How to Smell Good All Day: Shower Gel That Smells Good, Lotion, Then Perfume

Your perfume smelled great at 8 a.m. and by lunch it's gone. That's usually not the perfume's fault. It's what's underneath: dry skin, a clashing body wash, a deodorant that gave up by 10. A shower gel that smells good is a nice start, but the trick is stacking a few small things so the scent has something to hold on to.

First, the not-so-glamorous part: body odor

No amount of vanilla covers sweat for long. Cleveland Clinic explains that "body odor happens when bacteria on your skin come in contact with sweat." Sweat itself isn't what smells.

So the base layer is boring and important:

• Wash where you sweat. Cleveland Clinic says to focus on "the areas where you sweat the most, like your armpits and groin area."
• Know which product you need. "Deodorants work by masking body odor with a more pleasant-smelling fragrance. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, reduce how much you sweat."
• Put antiperspirant on at night. Cleveland Clinic says to apply it "after showering or bathing and before bed," on dry skin. It sounds odd. It works better than a rushed swipe in the morning.
• Wear clean clothes. Sweaty fabric holds on to smell, and a clean shirt is half the battle.

For more on underarms, thighs and under-bust, see our best whole-body deodorant picks and our honest look at whether aluminum-free deodorant works.

How to smell good all day: 6 steps

1. Use a shower gel that smells good (and lather properly)

Pick a body wash in a scent you actually love, because it sets the tone. Lather it with your hands or a puff and give it 30 seconds before rinsing, which gives the scent a moment on your skin. Be realistic, though: most of a body wash's scent goes down the drain. It's the first layer, not the whole plan. If you want a shower gel with a perfume-like scent, our luxury body wash picks list the scent notes for each.

2. Moisturize while your skin is still damp

This is the step most people skip. L'Oréal Paris puts it plainly: "fragrance holds on to moisturized skin better than dry, dehydrated skin." Pat yourself mostly dry and smooth on lotion within a few minutes of getting out of the shower. A palmful per leg, less for arms.

3. Choose: match the scent, or go unscented

You have two good options, and mixing them is where people go wrong.

• Match it. L'Oréal suggests layering a perfume that doesn't last with "scented body wash and body lotion," either from the same brand or in similar notes: "If your perfume of choice is a vanilla, gourmand type of scent, then use vanilla-scented body wash and body lotion."
• Go unscented. If you love your perfume as it is, L'Oréal says to "go for scentless formulas so your perfume doesn't have to compete." A fragrance-free body lotion makes "a great canvas for perfume."

Many fragrance gift sets pair a perfume with a body lotion or shower gel in the same scent, which makes matching easy. Our perfume gift sets guide covers those.

What doesn't work: a coconut wash, a floral lotion and a woody perfume all at once. That's not layering, it's noise.

4. Spray perfume on pulse points, and don't rub

L'Oréal lists the pulse points as "the insides of your wrists, your neck, inner elbows and the backs of the knees," because they're warm and help the scent release. And stop rubbing your wrists together. Rubbing "breaks down the perfume, causing the scent trail to fade faster." Spray, then leave it.

Want even more staying power? L'Oréal suggests a thin layer of petroleum jelly on those spots before you spray.

5. Make your hair smell good too

Hair holds scent well, and you move it around all day. A nice-smelling shampoo and conditioner help. Don't spray regular perfume straight onto your hair, though. L'Oréal notes that "perfumes contain drying alcohol" and suggests a hair mist made for strands instead.

6. Reapply smartly at midday

Keep a travel-size of your perfume or body mist in your bag, and reapply to your wrists or neck after lunch. Freshen up your underarms first if you need to. Scent on top of sweat smells worse, not better.

Unscented lotion for perfume: fragrance-free vs. unscented

If you search for an unscented lotion for perfume, look for "fragrance-free" on the label. The AAD warns that "unscented" isn't the same thing: it can mean ingredients were added to mask other smells. A truly fragrance-free lotion is the cleanest base for your perfume, and it's also the better choice if scented products make your skin itch.

Picks that help

Native Clean Body Wash, Toasted Vanilla & Honey

Best for: a shower gel that smells good and isn't harsh.

• Native describes the scent as "a cozy blend of warm vanilla, rich cream, and a touch of musk."
• It's made "without sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or dyes," with plant-based cleansers. Native says Glamour named it a "Best scented body wash."
• Keep in mind: if you prefer fresh or citrus scents, Native makes other versions. Pick the one that goes with your perfume.

Check price on Amazon

Native Body Lotion, Toasted Vanilla & Honey

Best for: the best body smelling lotion to match the wash above.

• Native says it's made with "shea butter and glycerin," plus niacinamide, and that it "absorbs quickly, letting you dress immediately after application."
• Same scent as the body wash, so the two layer without clashing.
• Keep in mind: a scented lotion competes with a perfume in a different family. Pair it with a vanilla or gourmand perfume, or wear it on its own.

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Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion

Best for: an unscented lotion for perfume, or for skin that reacts to fragrance.

• Vanicream says it has "no gluten, fragrance, dye, lanolin, parabens, formaldehyde releasers, botanical extracts, essential oils."
• It's a lighter version of Vanicream's cream and "does not feel sticky," according to the listing, so perfume sits on top without a greasy layer.
• Keep in mind: it smells of nothing at all, which is the point. If you want the lotion to be part of the scent, choose a matching scented one instead.

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OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Shampoo

Best for: the best smelling shampoo at the drugstore.

• OGX describes the scent as "coconut, white peach & shea butter" and says it leaves hair "smelling irresistibly good."
• It's "formulated without sulfated surfactants, parabens, phthalates, microplastic & dye," and OGX says it's made to hydrate dry, frizzy hair.
• Keep in mind: it's a moisturizing formula, which can feel heavy on fine or oily hair. Use the matching conditioner on your ends only.

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FAQs

What's the best smelling shampoo?

The best smelling shampoo is the one whose scent you love and that suits your hair type. A moisturizing one like OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk works for dry hair. If your hair is oily, choose a lighter formula and get the scent from a hair mist instead.

What is the best body smelling lotion?

The best body smelling lotion is one that matches your body wash or perfume, so the scents build on each other. Apply it to damp skin straight after the shower, when it holds on to moisture and scent best.

Does body wash scent last all day?

Not really. Most of it rinses off. It's a good first layer, but the lotion and perfume are what carry the scent through the day.

How can I make my perfume last longer?

Put it on moisturized skin, spray your pulse points, and don't rub. L'Oréal also suggests a thin layer of petroleum jelly on those spots first. A matching scented lotion underneath helps a light eau de toilette go further.

How do I smell good without perfume?

Layer a scented body wash and a matching body lotion, use a nice-smelling shampoo, and wear a body mist if you want more. Keep the basics in place: deodorant or antiperspirant, and clean clothes.

Can I put perfume on top of scented lotion?

Yes, if they're in the same scent family. A vanilla lotion under a vanilla or warm perfume works. A strongly scented lotion under a very different perfume usually just clashes, so switch to a fragrance-free lotion on those days.

Clean skin, one scent family, moisturizer on damp skin and a few sprays you don't rub in. That's how to smell good all day.