I’ll be the first to admit that I do not, in fact, smell good all the time. Whether it’s because I sweat through prescription-strength deodorant or because I’m pretty much anxious 24/7, I’m not totally sure—but it goes without saying that I don’t naturally smell like fresh-cut roses (and, TBH, I don’t know anyone who does). I do, however, have a serious arsenal of scented products that make me smell really freaking good, should I need or want to. And for anyone who has ever been in my place, I rounded up the 15 easiest ways to smell good, including rollerball perfumes, hair mists, body lotions, and more.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #1: Use the Right Toothpaste
Jason Powersmile Whitening Paste Powerful Peppermint
I had never found a clean, sulfate- and paraben-free toothpaste that actually cleaned my teeth until I tried this magical little tube from Jason. Not only is the formula safe and gentle, but it leaves my mouth feeling, tasting, and smelling super-duper fresh. Translation: You should start and end your days with this guy if you want to smell good.
Tom's of Maine Wicked Fresh! Cool Mountain Mist Mouthwash
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #2: Rinse with Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Cool Mountain Mist Mouthwash
“Alcohol dries out your mouth and minimizes your salivary flow, meaning it can actually cause bad breath,” says says Michael Apa, DDS, a cosmetic dentist in NYC. “Instead, swish around an alcohol-free rinse that will keep your breath smelling the best.” This natural formula from Tom’s of Maine is spiked with zinc chloride, which works to neutralize bad breath every time you use it.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #3: Don‘t Rub in Your Fragrance
Eau de Juice Love, Unfiltered Eau de Parfum
“Spray your perfume on your wrists, the back of your neck, or mist it into the air and walk through it,” says Mark Knitowski, vice president of product innovation and fragrance for Victoria’s Secret. “But whatever you do, don’t rub it in, because this will make the top note disappear quickly, leaving you with only the middle and base notes, rather than the full fragrance.” For an easy, everyday scent—that also looks v cute on your vanity—try this floral-fruity perfume from Eau de Juice (which, full disclosure, is Cosmo’s official scent).
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #4: Use an Oil-Based Rollerball
Kai Rose Perfume Oil
Want to smell incredible all day long? Keep an oil-based rollerball—like this perfectly subtle rose fragrance from Kai—in your bag for quick scent touch-ups throughout the day. “Oils stay on your skin longer and give off a stronger scent because they’re more concentrated than alcohol-based ones,” says Knitowski.
✨ How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #5: Spritz on a Hair Mist
Byredo Slow Dance Hair Perfume
Guess what? Your hair deserves to smell good, too, which is where this genius (and aesthetically pleasing) little mist from Byredo comes in handy. Spritz it throughout dry hair, and you’ll be left with a blend of vanilla, patchouli, and geranium. Consider yourself warned: This scent lingers—in the best way possible—so you really get your money’s worth.
Secret Essential Oils Lavender and Eucalyptus Invisible Solid Antiperspirant
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #6: Try an Essential-Oil Deodorant
Secret with Essential Oils Lavender and Eucalyptus
I haven’t used a deodorant that smelled this good in a long time—for real. It smells more like a perfume than an antiperspirant. Not only do you get 48 hours of sweat protection (with legit no intense white marks), but you’re also left with a super-calming scent, thanks to the formula’s lavender and eucalyptus essential oils.
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #7: Go for a Natural Deodorant
Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant
Not super into antiperspirants? No prob—try out this incredibly scented natural deodorant from Malin + Goetz (which, fun fact, also has eucalyptus in it). The formula is totally alcohol- and aluminum-free, so just know that it might take your body a couple weeks to adjust to it, especially if you’re switching from an antiperspirant.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #8: Wear a Perfume Bracelet
Diptyque Eau Rose Perfume-Infused Bracelet
Take your fragrance game to the next level with this brilliant lil invention from Diptyque. The ropelike bracelet diffuses a soft and floral scent as you wear it—the result is a lived-in, almost natural-like scent that stays with you throughout the day.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #9: Use Bar Soap
Lafco New York Chamomile Lavender Bar Soap
I’ll be honest: I can’t even hear the words “bar soap” without thinking of my mom (love u, mom!), but this new release from Lafco is an actual game changer. It’s soft, creamy, hydrating, and—best of all—it leaves your skin smelling really good (and your shower, and your bathroom, and your towel...).
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #10: Use a Nice Hand Soap
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash
Speaking of soap: You might as well invest in a solid hand soap if you’re on a mission to smell good all the time. This cult-favorite scent from Aesop kinda smells like a hotel and spa mixed into one, and, IDK about you, but that’s pretty much my goal at all times.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #11: Wear a Solid Perfume
Glossier You Perfume Solid
If rollerballs aren’t totally your thing, try keeping this solid perfume on you instead. Glossier’s signature fragrance, You, glides across your skin, leaving behind a smooth-yet-musky scent you’ll absolutely love.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #12: Shampoo on the Reg
Oribe Signature Shampoo
A basic—but important—way to smell good all the time? Use a scented shampoo, like this cult-favorite pick from Oribe. As the formula breaks down product buildup and excess oil, it coats your hair with a simple, non-overwhelming fragrance.
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #13: Always Condition
L'Oréal Everpure Moisture Conditioner
I’d be lying if I said this drugstore conditioner hasn’t earned me multiple compliments—it smells that good. As an added bonus, the formula is ultra hydrating and sulfate-free, so it’s pretty much a godsend for color-treated hair.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #14: Choose Your Body Cream Wisely
Sol de Janerio Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
After you jump out of the shower, keep the fragrance train rolling with this heavenly scented body cream. It’s equal parts warm and spicy, but best of all, it leaves your skin ultra moisturized (and the tiniest bit shiny!).
How to Smell Good ✨ Tip #15: Use Hand Cream
Bliss Lemon & Sage Hand Cream
During those moments when perfume just feels a little ~extra~, whip out this cute little hand cream from Bliss for a delightful blend of lemon and sage. It’s just subtle enough that it won’t compete with any of your other products either.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
Carly Cardellino was the beauty director at Cosmopolitan. If you follow her Instagram, then you know she'll try just about any beauty trend or treatment once (the pics of her purple hair are on IG to prove it). But her favorite part about being in beauty is finding the most effective products, and then sharing that intel with others—because who wants to spend money on stuff that doesn't work? No one, that's who. Her most recent discovery: De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment, which will change your blemish-clearing game! Hopefully through the beauty stories she writes—and the experiences she shares—you can see exactly why she's in this business.
