VALENTINE’S Day is around the corner, and with 45% of Brits claiming smell is the key to attraction, I sought out expert knowledge on this year’s top scents.
I got the lowdown from the experts at The Perfume Shop on the best scents to buy this Valentine’s Day to increase your chances of finding The One.
The connection between scent and attraction is primal, and Married at First Sight relationship and dating coach, Mel Schilling, explained how the two work together.
“Pheromones are scents that we secrete from our bodies at certain times,” says Mel.
“When you’re becoming attracted and aroused you secrete certain smells.
“Often this is the reason why you are strangely and unexplainably drawn to someone, what is fascinating to me is that the part of the brain that receives smell is right next to the part of the brain that receives emotion – the link between smell and emotion is so incredibly powerful”.
So, since smell plays such a huge role in attraction, I asked the experts at The Perfume Shop what those particular scents and smells are that mostly mirror that primal pull and if there were any fragrances on the market right now that amplify this natural subconscious pull of attraction.
Which scents enhance attraction?
“We have lots of fragrances that hit the top mark – fragrances that carry the scents that I call the top 45% of the known fragrances that attract,” says The Perfume Shop panel.
Notes from the amber and vanilla family repeatedly came up as “essential” to attraction.
They stated that vanilla comes out as one of the highest for attraction and is a current trend to look out for when purchasing a new fragrance.
The best Valentine’s Day scents for attraction
Very Good Girl Elixir by Carolina Herrera and Fame Couture by Rabanne contain the ingredients that 45% of people are attracted to.
Fame Couture, Paco Rabanne, £144
Fame Couture, Paco Rabanne, £144
Not only does Fame Couture come in an adorable chic bottle, but it’s also flying off the shelves with over 400 4.5-star reviews.
I noted a strong vanilla scent which was heady and intoxicating, so if you’re looking for an attractive alluring scent that also looks good tossed in a handbag – this is the one for you this Valentine’s Day.
Very Good Girl Elixir, Carolina Herrera, £145
Very Good Girl Elixir, Carolina Herrera, £145
Very Good Girl Elixir plays on cherry and vanilla notes, again tapping into those trending tantalising scents.
The signature stiletto has always had a cult following. Its Elixir version, launched in 2024, has a strong base note of vanilla and cherry mixed in a sweet, sultry combination.
Another one to adorn this Valentine’s Day.
Which scents trigger which emotions?
Energy and attraction
The panel noted that perfumes to be worn on the wrists “often enhance attraction and energy since they are close to pulse points where heat and energy can amplify scents”.
This includes Flower by Kenzo which has mature notes of sandalwood and amber.
Love and calm
“Perfumes that evoke warmth, comfort, and affection often impact the heart area to promote feelings of love and emotional balance”.
These fragrances include Daisy Wild, Marc Jacobs and Stronger With You, Armani as well as Good Girl Blush (another Carolina Herrera variation) which all carry the seductive notes of rose and vanilla.
If cherry is your forte then Sabrina Carpenter’s Cherry Baby is also a strong contender to consider and is incredibly affordable at just £24.99.
Where is the best place to apply perfume?
The panel warned to avoid the neck area to prevent premature ageing:
“The skin is delicate on the neck and the alcohol in perfume can cause you to age quicker,”
So, spraying from a distance and walking into the scent was favoured as well as applying to pulse points where the warmth of blood can enhance the strength of a fragrance.
How to find your perfect scent
The Perfume Shop have a Fragrance Finder tool which helps you to find similar scents to your perfumes.
Alternatively, there are experts in-store you can talk to who will find a scent that will be the closest match to a current favourite of yours.
So, whether you’re looking for a scent for date night, a scent to attract a new partner or to treat yourself for Galentine’s check out the vanilla-based perfumes on trend this year at The Perfume Shop.
