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.