Aibu to ask how people manage to smell nice?

[Lostatseason5]

I'm a bit overweight and a bit sweaty :( I have been suffering from depression and although I was managing to drag my ass to work every day I wasn't always showering. :( My new year's resolution was to shower every day. I've been doing this but I still feel unfresh by afternoon, I have colleagues that smell AMAZING! I am too embarrassed to ask them how! Aibu to ask for those of you who are always smelling great your "secret" I now shower each morning wear deodorant but I don't wear perfume as I feel I put too much on, but I'd happily wear one of anyone can recommend a fresh one not overpowering - this will probably sound horrendous that grown adult is asking for help with this but depression can be really debilitating and .trying very hard so of you could be kind I would be grateful thank you (i'm.nearly crying writing this!)

@Billben

That's amazing!!

another vote for Issi Miyake here - both DH and I have worn it for years. It's very "quiet" so it's only when people get close that they go "ooh you smell nice....". And Opium, but that depends on your colouring/skin type.

I walked past a colleague who said ‘oh what perfume is that it’s a lovely clean scent?’ I wasn’t wearing any. I use the u stoppable beads and fairy liquid pods in my washing. I shower every day with Dettol sensitive soap (99p a bar is savers). As it kills bacteria you don’t smell as easily. Once I come out I use lush dusting powder under my arms and boobs then anti-perspirant. I never use talc due to the cancer risk it has been linked to.

Issi miyake makes me ill. It smells like stale perfume. I’d ban it if I could, a guy that I worked next to wore it and I had to get a desk move. I was actually retching and it took over the whole room.

Ladies you've brought me to tears with all your replies! I had a small shopping spree and bought pears soap dettol sensitive soap (I'd been considering switching due to plastic in shower gel packaging anyway) I also bought mitchum deodorant , some nice body spray and found a really fresh perfume that was half price (was £70! But reduced to £35) so I bought that for my children to give me for my birthday in a couple of weeks. You've no idea how motivating all your words are! I'm.about to sit down with a cup of tea and read then properly as I was skimming when I was out shopping but there are so many good ideas! Thank you all SO MUCH please know that you've really made a difference x

Excellent! I’m happy to hear you’ve treated yourself.

Just one thing - I wouldn’t use body spray and perfume together (unless they’re the same fragrance) as otherwise they’ll often fight against each other or just end up smelling a bit odd.

Enjoy your evening. 🌷

Also, try to find a delicious smelling shampoo and conditioner. I’ve noticed cheaper ones often smell lovely, so does Faith in Nature.
Spray a little perfume on your hairbrush too, you’ll get a subtle whiff when your hair moves.
(Sorry if repeating, haven’t rtft).

I always have about 3 different deoderants on the go as if I use the same one all the time it seems to stop working.

Please don’t wear perfume. It’s anti-social and potentially harmful to the people around you

Try different deodorants.

A quick wipe down with a moistened towel
Powdering areas that tend to get sweaty

lost xx

I have issues with sweat and large breasts and i find that a shower in the morning with soap, deodorant, talc and then the same in the evening works really well. I wash cothes regularly and only wear bras (and pants!) once. I don't wear any perfume or body spray x

Hi OP. I’m really sorry to hear things have been so tough for you lately. Please don’t be embarrassed for asking.

For me, smelling nice is: clean hair, clean clothes, clean body. I use deodorant (Mitchum is excellent) and a perfume in the day (use the website Fragrantica to find ones with good sillage and that are long lasting), wash my clothes with scented dissolvable beads and always have clean hair. I am regularly told I smell good and I hope it’s true!

At the bare minimum, deodorant, being showered, and wearing clean clothes will ensure you smell fresh.

Sending you love and hope the mental fog stays lifted.

Oh - I forgot to say, applying scented body lotion prior to perfume really magnifies the scent.

Well done - it takes a strong person to walk the path you have and ask for help .. many of us wouldn't .. so you're an inspiration. A light pad in the pants to stay fresh - always or carefree to a nice one ..

*do a nice one x

Definitely soap, cousins do a nice one and it's really cheap. They are sold in a packet of 4.

Hair doesn't smell. HTH.

No-one is entirely sure why adults have hair in their public area and under their arms but one theory is that its purpose is to trap pheromones.

If you can't wash your hair every day try damping the hair slightly and using a leave in conditioning spray. Palmers do a lovely coconut one.
My hair is terrible for absorbing cooking smells but my hair is dreadful if I wash it daily so do the above on the days I can't wash it, works a treat.

Mitchum stopped working on me, Im now on Sure Maximum and get comments at work about the fresh smell.

They thought it was my washing powder as they can smell me when I sit down.

In a good way Im told.

I get the Sure Maximum when its on offer for about £3 and my toos and armpits smell fresh after work.

Absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help, OP ... and in fact, good on you!
I understand completely, as I work with kids with additional needs. It can be quite physical, and I don't always feel very fresh by the end of the school day!
Tips:

• use soap instead of shower gel
• 'layer' your scent, so try using a matching body lotion and perfume.
• keep a mini sized body spray in your bag, for a wee spritz during the day. I like body sprays, as you can spray them liberally all over yourself and your clothes (not as heavy or overpowering as perfume, plus it's cheaper!).
• use blue Lenor (Spring Awakening) fabric softener. It's my favourite smell Their Gold Orchid one is lush too.
• keep on top of changing your bedding regularly.

All the best

I don't know if I smell nice but I do worry about smelling so I
Carry a body spray in your back to spritz armpits if I feel sweaty
Wear panty liners and change them half way through the day
Wear perfume daily
Use comfort fabric softener with strong scent
Wash hair regularly

Also be aware that your clothes might be carrying smells even if they've been washed recently. They can smell clean and then when they heat up from your body they get whiffy. To make sure it isn't an existing problem I'd recommend making a paste of bicarb and water to paint on the armpits inside and out, leave for an hour and wash with bio with a sizeable glug of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner slot. Going forwards washing on at least 40 with bio washing powder and some Napisan in the wash prevents it reoccuring, plus at least once a month run your machine on an empty boil wash to stop bacteria building up.

If you do sweat a lot I would recommend trying driclor. You can buy it over the counter at the pharmacy. You wear it overnight and it stops you from sweating during the day. I used it when I was younger and sweat a lot and it was brilliant stuff!

Some great suggestions here, a nice smelling moisturiser gives off a lovely subtle scent. Freshen up at lunchtime with a bit of deodorant. Keep hair clean, wash every other day at least. And always wear freshly laundered clothes especially if you do sweat a bit.

I'm sure it's not half as bad as you think op but it's great that you're invested in taking care of yourself.

I find deodorant isnt enough for me so make sure to get an antiperspirant. Different mechanism of action. Try a switch - some of the mens ones are better too, as they are meant to be for people who sweat more.

After I shower, I put on body lotion and then spray myself with body spray or perfume. It seems to last longer that way. I also have a little make up bag that I keep in my handbag which contains a few things like mints/gum, a mini refillable travel perfume bottle, and some wipes.