Dating, Scent and Attraction: How Single Women Can Use Fragrance to Attract Men on the First Date

We portray more than we say. Body language, tone, your clothes and other indicators can send a stronger message than the words that come out of your mouth.

For singles and especially single daters, secondary cues and messages are particularly important during the first date, where the first impression can “make or break” the night. With the rise of new dating activities such as speed dating, the first impression has to express the right message – quickly!

Clothes and body language are obvious vectors for sending a message to your date. Less obvious, is the importance of scent. Not to be overlooked – scent and the messages they carry – are actually stronger indicators than we realize. Dr. Ian Kerner, a sex therapist and relationship counsellor, says “smell is a powerful sense that goes directly to the core of our emotional brain [playing] a key role in attraction.”

Scent dictates more than we think:

84% believe fragrance can make another single attractive
36% say delicious scents can “make” a first date
81% of men think a woman who smells great makes her more attractive
35% would sleep with a woman due to her fragrance alone
42% of men say they have fantasized about a woman’s fragrance

So how can a scent-savvy single use fragrance for a first date? Since first-dates are often short, and speed dating is – well, speedy – you can use fragrance to express aspects of your personality, saving you time and a spot in his memory.

Use our guide to help pick what perfume is right for you on your first date. Find the personality trait that you wish to emphasize, and choose a scent that works with that. Don’t worry if you don’t know your brands; included are suggestions to help you get started.

Tell him you are a Princess
Wear: Sweet
Suggestions: Chacherel's Amor Amor

Tell him you are a Diva
Tell him you are Romantic
Wear: Flowery
Suggestions: Anais Anais

Tell him you are Independent
Wear: Exotic
Suggestions: Yves St Laurent's Opium

Tell him you are Outdoorsy
Wear: Woody, Herbal
Suggestions: Karma by Lush, , Calvin Klein Obsession

Tell him you are A Wild Child
Wear: Tangy
Suggestions: Davidoff Cool Water; Donna Karan Be Delicious;

Tell him you are Sophisticated
Wear: Light
Suggestions: Burberry Weekend

Tell him you are Adventurous
Wear: Spicy
Suggestions: Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey

Tell him you are A Sweetheart
Wear: Delicious
Suggestions: Vanilla Fields

Dating tips by Justin Parfitt, CEO and Founder of FastLife Speed Dating, the world's largest speed dating and singles events company. FastLife now operates in 6 countries, hosting singles parties and speed dating in Manhattan, New York City,