5ml = ONE teaspoon. No to the "decant" and instead I bought this......

[SixCats]

Hi all,

Ooh, I can't believe I "pulled the trigger" on this today. But first, there are sooooo many "Niche" Fragrances I'd love to purchase however, if I did so, I'd be in the "poor house".

My Wife said, if I don't stop buying Fragrances on line, she is going to push my Face into the Keyboards, of course I don't think she really means iiiiiiiiiiii+9999999999_(*()&$RFUIPOOOOOAWER* 09555555555555hqwt4jgqwrgAAAADTyrt59owr][0-rigvfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffrt5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All joking aside, I wanted to buy some "decants" however, I'm having a very difficult time spending the likes of fifty dollars for a tiny 5ml spray bottle (one teaspoon) worth of (for instance) Serge Lutens MKK when I can spend (admittedly more money) for an "on sale" Niche Fragrance and get at least an ounce plus of Fragrance.

I consulted my notes (of wanted/tried) Fragrances from years past and then checked the current prices. I LOVE the following Niche Fragrances: Rania J. Oud Assam, Serge Lutens MKK, Santa Maria Novella Marescialla, ELd'O Charogne, Serge Lutens Chene, Diptyque L'Autre and Eau Lente, Papillon Salome, Boadicea the Victorious "Complex", Mazzolari Lui, Bogue MAAI, ELd'O Marquis de Sade, I Profumi di Firenze etc. etc. etc. however, due to their expensive price (especially decants) I decided instead to purchase a small bottle of a most excellent Cologne (one that I have B*tched about) here on BN in the past due to it's HIGH cost (for so little juice). Ooh well, since this Fragances is finally on sale, today, I broke down and "clicked" the go button and purchased a 1.18 oz. bottle of Masque Milano "MONTECRISTO". I just had to do it! I tried to be strong and resist however, the Sprit is willing but, the Flesh is weak!

SixCats!

 

[Ken_Russell]

Congratulations and enjoy!
Even considering all of the other variables, the joy of owning this very scent should not be diminished if you a get an increased performance from this particular scent and ideally have a longer term liking towards it, thus making any purchase feel more rewarding.

 

[hednic]

Hi all,

Ooh well, since this Fragance is finally on sale, today, I broke down and "clicked" the go button and purchased a 1.18 oz. bottle of Masque Milano "MONTECRISTO". I just had to do it! I tried to be strong and resist however, the Sprit is willing but, the Flesh is weak!

SixCats!

Congratulations and let us know what you think!

 

[Akahina]

All joking aside, I wanted to buy some "decants" however, I'm having a very difficult time spending the likes of fifty dollars for a tiny 5ml spray bottle (one teaspoon) worth of (for instance) Serge Lutens MKK when I can spend (admittedly more money) for an "on sale" Niche Fragrance and get at least an ounce plus of Fragrance.

I consulted my notes (of wanted/tried) Fragrances from years past and then checked the current prices. I LOVE the following Niche Fragrances: Rania J. Oud Assam, Serge Lutens MKK, Santa Maria Novella Marescialla, ELd'O Charogne, Serge Lutens Chene, Diptyque L'Autre and Eau Lente, Papillon Salome, Boadicea the Victorious "Complex", Mazzolari Lui, Bogue MAAI, ELd'O Marquis de Sade, I Profumi di Firenze etc. etc. etc. however, due to their expensive price (especially decants) I decided instead to purchase a small bottle of a most excellent Cologne (one that I have B*tched about) here on BN in the past due to it's HIGH cost (for so little juice). Ooh well, since this Fragances is finally on sale, today, I broke down and "clicked" the go button and purchased a 1.18 oz. bottle of Masque Milano "MONTECRISTO". I just had to do it! I tried to be strong and resist however, the Sprit is willing but, the Flesh is weak!

SixCats!

That's a similar want list to mine, and I understand your points completely.

Masque is a favorite house and I have to admit I too am now tempted.

 

[SixCats]

Congratulations and enjoy!
Even considering all of the other variables, the joy of owning this very scent should not be diminished if you a get an increased performance from this particular scent and ideally have a longer term liking towards it, thus making any purchase feel more rewarding.

Thanks Ken. I sampled "Montecristo" several years ago and this Fragrance just "knocked my Socks off!" I've wanted this Fragrance ever since trying that sample however (at the time) I just didn't want to pay the price however, seeing it was on sale........At any rate, "Montecristo" will no doubt be my "Special Occasion" Fragrance to be used sparingly. I was also equally blown away (if not more so) by Rania J. "Oud Assam" however, I just can't bring myself to purchasing "Oud Assam" due to it VERY high cost. I'm a cheapskate at Heart or perhaps better said, I TRY to be thrifty. Ooh well, it doesn't always work that way lol.

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

That's a similar want list to mine, and I understand your points completely.

Masque is a favorite house and I have to admit I too am now tempted.

Hi Akahina,

Masque "Montecristo" is on sale at FragNet. It was selling out pretty quick. I waited YEARS before making this purchase of "Montecristo". While not inexpensive per se, it's a lot less expensive than when I sampled "Montecristo" several years ago. You know you WANT it! lol Good luck!

SixCats!

 

[Akahina]

You're not helping...lol. I still have a small decant from years ago that I just resurfaced. Yeah, I love it! But I still have 10-12ml so I'll pass.

I have a couple of Amouage in my want list first, Overture and Imitation. Sigh. And Renia J. Oud Assam. Renia has 8.8ml sprays on their website; wishing they were stateside.

 

[RedRaider430]

I think you're being very sensible with your buying.....so congrats on getting something you love.

Nothing wrong with indulging in simple pleasures, especially when you're doing it in the restrained manner that you are.

 

[cheapimitation]

I agree about not being into buying decants. There have been some Lutens I wanted to try that are impossible to sample in person since they pulled out of the U.S. but I just can't bring myself to pay the markup on decants. I guess I'm a bit of a packaging purist as well, I only want carded samples or discovery sets from the brand itself, I don't like the look of having a load of generic little decant bottles and I worry about contamination and evaporation.

So my solution is like yours, put it toward a full bottle I know I'd like or on the very rare occasion blind buy if the scent is available for a good price and there is no other way to try it. I can't help but think if a decant is going to cost me even $20-30 that is better just put toward a full bottle.

 

[maxwell_]

I go for decants so I can afford to try more variety. I have most of the Frederic Malle line in 10mls and they should last me years. If I empty one I’ll upgrade to a full bottle.

Most people go through a bottle much quicker than me though so bottles make more sense in that case

 

[the_good_life]

I agree about not being into buying decants. There have been some Lutens I wanted to try that are impossible to sample in person since they pulled out of the U.S. but I just can't bring myself to pay the markup on decants. I guess I'm a bit of a packaging purist as well, I only want carded samples or discovery sets from the brand itself, I don't like the look of having a load of generic little decant bottles and I worry about contamination and evaporation.

So my solution is like yours, put it toward a full bottle I know I'd like or on the very rare occasion blind buy if the scent is available for a good price and there is no other way to try it. I can't help but think if a decant is going to cost me even $20-30 that is better just put toward a full bottle.

Community decant trades are the way to go, where possible.

 

[SixCats]

I agree about not being into buying decants. There have been some Lutens I wanted to try that are impossible to sample in person since they pulled out of the U.S. but I just can't bring myself to pay the markup on decants. I guess I'm a bit of a packaging purist as well, I only want carded samples or discovery sets from the brand itself, I don't like the look of having a load of generic little decant bottles and I worry about contamination and evaporation.

So my solution is like yours, put it toward a full bottle I know I'd like or on the very rare occasion blind buy if the scent is available for a good price and there is no other way to try it. I can't help but think if a decant is going to cost me even $20-30 that is better just put toward a full bottle.

Hi cheapim. Well Sir, I believe we think alike! At one time, buying "Decants" wasn't such a bad deal (that is to say, somewhat reasonable cost). Truthfully, I would have never known/experienced so many (ME WANTS) Fragrances had it not been for "Decants".

In fact, I checked today and found the receipt for a HUGH order of decants I placed over five years ago. The prices back in 2018 were a heck of a lot more reasonable than today. So, while I have NO regrets for "past" decants, I am hard pressed to order today. Perhaps, perhaps in the future, I may spring for ONE large decant of a Fragrance I can not obtain here in the U.S. and/or not wanting to pay the cost of an entire bottle (such as Serge Lutens MKK).

Also, I 100% agree with you cheapim regarding being a "package Purist". LOL, I am ECD enough that most all (especially) my "Niche" Fragrances Boxes have all been "surgically" opened (including the Cellophane wrapper) to extract the bottle. I then "button up" the Box/packaging/Wrapper and store away! I'm not sure why I do this but, it's kinda fun/cool (even after the bottle is long empty) to go back and find the Box with Bottle.

Ooh, I also agree with you cheapim about not wanting to have a load of lil' decants bottles hanging around (and concerns about contamination/evaporation). Bottom line, until the cost of "Decants" become more reasonable (as well as shipping costs) I'm trying really hard to (ahead of time) make a plan of action when thinking about purchasing anything Fragrance related. Thanks cheapim.

SixCats!

 

[SixCats]

Community decant trades are the way to go, where possible.

Oooh yes! Very good point tgl ! I have done a lot of "Horse Trading" with members in the past and it's worked out beautifully!

SixCats!

 

[sjg3839]

Congrats. Enjoy!

 

[dougczar]

Congratulations! Your tastes are quite different from my own, however, Montecristo is one I do enjoy. A well made fragrance that should last a long time for you (a little goes a long way).