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r/AskReddit•
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How do I go about smelling nice?

I don't have much of a sense of smell, and what I do have is sort of wonky. Not so wonky that it seriously interferes with my life, but enough that I don't really trust myself to know if I smell good or not.

To this point in my life, I've pretty much chosen the cheapest deodorant, the cheapest shampoo, and the cheapest laundry detergent. They don't really smell like any consistent thing, and I don't notice them. I also don't wear any cologne or anything.

I used to get teased a lot for smelling bad as a kid, because I had little idea of how to groom myself, and then starting in my teenage years I would have episodes of severe depression and really not care to groom. So I'm really sensitive to the idea that I might smell bad, and even if I can't ever really tell what I (or anyone else) smells like.

I'm getting over a particularly severe round and finding that taking care of myself makes me feel better. So I really want to learn how to smell nice.

I understand stuff like brushing and flossing my teeth, avoiding dairy, showering daily, wearing antiperspirant... but what might I be missing? And how would I go about finding a general... smell theme? I'm a 24 year old guy doing landscaping and looking for full-time employment, for context.

Posted May 16, 2013, 3:47 AM UTC

231
drew1111•

If you have bad breath, eat an apple. Bad breath gone.

3
psheemo•

Onions work better.

3
orion3179•

Never heard that before

1
drew1111•

Try it.

3
mtnathlete•

True

1
Sarrasri•

Get some cologne that appeals to you and make it a habit to spray a little on yourself before you leave the house. I personally always use Cool Water by Davidoff but sometimes I wear Pure Nautica.

I got many compliments on it.

Other than that just make sure you shower regularly and scrub all parts of your body when doing so. Use under arm deodorant every morning as well.

Brush your teeth regularly and don't forget to use floss and mouthwash. This should ensure good breath.

That's really all there is to it.

2
JonAudette•

Showers are things, and have been for a while. Look into that.

1
chimpsky•

Don't be Indian

1
alcoholland•

Or just watch the quantity that you consume of certain herbs and spices.

2
chimpsky•

haha thought I was in r/trees for a sec

3
goingfullretard-orig•

It sounds weird, but have a smell buddy. Someone close to you (friend, family, neighbour) who can help you out on a regular basis. A friend of mine is almost totally colour blind. His wife checks him out every morning before he goes to work.

1
back2redditOP•

I'm not really close enough with anyone to be able to do that. I mean, I know a few people I could ask, but they would take the opportunity to ridicule me regardless of the facts. I'd like to have a smell buddy, but that doesn't seem likely in the near future.

1
etchie•

I didn't even know dairy had anything to do with. you seem to know more than I do! this "not being able to smell" thing, is this a medical condition? just curious.

1
back2redditOP•

Several people that I've known said that I sweat what I eat. I guess most people do, but apparently I do that more than usual. If I go to a bar, then I smell like alcohol the next day, even after showering. If I eat really spicy food, then I get a bit funky. And if I eat more than a few ounces of dairy (maybe because I'm lactose intolerant) I smell like old milk.

I really don't know if being unable to smell is a medical thing. I smoked for about five years, so I'm sure that didn't help. But popcorn has always smelled like urine to me for some reason. Maybe the repeated concussions in my childhood?

Also, some of my brother's college friends (exchange students from China) said white people generally smell like rotten milk. I can't smell it, so I guess I'll just take their word for it.

2
mtnathlete•

Shower. Twice a day, soap and water.

Diet

1
XxMadManMattxX•
  • Shower Regularly
  • Brush your teeth. Make sure to get the tongue also.
  • FLOSS. Decaying food between the teeth can permeate nasty smells
  • Wash your face while showering and before going to bed
  • Get a cologne or after shave that has a noticeable but not overwhelming fragrance. I'm akin to using Lucky 25 an easy to find brand that can normally be picked up at Walmarts
  • Don't overuse cologne one or two sprays at max.
  • keep work clothes separate from nice clothes.
  • make sure to keep the room the clothes are kept in clean.
  • use a fabric sheet when doing laundry
1
back2redditOP•

Thanks! I knew some of these, but not all of them.

How do I know a cologne is ok? I'm often not able to smell things until they're way too strong for others, or they smell completely weird to me (popcorn = urine for example).

Also, should I avoid certain smell combinations? Like, are there certain scents that you definitely shouldn't combine when you wear a deodorant that has X ingredient or use a shampoo that smells like Y?

1
XxMadManMattxX•

Honestly the best way to find out which cologne is nice is to wear it. If you get some compliments then continue wearing it. If people are sniffing the air and their eyes are watering maybe it's not the best to wear.

I'm no smell expert but I've never had conflicting smells per se. A person has an overall aroma and its the medley that you judge. I would say as long as you keep yourself clean, keep your clothes clean, and take it easy on the cologne that shouldnt be an issue.

1
B1RDSH0T•

Yes ive told people that i brush my tongue and they give me a weird look. I though that was common knowledge but i guess it isnt... have you ever brushed your tongue and gagged yourself and it makes you throw up? I hate when that happens

1
XxMadManMattxX•

An advantage I have from not having a gag reflex luckily.

1
B1RDSH0T•

Haha i reckon youre right but me being a straight male i guess it doesnt really matter if i have one. The only time its tested is when i brush my teeth

1
XxMadManMattxX•

I just ate food like a retard as a child and made the discovery lol

1
MissCleoWas4Real•

Shave your pits

1
back2redditOP•

Took me a while to learn, but apparently this one made a huge difference. It seemed weird to shave my pits (as I thought that was a male faux pas) but even I notice that I smell better.

1
B1RDSH0T•

Well if you think you smell... you may wanna splurge a little and get some stuff that smells nice. I dont wear cologne at all, i use pantene shampoo and conditioner and degree deoderant and ive been told on a number of occasions that i smell nice... plus i smoke cigarettes so good deoderant and ok shampoo go a long way. I use dove soap because i have sensitive skin. It smells good also

1
Sammyfruits•

Make sure to wash your balls when you shower.

1
krazynoonga•

i shit you not, use women's shampoo.

1
alcoholland•

If you work landscaping you will smell. Shower after work.

1
back2redditOP•

Oh, yeah, I smell awful when I'm done working. I always shower when I get home. I meant for more all-purpose situations.

1
melibeli7•

Drinking water is a good way to reduce bad besth when you can't brush

1