The role of pheromones and attraction in perfume

What are pheromones? We know they kind of have something to do with attraction, right? But knowing how they actually work and how perfume’s involved is a whole other ball game. Luckily, we’ve got the founder of IME Natural Perfume, Tonia Walker, on board to help us figure it all out...
RELATED: The fragrance that makes you feel more attractive
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First up, pheromones
We communicate through pheromones without even realising all the time. They're little chemical messengers released from the body that have an effect on another member of the same species. Tonia explains that it’s like having a sixth sense; we can’t see, touch or feel pheromones, but they can influence our feelings of wellbeing, confidence and sexual desire. “[It’s] a feeling you get from an undetectable smell you associate with another person,” Tonia says.“It’s human nature at its most primal instincts.”
Sexy pheromones
gif via giphy.com
So if pheromones have an effect on sexual desire, do we know what can spark them?
George Preti of the Philadelphia Monell Chemical Senses Center has said that researchers have been hoping to find a human sex pheromone for decades. “That doesn’t mean a human sex pheromone doesn’t exist,” he told Smithsonian Magazine. “It just means we haven’t found one yet.”
A human sex pheromone doesn’t seem too out of reach though – considering researchers may have found a turn-off pheromone. One particular study had a group of women watch a sad scene from a movie before vials of their tears were placed under the noses of a group of men. The researchers suspected the scent would elicit empathy, but found instead that the men’s sexual arousal and testosterone levels were reduced – the scent of the tears alone signalled to the men that romance was off the table.
Sexy scents
There isn’t really a surefire ‘sexy scent’ recipe known to fire up your pheromones. “The fact is, our sense of smell is emotional, and there is no logic to emotion,” Tonia says. “So finding a fragrance attractive on someone really comes down to what that fragrance reminds you of or how it makes you feel. If it’s a good feeling then the person wearing it is going to look that little bit more attractive than without it.”
But just because there isn’t a guaranteed 'sexy scent' recipe doesn’t mean there aren’t important notes to know...
“There are sexy go-to notes you can use when setting out to create a ‘love potion’,” Tonia says. She cites rose as the love enhancer, jasmine for confidence and euphoria, geranium to balance hormones and get the blood pumping, and spices like cardamom and cinnamon can also balance hormones while adding extra spice.
Looking to cause a stir with a new scent? For something spicy, beautyheaven loves The Body Shop Red Musk Perfume Oil, IME’s kalliope perfume and Estée Lauder Cinnabar. Or for something more floral, beautyheaven loves Elizabeth Arden Blue Grass Eau De Parfum, DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom and Crabtree & Evelyn Rose Eau De Parfum.
Strategic spritzing
gif via giphy.com
Let’s get down to tactics. According to Tonia, you can get strategic with your perfume. So if you’ve got an upcoming Tinder date, or some big Valentine’s Day plans, take note...
“Be strategic in the sense of picking a perfume that compliments you, one that you love and that makes you smile at that particular time,” Tonia says. “You will radiate beauty and confidence, and I don’t know any woman who doesn’t feel sexy when they feel beautiful and confident. Or at least a little cheeky.”
But you shouldn’t try to guess a potential partner’s scent preference. “Perfume is very personal, so choosing a fragrance based on another person’s opinion could definitely have the opposite effect,” says Tonia.
And as for strategic application? “My advice is, spritz anywhere you like, just not the face and eyes,” says Tonia. “Spritzing on your pulse points is fine except the fragrance diffuses a lot quicker as they are heat points on your body, so I also like to spritz the back of my neck, collarbone & hair. For an all over lingering effect without being too overpowering. You could also spritz behind the knees & a little on your clothes.”
Did you learn something new about pheromones and attraction? Do you get strategic with the kinds of perfumes you buy?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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47 Member Comments
I think we can all differ in what is appealing in perfume. What smells good to some may not to others.
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I believe that scent is a very personal thing. The scent either suits you or it doesn’t. I also believe it can make a difference to how you feel.
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I think scent is a very personal thing. What might smell good to one person might be off-putting to another. I don't think people should be worried about attracting others when they wear a scent, and should just wear what they like and what smells good to them. I think you are much more likely to attract someone when you feel happy in yourself.
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I've been loving the Mercedes Benz ones lately. ♥ I've never thought too much about scents - I just go for the one that appeals! It's a bit like love at first sight for me with perfumes. I know if I like it straight away -- or not!
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pheremones hey? My husband just gets the sneezes when I wear strong perfume. Still I do love to smell nice (just has to be in moderation).
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Enjoyed reading the article and all the comments so far!
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If only they could bottle pheromones, right?
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Ha ha that was funny when she says 'just not the face or eyes'!! Yes I will be avoiding those areas! ; )
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I tend to steer towards fragrances which are more woodsy and earthy rather than those that are floral fruity. I like sandalwood based scents.
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I love those ones too lynx.
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I don’t think my hubby ever noticed that I wore fragrances
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I just choose scents I like
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I always buy a perfume based on what scent I like which is usually vanilla or citrus.
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Copulins are a proven pheromone to arouse men. I actually buy a lot of pheromone enhanced fragrances.
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personally I love sweet vanilla and caramel type scents with fruity and maybe a little sweet floral - seems to work as guys always comment on those type of scents more than the green or woody scents
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Reading this all I could think of was Hermione Granger describing a potion as smelling like parchment and freshly cut grass.
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Yes, don't spray on your eyes :)
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Pheromones are so interesting! My boyfriend's natural scent makes me feel safe!
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Oh that's lovely Snailor! x
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I heard somewhere that men love Calvin Klein's Euphoria For Women EDP - it's a favourite perfume for them on women. I have yet to smell it.
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When I buy my perfumes I pick ones that I like, when I get something for husband I get ones that make me want to rip his clothes off lol
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Ok this was something different. When I wear a perfume it has nothing to do with what is in this article, I pick my perfumes simply on what I like & not to feel sexy & not to feel confident & not to attract the opposite sex but simply on what I would wear myself I don't need a perfume for all of that I've plenty of confidence.
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I'm a nerd & a predatory single woman. I've read that bourgeonal (found in lily of the valley) is the only scent that males are more sensitive to than females. In a test tube, it attracts sperm.
I use vanilla & lily of the valley, but I don't know if they really help or not.
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Now that's strategy, misfortune8! x
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