Perfumes That Won’t Get You Side-Eyed In A Shared Office

In most cases, it’s flattering to hear your fragrance speak before you do. But in a shared office, that might not be the best idea. Being asked, “What perfume are you wearing?” is such a great compliment in a work setting. You’re sitting next to coworkers, riding in elevators, having meetings in small conference rooms, and spending eight hours surrounded by multiple people. Some of your coworkers may have nose sensitivities, allergies, or simply don’t like overpowering smells. And your perfume might not be their taste in fragrances. When it comes to your work perfume, you still don’t need a fragrance that disappears as soon as you clock in. However, you should have a scent that will last throughout the day, still gives you personality, and also gets you noticed for smelling good in the best way.  

Don’t you hate when by the time you make it to work, the perfume you sprayed isn’t as strong? It’s like you walk into the elevator with other people expecting to get at least one compliment, but you get nothing! Before you go into your purse to spray yourself five more times, let’s see how you apply your perfume. 

One thing to consider is fragrance layering. 

Before even spraying your perfume bottle, layering your fragrance can make it last without having to reapply. In the morning, when you start with your shower, choose a body wash that has a similar scent to your perfume as an accompaniment. Then follow that up with a body lotion that matches your perfume while your skin is still damp. Next is to apply body oil, and that is to seal in the moisture. Moisture is key in having something for your fragrance to hold onto rather than just dry skin. Finally, you can finish off your routine by applying your perfume. 

Also remember that perfume doesn’t always smell the same on everyone. There’s still a big debate on whether there are human pheromones (they’re prevalent in animals) scientifically, but there are key characteristics that can make one believe it’s true. Ultimately, pheromones are natural chemicals released through your skin. So that can affect the way the fragrance will actually smell on your skin and how long it will last. This means a perfume that projects strongly on your friend might be a little weaker on you. When choosing a perfume, give it time for the fragrance to settle into your skin to determine the projection and longevity. 

Now, when it comes to applying your perfume, it’s time to hit your pulse points. You can spray the sides of your neck, the back of your neck, wrists, inner elbow, and your ankles. Make sure you hold the bottle a decent distance away so the fragrance disperses evenly. Most importantly, you should not rub it into your skin. Just let it dry. And for a little razzle dazzle, you can use 1-2 sprays on your clothes. 

An important rule to remember for the office: we want the scent to last but not overpower the room.

1. If you’re looking for a scent that makes you smell like you just showered or had a spa day, then a clean, fresh scent is the way to go. You won’t smell dull, but you will smell put-together for the workday. A recommended fragrance would be: Ralph Lauren Romance Eau de Parfum 
2. If you’re looking for a work scent that’s sweet, it should be light and fresh, but also deep and warm. The goal is a sweet fragrance that’s controlled but not overpowering. You don’t want to smell like a bakery shop. A recommended fragrance would be: Burberry Her Eau de Parfum
3. If you’re looking for a scent that’s warm without feeling heavy, you can aim for musk and amber notes with a soft touch that’s not overly powerful. It can have floral notes as well that bring a good balance between warm and sweet to give you personality in the office. A recommended fragrance would be: Jimmy Choo, I Want Choo
4. If you’re looking for a scent where you can walk into a room and be subtle, then a soft musk that gives off a powdery scent might be the way to go. You almost want a scent that smells close to skin. That allows you to smell good without being loud. A recommended fragrance would be: Glossier You