Why Women Prefer Smelly Men (mostly)

Why Women Prefer Smelly Men (mostly)

Have you ever noticed your date leaning in to get a better… sniff?

It may not have been your imagination. Science confirms that a woman’s sensitivity to smell plays a big part in the game of sexual attraction. But what exactly is she smelling? Well, a combination of things, actually.  Pheromones for one, invisible chemical signals we men spend our days and nights wafting around which women are particularly sensitive to. The only problem is we don’t quite know to what degree yet, and in practical terms there’s little you can do about your pheromones or how they might be interpreted – for better or worse. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other smells you can’t control, including your natural body odour. 

Clearly there’s room for error here. What’s critically important is that for body odour to be deemed attractive it needs to be light and fresh on the skin. If it’s been around for more than 20 minutes it’s likely to start acting as a repellent. So rule number one: watch your personal hygiene. Believe it or not, one way is by increasing your intake of orange, yellow or reddish fruit and veggies like mangoes, carrots, oranges, squash and yams. These all contain carotenoids that are known to make the scent of body odour more attractive to women. If that sounds a little too ‘natural’ you could do what most of us do –  wear a long-lasting men’s fragrance to keep you smelling fresh.

Before we go down this path, keep in mind not all fragrances, including colognes and deodorants, are created equal. There are several key ingredients to look out for and according to the SIRC (Social Issues Research Centre) in the UK these include scents like vanilla which is said to be pleasing to both sexes, contributing to a feeling of well-being and calm. Musk is a more primal scent, originally derived from animals (now often synthetically produced) and known for making people smell more attractive. SIRC concludes that women tend to be more sensitive to musk than men, as is the case with citrus and lavender, both of which have been identified as winners with the women.

So if scents like vanilla and musk have such a positive impact on smell, it makes sense that you would include them in your grooming products. And there’s one in particular that definitely has the pedigree to back things up.  

Brut Original, launched in 1964 by French perfume giant Faberge, is one of the most consistently successful men’s fragrances in history, standing firm against 50 years of fashion trends. And there are very good reasons for this. With notes of citrus, lavender, vanilla, and a wide range of fragrances including musk, Brut naturally appeals to many men and women’s tastes – tastes that haven’t changed much in decades.

So the next time a women says you smell nice, give yourself a pat on the back and ask yourself what you might have been wafting around that day. Outside of a healthy dose of pheromones and basic personal hygiene, there’s a good chance it’s because you’ve sprayed on a deodorant or splashed on an aftershave she subconsciously couldn’t resist. 

To learn more about Brut fragrances, click here.

Check out Brut's range of products for the modern man
Brut Original After Shave Lotion​

Brut Original After Shave Lotion​

Take confidence in one of the world’s most popular fragrances in a toning lotion that invigorates after every shave.

See Full Range
Brut Original Ultra Dry Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

Brut Original Ultra Dry Anti-Perspirant Deodorant​

Stay fresh and dry for longer. ​Brut Ultra Dry technology provides an extended, 24-hour defence against sweat and odour.

See Full Range
Brut Shower Gel

Brut Shower Gel

Look and feel your best with our 3-in-1 performance gel. Combines skin-toner, cleansing shampoo and an all-over odour-block in one shower bottle.

See Full Range
Brut. Be your own man.

Are modern men manly?

It’s a classic piece of advice many of us try to live by : be your own man. But the definition of what a man actually is gets more complicated every year. Are there indisputable rules for being a man?

If you believe everything TV, movies and your Dad’s generation tell you, being a man is simple – sport, beer, hard work and a bit of romance if it doesn’t get in the way of your motorbikes or boxing. If so, a quick shave, splash on a manly cologne, tidy jacket and BOOM! – instant way to have a happy life, happy wife, 2-3 kids and a Commodore.

Masculinity today definitely has more dimensions to it than that cardboard cutout ideal of the 70s. These days, a 20 something concrete layer is just as likely to be seen at a hipster music festival as an uber cool metrosexual is in the backyard doing DIY. Truth is, today’s men are as manly as they ever were. It’s just that their ‘manliness’ now comes in different forms. The main thing to remember is that no matter what kind of man you want to be, the key is to be your own man.

So here’s our top ‘be your own man’ tips:

1 – Whatever you do, do it with confidence.

Nothing says you’re a man as much as self-confidence. How do you get it? Simple self-respect. Stay fit and healthy. Keep yourself looking sharp, thinking sharp and smelling fresh. Talk to any prospective employer or partner and they’ll tell you confidence is key.

2 – Appreciate every man for who they are.

Being yourself in the modern world takes guts. Respect that and avoid being the dude who knocks other dudes for being different. Build them up and have their back even if they’re not the same as you.

3 – Have heroes, not idols.

Everyone needs role models they can look at and say “you’re nailing it”. Just keep in mind nobody’s perfect. Have your heroes but don’t lose sight of the fact they’re only human and there’s a ton of things you can do that they could only dream of.

4 – Look forward but respect the classics.

It’s good to live in the now, but for that well-rounded attitude, it’s also good to draw from the past. Some things will always be classically masculine including certain fragrances. Brut is a classic in the truest sense. From body wash to cologne, its unmistakable scent is arguably more relevant today than it was 50 years ago when it was developed by Faberge. Nothing says ‘be your own man’ quite like Brut.

There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to being your own man. The main thing to remember is that masculinity isn’t going out of style, it simply changes with the times.

To learn more about Brut fragrances, click here

Check out Brut's range of products for the modern man
Brut Original After Shave Lotion​

Brut Original After Shave Lotion​

Take confidence in one of the world’s most popular fragrances in a toning lotion that invigorates after every shave.

See Full Range
Brut Original Ultra Dry Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

Brut Original Ultra Dry Anti-Perspirant Deodorant​

Stay fresh and dry for longer. ​Brut Ultra Dry technology provides an extended, 24-hour defence against sweat and odour.

See Full Range
Brut Shower Gel

Brut Shower Gel

Look and feel your best with our 3-in-1 performance gel. Combines skin-toner, cleansing shampoo and an all-over odour-block in one shower bottle.

See Full Range