What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Sophia Loren attributed her success with men to pasta. Well, everything I have I owe to patchouli. One boyfriend described the scent as “that dark, peppery smell that gets me so hot.” Scent and sexual attraction go hand in hand, so it’s important to know what fragrances will turn your guy on—and, more importantly, what will turn him off. Though every man is different, if any of these five scents is sitting on your dresser right now, chuck it!

 

 

 

1. Sweet

 

Chocolate is a known aphrodisiac, but smelling like a chocolate bar—believe it or not—won’t make you more enticing to a man. In fact, it may be a big turnoff for him. Glamour’s Susan Cernek and Lindsey Unterberger polled a group of men on their favorite and least favorite scents on women; they found that most of the respondents thought that food smells should stay in the kitchen. (Not the women, that is, just their perfumes.) “I don’t think women should smell like food—nor should men, for that matter,” said one guy in the group. “Desserty smells make me hungry, not turned on,” said another.

 

The singular exception to this rule is vanilla. The men thought Laura Mercier’s French Vanilla Soufflé Body Crème was “lickably good.”

 

 

 

2. Fruity

 

Men’s aversion to food smells extends to that citrusy body wash or shampoo you use every day. We think it’s yummy and invigorating, but men just don’t find it sexy. Nix anything with citrus, berry, apple, or any other fruit notes. “It smells like Jolly Ranchers,” said one respondent in the Glamour poll, “and I like Jolly Ranchers, but I’m not sure I’d want a girl to smell like one.”

 

Choose fragrances that make you smell like a grown-up, not a kid in a candy store.

 

 

 

3. Floral

 

Ever wonder why your boyfriend never buys you flowers? It’s because he, like most men, probably isn’t that fond of their scent. Any fragrance that is overpoweringly floral will make a guy keep his distance.

 

Also, according to the Glamour men, roses, lilacs, and lavender remind them of their grandmothers. “If it’s too flowery, it makes me think of an old lady,” said one.

 

Spritz yourself up to smell like a bouquet of gardenias and you won’t get the chance to leave lipstick on his cheek. (Or anywhere else, for that matter.)

 

 

 

4. Powdery

 

You should generally avoid any scent that brings out a man’s Oedipal reflex. This includes anything that smells “powdery fresh” or that has a rubbing alcohol after-scent. If he wanted you to smell like his mother, well, you probably wouldn’t want to date him anyway.

 

 

 

5. Smells Like a Broken Heart

 

Scent is one of the strongest ties to memory. The same former boyfriend who commented on the patchouli I wear can still knock me to my knees with his aftershave. Every once in a while, some other guy on the street will be wearing the same scent as him, and all I’ll be able to think about is my ex. Men are no different.

 

This is a tricky one. You’ll usually have no idea what kind of perfume a man’s ex-girlfriend used to wear, but if he makes a comment, swallow your pride and find another scent. It probably bothers him more than he’s willing to admit to you. “That’s crazy,” said one of the men in the Glamour poll about a certain fragrance. “It reminds me of the way my girlfriend smelled junior year of high school. It would freak me out if a new girlfriend wore it.” Would he break up with her? “Well, I might ask her not to wear it.”

 

 

 

Don’t Sweat It

 

Women who spend hours every day washing and shaving and perfuming themselves may be surprised that normal body odor can be a real turn-on for the right man. Research shows that we seek out partners based on their scent, and use our senses of smell to find mates that are genetically different from us. Deodorants, perfumes, and scented body washes interrupt this natural process of attraction. So don’t sweat it if you don’t have time to shower three times a day in the summer. Let those pheromones hang out; the right guy just might come sniffing around.

 

 

 

It All Makes Scents

 

Based on Glamour’s poll, men don’t seem to appreciate perfume. They don’t want us to smell foody, fruity, floral-like, or powdery; they just want us to smell like the individual women we are. A dab here and there of a musky, earthy scent like patchouli, sandalwood, or amber can bring out natural pheromones without overpowering them, but heading out for date night au naturel is perfectly acceptable, too, and preferable to smelling like a bakery or flower shop.

When you dab or spritz on your favorite perfume, are you wearing it for yourself or the man in your life?  Every woman wants to wear a fragrance that makes her feel beautiful and that others enjoy too.

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TOP PICKS AT A GLANCE

Best For Daytime

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

La Vie Est Belle

  • Classically beautiful
  • Versatile enough for all year
  • Feminine and intriguing
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Best For Evening

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Hypnotic Poison

  • Signature scent
  • Perfect for cooler months
  • Spicy and sexy
VIEW LATEST PRICE →

Best For Office

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Carolina Herrera Good Girl

  • Classic for all seasons
  • Romantic rose fragrance
  • Launched in 2016
VIEW LATEST PRICE →

Wearing a fragrance men love makes a woman feel even more attractive. Date night, an anniversary celebration, or just a quiet evening at home can be perfect occasions for wearing an irresistible fragrance.  

If you’re dying to know which are the best perfumes for women that men love, we have curated a collection of fragrances men find irresistible.   

Table of contents

  • Our Top Ten Perfume Picks 
  • The Type of Perfumes Guys Like Best  
  • Final Thoughts  

Our Top Ten Perfume Picks 

Everfumed.com tested myriad fragrances for women, getting input from men on the ones they enjoyed. A magazine for perfume lovers, we asked women what fragrances they love to wear throughout the year, during the day, and into the evening.  

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for Daytime  

Daytime perfume should be a lighter fragrance, still attractive to men but not overwhelming in a board meeting or at a lunch date al fresco. La Vie Est Belle from Lancome delivers all this and more.

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Classically beautiful, feminine, and intriguing, La Vie Est Belle is a fragrance appropriate anywhere. Notes of sambac, jasmine and Tunisian orange blossom are blended with patchouli for warmth and praline for a touch of sweetness.

PROS: This is the fragrance to wear for a job interview, a brunch with family, or a daytime date.  

CONS: La Vie Est Belle may be too demure for some. 

  • For: Women   
  • Seasons: Versatile enough for all year   
  • Wear it: Office worthy and beautiful for other daytime occasions  
  • Launched: 2012  

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for Evening

A fragrance rich with oriental spices and woodsy notes, Hypnotic Poison is sweetened with jasmine and musk and accompanied by vanilla, a scent long thought to be an aphrodisiac.

Hypnotic Poison comes in a bottle that brings to mind the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden, and it is as seductive as that container suggests. Hypnotic Poison is the perfume of a confident woman.    

PROS: Many reviewers say Hypnotic Poison is their signature scent.  

CONS: This is not for women who don’t like a woodsy scent. 

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: This spicy, sexy scent is perfect for cooler months  
  • Wear it: Hypnotic Poison is excellent for night.  
  • Launched: Dior launched Hypnotic Poison in 1998 and reformulated it in 2006.  

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for Winter

Thierry Mugler Angel was the fragrance that launched the gourmand genre of perfumes. It is still a regular decades later. A rich vanilla scent, Angel gets brightness from bergamot and the sweet surprise of praline. Thierry Mugler warms this with patchouli.  

PROS: Angel is one of the perfumes that make guys go crazy.  

CONS: Thierry Mugler Angel and its vanilla-forward profile may seem like a younger woman’s fragrance.  

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: The gourmand notes of Thierry Mugler Angel are a perfect pairing with the delicious flavors of winter and holidays.  
  • Wear it: Angel is heavenly for evening but not too heavy for daytime wear.  
  • Launched: 1992  

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for Spring and Summer 

An ultra-feminine fragrance, Marc Jacobs Daisy makes the list of men’s favorite fragrances for women because of its flower-forward formula.

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Feminine floral scents on women turn some men on. With top notes of violet leaf, grapefruit, and strawberry, Daisy settles into middle notes like jasmine and gardenia and base notes of musk and vanilla.   

PROS: Daisy is a sweet, light, springtime scent.  

CONS: Marc Jacobs Daisy is best suited for younger women and those who like a lighter, sweet floral.  

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: A sweet floral, Marc Jacobs Daisy smells like springtime, flowers, and freshness.   
  • Wear it: Daisy is a daytime scent that is still a perfume that turns guys on.  
  • Launched: 2007  

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for Fall

A classic women’s fragrance that stays in style, in part, because of how much men love the scent, Clinique Aromatics Elixir is a blend of fresh, feminine, woodsy, and warm scents.

With notes of oakmoss, sandalwood, and patchouli, Aromatics Elixir is lightened with white jasmine and rose. The scents of ylang-ylang and vetiver make this layered fragrance one that is memorable.   

Clinique Aromatics Elixir has the warm fragrance notes that are a perfect pairing with a soft fall sweater and a favorite pair of blue jeans for a weekend spent together.  

PROS: This classic fragrance is a perfume that turns guys on without being too sexy for daytime.  

CONS: The spiciness of Aromatics Elixir may be overwhelming to some.  

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

  • For: Women 
  • Seasons: Fall and winter    
  • Wear it: Daytime and evening wear   
  • Launched: 1971  

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best Floral

Flowerbomb is true to its name. A bouquet with notes of sambac, freesia, and jasmine, Flowerbomb is lively, fresh and feminine. Some men adore floral scents on women. If your man is one of them, this fragrance will have him smitten.

PROS: Flowerbomb is perfect for wearing with a linen sundress on a spring day..  

CONS: Flowerbomb is sweet, so it may be too floral for some.  

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: Spring or summer
  • Wear it: Daytime  
  • Launched: 2005  

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for the Office

Good Girl by Carolina Herrera may seem vampy with its stiletto heel bottle, but its tuberose notes are classic. Sexy but office-appropriate, Good Girl can take you everywhere. One of the best perfumes for women that men love is a romantic rose scent that isn’t overpowering.

PROS: Good Girl shows that being good doesn’t have to be completely innocent.   

CONS: Good Girl isn’t as complex as other fragrance options.  

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: Classic for all seasons
  • Wear it: Daytime  
  • Launched: 2016

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best Iconic Fragrance

Shalimar has been driving men wild for nearly a century. This fragrance classic is best for the evening. A spicy and citrusy perfume, Shalimar has boasts mandarin, cedar and bergamot. Imagine wearing the same come-hither scent as a 1920s flapper.

PROS: An intriguing scent and history make Shalimar an iconic French perfume.

CONS: Shalimar may be too heavy for daytime or warmer months.

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: All year
  • Wear it: Evening
  • Launched: 1925

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best Exotic Scent

Black Orchid by Tom Ford is an amber floral with a tropical twist. Men smell Black Orchid and its top notes of jasmine, gardenia, and citrus, not to mention the base notes of white musk and vanilla, and dream of a tropical vacation.

PROS: A feminine floral with warmth, Black Orchid isn’t too sweet, making it a woman’s fragrance.  

CONS: Black Orchid is a sexy floral that may be too much for daytime.

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: Summer  
  • Wear it: Evening
  • Launched: 2006

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What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Best for Seduction

Obsession is a spicy, sexy scent that is woodsy and intense. Top notes of vanilla, basil, bergamot and peach fade into middle notes of sandalwood, coriander, and cedar.

An amber, musk, and vanilla base bouquet warm the Obsession experience, making it a sensual scent.

PROS: Obsession is a smoldering, sexy fragrance that drives men crazy.  

CONS: This perfume may be too seductive for daytime.  

  • For: Women  
  • Seasons: Fall or winter  
  • Wear it: Evening  
  • Launched: 1985

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The Type of Perfumes Guys Like Best  

The perfumes that turn guys on may have an explanation in science. Researchers have found that, since ancient times, men are hard-wired to rate their mates based on scents.

What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?
What is a mans favorite scent on a woman?

Since sweet, delicious scents bring pleasant memories, vanilla and cinnamon attract men. Light florals such as jasmine and lavender and fresh, citrusy fragrances also are fragrances that turn guys on. Sandalwood and musk as base notes are also seductive.   

Final Thoughts  

If you’re wondering what perfumes do guys like the best, wonder no more. We’ve discovered the fragrance notes that men find most attractive in our search for the perfect perfume to get your guy going. Make these your signature scents, and you’re guaranteed to be wearing one of the best perfumes for women that men love and keep those men intrigued.

What scent turns a man on?

Aphrodisiac scents include pumpkin, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, peppermint, and ginger. Despite some skepticism around the use of aphrodisiacs, studies show that many of these aromas do work — they can be easily incorporated into anyone's fragrance routine.

What scent turns guys on the most?

Pumpkin Pie + Lavender. The scent of pumpkin pie (especially when combined with the smell of lavender) increased arousal in 40 percent of men. ... .
Jasmine. Dr. ... .
Black Licorice. ... .
Cinnamon. ... .
Vanilla. ... .
Banana Nut Bread. ... .
Citrus..

What scent will make men fall in love?

Lavender is also known as the 'herb of love,' and has been used to entice men long before the times of bottled fragrances, it would even be rubbed over women's clothes to give off the sensual scent. The scent has actually been reported to increase penile blood flow by 5 percent – yes, seriously!

What perfumes turn guys on?

This research concluded that the scents of Lavender, Licorice and Donuts, Pumpkin Pie (cinnamon), Orange, and even Popcorn lead to increased arousal in men. This makes sense as these scents probably remind men of happy memories, positive emotions and an overlying feeling of comfort.