How To Look Like You Smell Good (Even If You Don’t)

The disconnect between the eyes and the nose is real, and we’ve got all the fixes you need to stop the miscommunication…

Feeling a little rancid lately? Does everyone keep looking at you like you’re contagious? They probably think you’re stinky. Now, we know you’re not! We know your fragrance wardrobe is absolutely stacked—and not just with the mass, commercial stuff, but with the cool, edgy, niche stuff too! You love a little oud, and you’re not afraid of aldehydes or musks, either! 

If they just got to know you, they’d love how you smell! So why won’t anyone get within 10 feet of you? Well, it’s probably the vibe you’re giving off. Putrid. Fetid. Smelly. Don’t take this personally—we’re just trying to help. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate beauty guide to looking like you smell good, even if you don’t. Find our best tips below.

Step 1: Take a shower

This one should be a no-brainer. If you’re worried about looking stinky, you should probably hit the showers. Greasy hair and the unmistakable sheen of day-old grime on your skin are doing you no favours, and you’re definitely not fooling anyone until you give yourself a good scrub!

Step 2: Exfoliate (a lot)

While you’re in the shower, make sure you do a once-over exfoliation, focusing on your elbows and knees, armpits, and feet. Nothing makes a person look crustier than ashy skin and excess texture! And, of course, once you’re on the way out, don’t forget to slather yourself in moisturiser to keep the smooth times rolling!

Step 3: Groom yourself

This point applies to everyone—whether it’s shaping up your beard or shaving up your legs and pits, a well-groomed individual is generally perceived to be a pleasant-smelling individual. Of course, having armpit hair or leg hair is no big deal (and certainly has no bearing on your personal hygiene), but unfortunately, society dictates that any body hair, especially on a woman, is unclean and, by association, stinky. You can disagree with the principal, but we all have to live under the patriarchy…

Step 4: Brush your hair

It doesn’t matter how many showers you take—if your hair is a mess, you’ll look like you stink. So, the goal here is to look like you’re put together. Once in a while, run a brush through your tresses, untangle the knots, and get your mane tamed. And, if you really want to go the extra mile and have people thinking you naturally emanate fine fragrance, style your hair!

If, however, you’re resigned to being unshowered and unkempt, there is a quick solution to your unruly mop: slick it back good. Every “clean girl” knows that the secret to making unwashed hair look chic lies with a boar bristle brush and a generous dollop of hair gel!

Step 5: Take care of your teeth

Nothing turns people off more than bad breath and gritty teeth, so if you’re looking to give off the impression of a well-formed adult that smells divine, you’ll want to put your money where your mouth is—as long as that money is a good dental care routine.

Regular brushing and flossing, followed by mouthwash as and when a freshening up is needed, should suffice, but ideally you’ll be going in for dental checkups and cleanings once or twice a year. Remember, if we can see your plaque, we can smell your plaque.

Step 6: Cover up the rest with makeup

So, you have RSF (resting stinky face). Some people do! Some days you may simply give off the aura of smelly, but that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to it. A quick, five-minute makeup routine can help take you from foul to fragrant easily!

Just stick to the basics—even skin, brightened undereyes, a subtle flush of blush, a coat of mascara and brow gel, topped off with some tinted gloss, should do the trick! The idea is that you just want to look more put together.

Step 7: Add a dab of perfume

If everything is working against you, it’s time to play into subversion and surprise your haters. Sometimes, there is power in looking a little musty, but smelling divine. In short, if all fails, just spritz on a great perfume and get on with your day. 

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