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Perfumes that make you feel confident – The 8 scents that have gotten women promotions, dates and pay rises
Success rate? High
In my humble opinion, there is an absolute direct correlation between the perfume you wear and how confident you feel. A well-picked scent will have your shoulders pulled all the way back, have you giving direct eye contact willy-nilly and swishing your hair like nobodies business. It changes everything, so I encourage everyone to have one up their sleeves. Whether you are a diehard floral love, gourmand girly or veer towards woody scents there is a scent that amplifies your confidence.
To compile the list below, I quizzed fellow Cosmo staffers to see which scent got them second dates, first kisses and job offers, so without further ado, these are the top confidence-boosting scents...
Confidence-boosting scents
Notes: Almond, Jasmine Sambac, Vanilla
Family: Ambery
This scent is the one that Beauty Assistant Urmi swears by for a successful date or night out with the girls. "It's smoky, nutty and sexy," she says.
Notes: Caramel, vanilla, sandalwood
Family: Gourmand
Beauty writer Lia is a big fan of this scent for a lil confidence boost. "It's always a crowd-pleaser," she says, "so know it'll go down well no matter the event, plus, a boy once said I smelt really good while wearing it!" Swoon.
Isle of Avalon Cypress and Rosewood 50ml Parfum
Isle of Avalon Cypress and Rosewood 50ml Parfum
Notes: cypress and rosewood
Family: Woody
This unique scent is from a tiny Brighton based boutique so Cosmo's SEO manager Amy can confidently say that few people smell exactly like her when she wears this scent. "It's my all-time favourite and always wear for a special occasion," she says.
Notes: Musk, ambergris, ambrette (musk mallow), moss and jasmine.
Family: Musk
You can count on Le Labo to make you feel uber confident and this scent which can skew musky or floral dependent on the wearer. It's the scent that Features Director Harriet wears everyday, because, "Every day is a 'that gurl' day!"
Byredo Rose of No Man's Land Eau de Parfum 50mL
Byredo Rose of No Man's Land Eau de Parfum 50mL
Notes: Turkey red rose and pink pepper, raspberry bloom, papyrus and amber.
Family: Oriental
Want a floral scent that's not super girly? Byredo Rose of No Man's Land is Senior Fashion Editor Rebecca's absolute fave; "I detest anything too floral or feminine and it feels like it has that right balance," she says.
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette 100ml
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette 100ml
Notes: Iso E Super
Family: Woody
I still swear that this scent helped me towards by first big girl job in journalism. I wore it to my interviews and I first so grown up having taken it from the beauty stash of my previous mag (I think they scent it in for the brand's 10th anniversary). Now 20 years since it launched it remains one of the most innovative scents and the one that I will spritz on if I just want to smell and feel like me but, you know, amplified.
Notes: Musk, jasmine and bergamot; middle notes are neroli, cyclamen and orange blossom; base notes are white musk, Australian sandalwood and white wood.
Family: Musk
When I want to feel soft but confident this is my day date scent. It smells like a warm, snuggly cuddle which is what I want whoever is on a date with me to think life with me will be like, but it's also just pure nude, warm, soft skin, which I also want them to think of. So all-in-all a perfect (success rate high) day date scent.
Notes: Top notes are Rum and Cherry; middle notes are Cacao, Tuberose and Jasmine; base notes are Tolu Balsam and Myrrh
Family: Spicy
This is one of my evening date scents of choice thanks to the syrupy-yet-grown-up vibe it settles into. the top notes of Tart Cherry, Rum and Cacao are just for me as I spritz on when I get ready and try to get into a sexier mode, but by the time an hour or so has passed it settles into a sweet woody mix that has gotten a lot of compliments.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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