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To what extent does scent affect attraction?

Tagged as: Big Questions, Dating<< Previous question   Next question >>
Question - (28 February 2015) 8 Answers - (Newest, 1 March 2015)
A female United Kingdom age 26-29, anonymous writes:

A question for the uncles!

How much do you enjoy a female's scent? Would you pick a clean but plain smelling girl or rather one who had on an distinct added scent such as perfume, deoderant, shampoo etc.?

To what extent does scent affect attraction?

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A reader, anonymous, writes (1 March 2015):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thank you to all of the amazing answers! Personally, I'm more of a 'plain-smelling girl' i.e. shower with 'normal' soap, use hair moisturizer, roll on/antiperspirant stick and I'm literally ready to go. Keeping clean is far as it goes for me. However I've just recently starting really dating and wanted to know if playing up scent would help. Perfume's always been a thing I just associated with my mother and older female relatives or only for the 'sophisticated', however after finding that many guys can seem more alluring because of their perfume/scents, its made me more self-aware and curious as to what would suit me, and how it would affect other's perception of me.

Think I'll start off light with a much more deliberate choice in shampoo, soap, moisturizer and deodorant then go from there...

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A male reader, C. Grant Canada +, writes (1 March 2015):

C. Grant agony auntThe right perfume can be amazing. By "right", I mean one that actually works with your body chemistry. For some women there doesn't seem to be any such thing -- there just isn't a perfume that works for them. But when it works (and it's not lavender or something that reminds me of my mother) the effect is electrifying.

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A male reader, mfj78 United Kingdom +, writes (1 March 2015):

Hello!

I like a clean, plain smelling girl more than one wearing some expensive, designer perfume. The latter makes me fret she will want an expensive xmas gift LOL! But a lack of scent can make a woman smell like she hasn't made an effort if its a first date or something of that nature.

Some smell is better than non; a manufactured smell better than a self produced one and a cheaper, more cost effective product not tested on animals and Fairtrade is far better than some Celebrity brand, that costs a months wages for a tiny bottle of something that normally would retail for pennies under a different name.

No, for me when it comes to scent I prefer a more subtle woman. A frugal squirt of "Plain Jane" does just the job for me.

When I am mingling debonairly amongst the opposite sex I like to do so without having my eyes sting from half a bottle of perfume omitted by a woman like a haze of fog. Some women smother themselves in the stuff like its going out of fashion - that smacks of attention seeking and loosens my contact lenses.

Scent can have an effect in making someone more alluring BUT there has to be an attraction beyond that. A bit like how a side order of big, well cooked onion rings makes a meal a bit more special, but if the steak tastes like it is an escapee from The World of Leather then the onion rings are not going to revive my opinion.

Of course a woman, nor indeed us fellas should ever omit the aroma of sweat, bodily functions or bad breath. I found that out last week, pity it wasn't sooner. Anyway I would rather get a strong waft of mouthwash, deodorant or "No Flakes for Men".

Some fragrances are a bit "young", others are a bit "old" smelling. If a pleasant young woman wears the kind of smell my gran (RIP), or Jean who lives over the road with her granny hat and collection of thimbles would wear, it would make me think she was old before her time and that I was dating an OAP. Or simply remind me of trips to my nannies house on the 62 bus that made me sick. See smells area strong stimulant to our memory...

Sometimes I catch a whiff of the same soap in public toilets that was used in the school lavatories when I was a kid. (Not that I hang around such places) It often results in a big flashback to being at school. My memories of school are vague and misty normally until a certain scent triggers a major flashback to being a junior.

I had a toy as a child made of a plastic that had a strange smell, very occasionally I catch a brief hooter full of the same smell at work and I get a big flashback to being a little boy playing with a plastic figure.

One smell I cant stand on a woman - lavender. Sorry. If your a pensioner fine, if not don't go there.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (28 February 2015):

I've had boyfriends and numerous guys who've told me they love my scent. The only things I can think of that might've made me smell a certain way is I worked out like an animal. Always playing tennis and running and I spent a lot of time at the beach, swimming in the ocean, surfing. Sweating eliminates toxins and makes your body very clean. And the ocean is full of minerals so it naturally cleanses and exfoliates your skin.

And in addition to that, bathe everyday, just use shampoos from the pharmacy, nothing fancy and yes, I've always worn perfume. Even as a teen. I love perfume. I think it's sexy.

There is a quote by Coco Chanel that says: "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future."

Some perfumes are gross and they smell cheap so be careful what you wear. And perfumes smell different on everybody so it's best to find one that smells good on you.

I stay away from fruity smells. They make me gag. I find nothing sexy about smelling like a strawberry or a grapefruit. I like scents that are floral and or musky.

About three years I had this guy who claimed he fell in love with me because of how I smell. He said he loved my perfume. So yeah scent can have a great impact on attraction.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (28 February 2015):

Ohhhh...

I'm sorry,I'm not an uncle,but for me it totally worked the the other way around!

As in the smell of the guy drove me crazyyyy( the actual smell, not perfume, more like pheromones if you will-google HLA).

A friend of mine,who happens to work in a lab, then explained that apparently, it has already been scientifically proven that we are attracted to someone with different genes from ours.This is one of several articles on the subject: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117027&page=1

It's interesting stuff! I researched it a lot,because I had never had such an experience before (or after!sadly...) that guy.

It was a bit freaky... (as in,I never expected the attraction to be that strong and that immediate!)

You now sweat? That smells very,very off putting to me (I don't even like my own!),however with this guy, his sweat=smelled like a candy store to me, reaction= get back in bed! Yup! Very weird!

Genetic compatibility sadly doesn't guarantee emotional one. However, now that I've smelled heaven,I can't go back...I just can't.

So now looking for both...ah,well,one day hopefully :P

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A female reader, Honeypie United States + , writes (28 February 2015):

Honeypie agony auntI think that is rather individual. Some smells evoke strong emotions and memories, so which "affect" attraction others may remind you of someone from the past pleasant or unpleasant.

I had a friend who LOVED the smell of newly washed hair.

My husband grew up using Irish Springs soap - he prefers that scent to Dove or many other soaps. I personally don't LIKE Irish Springs lol so we all have certain scent we like/dislike.

Some like certain scent (without even knowing why)

So it's not as easy as "this scent" does this and "that scent" does that.

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A male reader, olderthandirt  +, writes (28 February 2015):

olderthandirt agony auntA huge turn off is too much perfume. It means another smell is being covered up or something. Clean and fresh is the best! All those shampoos scents and perfumes are sickening.

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A male reader, anonymous, writes (28 February 2015):

I prefer no scent when I meet the woman and if she uses one I don't have a problem telling her that it's good or that it doesn't. If your man does not like it then be open to finding one that agreeable to both. Personally overindulging into smells is not too appealing and some perfumes are rather nasty.

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