Here are 14 amazing tips that will keep you smelling good all day long.
I was 19 the first time someone ever told me “Hey, you smell good!” It was the best compliment I’d received ever, and it didn’t come out of nowhere.
I had only recently started using a shower gel instead of a soap. That, plus my new fruity shampoo were probably the reasons he said it (this has nothing to do with romance, in case you’re wondering, so get your head out of there).
Since that day, I have been obsessed with making myself smell good.
The thing is, when you walk into a room knowing that you smell good, it really boosts your confidence, makes people gravitate toward you, and leaves a lasting impression. And who wouldn’t want that?
Not just for other people, you should want to smell good for yourself too.
I put effort into making myself smell nice even when I don’t have to go anywhere, because it makes me feel like a queen of my space (which all us ladies are).
But the thing is, smelling good doesn’t come from just spritzing on a designer perfume and calling it a day.
It’s a curated process, a combination of personal care, strategic choices, and a touch of olfactory art. Fancy words, I know, but the tips in this post are super simple and understandable.
So, if you’re ready to unlock the secrets to smelling amazing all day long, then please, read on. This is your ultimate guide on how to smell good all day long:
15 Tips To Smell Good All Day
1. Be Regular With Your Showers
No matter how expensive your fragrance is, it can’t mask the smell of skipped showers. Your skin is your topmost layer, and it needs to be spotless to hold onto scents properly.
So, take regular showers — once every two days at least. I personally can’t go a single day without shower as my skin gets sweaty very quickly.
Use a good body wash that not only cleanses your skin but also leaves behind a subtle scent.
(Must try: Frosted coconut snowball shower gel from Bath & Body works)
You shouldn’t rush this step. Thoroughly cleanse your body with a loofah, especially areas that are prone to sweat and oil buildup, like your underarms, back, and feet.
Pay special attention to areas like your neck and behind your ears, as they can trap sweat and oil if neglected.
You can use a body scrub once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells (exfoliation). It will allow your natural scent and applied fragrances to stay on your skin longer.
2. Use a Body Lotion After Shower
Moisturized skin holds onto scents longer than dry skin. You should think of your skin as a sponge. The better you hydrate it, the better it will will absorbs and retain your fragrance.
As soon as you step out of the shower, gently pat your skin dry and apply a body lotion on parts of your body that are prone to dryness after shower. I use the lotion on my arms, underarms, stomach and legs.
Most importantly, you gotta moisturize your pulse points. Your wrists, neck, and the area behind your knees — these are the zones where your scent will radiate the most.
To smell good all day, you should be using a scented lotion that aligns with your fragrance preferences (like a citrus-infused cream if you’re wearing a light perfume).
If you’re worried about clashing scents, go for an unscented moisturizer. It will just hydrate your skin and won’t ruin your signature fragrance. Good old Vaseline is great for this!
My current obsession from is the Gingham Love body lotion from Bath & Body Works:
3. Master the Art of Perfume Application
The first golden rule to fragrance is to apply it to your pulse points.
These areas, such as your wrists, behind your ears, the base of your throat, and even the inner elbows, are warmer and help diffuse the scent naturally.
Second thing, you should spray your perfume from a distance of about 6-8 inches instead of doing it up close.
Why? Because it will distribute the perfume evenly and avoid overwhelming concentration in just one spot.
Third thing, you should not rub your wrists together after applying perfume.
This common habit actually breaks down the fragrance molecules, causing the scent to fade faster. Instead, let your wrists air dry.
Fourth thing, if you want your hair to carry the same scent as your skin, you can lightly mist your hairbrush with perfume and run it through your strands.
This way, you won’t be applying anything alcohol-based directly to your hair and so it won’t cause dryness.
4. Layer Your Fragrances
By layering your fragrances, you can smell awesome from morning to night (no kidding, I promise).
So how do you do it?
You start with your shower routine! Use a body wash that matches or complements your chosen perfume.
Follow it up with a matching or body lotion to lock in moisture and amplify the scent. Lastly, spritz on a perfume that has the same fragrance as you body wash and body lotion.
This method will create depth in your fragrance, making it last longer and smell richer. Layering, ladies!
Many brands sell body washes, lotions, and mists of same fragrances, so you can buy both and use them on the same day. Or if that isn’t an option, just buy products with similar notes of fragrances.
These days, I am using the Frosted Coconut Snowball shower gel and Waikiki Beach Coconut body mist from Bath & Body Works.
Both of these have coconut as its main fragrance and so they layer up really well on my skin. I really do smell like a coconut all day.
You can also try blending different fragrances to create a unique signature scent that’s all you.
For example, you can pair a vanilla body lotion with a floral perfume to make yourself smell like fruit cream!
5. Carry a Scent-Survival Kit with You
You can follow the best shower routine every morning, things like long commutes, meetings, and warm weather can make it challenging to stay fresh.
That’s why you should carry some scent essentials with you, i.e., things that help you chase away any bad smell that gets accumulated from your environment.
Here are some things you can pick from:
- Travel-sized version of your regular perfume
- Scented wipes
- A mini deodorant stick for underarms
- Talc-free powder
- Breath mints
- Perfume atomizers
- Scented hand sanitizer
6. Wear Clean and Washed Clothes
Your clothing is an extension of your scent profile, so you have to make sure your outfits smell just as good as you do.
Wash your clothes regularly and using a high-quality detergent that leaves behind a pleasant fragrance.
If you’re looking to enhance the scent further, in-wash scent boosters and fabric softeners are great for it.
When drying your clothes, toss in a scented dryer sheet. It will add more frgrance!
And don’t overlook the power of proper storage, dear reader. Keep scented sachets in your closet to infuse your clothes with a subtle aroma.
I also keep naphthalene balls wrapped in a cloth in my wardrobe. My clothes never smell like they’ve been stored away, even if I wear them after ages.
7. Sleep On Clean Bedsheets And Pillow Covers
I know it can be very easy to slack off with changing and washing your bedsheets, but it’s something you need to do once a week without fail.
Think about it. You are sleeping on the same cloth every night and laying your head down on the pillow.
No matter how much you scrub your skin clean, every time you come back to bed, it will still be carrying the germs from the last time you were in it.
So, yes, change your sheets more often and your pillow cases even more frequently.
It feels really nice to sink into a clean bed at the end of the day, I am telling you.
8. Look After Your Hair
Just like your skin, you hair is like a sponge for odors, which can be both a blessing and a curse.
On the positive side, it holds onto delightful scents exceptionally well, and we are going to use this to our advantage.
To keep your hair smelling fresh, choose a shampoo and conditioner with a subtle complementary scent. Wash your hair on alternate days.
On days when you can’t wash your hair but it is going oily, use a scented dry shampoo. It will absorb the extra oil and add a burst of freshness.
Be mindful of the environments you’re in, as hair can easily absorb strong smells like cigarette smoke or cooking odors.
If you know you’ll be exposed to bad smells or pollution, please tie your hair back or wear a scarf to minimize the exposure.
You can also use a hair mist or spray a small amount of your regular perfume on your hair brush.
I apply small amount of jasmine oil on my hair once it’s semi-dry after hairwash. Keeps it smelling really good.
9. Make Your Breath Smell Good
A big part of smelling good all day is to keep your breath fresh too. Oral hygiene matters, ladies!
If you don’t already have a solid oral hygiene, then build one asap! Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day to remove food particles and plaque.
Mouthwash is an excellent addition for a minty finish and can reach areas your toothbrush might miss.
If you’re out and about, sugar-free gum and mints are perfect for a quick refresh after meals.
And yes, keep drinking water throughout the day combat dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath.
10. Improve Your Diet
What you eat plays a significant role in how you smell. I mean, they do say you are what you eat.
Foods with strong odors, like garlic, onions, and certain spices, can seep through your pores and linger for hours. I try to avoid consuming such foods on days when I need to be smelling good.
To get yourself to smell naturally good, you should eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Did you know that parsley and mint are natural odor neutralizers? So cool.
You should drink loads of water as well. It helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin hydrated and fresh. Seriously, is there any problem that hydration can’t solve?
If you’re a coffee/alcohol enthusiast, you should know that these beverages can give you dehydration and bad breath (duh).
So, balance your cofdee and drinks them with plenty of water and nutrient-rich foods.
To get rid of body odor naturally, sip a big mug of green tea ever day. It’s known for its antioxidant properties and can help neutralize unpleasant, giving you a clean scent from within.
11. Try Natural Deodorizers To Smell Good
Sometimes, the secret to smelling good lies in simple and natural solutions.
Baking soda, for instance, is an incredible deodorizer that can help neutralize body odor.
You can use it as a gentle powder under your arms or mix it with water to create a paste for scrubbing odor-prone areas.
Similarly, witch hazel works as a natural astringent against bacteria and bad smell. You can mix it with baking soda and apply it to your arm pits.
If you like plant-based options like me, essential oils like lavender, tea tree, and eucalyptus can double as natural deodorizers. You can add a few drops in water and apply it to your skin.
The best thing about using natural ingredients is that you get to avoid the harsh chemicals from products. Good options for sensitive skin girlies out there!
12. Scent Your Environment
Your personal scent isn’t just about your body. It extends to your living spaces too.
Keeping your living and working environments clean and fresh will add to your overall aura.
Use scented candles (my obsession), diffusers, sachets, and air fresheners to keep the air around you smelling clean.
You could also lightly spritz your bedding, cushions, and curtains with fabric sprays to ensure everything around you smells delightful.
This is my second scented candle of the month and I looove it:
13. Choose the Right Fabrics
Wait, how does the fabric of my cloth affect how I smell?
Well, as an example, natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo are breathable and help wick away sweat. So wearing these clothes makes your skin less likely to build odour.
Synthetic materials, on the other hand, tend to trap moisture and heat, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you’re prone to sweating, you should be opting for moisture-wicking fabrics, especially during workouts or hot weather. These materials are specifically designed to keep you dry and odor-free.
Oh, another important thing. If you’ve had a long day with intense activity, please change into fresh clothes at the end of the day.
You don’t want to be carrying sweat and buildup to bed with you, trust me.
14. Monitor Your Scent Throughout the Day
The way you smell in the morning after your shower is not going to be how you smell as the day goes on.
Your scent will naturally evolve due to sweat, activity, and environmental factors.
So, to make sure you keep smelling good, check in with yourself periodically, especially before social interactions and important events.
Do quick touch-ups with your travel-sized perfume, scented wipes, and deodorant to feel fresh and confident.
Make this check-in a routine part of your self-care, not just an obligation. It can also be your moment to reset and refocus during the day, even if you’re staying at home.
15. Be Stressfree and Confident
Stress can wreak havoc on your body in more ways than one, including how you smell.
When you’re anxious or stressed, your body produces a different kind of sweat, one that tends to have a stronger odor.
This is no BS, mind you. You can read all about stress sweat here.
So, how do you manage this? By controlling your stress, of course.
Every day, find time to practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques like exercise, meditation, and deep breathing.
Confidence also matters here. When you feel good about yourself, it’s reflected in how you carry yourself, which adds to your overall appeal.
There’s a certain magic in owning your scent, knowing you’ve put effort into smelling and feeling your best. Your confidence will act as the cherry on top of your sweet fragrance.
What are your two favorite hacks to smell good from this post? Let me know in the comment box!
