Romantic Scents: Love at First Sniff

You are in the middle of your basketball training when the hottest woman in campus entered the gym. You are mesmerized by her beauty and the more you look at her, the more you feel the urge to introduce yourself to her. She sits on the bleachers and starts to watch as your team plays. Finally, you muster enough courage to approach her. As you extend your arm and do your move, a rather unpleasant smell makes its way towards her nose. Yes, you may have a killer smile, but you body odor can also kill whoever gets near you. And that is not a very good first impression.

According to the Smell and Taste Research Foundation, first impressions are based on smell to a large degree. That's why for Dr. Allan Hirsch, director of the foundation, instead of talking about love at first sight, we should be more concerned with love at first sniff. However, how are you going to smell attractive when you smell like you have never taken a shower since basketball was invented?

Smell have significant effects on the areas of the brain that project perceptions and feelings. Certain scents appeal to women. Others to men. Scents and fragrances usually fall under one of the following categories.

• Floral scents. Arguably the most popular and the most common of all types of scents, floral scents are any mixture of flower essences, which results in an irresistibly soft and classic scent. Although there are exceptions, these scents are more feminine than masculine.

• Fruit or green scents. These scents are a combination of fruit aromas, grassy scents or both resulting in a clean, fresh, sweet smell. This type has been enjoying increasing popularity in the past years.

• Oriental scents. If it is rich and exotic scents you are after, oriental scents are for you. These are any combination of vanilla and spices.

• Chypre scents. For a woodsy yet delicate scent, choose chypre scents. These scents are any mixture of a floral scent and earthier aromas such as oak moss and bergamot.

Aside from the types, you may also want to know the most common perfume ingredients that can instantly make you a love-magnet.

• Vanilla. Vanilla is always one of the top in any list of romantic scents. It may be plain but no one resists the smell of vanilla. Both men and women are attracted to this smell. It is comforting, relaxing and most importantly, sweet. This is why vanilla is usually the fragrance used in most top-selling perfumes.

• Lavender. One of the most calming scents in the world, lavender is soothing. It releases muscle tension for a good relaxing night.

• Cinnamon. Another common ingredient in most perfumes is cinnamon. This smell is so strong and attractive that it can overpower most perfumes without it. It appeals to both men and women, too.

• Musk. For a more masculine scent, musk is usually preferred. Musk is a powerful odor which is naturally produced by male musk deer.

Whether it's for perfumes or candles, romantic scents will surely leave a good lasting impression to help you grope the love of your life. The way to somebody's heart may not be the stomach but the nose after all.