# I'm thinking I want to start smelling nicer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477 "2019-04-13T01:21:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/41 "2019-04-14T05:05:46Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > . . .except there are additional considerations like silage, drydown, and layering. Fun hobby. > > . . . Pretty sure you meant “sillage;” I hope so, anyway. 😉 My problem is that the scents I like simply do not last, in any form. There are no, or very few “low” notes that I like. I’m all about the bright light florals and citrus. So it’s usually gone in an hour or so. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/42 "2019-04-14T05:25:30Z")
Autocorrect for the win. I swear I put it in with the right spelling too. I hear you about citrus scents lack of longevity. Some of the stuff from Acqua di Parma, in their Blu Mediterraneo line, lasts a bit longer, but it’s still like three hours instead of two. Smells great while it lasts though. The Fico, mandorlo, and arancia were nice examples of the fruits they were emulating. The various Jardin scents from Hermes, or their Essences line too, are nice versions of floral and citrus. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/43 "2019-04-14T05:43:27Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Uh, they have counters to help folks decide which of their products they want to buy so that they can sell more products. If you’re thinking they have those counters just as an altruistic service to pamper customers rather than as a deliberate sales-boosting move for their own store, you are kidding yourself. > > Especially given that AFAIK most store cosmetics-counter salespeople work partly or entirely on commission, rather than solely for an hourly wage. If you are taking up a commission-compensated employee’s time and attention to decide which product you want, and then leaving her with no commission by walking out and buying your preferred product elsewhere? Yeah, kind of a dick move. > Not saying you have to. The point is just that once you **do** know which expensive product you want, it seems only fair to buy it from the people who spent their time and labor helping you choose it, especially if their wages depend partly on the sales they make. > No, but there’s something kinda wrong with getting that good deal by taking advantage of free services intended to boost sales and then making your purchase somewhere else because it’s cheaper. You took the labor of the store’s employees for free and then gave their competitor the profit from your purchase. > > Of the various things I think about that particular consumer choice, _“gee how smart and thrifty of **Beckdawrek** to get such a good deal”_ is not super high on the list. I’m not gonna argue about my ‘consumer awareness’ or anyone else’s. Just to say, buyer beware. Of course we all shop around for the best deal. You’re either filthy rich or dumb if you don’t. Those fragrance and cosmetic counters and stores are so overpriced, anyway. I’m not buying anything from those places. Have you noticed how many malls are out if business? It might have something to do with the fact their mark up was so high. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/44 "2019-04-14T06:41:32Z")
OP, I’m going to gently turn you in a slightly different direction: laundry detergent. I’m not talking about the ones boasting scents like Mountain Meadow or Lilac Breeze. No, no, no. Wear clothes washed in those and your fellow elevator riders will wonder why they suddenly started recalling that cheap motel near the bus terminal. Nope, I mean consider changing your laundry detergent for one with a fresh scent that lasts a long time. I like the scent of Tide on a man, but you do you. And if you’re a fabric-softener household, take your smeller to the fabric softener aisle and see what smells freshest and least like a car deodorizer. Use a liquid and tuck a matching dryer sheet in your drawer. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/45 "2019-04-14T12:32:56Z")
Oooh, good call **nelliebly** I’m going to add “dry on an outdoors clothes line if possible” to that. I do that now and then, just for the fresh ‘sun’ smell. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/46 "2019-04-14T15:47:25Z")
Outdoor clothesline, I can get behind, though it’s not always practical. But the soapy perfumey scent of laundry detergents and fabric softener sheets is as bad to some of us as Axe. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/47 "2019-04-14T16:42:02Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’m not gonna argue about my ‘consumer awareness’ or anyone else’s. Just to say, buyer beware. Of course we all shop around for the best deal. You’re either filthy rich or dumb if you don’t. Those fragrance and cosmetic counters and stores are so overpriced, anyway. I’m not buying anything from those places. Have you noticed how many malls are out if business? It might have something to do with the fact their mark up was so high. Just saying. Malls started going out of business because big box stores like Walmart began stong-arming vendors into giving them special breaks on wholesale pricing that the smaller chains at malls couldn’t get. And now, after killing off all of their competition, Walmart is closing some of their locations leaving many small communities high and dry with no stores at all. But that’s okay, because everyone will be buying from Amazon online anyway. By the way, you know how much Amazon paid in federal taxes last year? ZERO. Poor Mean Mr. Mustard. All he wanted to do was smell nicer. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/48 "2019-04-14T17:45:13Z")
I have to admit that a couple of times I’ve encountered men who smelled so good that I was tempted to rip off my clothes and jump their bones. I suspect they were wearing expensive cologne, although in high school British Sterling would do it for me. I agree that your best bet is to go to a nice department store and try out some scents. Note that what smells great on one person may not work so well on another. You have to find what works with your body chemistry. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/49 "2019-04-14T18:30:29Z")
Guestchaz, great idea! Nothing beats that scent! > [@needscoffee](#): > > Outdoor clothesline, I can get behind, though it’s not always practical. But the soapy perfumey scent of laundry detergents and fabric softener sheets is as bad to some of us as Axe. The scent of laundry detergents varies as much as the scents of colognes. Not all of them are perfume-y. ---
**Author:** ![The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_King\_of\_Soup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_King_of_Soup)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/50 "2019-04-14T20:37:48Z")
I started smelling better when I eliminated pretty much all outside scents (be it laundry detergent, deodorant/antiperspirant, body soap, hand soap, shampoo, even things like toothpaste and mouthwash and dish soap). Mind you, I use these things, I’ve just found unscented varieties of each. Which isn’t easy: many “unscented” products have a very distinct smell. Now if I am told that I have a smell, it’s usually the smell of whatever spices I’ve been using to cook today, or wood smoke, usually apple or cedar, and of course sometimes I smell like sweat. I’m okay with that: usually I’m just a shower and a change of clothes away from a clean slate. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/51 "2019-04-14T22:28:49Z")
The commodity line has some amazing scents : > **[Commodity Mini Size | Sephora](https://www.sephora.com/ca/en/brand/commodity/travel-size-toiletries)** > > Commodity Mini Size are available now at Sephora! Shop Commodity Mini Size and find the best fit for your beauty routine. Free shipping and samples available. Wool in particular is…bloody hot. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/52 "2019-04-14T22:50:34Z")
I actually don’t like scents on people. Maybe if it’s very subtle, but for some reason most women’s perfume smells like bug spray to me now. I used to wear cologne, but every workplace I’ve been at in the last almost 20 years has enforced a no-scent policy. Some people get migraines from cologne and perfume. I think as long as you wash, shampoo and use deodorant you’ll be fine. And clean laundry, of course. ETA: The worst is smokers. It sucks to have to sit next to them. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/53 "2019-04-14T22:57:05Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > … The scent of laundry detergents varies as much as the scents of colognes. Not all of them are perfume-y. Yes, but you wrote: > [@](#): > > Nope, I mean consider changing your laundry detergent for one with a fresh scent that lasts a long time and mentioned Tide, which has a fairly strong scent which you said you’re able to pick out. I’d just stay away from any laundry product that has a scent designed to last a long time. Of course, ymmv. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/54 "2019-04-14T23:12:44Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Bullshit. They have counters to help folks. It’s kinda why they’re there. > [@Kimstu](#): > > Uh, they have counters to help folks decide which of their products they want to buy so that they can sell more products. This. They have counters to help CUSTOMERS, not “folks.” They’re not social workers; they’re merchants. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/55 "2019-04-14T23:58:37Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Yes, but you wrote: and mentioned Tide, which has a fairly strong scent which you said you’re able to pick out. I’d just stay away from any laundry product that has a scent designed to last a long time. Of course, ymmv. Tide _does_ have unscented variations, which is what I use. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/56 "2019-04-15T00:30:38Z")
You know what doesn’t smell good? People pissing on each other. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/57 "2019-04-15T04:01:20Z")
Friends are like snowflakes. Piss on em and they disappear. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/58 "2019-04-15T04:45:00Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Tide _does_ have unscented variations, which is what I use. OBVIOUSLY when she wrote “I like the scent of Tide on a man” she wasn’t writing about the unscented version. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/59 "2019-04-15T04:59:09Z")
I use Allure Homme Sport body wash in the shower. I have recieved positive comments. [https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/b-cat/item/15322m/](https://global.rakuten.com/en/store/b-cat/item/15322m/) ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2019, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477/60 "2019-04-15T05:38:55Z")
People complaining in the thread about colognes and perfumes, then singing the praises of various scented cleaning products, is very confusing. It’s like using a sledgehammer to place finishing nails. Clean is good. Unscented clean is better. Then you can apply whatever scent you choose, and smell like you want. I do agree that the person who overdoes it with the cologne/perfume, is not pleasant to be around. I’m also sympathetic to the idea that what people want to smell on the people they’re attracted to, is that person’s natural scent. I can’t deny though, the hind-brain appeal that various scents she likes to put on, has on me. This latest one she’s tried, [Songe D’un Bois D’Ete](https://www.guerlain.com/us/en-us/exclusive-collections/les-deserts-dorient/songe-dun-bois-dete-eau-de-parfum-bottle), from Guerlain, one time she tried it, and walked past me, it was like someone had hooked two fingers into the bottom of my nostrils and yanked my head around to see her. Absolutely intoxicating. Not everything’ll have that effect, but it’s a nice one to shoot for. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-i-want-to-start-smelling-nicer/832477.md?page=4)