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Whether you're hugging a friend or snuggling closer to your crush on the couch, you shouldn't have to worry about how you smell. Luckily, it’s not hard to improve your smell and ensure that you stay fresh throughout the day. From showering techniques to applying perfume and even choosing your meals, we’ll show you how to smell good all the time—from the moment you start your day to the moment you settle down to sleep!

Things You Should Know

  • Shower at least 2-3 times per week and wash areas with sweat glands like your armpits, feet, and groin.
  • Moisturize with scented lotions, use antiperspirant to block odors, and spray cologne or perfume on your pulse points and torso.
  • Wear light, breathable fabrics that soak up odor-causing sweat and apply shoe spray to block unpleasant foot smells.
1

Wash the sweatiest parts of your body.

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  1. When sweat mixes with the bacteria that naturally lives on your skin, body odor develops. Take regular showers and scrub body parts with a lot of sweat glands, including your armpits, groin, and feet. [1] Use soap or body wash and warm water to remove all the dirt and sweat that causes odors.
    • There’s no single ideal frequency for showers, so long as you take them at least 2 or 3 times a week. Some people shower every day, while others opt for every other day, depending on their body’s needs and lifestyle.
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2

Clean your hair and scalp in the shower.

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  1. While you’re in the shower, wash your scalp to ensure your hair smells nice and stays oil-free for longer. [2] Work the shampoo into your scalp, massaging it thoroughly before you begin to lather the rest of your hair. Rinse it out afterward to enjoy a clean head for the next couple of days.
    • If you don't want to wash your hair every day (many say it leads to dry and damaged hair), use dry shampoo to freshen your hair on days you don't wash. It's composed of powders that absorb the oil that makes your hair look greasy.
3

Moisturize skin with scented lotion.

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  1. Pat off excess water from the shower first. Then, rub scented lotion into your skin. You can pair the scented lotion with a complimentary perfume or cologne or use the lotion by itself if you prefer not to layer too many scents. Scented lotion lasts the longest when you apply it to moist skin.
    • Be sure you aren't accidentally wearing too many scents. Your deodorant, hairspray, and lip balm might all be scented. Try to choose primarily unscented products and stick to one or two main scents between the lotion and perfume.
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4

Use antiperspirant deodorant to block odors.

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  1. Since armpits have so many sweat glands, they develop an odor much faster than the rest of your body (as you’ve probably discovered!) A fresh coat of antiperspirant deodorant can both mask bad smells and prevent sweat. If you do a physical activity that makes you sweat anyway, you can always reapply it as needed. [3]
    • Consider using a combination of deodorant and antiperspirant, especially if you tend to sweat a lot from your armpits.
    • Deodorants come in solid sticks, gel sticks, or sprays. You also buy natural rock deodorant or even make your own using baking soda and coconut oil.
    • You can use an unscented deodorant if you plan to use perfumes and scented lotions since you don’t want to introduce too many scents at once.
5

Use a long-lasting perfume or cologne.

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  1. Start by dabbing a little perfume on your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. Then, spray a small amount perfume or cologne on your torso and behind your knees. It’s important to hit pulse points because they give off heat, which makes the perfume’s fragrance that much stronger! [4]
    • Don’t shake your perfume bottle, allowing air to saturate it and decrease its intensity.
    • Store your perfume in a cool, dark place. Light and heat cause the perfume to break down, reducing its quality and intensity.
    • Citrus scents dissipate faster than others. Choose a more concentrated perfume with a heavy base scent that’ll last you all day.
    • Don't wear too much perfume. It can be overpowering and irritating, and some people around you may be allergic.
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8

Eat plenty of fruits and veggies.

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  1. Be careful of foods like garlic, onions, and spice; their strong smell affects your breath, lingers in your system, and changes the way your body smells. Although they're healthy, avoid them on days you’re concerned about odor. Stick to fruit and water-heavy veggies, which will cleanse your system and help you smell good. [7]
    • Eating a lot of broccoli, nuts, and legumes can also cause you to become gassy and affect your smell.
    • If you know you’ll be eating strong-smelling food that day, brush your teeth after eating and (if possible) rinse with mouthwash for good measure.
9

Brush your teeth after every meal.

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  1. Practicing good dental hygiene is always important; at the very least, brush and floss twice a day. Rinsing with mouthwash also kills bacteria that can make your breath smell bad. [8] However, you can also brush between meals to get rid of any food odor on your breath.
    • Choose a breath-freshening mouthwash that doesn't have alcohol and rinse your mouth out whenever you need a quick fix. Alcohol in mouthwash can dry out your mouth, leading to conditions that cause bad breath.
    • Carry breath mints that you can pop last minute when you want your breath to smell sweet.
    • See the dentist regularly to take care of issues like plaque buildup, so you don't end up with chronic bad breath.
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11

Apply shoe spray.

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  1. Feet naturally start giving off a smell when they’re enclosed in the tight space of your shoe, but shoe spray is a perfume specifically designed to make your feet smell good no matter what. Alternatively, you could sprinkle talc-free foot powder onto your feet before putting on socks and shoes to prevent sweat altogether. [10]
    • When possible, wear socks with your shoes. Going without socks makes your feet sweat more, leading to bad odors. Carry an extra pair of socks to change into later in the day, just in case.
    • Have a separate pair of shoes you use when you work out, rather than wearing your running shoes to school or work.
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12

Wash your clothes with baking soda and essential oils.

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  1. Run your clothes through a washing machine—you can use either scented or unscented laundry detergent . After adding detergent, pour in a scoop of baking soda and 10 to 20 drops of essential oil . [11] Baking soda softens the water, making the detergent more effective at removing bacteria and enhancing the essential oils.
    • Make sure you wash most of your clothes after each use. Only wear jeans, pajamas, and outer clothes multiple times before washing (assuming they don’t get dirty).
    • Check out your bags, backpacks, hats, and other accessories. Wash these items every once in a while, especially if you use them every day.
    • You might want to carry a few backup items to change into if you're out all day. Some people like to keep a fresh pair of underwear, tights, socks, or an undershirt on hand for emergencies.
13

Scent sheets and pillows with herbal spray.

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      Warnings

      • Don't use anything that you are allergic to or makes you itchy. Be careful and look at the ingredients closely before using any product.
      • Avoid overusing or applying too much perfume or cologne. Some people are sensitive or allergic to strong scents, and you may inadvertently make them sick.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to smell good all the time, you should shower with soap every day and brush your teeth twice a day. Once you’re clean, if you want to up your game, try dabbing a small amount of perfume or cologne on your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. You can also use scented lotion on your hands and neck to help you smell great. Additionally, don’t forget to wash your clothing between wears so they always smell fresh. To learn how to choose the perfect scent for yourself, read on!

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