10 Scents That Turn Women On

Science proves that some scents are sexier than others.

Image via Complex Original

Hey bros, relax on dousing yourselves with cheap cologne and try something new for a change. At the end of the day, smelling "right" to a woman is what will attract her to you the most. Just keep your self clean and odor-free so your manly pheromones can shine through to snag yourself a date. Boom. So now you got yourself a lady friend for Valentine's Day, right? Now the move is to smell like edible treats—or clean babies. Take your pick, it's not weird. Actual doctors have tested various fragrances to see what increases blood flow to a woman's you-know-what so you know it's real. Click through to see the 10 Scents That Turn Women On and spritz with a light hand.

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Lavender

Buy This: L'Occitan Eau de Toilette by L'Occitane, $52

Lavender is commonly used to relax people to sleep, but please, no creepy jokes. This is the one to break out on the third or fourth date when you and the lady are chilling at home. If you're a sensitive thug, light a lavender candle and watch the magic happen. If you're corny, but she actually likes your gigalo game, try out a lavender massage oil.

Mint

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Did you know that mint is named after a Greek nymph? Long story short: a super hot water nymph named Minthe seduced Hades, Hades' wifey got mad and turned Minthe into a plant. But the plant ended up smelling really good and kept on seducing people anyway. Also, a study has found that women want their men to smell and taste like minty toothpaste. No need to "ahhh" all up in her grill after you brush, though. Just keep your breath fresh and don't forget to have some gum in your pocket.

Citrus

Buy This: Eau d'Orange Verte by Hermes, $67

Get like Frank Ocean and channel orange for V-Day. Oranges, lemons, and grapefruit have clean and energizing scents. It's good for you and good for women's libidos. Fun fact: oranges increase oxytocin levels which make women want to bond—"bond."

Banana Nut Bread

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Overripe bananas on your kitchen counter have never been more useful to your dating life. Whip up a loaf of banana bread (which raises female arousal up to 12 percent with the smell of licorice) and see how many of your hot single neighbors come knocking for a slice.

Chocolate

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If you don't mind the risk of looking like a simp, then give her that box of chocolates on V-Day. If she likes old fashioned chivalry, then you're in luck, even more so if she eats it while you're still around. Chocolate doesn't do much when it comes to smell, but eating it enhances women's moods and does the same thing to brain chemistry as falling in love does.

Cucumber

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All phallic references aside, women really like the smell of cucumber. Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Foundation, has proved its effectiveness on arousing women. One of colognes you probably already have in your bathroom, Polo Blue, uses notes of the fresh scent. Make a gin cocktail with cukes for extra points.

Baby Powder

Buy This: Infusion d'Homme by Prada, $58

We know, women and babies—how cliché. But something about the scent of baby powder makes women feel secure. Women are looking for men they can trust, so make her feel safe around you by smelling similar to Johnson & Johnson. But let's be real, a grown man shouldn't have to sprinkle white powder under his arms. Try Prada's Infusion d'Homme cologne (which has notes of powdery iris) instead.

Black Licorice

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The licorice scent, which comes from anise, is found in many liquers including Absinthe, Ouzo, and Sambuca. You should definitely keep a bottle at home to make your girl a digestif cocktail. But the real secret is Good & Plenty. According to Dr. Alan Hirsch's study, the pink and white candy is an aphrodisiac.

Pumpkin Pie

Buy This: Pumpkin Pie by Demeter, $20

This Thanksgiving treat is sexier to women than Thor's ass. The smell of pumpkin pie (when combined with lavender) increases female arousal by 11 percent (according to aforementioned study)—and 11 percent could be what's separating you from an invite to her place. Luckily, this pie is one of the easiest to make, but if you're really useless in the kitchen, just spray a little bit of Demeter's cologne on your shirt.

Women's Perfume

Buy This: Violet Blonde by Tom Ford, $105

Did you know that in the study done by the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, female arousal decreased by 1% when smelling men's colognes and increased by the same when smelling women's perfume? Not much of a difference to cut out your own eau de bro for good, but trying out a unisex fragrance can't hurt. Don't go overly fruity or floral, go for something that could still be interpreted as masculine when you wear it. Try a sample of Tom Ford's Violet Blonde (the suit-and-tie designer wears this scent himself).