Become THAT Girl

Hunt for the Perfect Perfume

Background

 I never wore perfume until my first year of college. Until university, I stuck to a simple body soap, lotion, and deodorant routine and felt satisfied. However, earlier this year, I started going on dates and realized that scent plays a huge role in attraction. Some of the guys I met had excruciating body odor, while others gave me migraines with their overly strong cologne. This experience made me interested in improving how I smell. I began using more effective body soaps and antiperspirants and made it a habit to scrub my body with scrub gloves a few times a week. Then, I started throwing clothes into the laundry basket if I smelled even the smallest amount of my skin on it. My new routine made me feel clean and refreshed. My family even began to see me as the cleanest member of our family. Still, the only scented product I used was a $5 body mist from Walmart. 

Now

Recently, I saw a TikTok trend where people posted about their hygiene routine, and I became determined to smell delicious. I researched countless perfume review websites, youtube videos, Instagram infographics, and Pinterest posts to decide on a scent-gloop plan. First, I determined my budget. I had quite a bit saved up from my co-op, so I prioritized quality and invested in several high-end products with strong silage and lasting power. However, before I bought anything, I had to decide on a fragrance family. I am a huge vanilla/ warm, sweet scent lover, so I knew that would be the first priority. However, I also wanted to have a few options for different occasions. I chose one vanilla combination for cozy days, intimate moments, and regular use. The second combination was a fruity floral scent that would make me seem fun and inviting. Finally, the last scent would evolve around fresh, citrusy products without too much sillage I could wear around anyone. I also wanted the fresh combination to get me into my it-girl mood if I ever felt unproductive.

The Plan:

Oral care:

• Flossing, whitening toothpaste, and a good toothbrush (obviously)
• A tongue scraper, minty mouthwash, carry mints everywhere
• Stay hydrated

Body Care (All scents must match)

• Wash entire body with bar soap
• Wash armpits with benzoyl peroxide wash to kill odors and bacteria
• Use a scented scrub and exfoliating glove to remove dead skin
• Use a scented body wash 
• Shave with a five-blade razor.
• Get out of the shower, and apply glycolic acid to underarms and intimate areas to avoid ingrown hairs and scarring
• Apply regular moisturizer to damp skin
• Apply scented body oil 
• Apply scented moisturizer
• Spritz perfume to correct areas (optional: use perfume oil on pulse points)
• Change into the outfit of the day
• Spray clothing with a body mist

Scent Groups:

(Use African bar soap or Dove bar soap before any of the following products, and a regular moisturizer and body oil between steps B & C)

1. Vanilla Gourmand Scent Group

   1. Nivea Vanilla Body Wash
   2. Treehut Tahitian Vanilla Body Scrub
   3. EOS Vanilla Cashmere lotion
   4. Escapade Gourmande Perfume (Optional: pair with Kayali 28)
   5. P and J Vanilla Perfume oil
   6. Sol de Janeiro 62 mist

2. Fruity Floral

   1. Nivea Jasmine Peach Body Wash
   2. Treehut Hibiscus Scrub
   3. EOS Jasmine Peach Lotion
   4. Valentino Born in Roma Perfume
   5. P and J Jasmine or Peach Perfume oil
   6. Sol de Janeiro 68 mist

3. Clean/ Citrusy

   1. Nivea White Lily and Aloe Body Wash
   2. Treehut Vitamin C Scrub
   3. EOS Fresh and Cozy Lotion
   4. Citizen Jill Perfume (Optional: pair with Clean Reserve Skin)
   5. P and J Bergamot perfume oil

Results:

I started today with the first combination and got three compliments from strangers! NO CAP! Also, the three main perfumes mentioned are long-lasting with strong sillage and good reviews on Sephora, Fragrantica, and Tiktok.

I hope this provides an outline for anyone looking to improve their self-care. Of course, you do not need to use all the scents. This routine will just ensure that you smell good ALL DAY. Also, go to fragrance stores and smell perfumes so you know what you like. I visited Sephora 8 times this month. HAHA. Good luck, my loves!

Joy Yamagiwa