When it comes to perfumes there are different degrees of impulsiveness. And while I do not approve of blind buys of any amount of perfumes larger than 5 ml (unless the bottle itself is the goal), I find spontaneous perfume purchases at a store romantic to a certain degree.
I have that dream of going into a perfume shop while on a vacation or at a fragrance event and finding perfume, without which I wouldn’t want to leave that store. It hasn’t happen to me yet but every time I read this kind of a love story by one of my friends in the Perfumeland, I make myself a mental note about the perfume.
Lanier’s tale of the premier party at Diptyque San Francisco was one of those stories. It got me very curious about Volutes – the perfume to a bottle of which Lanier had committed just after a brief first encounter.
The only place around where I live that carried Diptyque’s perfumes at the time was that San Francisco boutique to which I usually can get once or twice a year but I wanted to try it so much that I just had to go… to Madison Avenue Diptyque boutique in New York where I smelled Volutes for the first time.
Both my vSO and I liked Volutes but since he is even less spontaneous that I am, what could have become a great memory of that wonderful New York trip ended up being just a sample.
That Volutes sample came back with me to California and then accompanied us to our vacation in Ukraine earlier this year. I brought it with me not to use it myself but as one of the perfumes for my vSO to test-wear for me.
As I complained in that month’s statistics post, most of the perfumes I hoped I would enjoy wearing during my vacation didn’t work at all in the hot and humid weather. One day I noticed that Volutes smelled really great on my vSO hours after the application and despite the weather. I tried wearing it and ended up loving it on me as well.
Last week I went to the local Nordstrom, which now carries Diptyque line, and bought a bottle of Volutes EdT. So it took me just slightly over a year to get from the first lemming to a full bottle in my collection.
For the November statistics post, please tell me:
Have you ever bought a full bottle of perfume on the spot, the same day you smelled it for the first time?
Image: my own
Undina's Looking Glass 
I like Volutes, too. I didn’t feel I needed it because I have several other similar perfumes, but it’s instantly likeable, I agree.
For your data: yes, I have done that several times!
LikeLike
I don’t think I had anything like that in my FB collection – and now I do, so I’ll pass on the next one that is similar ;)
LikeLike
Yes, I have. More than once. ;)
Oh, Rusty… it is love! <3
LikeLike
Rusty sends his love (after getting his treat ;) ).
LikeLike
Rusty is one beautiful kitty! He looks so fluffy! I too have bought full bottles of perfume on the spot the same day that I have smelled them. So far there have been no regrets!
LikeLike
Rusty is almost in his prime now (it hasn’t been cold enough yet).
LikeLike
I have done this too – and I agree that it is rather romantic! Coincidentally, after one wearing of Volutes edt and two testing sessions – the very first time and the side-by-side with the EDP sample you gave me, I was on a mission to buy it in Manchester yesterday, but didn’t spot the line. So you could say I came close to buying it – if not on implulse exactly – after a relatively short acquaintance! ;)
LikeLike
I hoped you would like it! Let me know if you need more to help you until you get your bottle.
LikeLike
i used to do my perfume shopping that way, but nowadays it takes me a long time to decide on any full bottle purchase. But it sill happens that I come home with a different one that I thought I would buy. Latest example is L’Heure Bleu, bought on a whim on Friday. It was only ‘just’ on my to buy list.
LikeLike
Moving bottles to the top of the list is something I’ve done many times, it’s easier. Making a decision “then and there” – this is something I haven’t mastered yet.
LikeLike
Hey, kitty, kitty. Rusty, I’ve got a treat for you (shall I send it over via e-mail?)
That’s a great post and I don’t know if you can read ones mind or not but just a short time ago I fell in love with Volutes, I really like the scent and I’m thinking of reviewing it soon, before the end of the year.
Answering your statistics question I think I can say yes. It happened recently with Tauer Phi Une Rose de Kandahar. I got a sample from Andy and placed a bottle order just a few days later.
LikeLike
These holidays Rusty got a lot of treats: turkey, crab and even some pie. Now it’s a diet time!
Nope, few days later after testing at home doesn’t count as “on the spot” purchase ;) Anything more… “imminent”? Otherwise I’ll count it as “No.”
LikeLike
In this case I count as NO. never bought any perfume so quickly after trying. This PHI was my fastest purchase
LikeLike
You’re still young, you’ll get your share of spontaneous purchases. Unless we’re even more than just scent twins and you’ll “grow up” being like me ;)
LikeLike
You’re probably right. It’s never too late to be spontaneous.
I don’t doubt us being scent twins. Is it even something more? Maybe
LikeLike
Ha, I am your scent twin, too or I should say we’re the scent triplets. Lucas, dearest, do not grow up to be like me as far as perfume spending habits are concerned ;-)
LikeLike
Guilty!
Portia xx
LikeLike
:) I had no doubts about your answer.
LikeLike
He He he! BTW a certain Garfield picture is on APJ right now, you should go see.
Portia xx
LikeLike
It is a great Garfield picture ;)
LikeLike
I can’t count the number of sudden impulse buys that I have made. I am weak when it comes to self control! On another note…Rusty is so darn cute!
LikeLike
Yes, I remember reading something about one of those. I think it was one of Keiko Mecheri’s perfumes.
Rusty will get a treat from you tomorrow (he’s got too much today already).
LikeLike
There’s no such thing as too many treats for a cat!
LikeLike
If you ask him, of course not. But somebody has to be a responsible adult ;)
LikeLike
Happens now and then, give me some thrills in everyday life :-)
The last one was SL Rahat Loukoum as there was an offer from Serge Lutens with free delivery at the same time as I tested a sample that I have received from Sigrun. And last but not least: Rusty is so fluffy and cute!
LikeLike
Online purchase doesn’t count: you had your time with the sample :) If the other ones were purchases in person I’ll still take your answer as “Yes.”
LikeLike
I think part of the joy of perfume is finding the unexpected scent that you must have NOW! The thrill of discovery is part of any hobby of collecting.
LikeLike
Does it mean that you did make those findings? :)
LikeLike
Definitely have made some impulse purchases and most have been winners.
LikeLike
Shopping abroad, in a city that I wish to remember, I usually have no problem buying perfume on the spot and have purchased quite a few bottles of “new to me” perfumes that way. I’ve regretted a couple of those purchases, but most of the time they have worked out well (and I enjoyed supporting the boutiques where I spent so much time sniffing).
Enjoy your Volutes, Undina. Meow to those gorgeous Rusty photos!!
LikeLike
In a day or two Rusty will truly appreciate your compliments (in the form of treats).
I should probably travel more – it’ll be easier to get spontaneous :)
LikeLike
Yes I did and it wasn’t only on one occasion.
LikeLike
Noted! (sorry, but just once ;))
LikeLike
I’m dying to try Volutes. Very encouraged that you ended up liking it enough to buy a bottle. I wonder if I will impulse buy it when I finally test it? The time i did that was with trying Bois des Iles for the first time. I don’t think i’ve done it since.
LikeLike
I’m completely out of the decanting supplies. I’ll get them by January, so if you don’t get to try it before then I’ll send you some.
LikeLike
Thanks for the kind thought!
LikeLike
I am so happy you like Volutes and that my mad impulse buy led you to a very careful and wise approach to your purchase of this wonderful perfume. Cheers!
LikeLike
Thank you for the lemmings! :)
LikeLike
Seems to me Rusty is more interested in the cap than with Mama’s new love :-)…and I love that “Did I do that?” look when the cap got swatted!
I love both Volutes EDT and EDP and have FBs of both but neither were immediate purchases as I wanted to get some deals either online or at Nordstrom.
As to buying a FB on the spot after sniffing for the first time, yes. My most recent one was Marni Rose (and I got a mini and another creepy doll…wtihout these 2 “freebies”, I probably would have waited until there was some kind of deal).
If you ever do a reveal all post along these lines…I will fess up to a few more :-).
LikeLike
Maybe you should do a reveal post? ;) I’m too calculating and practical, so almost every time I think I like something I decide to 1) test more; 2) wait for a better deal 3) think if I really need it; 4) buy a small decant instead – not necessarily in that order. But if you’d like to do a guest post and invite others to name names in comments – I’ll welcome the initiative ;)
LikeLike
Yikes…a reveal post from moi? Possible…perhaps I will write it over the Christmas to New Year holidays although I will be away for a good chunk of that time. I’ll email you with a proposal :-). Thanks for the opportunity.
As to the 4 ways you manifest being calculating and practical, I practice 2 of them, sometimes (wait for a better deal and buy a small decant instead) and the other 2, ummmm not often or to be perfectly honest, rarely.
LikeLike
Deal! You’ll be my first guest writer! Look at me – my blog is getting all grown up :)
LikeLike
Yikes, the pressure is ON!
LikeLike
Yes – with the exact same perfume. I went into the Diptique store with the intention of buying Tam Dao. The sales assistant (very helpful BTW) suggested I tried Volutes and I was sold instantly.
LikeLike
If you liked Volutes after a short encounter I’m sure you’ll keep enjoying it more and more as you wear it!
Thank you for the input. Come back tomorrow for the stats.
LikeLike
Yes, I have done the on the spot buy many times over the years. Most notable were Shiseido’s Feminite du Bois, Niki de Saint Phalle, Dior Addict and Cartier’s Le Baiser du Dragon. Now I sample mostly before I buy due to geographical limitations and knowing I must pay the mortgage firstly :)
LikeLike
Yeah, those pesky obligations: food, housing, utilities – who needs them? Oh, wait… we do… Well… ;)
LikeLike
I know!! And for some reason my daughter thinks she needs some clothes and food as well ;)
LikeLike
I have bought a full bottle of perfume after trying some, doing some shopping, and then coming back to buy it before leaving the mall. Does this count? I bought Zen, Dior Addict, and Sensous Noir this way.
LikeLike
It does! I used to do that many years ago when I was buying mainstream perfumes (but after trying them for several times on previous visits).
LikeLike
I’ve done that as well. Or I’ve driven 1/2 way home/back to the office only to turn around and pick up that “must have now” LOL
LikeLike
I bought a bottle of this but have lost it!
LikeLike
How?!!
LikeLike
Exactly.
LikeLike
Pingback: Entertaining Statistics: November, 2013 | Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Entertaining Statistics: 2013 Year Round-up | Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Down the Rabbit Hole through the Looking-Glass | Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Love at First Sniff or Portrait of a Serial Spontaneous Perfume Buyer | Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Entertaining Statistics: January 2015 | Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Bargains That Hunt (Haunt?) Me – Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Visiting Three Monarchies, Part 4: Perfumes I bought – Undina's Looking Glass
Pingback: Vacation in the Time of COVID-19: Episode III, Hawaii Big Island – Perfumes – Undina's Looking Glass