Photo by Flickr user Daveybot. Used under a Creative Commons license.
So one of the quirkier (but, I swear, no less real) consequences of my “no-sex” class theory is that because men are invested in the idea that women aren’t interested in sex we make choices that enforce that belief.
Case in point from Mary Roache’s book Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
According to a press release from the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, Illinois: Men’s colognes actually reduced women’s arousal levels as measured by pelvic vasocongestion.** (Of ten other aromas tested cherries and charcoal barbeque are turn-offs while, for some reason, a mixture of cucumber and the candy “Good n Plenty” got higher marks.)
The point being, though, that when given a choice men of scents to make themselves more attractive, we choose scents that turn women off… After which we log in to MRA and PUA forums and grouse about how “them dames just ain’t intrestested.”
Me? I think soap and water, and maybe just a bit of unscented antiperspirant, might be the best bet. That’s what I’ve always liked best in other people, and what I’ve been wearing most often when partners have grabbed me and said “mmm you smell good.”) So I’m just guessing that’s probably what most other people prefer as well. You, evidently, could do much worse.
[** Researchers use an insertable photoplethsymograph to measure the amount of blood flowing through vaginal walls. Hospitals use sort of similar devices on earlobes or fingertips to measure things like our pulse and oxygen levels. As with penile plethysmographs that measure arousal in men there’s some controversy as to whether they measure what everyone thinks they measure, but there’s enough consensus that researchers feel comfortable continuing to use them. —fl]
Submitted by 2109 (not verified) on Thu, 2008-04-24 21:43.
A few thoughts on the subject:
I've got a fondness for some of the scents put out by Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs (most of which "work" for people of any gender) but as far as that goes it's something I *wear* and not something I think of as *me*. (It's too pricey to use on a daily basis.) It's like the olfactory equivalent of a well-tailored suit - I like how I feel while wearing it.
On the other hand, I'm always flabbergasted when I look through men's toiletries and see the completely unevocative names they use to describe the scents. (Seriously, what is a "mountain glacier" supposed to smell like?)
One issue with perfumes/colognes is that many people use way, way too much. No scent is going to register as sexy if your inclination is to move away from the source. But as far as the "you smell good" reaction, my experience (such as it is) matches yours - it's most common when I forgo artificial scents entirely. (But even then, I suspect it's very context-dependent.)
[Funny thing is I know *exactly* what a mountain glacier smells like. Short answer: not bad at all but not like perfume either. I agree "you smell good" is highly context specific. Thanks, JFP. --fl]
Submitted by 2109 (not verified) on Fri, 2008-04-25 11:31.
Wow, that's awesome. I have joked before that Axe Body Spray is a good way of ensuring that you never, ever smell like vagina. But I had no idea it was scientifically verified.
[Not sure it was Axe (it was a *very* long time ago.) But then the "no-sex" class mentality was even more entrenched back then. Thanks, tps12. --fl]
Submitted by 2109 (not verified) on Fri, 2008-04-25 19:38.
I assume they tested various generic men's colognes, and not the women's partners' colognes. I suspect the results might have been different. Smells may start out neutral or even cooling but they can develop powerful associations.
[Hi Holly. Actually I'm pretty sure it's about associations and nothing at all innate. So yeah, the study was probably much more describing a status quo and not making any deep biological assertions. Still, though, good to know. I think there's been a similar study showing men respond best to pumpkin-pie aromas. Of course *that's* different though. :-) --fl]
Submitted by 2109 (not verified) on Thu, 2008-05-01 07:30.
I was discussing this with a friend as I prepared to physically meet the love of my life for the first time. My friend said "I hope it's everything you want it to be." I asked what he meant by that. He said "Well you know---he could smell wrong or something" He had unknowingly hit upon something huge.
I have never been attracted to someone whose 'skin' didn't smell right to me. Not cologne or soap--their natural scent.
Too much cologne is gross.The wrong cologne is gross. Most women I know --when discussing how someone they are drawn to smells---say 'He smelled clean" or "good" without being able to define it.
And just so you know--when I returned from meeting up with my love I told my friend---"He smelled amazing" He truly smells like 'home' to me.
Submitted by 2109 (not verified) on Thu, 2008-05-01 07:31.
Sorry--forgot to say YUM on the pics;-)