Have you ever wondered how your fragrance makes people feel? In the run-up to Valentine’s Day, we’re exploring the mysterious influence that scent can have on us.
What do you first notice in a potential partner? Their eyes, their voice? You might not know it, but smell has a huge sway on your attraction to other people.
Why Is Smell Important?
While we may not perceive pheromones in the same way as animals, we still pick up smells through our olfactory system (found in the nasal cavity) and use them to judge our surroundings. We don’t need to sniff out berries or dangerous predators anymore, but we’re drawn to the aroma of delicious food and we avoid gross, unhygienic stenches.
Responsibility is a highly sought-after trait in a partner, people want someone they can trust and rely on. A lack of personal hygiene can indicate that a person struggles to care for themselves and wouldn’t know how to look after their loved ones. That’s why we’re often turned off by a strong body odour.
Our scent perception is also heavily influenced by our experiences. We’re often comforted by familiar smells that make us feel safe. For example, all it takes is a quick whiff of pine needles to unlock a cosy Christmas scent memory.
But what makes a scent sexy?
Despite what the internet might tell you, there isn’t a definitive list of fragrances that will make someone fall in love with you. However, history and science have shown that some notes are more popular than others.
Musk
Animalistic aromas that remind us of our primal past often trigger our interest. One of the most popular fragrance notes is musk, which was originally derived from the glands of the Musk Deer. Fragrance companies have long since switched over to a synthetic blend for ethical reasons, but we’re still entranced by its powerful, heavy aroma.
Tom Ford | Black Orchid EDP 50ml | £94.00
Narciso Rodriquez | Bleu Noir For Him EDP 50ml | £53.50
Vanilla
On the opposite end of the spectrum, is the sweet scent of vanilla. Not only does it trigger memories of delicious desserts, but it’s historically been used as an aphrodisiac. Food expert Phil Lempert told United Press International “the smell and flavour of vanilla is believed to increase feelings of lust, but some studies show vanilla can raise levels of catecholamines, or adrenaline, in the blood.”
YSL | Libre Intense EDP 50ml | £84.00
Jean Paul Gaultier | Le Male EDP 75ml | £50.00
Jasmine
Carolina Herrera | Good Girl EDP 50ml | £70.00
Tom Ford | Ombre Leather EDP 50ml | £94.00
Right in the middle of these two contrasting ingredients is the ever-popular jasmine. Another historical ‘love potion’, it has a light, fresh scent with an underlying grittiness. That oomph is caused by indole, a compound used by the flower to attract insects. It’s also found in the human body and animal…leavings. Don’t let that worry you, jasmine has a delightful sweet aroma with a hidden earthiness.
