Man-Eater Fragrances Will Be Your Flirting Fast-Pass This Valentine’s Day

Dating experts and New York City singles share their favorites scents.

Samantha Holender#039;s avatar
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Last updated In Buying Guides
models wearing red lipsticks for valentines day
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Scent is sexy. The powers that be say pheromones—the body’s one-of-one signature odor—double as an invisible attraction string. Scientifically speaking, your soon-to-be romantic partner (wherever he/she/they may be) will be enticed by your natural smell. That’s all well and good, but there’s nothing wrong with enlisting a little assistance ahead of Valentine’s Day. Enter: Man-eater fragrances.

These extra-special perfumes pair seduction with long-lasting staying power—working like Cupid’s arrow, but for the nose. Whether you’re after love, lust, or a little spice (literally and figuratively), a deliberately placed spray can go a long way when trying to attract The One. As dating expert Tiffany Baria eloquently explains, “Having a signature scent makes it so your potential date or partner remembers you everywhere they go—and it’s a Flirting Fast-Pass to getting them hooked.”

Gourmands and spicy scents are inherently steamy. I wore Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille Eau de Parfum on a date this week and was told I smelled “delicious.” But man-eater scents don’t have to be so straightforward. You can find an aphrodisiac-inducing scent with florals, citrus, and boozy blends. But don’t just trust me—dating experts and hot New York City singles are sharing their go-to man-eater fragrances to amp up intrigue.

The Best Man-Eater Fragrances

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Perfume

Key Notes

Price Point

Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille Eau De Parfum (100ml)

Vanilla, Rum, Cedar

$$$

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray

Jasmine, Neroli, Sandalwood

$$

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

Jasmine, Saffron, Cedarwood

$$$

Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum

Pear, Hazelnut, Vanilla

$$$

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne

Clementine Flower, White Lilac, Orris Wood

$$

What to Look for in a Valentine’s Day Fragrance

Fragrance Family

There’s no “right” way to smell sexy—a handful of fragrance families can emit an seductive scent. Historically, gourmands with deep vanilla tones have been considered very sexy. “The idea of being edible or chased down the street because you smell so delicious has been associated with vanilla in a strong way,” says fragrance influencer Sir Candle Man.

While that may be the most obvious, boozy notes, like rum and cognac, as well as patchouli-based fragrances, ouds, roses, and light fragrances can also be undeniably sexy. “Today, sexy can be clean and fresh (like a crisp white shirt), gourmand and edible (think marshmallows and caramel), or even bold and experimental with unisex woody or smoky notes,” adds Cadet. “The modern landscape celebrates individuality—sexy is about confidence and personal expression through scent.”

Staying Power

It’s personal preference, but it’s worthwhile to pay attention to the type of perfume you’re spraying. An eau de toilette will be fleeting, an eau de parfum will typically provide a few hours of wear, and an extrait is more powerful. Perfume oils—like the Cyklar collection—also provide long-staying power, but not a far through (i.e. your date will only smell it when you’re really close).

Where to Spray Fragrance on Valentine’s Day?

For a regular date night, the usual spots like the neck, wrists, and chest are recommended, using just enough to be noticeable but not overpowering. But if you’re looking to add a little spice to the mundane, “you could also add some locations your partner may be more familiar with, like the small of your back and behind the ears,” says Sir Candle Man. “Some would go so far as to say that you should spray the ankles.” Whatever scent you choose from this list, you'll be guaranteed to have a very enjoyable Valentine's Day.

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Meet the Experts

fragrance experts
Abby Cadet

Meet Abby Cadet, also known as TheCherysTv, an Orlando based content creator. She loves all things fragrance, beauty and skincare.

fragrance experts
Sir Candle Man

Sir Candle Man is a fragrance expert and content creator.

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Samantha Holender
Samantha Holender
Senior Beauty Editor

Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.