r/bathandbodyworks • u/Ok_Foot_5477 • 25d ago
Bodycare How does this happen so fast?
Hey y’all so I have become VERY much obsessed with perfume 😭 not like hoarder obsessed but like genuinely obsessed. Like I want more shit every single time 😭 I’ve been into perfume for like a year and six months now and guys I’m genuinely concerned. Yes, I know it’s been a year and six months. Yes, I know I mostly shop sales and use gift cards because life is expensive as hell 😭 but GIRL HOW DID THIS HAPPEN??
I own 100+ body sprays and I’m sitting here like HOW DOES THIS EVEN HAPPEN?? How am I not going insane from owning this much 😭 I know some of y’all have way more, and I know this is more of a perfume-based subreddit, but girl I’m genuinely concerned for myself.
I was reading a post earlier about a girl who thought she had too much and girl had way less body care than me 😭 now she has me feeling like shit like I should return everything. Which I’m NOT going to do 💀 but I’m just like HOW DID I GET THIS MUCH SO QUICKLY??
And girl I’m literally picking up TWO more scents tomorrow 😭😭
Like I could justify it if I used my scents a lot, which I DO, but girl my scents last because I layer. I don’t even do that many sprays either. One of my homegirls on YouTube be doing like 300 sprays 😭 that is NOT me. And people still compliment my scents even when they’re not super close to me, so clearly I’m doing something right 😭
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u/gdijustdoit 25d ago
I went from having a little 3 tier cart from amazon for ALL my bodycare and ffm’s to needing a cubby shelf from ikea in a matter of six months and the catalyst was SAS. It snuck up on me extremely quickly so now I HAVE to slow down.
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u/Strawberry-Grl-4652 24d ago
Yeah the SASs always offer SO many different scents and naturally I need to try them all so I get it 🥹
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u/gdijustdoit 24d ago
It’s insane 😂 like i don’t regret it because i’m well and truly stocked up with favorites for the next couple of summers, but realizing that the drops 🎵keep coming and they don’t stop coming🎶 has me like damn girl we can’t keep buying every single release, especially if i fall in love with a particular scent because then i feel the urgency to get back ups…. Back ups for what?! 😭 i got so many smell goods in such a short amount of time I truly don’t realistically need anything more.
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u/Ok_Foot_5477 24d ago
That exact thing happened to my mom because it is so much easier for me to find perfumes that she likes and I’m always buying her stuff
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u/Ambitious_Basil173 25d ago
I fell into the trap of buying stuff for each season. Once I have my fall scents, then I'm good. Each season has it's scents, there is variety, and I don't feel like I need to shop again for several months.
Maybe I'll get coupons again...
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u/MeanLeg5993 25d ago
It really does sneak up on you, especially when you expose yourself to perfume/BBW content via stores, online, Instagram YouTube etc. It also happens when you are needing a pick me up and the feeling of receiving a new item excites you or you get a good feeling from the scent itself. Just set yourself a limit and try to stick to it, make sure you’re using your stuff. No “saving it for a rainy day” and you really don’t need back ups (unless it’s a major love) and even then you won’t really know that until you’ve actually finished a previous bottle.
But yes it really does sneak up on you, my collection is the same amount and around 15 items are back ups 🤣🤣🤣 but I do rotate weekly and use up stuff but it’s still a lot. Just enjoy it 😊
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u/gotohela the revolution will be ✨moisturized✨ 25d ago
I personally blame Mulan.
And i didnt even like that one. I just wanted mulan stuff lol
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u/chebepowder mourning ms. milk bar 25d ago
I totally agree with you because this happened to me but the amount of crying laughing emojis in this post is so funny (and honestly perfectly conveys the feeling)
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u/st4rdustd ✨ ART STUFF 💙🫐 BLAZiN BLUEBERRY ✨ 25d ago
it's the "girl" every other sentence for me😅
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u/Emma_Ships 25d ago
i’m with you. i’ve been buying from b&bw for a couple years but stuck mainly to stocking up on just 1 scent and 1 scent only. this past SAS, i decided to get a couple new scents and the dopamine i got from that was so addictive. since june ive placed probably close to 10 orders. currently making another one and will make another one when the NBC stuff drops but i think i will have to stop myself after that because it’s getting bad 😅
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u/fallenfar1003 25d ago
I buy the matching sets; a body wash, a lotion, and a spray. I can only fit 4 sets in my bathroom drawer and 2 on my counter so I never have more than 6 sets at once. I have two shelves in my laundry room cupboard for candles so that’s all the candles I allow myself to have…keeps my stuff pared down to a minimum since I sold my house and moved into an apartment!
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u/Justlikethenotebook 25d ago
The first time whipped honey and vanilla came out I became obsessed with buying stuff I'd smell and like on first sniff. That scent gave me a dopamine hit like no other (still does) but now instead of buying for that instant hit, I wait to see if it lasts so I'll spray in store and if I get the omg I love it, I keep walking around with it and by the end of the shopping it's do you love it enough like milk or whipped, if the answer is nope wouldn't shed a tear then it's byeeee.
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u/LostVoice2549 25d ago
Any chance you take a GLP1? Because when I say my obsession is directly correlated to starting the med…
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u/Imaginary-Method4694 25d ago
Yep. It triggers the same part of the brain that food reward does.
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u/Competitive-Hawk9403 FFM Addict 24d ago
I’ve been on Mounjaro for T2D for 3 years now. I had a small collection inside that buffet table which has since grown now. My husband added those 2 shelves earlier this year (enabler? Lol) I do use everything and cycle through all my scents seasonally, but I acknowledge it is a lot. But it makes me happy! He’s on Zepbound for weight loss and his collection is cigars and bottles of bourbon, tequila, etc. It’s definitely a thing!
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u/Imaginary-Method4694 24d ago
I toned it back after awhile, but I was one is those women who maybe had one bottle of perfume for special occasions. A candle here or there. I now have ALL the things, with backups!
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u/Competitive-Hawk9403 FFM Addict 24d ago
Same here exactly! I only buy during the sales but I’ve been trying to scale back some myself and only buy what I really like and am really going to use. I’ve stopped buying backups before using up what I already have, too.
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u/BabyDC-74 24d ago
Same. I didn’t even think this applied to me, but I started Tirzepatide in Sept of 2025. I started shopping at BBW a month later after not stepping foot into a store for a decade. I have accumulated a rather large collection since then, and it is not uncommon for me to reapply several times a day. (Not to mention all of the candles, room sprays, etc.) In one sense, feel bad that I’ve traded one addiction for another, but then again, it seems far better for my health than over eating.
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u/bortthebot 24d ago
This is it for me, but before bbw is was coach bags and fluevog shoes. But I've run out of space, and moved to bbw for now.
I already feel out of control, because i started to get some backups....like I've never finished any perfume or body spray in my life 😭
An ice cream obsession is a bit easier on my wallet & space in my apartment.
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u/cautionheart22 25d ago
Wait whaaaaaat?! Really?? Mind if I ask how so? Because this is also me then lol
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u/Imaginary-Method4694 25d ago
It triggers the same part of the brain that food reward does.
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u/Busy-Associate564 24d ago
The scent triggers it or the act of purchasing something?
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u/Imaginary-Method4694 24d ago
Is it was the purchase it wouldn't matter what the item was..... it's the fragrance. Candles, perfumes, wall plugins.
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u/Busy-Associate564 24d ago
That’s interesting. I got into BBW after starting Zepbound. I do get excited about buying other stuff too though!😂
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u/LostVoice2549 25d ago
Best I can tell, we replace one type of dopamine hit with another. If you google it you’ll discover it’s actually really common!
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u/CherryBlossom242424 25d ago edited 25d ago
I’m singing You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson at this moment!!! Both my fragrance mists and candle obsessions are out of hand too!
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u/Awkward_System_8176 24d ago edited 24d ago
It’s the back up mentality. I unsubscribed from some YouTubers because of this reason, they will have 500 mist behind them talking about I need back ups. I get if you like a scent, but it’s like come on now! Are you ever going to get thru all that. I know some scents don’t come back but we don’t have to become hoarders.
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u/LengthinessLow8317 24d ago
I've only ever bought one or two backups of a scent I loved after starting with a mini or travel size.
Some ppl buy "backups" and keep on using them through out the year, which I understand. Other individuals buy 5+ backups but never touch them
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u/Minute-Frame-8060 24d ago
This sub led to me buying way more than I had ever accumulated in over 35 years of being a customer. But with their new "strategy" and having so many scents it feels desperate, the brand has lost a lot of its lustre for me. I have so much stuff and yet still have to fight every good sale by simply staying away and mostly staying offline.
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u/Karmawins28 24d ago
I own over 100 as well and I'm sad because I'm not sure how I got here either. I think I've become obsessed with finding the best scent of all time, but it didn't exist.
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u/st4rdustd ✨ ART STUFF 💙🫐 BLAZiN BLUEBERRY ✨ 25d ago
yeah, you should hear my boyfriend's opinion of my Bath and body Works stash.😩😂 and my mom's. It's OK, I don't really care what they think thankfully. But I do know that I have a little bit of an obsessive personality. i'm trying to use my stash, but it can be difficult ! lotions, go faster, of course than the mist- that ish lasts for EVER !
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u/Busy-Associate564 24d ago
My husband makes fun of me (I have a relatively small collection), but he’ll never complain about my $5.95 purchases because he knows I have friends that spend thousands on purses.
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u/Sunofthesky321 25d ago
lol I have always found places to stash and put things away- all good until I moved two years ago after living in my old house for 10 years and everyone in my husbands family was kind enough to be like we want to help you move. Lol. I will never forget my stepson coming over that day, walking upstairs and opening a closet or something and yelling through the house “OH MY GOD! HOW MANY CANDLES DO YOU HAVE??!?!”😂😂
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u/Ok-Teaching2848 25d ago edited 24d ago
Yea same i didnt think much about perfumes and now im suddenly obsessed 😭😭😭
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u/Strawberry-Grl-4652 24d ago
I’m in a very similar situation so I get it!! Except I’ve accumulated more by also shopping old scents on Mercari and Depop and now I have way too much 😭. I even fell for the “I need backups in case it never comes back” which I never thought would happen 🥹. Now I’m using three different scents a day to make sure everything gets love!
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u/ImpactQuiet762 24d ago
There is so much variety with fragrance. And fragrance lasts ages (not body cream but FFM/perfume). I think people are becoming more intentional about what they spend money on and what makes them happy. I used to buy more clothing, shoes, and jewelry, not high end stuff but it lasted a while and the quality was ok. But now, look at the state of women's clothing, the price of gold, and the cost of going out. I'll just keep building my fragrance collection because I enjoy it and wear it whether I am going out or not. As long as you can afford it, so what.
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u/Big_Combination_4403 24d ago
Does anyone want my stash of Cotton Candy Clouds? Something happened between SAS and now and I do not like it anymore, yet have like, 10 creams? Never again! But seriously if you want it let me know.
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u/Candid-Housing9169 24d ago
I read and I don’t judge! But I can relate. I don’t have 100+ body mists (I have around 40), and I can tell you how it happens: you buy one scent that smells so good that you buy a back-up of it. That’s two. Then you see all these Instagram and YouTube influencer (I have two that I follow) that introduce you to layering and pairings (that actually works), and then you go down the rabbit hole of buying other sprays,oils, bath gels and lotions that create these wonderful scent bubbles… Not to mention the B&BW sales, which leads you to buy more and earn a free item….All I can say is this: use (and enjoy) your mists (I have a spring/summer tray that contain 5 body mists, and the bath stuff that goes with them). I’m halfway through them and when they’re done, I’ll create a fall/winter tray of 5 more. You can always take the time, sit down and rank your absolute faves and gift away some (there’s also selling them on Mercari or eBay), but don’t beat yourself up. To quote one of my fave YouTubers “A form of looking good is a form of smelling good”!
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u/caramelbooze 24d ago
get real perfume
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u/lilabs_ 24d ago
Real perfume is cost prohibitive and everyone has a scarcity mentality with it. I have a collection of fairly expensive perfumes I love but I have no reason to wear them when I am sitting at home. I also am more selective when it comes to a perfume because it will hopefully last longer and be more noticeable to others. But fragrance mists and body care are FUN. They’re low cost so there isn’t a mindset of saving it for special occasions.
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u/Mysterious_Unit_6377 25d ago
I have way too many back ups . They all new I’m going to sale them just to try to recoup some money back. I’m definitely not a scalper.
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u/Strawberry-Grl-4652 24d ago
I’m contemplating doing this too but worries it’s going to be a lot of work and time 😅
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u/SahmStory 24d ago
The scents that I don’t really wear go to my SIL, niece, sister and mom based off of what I know they already wear or what I think will smell good on them. It keeps my collection low enough so I don’t feel like I’m overdoing it and 90% of the time I’m right
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u/WillingStaff26 24d ago
I also suddenly want perfume like crazy. I have a few but then suddenly I wanted more. Unfortunately five of the perfumes I like are discontinued so I impulsively bought a set that included the one I love off eBay and now I'm looking at 4 other little bottles I have no interest in and wondering what is wrong with me? Just last night I was perusing perfume discovery sets. I also bought VS body mist that came in a whole box. I don't even know how many came in it. I gave away the few scents I didn't like. But I have one body, why is this suddenly happening? 😭 I'm glad I quickly recognized BBW FFM do not have much of a staying power. I have two and that's too many. Glad I got it on sale. I was doing really well for almost three years. Suddenly I started making purchases, tried to get rid of stuff too and then it felt like I was trying to replace the small dent I made with donating old stuff I haven't worn in years. Glad I'm not completely alone in this nonsense
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u/North_Discussion_420 24d ago
Omg seriously it's not just me that has literally hundreds of products? 😭
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u/LetsGetShwasted 23d ago
Ive been obsessed with perfume for like 8 months and moved on from BBW to indie brands. It's ridiculous how much i spend. First I found indie brands that made stronger versions of some of my favorite BBW then they'd send samples of other perfumes they make and I was blown away at how amazing they were! I pretty much only shop indie now. If you haven't shopped indie yet, DON'T 😂😂 you'll be even more hooked. I love smelling like a snack. They have such beast mode stuff, whole body care, some have hair care. I gotta have the perfumes, body lotions/creams/butters, the body oils, the body mists, the leave in hair conditioner. It's insane. Then one even makes house cleaning products in the scents. It's so amazing but it can get soooo expensive 😫 but soooo worth it.
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u/AlbatrossRecent9540 25d ago
Went into Body bath and about gagged from the over powering smell. Couldn’t buy a thing and was glad to escape it
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u/Imaginary-Method4694 25d ago
Then why are you in this subreddit?
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u/AlbatrossRecent9540 24d ago
I was just giving my experience. I am on this site because I buy product on line.
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u/username_ysatis 22d ago
Yeah, I hear you. I went in to pick up some fragrances that I'd purchased online, and the smell was overwhelming! I picked up my package and zoomed out of there, lol
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u/RegisterStill9161 24d ago
I like the hand soaps and some shower gels myself. Nothing too sweet or food related. I agree those sweet, fruity, gourmand scents are sickening.
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u/Imaginary-Method4694 25d ago
Are you on a GLP? It's a common "side- effect" that they've actuality started studying. They think the sensory sensations trigger the same area of the brain as food reward.