I have an confession – I don’t shower every day.
I brush my hair and teeth every day, but shower maybe every second day (with exceptions – a ‘lazy day’ might mean I skip a shower when it’s due, or exercising or a hot, sweaty day might mean more than one shower a day).

Every so often, my boyfriend mentions he loves my smell (at close range). More often than not, it’s on a day when I haven’t showered – even after a skipped shower. The same goes for him: after he showers, he either doesn’t smell at all or just smells like soap. After a day or so, up close he smells *wonderful* – manly and enticing. It’s only after a few more days that he starts smelling unpleasant.

Have we (developed Western world as a whole) really become so ‘civilized’ that the human smell itself (not stale sweat, not bad B.O, just ‘humanness’) is something to be avoided??

Essential oils are non-toxic natural scents, and lotions are a good option- they are lighter, and can only be smelled if you get very close, and I mean kissing close. If you have ever been complimented on your scent, chances are that there are 10 other people who do not like it, and are too nice to say. For sure if someone 2 feet away can smell it you are wearing way too much.

Please, please, do not wear fragrance to work! Ever, at all! It is a huge office faux pas.

I never wear cheap or mass-market scents. Axe/Lynx is a NO NO, as are MOST dept. store fragrances. I stick with tradtional men’s frags that are classic, but at the same time contemporary-smelling, and layer with flanker products to get the full impact, but without setting off allergies. I have also been repeatedly complimented on my smell by people of all ages, including Madam Allergy, in the cubicle next to me at work, who appreciates that I smell like natural class and quality, no cheap aroma-chemicals.

Some further tips: ties should be knotted with a Windsor not, socks should always be cotton and black, your hairstyle should always be trendy and contemporary (but for the love of god, make it look neat with a non-greasy hair product – use hairspray, and dry the obvious look of hairspray away with a blow dryer), brush teeth thoroughly twice daily, wash hands before and after every meal, toilet break, wash face twice daily with quality cleanser, use high-quality anti-persperant, press your shirts, and if you smoke, do it down wind (as I do, reduces smoke-stink majorly)

Also, recomendations for classic, yet contemporary, low-allergy men’s frags: Monsieur de Givenchy, Dior Eau Fraiche, Knize Ten, Eau Sauvage, Zizanie, Paul Sebastian Fine cologne, I.Mani PH (like a soft mix of Irish Spring and Aqua di Gio, less chemical smelling).

And, might I add, here is another pearl of wisdom: look people in the eye when exchanging conversation, as this demonstrates social confidence and competence.

So, I make myself the best I can be every day – by always doing my hair & being sure it sparkles thru the studio window under the spotlights above the control board. I do my own haircolor and do it often so…the gray doesn’t show & it never looks dull or faded. I do shop at thrift stores and have managed to find good “labels” for both myself and for my husband who does the same work. I take meticulous care of my skin and use high-end potions and foundation. Friends at Neimans and Macy’s (where I worked in cosmetics – good money but was unhappy) give me samples. Also I buy the creams that WORK, found on ebay as cosmetics salespersons sometimes sell the free product they are given. It’s the same you’d pay a mint for if you find the “good sellers.” I keep my mani/pedi perfect myself, iron our clothes, even the jeans. I probably have 3 pair of shoes max and sometimes I complain that I am the only woman in America with “no shoes!” But I keep them in good condition & shop at DSW Shoes who sends generous coupons and has lots of style. Dollar store workout socks are the best! CVS is a lifesaver – with my Extra Bucks I get most of our soaps; that all-important top dollar tooth whitener; good toothpaste and the BreathRX mouthwash which is the best ever & has no alcohol. My neighbor gets $65 for a haircut but, I mix, edit, and burn his CDs for him and in return get the best haircut in Houston! Lastly, splurge on good foundation garments and you’ll rock. With money in the bank!

As for fragrance, that’s one reason why I left cosmetics as a part-time well-paying gig…I can’t stand fragrance. My airways simply lock up. SO…I use great-smelling liquid soap in the shower which makes you smell great without taking your breath away. I buy the manly ones for my DH. I love mens’ fragrance but not the strong smell of most. Plus, the new clinical-strength deodorants are the best & the prices are coming down as more lines are producing them.

I have never read this advice in an article before and I enjoyed seeing it here. I thought it was just ME trying to overcompensate for not having the bucks for an expensive wardrobe.

So…maybe DH & I are not just a couple of clean freaks after all – maybe we were onto something all along. Great article…thanks much!

Believe it or not, I even grew up with a smoker. When the smoker quit, my body mounted an offense. So, now, the slightest whiff sets my head ablazin’.

I never wear anything scented because everyone in my family would have their noses swell shut and start wheezing every time they were near someone with perfume on. Fortunately I don’t have that problem, yet… So I try to avoid hanging around perfumes, I don’t need to develop an allergy and not be able to breathe right because someone in line at the grocery store put too much perfume on…

And please, when getting your taxes done, if you’re going to sit at the desk with your preparer for an hour or two, please take it easy on the perfumes! I’m not as sensitive as my other family members, but after two hours of heavy scents… taxes are hard enough to deal with when you don’t have a headache, watery eyes, and itchy nose! And of course this client had sold several stocks which had been purchased using a dividend reinvestment plan, and nobody had kept track of her basis…

I will also replace my single pair of daily-wear tennis shoes once a year and will purchase them online. In this case I’m willing to spend just a little bit extra (i.e. $50) as I’m on my feet for long hours during the workday.

Unless you’re going out for the evening or to a nightclub, please don’t wear scent. That goes double if you will be in public places like the supermarket, post office, mass transit. Hurting others can’t be good for your self-esteem.

I’ll vote with those who say please please no fragrances at work. I don’t have particularly bad allergies in general… but even sitting next to someone who’s used Irish Springs soap can make me sneeze repeatedly and sometimes start wheezing.

You may think it’s lightly applied, but if you’re used to it, you’re just not going to be sensing it to the same degree that your coworkers / those sitting next to you on the train / your boss will…!