Fragrance Etiquette at Work: A Man’s Guide to Office Scents

Why Fragrance Matters at the Workplace

• It affects your mood and mindset for the day, as you can decide whether you need a calm mind or a charged-up brain by choosing the desired fragrance
• The right fragrance can help you build a good first impression
• A good fragrance can not just boost your productivity, but also boost the productivity of your team
• Overall, the right fragrance can even reduce stress and improve creativity

Dos and Don’ts of Office Fragrance Etiquette

Things to do:

• Apply to your pulse points to give a long-lasting effect to your perfume
• Understand how layering works and layer your fragrances properly
• Match your perfume to the type of day you are expected to have. After all, you need to get the right vibes at work
• Spray from a distance to avoid the smell from getting overpowering
• Test perfumes on your own skin rather than blindly following someone’s recommendations
• Consider the atmosphere, temperature and the type of setup before picking your perfume
• Apply your deodorant or perfume immediately after showering to ensure a long-lasting effect
• Carry a travel-sized perfume for reapplication whenever needed

Things to avoid:

• No matter how much you love the perfume, do not overdo it. It won’t do any good
• Do not combine contrasting perfume notes or fragrances
• If you have an important day, do not try a new perfume that you have never tried. It might not be the right perfume for the day
• Do not use a strong fragrance if you need to work in closed spaces

Tips for perfume reapplication at work

• Do not re-use your perfume at your desk. Move away as the smell might be overpowering or disturbing some of your colleagues
• Avoid carrying fragile packaging as it might break inside your bag
• Carry a mild fragrance for reapplication. A strong one might not be apt because offices are closed spaces
• Ensure that the perfume or deodorant that you are carrying with you for reapplication complements the fragrance that you used in the morning, and is not the reverse of it

Fragrance Types to Avoid at Work

• Overly sweet fragrances are meant for special occasions and not the workplace
• Heavy musk fragrances do not belong in the office. They are meant for special occasions
• Spicy and bold fragrances might be distracting for office workers. They are a strict no for closed working spaces
• Overly floral fragrances that make you smell like a garden are also not meant for offices

Check out our top picks in office fragrances

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