Bewitch Him with Scent - Perfume Articles

Excerpts from a fragrance editorial, Bewitch Him with Scent, in Cosmopolitan Magazine, December 2011 issue.

New science suggests certain perfumes can subconsciously make a tough-to-pin-down man see you as absolutely irresistible. These love potions will help you get exactly what you want.

It sounds far fetched that what you spritz on your neck or wrist can have such a powerful effect on your love life, but a study by Rachel Herz, PhD, author of The Scent of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell has shown that how you smell is second only to appearance when it comes to attracting a potential mate. And it goes beyonce just smelling sexy. Experts say certain aromas can lure in different types of guys. ID the one you want (committed girls, we've got you covered too!) and adopt these new scent strategies.

You want... A guy friend to see you as something more

Spritz On... Anything that smells like a bouquet, such as rose, gardenia, or lily. Floral smells conjure up images of love and femininity -- even in men's minds, says Terry Molnar, executive director of the Fragrance Foundation/Sense of Smell Institute. Wearing a flowery-smelling perfume will help him realize that, hey, you're a girl with girl parts. Plus, studies have shown that some floral smells increase penile blood flow, so there's that.

Victoria's Secret Angel This floral fragrance includes notes of gardenia, plum, violet, musk, agarwood and amber, eau de parfum, $59

Cosmic Radiance Britney Spears A fruity floral fragrance with notes of gardenia, jasmine, peony, lychee, musk, sandalwood and amber, eau de parfum, $50

Outspoken Intense by Fergie This floral perfume includes notes of blackberry, gardenia, passion flower, white amber, musk, and blond cedar, eau de parfum, $30

You want... A brainy guy to take you more seriously

Spritz On... An energizing fragrance with heavy hints of mint. In a Wheeling Jesuit University study, men and women who played different workout-based video games remained engaged in the game longer when they were exposed to peppermint. Meaning, when you're wearing this aroma, he'll be more captivated by what you have to say. You can also try grapefruit or orange scents, which have similar invigorating properties.

Bath & Body Works Be Enchanted This fruity floral fragrance includes notes of citrus, pomegranate, pear, honeysuckle, vanilla, sandlwood and musk, eau de toilette, $29.50

Avril Lavigne Wild Rose A fruity floral fragrance with notes of grapefruit, mandarin, frangipani, orange blossom, orchid, musk and sandalwood, eau de parfum, $42

Brash Heart Attack This fruity floral perfume includes notes of pink grapefruit, nectarine, jasmine, red currant, coconut and sandalwood, eau de toilette, $20

You want... A real alpha male to focus only on you

Spritz On... A perfume blended with patchouli, musk, pepper, or leather, extrabold notes that'll het this chick-magnet type's attention. "There is a mystery associated with these smells that is sensual, and attention getting," says Molnar. Strawberry-spiked scents can also be powerful when seducing a ladies' man. The fruity note has been found to make guys who are very sexually satisfied even more turned on, says Alan R. Hirsch, MD, director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.

Shine by Heidi Klum A floral oriental fragrance with notes of pink peppercorn, pear, mimosa, lily of the valley, vanilla and musk, eau de toilette, $30

Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose This fruity floral fragrance includes notes pink pepper, blackcurrant, jasmine, peony, vanilla and cedar, eau de parfum, $56

Fan di Fendi Floral perfume with notes of pink pepper, blackcurrent, rose, jasmine, leather and patchouli, eau de parfum, $76

If you're in a Long Term Relationship...

Before your next night in, scent your skin with something new, then bust out your most badass bedroom moves. He'll forever link that perfume with you and pleasure, says Herz, and in the future, you can whip out your secret weapon to get him hot automatically.

Oh, Lola! Marc Jacobs A fruity floral fragrance with notes of raspberry, pear, peony, magnolia, sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla, eau de toilette, $68

Vera Wang Lovestruck This floral fragrance includes notes pink gauva, mandarin, angelica, lotus blossom, tuberose, woods and musk, eau de parfum, $68

Betsey Johnseon Too Too Fruity floral perfume with notes of strawberry, passion fruit, jasmine, pink musk, sandalwood, vanilla and patchouli, eau de parfum, $42

("Bewitch Him with Scent." Cosmopolitan Dec. 2011.)

Back to main page for Perfume articles

Top of Page