I’ll admit it—I’m a very sweaty person. Maybe it’s because I’m fairly anxious 24/7, or it’s in the family genes, but I’ve grown up always worrying that I was going to be the smelly person in the room. Add summer heat and humidity to the mix and you have my worst nightmare. I’ve spent years trying out products that have kept my sweating problem at bay—from wearing prescription-strength deodorants to tucking panty liners in my armpits. It wasn’t till I tried out a list of products from the “how to smell good” videos I kept seeing on TikTok that I truly felt like I was sensing a major difference.
I’ve spent the past month testing out the products I’ve seen go viral for their ability to make you smell good, and the results have proven their power. Other people seem to agree, as the “you smell good” compliments have started to come in like never before. If I can do it, so can you. See the steps I took to smell (and feel) better.
Watching people use their sugar scrubs in an aesthetically pleasing video has been calming, but it’s even more calming to use it yourself. While I don’t do it every day, it helps exfoliate my skin and unclog any pores. I opted for the rose scent, so it’s not overpowering with your bodywash and lotion.
If you’re able to spend a little more, the sugar scrub by Ouai is a great option for it’s fresh scent and dual usage.
I’ve always used different soap bars interchangeably and never saw a difference between them all. When multiple users on TikTok said this specific bar from Dove was life changing, I was intrigued. After using it for a month, I know it lives up to the hype. It helps get the grime off and doesn’t clash with any other scents I’ll be adding later on. In fact, it actually helps those scents have staying power. When layering, I feel squeaky clean, and the smell of coconut and shea butter clings to my skin post-shower.
If you must only buy one product from this story, let it be this one. I’ve gotten both my brother and husband hooked on it, and I’ve already had two guests ask me where the bodywash in my bathroom is from. If I could describe what “clean” smelt like, it would be this product right here. And for only $7, it’s a steal to me.
If there’s a matching scent to your bodywash, you might as well stick to using the pair together. It strengthens the scent on your skin, and you don’t have two completely different fragrances clashing.
Glossier’s body lotion is also a popular favorite, and for valid reasons. The scent is warm and not at all overpowering. It’s also extremely hydrating without being too sticky, which is a must-have for me in a body lotion.
I’ve tried a lot of natural deodorants, and many of them have either stopped working completely or left me with a mean rash. No shade to all the deodorant brands out there, but I think I’ll be sticking to the classic—Dove. Even on a humid day in NYC, this deodorant kept me from having an odor.
For those especially hot days, men’s deodorant has my back. I like to wear it for long outings, before and after exercising, and if I’m wearing heavier clothing. The Fiji scent has to be the best one available, as others can be a bit musky for my taste.
Margiela named this perfume correctly, as it absolutely is like a bubble bath in a bottle. It’s subtle yet sweet—leaving you feeling refreshed, even when it is 95°.
For a less expensive option, TikTok also introduced me to Ariana Grande’s perfume, and I was not expecting to like this fragrance as much as I do. It’s definitely strong, so a little goes a long way. (If you like something more subtle, Replica Bubble Bath may be the one for you.) The smell of cashmere and vanilla stands out to me, and even with one spray it has long-lasting power.
