But it’s difficult to ignore that lately, “gatekeeping” is being used increasingly in the context of perfume. On TikTok, the phrase “gatekeeping my perfume” has 32.7 million views and counting. A quick scroll serves up videos in which perfume lovers are reluctant to divulge the name of their signature scent, while a handful of others question the notion of keeping it under wraps.
— Read more in Why Do People “Gatekeep” Their Perfume? An Investigation at Refinery29. Hat tip to Helen!
I don’t worry about whether I smell like anyone else. As many perfumes as I have, I don’t even smell the same as myself from day to day.
I was a bit taken aback by the one TikTokker (in one of the clips embedded in the article) who sent a friend a list of perfumes that the friend is “not allowed to buy for anyone else”. How do you get to tell other people what they are or are not allowed to buy?
Right on, sister!
I agree. I have so many perfumes and many are obscure niche brands. Plus hardly anyone wears perfume (that I can notice) in my California city.
I seldom smell perfume on anyone else either. I have to wonder when someone talks about smelling a particular perfume “everywhere”. Where is this place where people wear so much perfume that you are constantly smelling it in public?
It happens. I used to work in central London & at 5:30pm when office workers had left the office & were socialising on the pavements outside local pubs the smell of Bleu de Chanel was inescapable, hanging in clouds over anyone within a 1 mile radius.
I wish people wore BdC here. Instead, everyone smells like Pot. Lol.
Well, I admit there are a few fragrances I would not want to wear because they are EVERYWHERE, but I don’t adore any of them so couldn’t say what I’d do if I did (Le Labo Santal, Baccarat Rouge, La Vie Est Belle, etc).
But can’t imagine trying to keep what I’m wearing a secret.
What’s up with gatekeeping? As I’ve commented several times, Chanel No.19 EDP should be a staple in every household, just like a chicken/turkey should be in every pot. If you’re vegetarian, you’re on your own 🤣.
Ha!
Well, THIS vegetarian keeps in No.19 in the house, ThankYouVeryMuch! 🤣
Oh good grief, give me strength! I am definitely getting too old for this sort of nonsense…
I am too old for Tiktok so it doesn’t affect me in the least.
Me too, I’m staying far away from TikTok.
I’m in complete agreement with you both – it’s something I’ve heard of but have never explored & have no intention of doing so. I am also annoyed & amused equally when someone’s job title is described as ‘TikTok influencer’ – what a load of nonsense!
I’ve actually really enjoyed TikTok as a window into the lives and perspectives of people from different socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds than my own. There isn’t another media form that has exposed me to the first person voices of people I wouldn’t encounter in the real-world spaces I normally inhabit.
That said, there’s a lot of abhorrent content and cruel commentary. My overall takeaway is not one of hope and optimism.
I live in a medium small town in the Midwest and I never smell perfume on anyone except my friends who love perfume. I wouldn’t gatekeep because, in my world, who cares?
My takeaway is wishing that my Aldi would sell perfume! And a strong desire to check out Zara’s perfumes too.
Seems kind of silly to try and “gatekeep” a mass produced product.
Exactly. You might be able to strong-arm people in your “friend” circle (who as a result probably won’t like you), but some rando at the next table could end up wearing “your” perfume anyway. Seems like a silly thing to get bent out of shape over
Gatekeep!?! I’m forcing samples of my favorites on anyone and everyone in hopes of building enough of a following to protect them from being discontinued! 😂
THIS!!! 🙂
Thank you for your good works