The smell of love is in the air…
With New Year’s Eve often associated with romance, the right fragrance could be your secret weapon for landing a second date. In fact, a recent survey shows that nearly three in five Brits polled (58%) consider their date’s scent a crucial factor in attraction.
The study, conducted by the experts at HAYPP, surveyed 2,000 UK adults to reveal the biggest fragrance deal-breakers for dates as we step into the New Year. Chanel No.5 is the most disliked fragrance on a date, according to the findings while Mugler Alien is the second most disliked fragrance on a date and fresh and clean scents are the most preferred for date-night fragrances.
Brits’ Worst Scents: The Fragrances That Fail to Impress
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The Fragrances Most Likely to be a Turn-off, according to Brits
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% that dislike
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Chanel No. 5
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6.55%
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Mugler Alien
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6.25%
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Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium
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5.55%
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Marc Jacobs Daisy
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5.30%
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Creed Aventus
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4.65%
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Tom Ford Black Orchid
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4.60%
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Dior J’adore
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4.40%
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Tom Ford Oud Wood
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4.40%
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Dior Sauvage
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3.95%
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Lancôme La Vie Est Belle
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3.90%
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According to the study, Chanel No. 5 ranks as the top turn-off scent, with seven percent of Brits – equivalent to 4.7 million people – claiming to dislike the iconic fragrance. Its bold blend of aldehydes and florals is adored by some, but its intensity can be too much for those seeking a subtler, more delicate scent.
Thierry Mugler’s Alien comes next, with six percent of Brits expressing disapproval, equating to around 4.08 million people. Known for its bold jasmine and amber notes, it’s a love-it-or-hate-it fragrance, with some finding its intense scent overwhelming for a romantic setting.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium completes the top three, with a further six percent (4.1 million) of British respondents stating it’s not to their taste. While its sweet coffee and vanilla notes are a hit with many, the sugary richness can be too intense for those who favor lighter, fresher fragrances.
Whilst smelling good is never a bad thing overdoing the perfume levels is the ultimate turn-off, according to almost a third (31%) of Brits surveyed, whilst for more than a quarter (28%), they’d be put off due to a personal dislike of the scent being worn by their date.
A lingering scent is also a no-no for almost one in six (14%), whilst one in eight (12%) believe mismatched fragrances that don’t suit the occasion can ruin the mood.
Date Night Fragrances: What Works and What Doesn’t
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Top Five Preferred Date Night Fragrances, according to UK adults
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% that prefer the fragrance on a date
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Fresh and clean (e.g., citrus, aquatic notes)
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32%
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I have no preference regarding date night fragrances
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29%
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Floral and romantic (e.g., rose, jasmine)
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23%
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Woody and smoky (e.g., sandalwood, oud)
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20%
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Warm and spicy (e.g., cinnamon, cardamom)
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18%
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Fresh and clean fragrances, like citrus and aquatic notes, are the top choice for date nights, preferred by a third (32%) of respondents, thanks to their light and refreshing nature, making them versatile and appealing for intimate settings.
Floral and romantic scents, such as Rose and Jasmine, also proved popular, with almost a quarter (23%) of Brits favouring them for their timeless and elegant appeal.
However, for just over a quarter (29%) of those quizzed, it seems they have no particular fragrance preference on a date, suggesting that personality and presence may matter more than the scent itself.
