November this year was uncharacteristically warm (average high was 65F/18C) and still very dry (we’ve got only two rainy days). Work-wise it was the craziest month this year so the testing rate fell below one perfume per day. On a couple of occasions I even skipped wearing a perfume, which is very unusual for me. And I didn’t test almost anything new, which upsets me a little.
I’m trying to switch to the “winter mode” and start wearing ambers that I enjoyed so much before but because of the temperature outside most of them still feel wrong and I regret putting them on a minute after the application. But maybe in December it’ll start feeling right?
Quick November stats:
* Different perfumes worn1: 23 from 16 brands on 28 occasions;
* Different perfumes tested2: 28 from 22 brands on 28 occasions;
* Perfumes I tried for the first time: 5 (!!!);
* Perfume houses I both wore and tested the most: Diptyque (I tested Volutes before making the final decision to get a bottle and then wore it a couple of times while writing a post about it);
So since not much was happening in my life perfume-wise, in the above-mentioned post I turned to my readers for the data on their perfume acquiring habits. The question was:
Have you ever bought a full bottle of perfume on the spot, the same day you smelled it for the first time?
As I found out, I was almost the only one who has never done that so far. “Almost” – because I abused my power as a pollster and declared Lucas’ answer as No though it was a close call. The other seventeen (17) respondents said Yes (“and more than once” was a general sentiment). So instead of charting that impressive 2/17 ratio, I’ll leave you with that picture from the times when we were still having rains and my hope that there will be rain soon and that one day I’ll leave a very nice shop in a very romantic place with a very special bottle of perfume.
1 When I wear a perfume I apply it to at least three-four points and usually I plan to spend at least 4-8 hours with the same scent so I’m prepared to re-apply if the original application wears off.
2 For the testing I apply a perfume to one area on my arms easily available for the repetitive sniffing. But, most likely, I’m the only one who can smell it. I can test two, sometimes even more perfumes at the same time.
Image: my own
Undina's Looking Glass 
Great statistics post! That’s surprising that so many people are not afraid to take risk of buying perfume immediately after sampling it for the 1st time!
Thanks for mentioning my “difficult” state of impulsive purchase. I would probably place an order few days earlier if the price wasn’t so high for PHI.
Rusty looks so cute!… “You can stay under my umbrella, ella, ella…”
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I was also surprised you and I were such a minority on the issue.
I liked Phi but definitely not FBW liked. And for whatever reason the green bottle seems wrong for the rose perfume. But I’m glad you liked it so much that you almost bought it “on the spot” :)
(a treat goes to Rusty)
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You can’t win them all, right.
But Rusty always wins ;)
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I’ve bought at first sniff but I also buy unsniffed ones too. It’s a bad habit.
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I do not do blind buys any more: I’m not as thrilled with the expectations as I would be disappointed with a perfume I wouldn’t like.
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Always a fun read. You know, you need to get Rusty booked at a modeling agency. He does such a fantastic job that it’s time that he start pulling his weight by buying his own catnip…and some perfume for you!
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Thank you, Steve. I’m afraid Rusty is too moody for any regular gig: he inserts himself into the picture whenever he feels like it but it’s almost impossible to get him to participate if he isn’t interested. And he’s a strange cat who doesn’t like catnip. Treats, on the other hand… :)
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Oh my, a cat that doesn’t like treats…I have never heard of such a thing!
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“I am cat, hear me roar” <– love that pic of Rusty dreaming about being a big leopard!
Despite being really busy, you still managed to keep your statistics. You are very disciplined so I am not surprised that you apply the same to your perfume buying.
As to the rain, I hope your part of the country gets more soon….it seems to be hitting middle America!
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It is raining! Yay!!! Maybe I should quickly wish for something else? A bottle of my favorite vintage Climat in great condition? ;)
Sometimes when Rusty starts “hunting” us I’m glad he’s just a relatively big but still cat and not some other feline.
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Rusty is so colour coordinated with that umbrella – and the leopardskin keeps the feline theme going. Glad to hear that rain has finally deigned to visit. ;) Would gladly have sent you some of our wet stuff…
I guess I am not surprised that you find yourself in this tiny non-impulsive minority – you have such a sensible attitude to most things in life, but maybe one day you will be overcome by an on-the-spot purchasing urge!
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In general, Rusty matches many things in our household very well, one might even think we chose him to complement our interior ;)
I hope you’re staying warm: I heard your winter had started getting serious.
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Rusty is too cute for words. :)
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… and really appreciative of the treats he gets for that ;)
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