It’s rarely blatant, but it’s felt. The issue isn’t passion. It’s posture. When enthusiasm morphs into superiority, the space becomes less inviting. Fragrance is personal expression. It is art worn on the skin. Reducing it to brand prestige misses the point entirely. A healthy community celebrates curiosity. It welcomes the guy with three bottles just as much as the collector with three hundred. The Brotherhood should feel like a roundtable, not a ranking system. What say you, guys? Have you ever experienced subtle gatekeeping in the hobby? What’s something “mainstream” you unapologetically enjoy? And when did we decide enjoyment required a résumé? Love to hear from ya'! Continue the #Journey Part 5 Skin Chemistry & Expectations – The Reality Check

One of the most humbling lessons I quickly learned in the fragrance hobby is that scent is chemistry. What performs like a Symphony (ha, see what I did there!!) on one person may whisper on another. Climate, hydration, hygiene, application and even diet can influence performance. This unpredictability can frustrate new enthusiasts. You hear “beast mode,” or "don't be a sissy sprayer" or "it disappeared before lunch." The expectation gap between hype and personal experience can discourage deeper exploration. When I finally understood that fragrance is dynamic rather than fixed, I felt liberated! It reframed performance as experimentation rather than failure. The goal becomes finding what works on you, not chasing universal metrics... What say you, guys? What fragrance shocked you most once it hit your skin? Have you learned any tricks that improve longevity for you? And how many of us have blamed the bottle before admitting maybe it was just the humidity? Love to hear from ya'! Continue the #Journey Part 6 Social Media Pressure – Comparison Culture