Perfume for Women as an Investment
While art, jewelry, and fine wines are common investments, a less thought-about investment direction is perfume. That’s right! Perfume for women, specifically bottles of scents from either big fashion houses or from a limited collection, which tend to appreciate over time. Let’s look at investing in fragrances, why they become valuable, and how you can start investing, too.
Why Do Some Perfumes Appreciate?
Not all perfumes are made to be of value. Some age like fine wine while others don’t. What makes a particular perfume asset-worthy, and why do some perfumes become so common? You end up tossing it in your handbag alongside the pen caps and coins? There has to be a rhyme, a reason for the season. In the perfume world, these are a few factors that make the magic happen.
Limited Editions and Discontinued Scents
A lot of perfume houses make limited numbers of bottles or discontinue production of a particular batch, which basically makes it a Horcrux — very rare and very valuable. Rarities are bound (pun intended) to be hoarded and valued and, in some cases, literally fought for.
Iconic Brands and Signature Scents
There are many perfumes that transcend cult or popular status into theoretically priceless territory. They aren’t just a run-of-the-mill fragrance but rather the true essence of the heydays of glam and sophistication that mushroomed into the bottle.
Packaging and Presentation
The more the merrier, aka the more limited edition bottles fancy collaborations with top-tier artists or designers, the more expensive the perfume will be. Who knew a $200 bottle of perfume would be important just because of cool packaging? Collectors don’t just like collecting the bottles; they like to keep them new and tucked into the packaging, sandwiched between mothballs and lots of bubble wrap, of course.
Cultural Impact and Popularity
Certain perfumes can achieve cult status for reasons such as association with famous personalities, movies, or a particular period in history. If a top actress made it known that she found a perfume appealing, the grapevine would be bustling with excitement, leading to an increase in demand and sales. A perfume may also be raised from a regular to a cult status by its impact on the culture and society.
How to Start Investing in Perfume for Women
If you’re titillated by the prospect of investing in perfume, you’re not the only one. A steadily growing number of investors are beginning to notice and appreciate the value of fragrance as an asset class. But how and where do you even start investing in perfume?
Research and Education
You wouldn’t invest in anything without first educating yourself, would you? Industry knowledge is the foundation of your investment. Study the history of perfumery, be familiar with established brands, and learn about the various scent families. Some websites are very informative and are a must-visit for fans and collectors.
Start with Iconic Scents
Just like with any other market, it’s smart to begin your perfume investments with certain tried-and-tested propositions. The mainstream, emblematic fragrances of the leading perfume-making houses are often the safe choices. Look for limited editions or fragrances that have been announced as being about to be discontinued – these are perhaps more likely to soar in price.
Consider the Condition
A perfume doesn’t necessarily have to be new, but condition is important. In most cases, a perfume bottle or packing, especially one that’s sealed and in its box, is usually more valuable than a used bottle. If you’re looking to add a vintage or discontinued perfume to your collection, be sure to pay close attention to the packaging, fragrance composition, and how it was stored. Age isn’t the problem with perfumes so much, as is the way they are stored. Once perfume has been exposed to sunlight or heat, its quality drops.
Diversify Your Collection
Just as you do in the stock market, diversify. Do not commit all your capital to a single fragrance or even brand. Build a collection of different fragrances and bottles. Add some flacons for variety. Not only will this move protect your invested capital, but it will also make your collection more interesting and pleasurable.
Keep an Eye on Trends
All markets are subject to trends, and the perfume investment market is no different. Keep an eyes on the market, read what’s popular via popular perfume YouTubers, bloggers and try to keep up with as much information as possible from both mainstream and niche houses. If you have the inside track on the most recent fragrance, you can find out the investment potential and chase down future discounts or value before the prices increase.
The Future of Perfume Investment
The perfume investment world is expanding. As with anything investment related, dip your toes in and start slow. You never know whether the value will increase or decrease. It might be that a particular smell drops from glory, never to be restored. On the other hand, the whole industry might experience a dip. Only by keeping your eyes peeled and being proactive can you make wise decisions.
But investing in women’s perfume isn’t just a good monetary move. It’s a hobby and a fun one to boot. It’s like collecting things, but instead, you end up with beautiful glass bottles, each with a story and history. Perfume collecting is like owning a piece of art you actually can and will use on a daily basis.
Fragrances can be a decent investment if you know what you’re doing and are willing to do the legwork. So, do your research, understand what makes a fragrance valuable, and keep an eye on trends. You just might end up with a collection that pays for itself. And who knows? The perfume you spritz on today may be a ticket to a wealthy future tomorrow.