Who doesn’t want to smell good all the time? It makes us feel fresh and confident. Plus, not gonna lie, sometimes we want to be a little enticing. But is it appropriate to wear fragrances in the office?
1. Test a new fragrance in the evening or on the weekend.
For the office, you want a perfume that is not overbearing, so it should wear off in a few hours. Anything that stays fragrant for eight hours is far too strong; save it for a night out. Citrusy and floral fragrances (notes) are made up of smaller molecules than bolder notes, and so they evaporate faster.
2. Choose green, citrusy notes, or light florals.
If the fragrance is very fruity, it comes off as smelling girly and flirty. People in the office may pick that up subliminally and associate it with immaturity. You want to make a more sophisticated impression. Notes like freesia, mimosa, rosemary, or jasmine are good for a professional environment.
3. Find a scent that helps you focus.
Research has shown that certain perfume notes can help you be more productive at work. Jasmine and floral scents, for example, are associate with increasing reaction time. Smelling rosemary produces beta waves in our brain, which make us more alert. Peppermint naturally boosts your memory, and also aids in lowering anxiety.
4. Be careful not to get spray-happy
A dab behind your ears and on your neck is enough! At the office, less is more.
Recommendation for the office:
Something that makes you feel free and happy, yet is still subtle.