The Power of Man Smell

Smell is a sense in humans that operates in the background like an iOS app (or Android, whatever). Unlike senses in the foreground such as sight and hearing, we often don't notice how it affects our emotions or our behavior. We already know that people can appear to be more attractive when wearing particular colors, but can the same be said about people wearing particular scents?

According to science, smell taps into the emotional part of the brain faster than any other sense, and results in quick and visceral approach-avoid decisions based on instinct and memory. Scent, therefore, is a huge component of sexual attraction. But what kinds of scents are the biggest turn-on?

AskMen says that the fragrances women are most attracted to are:

Vanilla
Who isn't at least a little bit confusingly attracted to baked goods? This is a universal scent, because every man and woman on earth loves cookies (or should). Some common recommendations for colognes containing vanilla notes are Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford and Shalimar by Guerlain.

Patchouli
This earthy scent is coming to the foreground of perfumery for its supposed arousal ability. Patchouli Patch by L'Artisan has very straightforward patchouli notes, while Gentlemen Only by Givenchy is more subtle.

Musk
This is a classic that has been around for ages due to its close resemblance to the smell of male pheromones. It is the essence of masculinity, and a universal lady-pleaser. Kiehl's Musk is both affordable and old school. Body Shop White Musk also has a big following.

Peppermint
Clean and fresh, peppermint is bound to keep you alert and energized. And it'll keep you smelling like you just showered all day long. Some favorites are Piper Nigrum and Heeley Menthe Fraîche.

Ylang Ylang
Good luck pronouncing the Tagalog name of this trendy scent. It is not only considered to be an aphrodisiac, but it is purported to relieve high blood pressure and reduce acne by regulating sebum production. However, you might not want to rub it all over your body. Just stick to a splash. Try Eau D'Hadrien or Gucci Envy.

Jasmine
The scent of jasmine is subtle, exotic and beautiful, although not necessarily feminine. It is a highly underrated scent among men, so if you want to smell unique, this is the flower for you. Give Le 3eme Homme by Caron or Globe by Rochas a try.

If you're not a fan of or are allergic to fragrances, natural man smell isn't a bad way to go (and by "man smell," I mean "clean man smell." Don't stop showering!). For the perfect combo, go with a good scent and the color blue, which women are naturally attracted to. Try this blue silk tie offered by Tien Son.

What men's fragrance do you swear by?