5 perfect negotiation perfumes
– for women
By Jenny Rydhström, CEO of Gents & Glenn Lauritz Andersson, fragrance expert
Negotiations are enjoyable when you are relaxed and confident. But they require the right tools in your toolbox – and your perfume is one of them. I personally have a specific fragrance reserved for very important negotiations where it is absolutely essential that I achieve my goals, or where my starting position is weak.
Summary
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The article presents five perfumes suitable for women in negotiation settings where scent can enhance confidence and presence.
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The fragrances are described in terms of character – from subtly self-assured and elegant to powerfully authoritative – to match different personalities and styles.
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The selections emphasize balance between professionalism and personality through scent compositions that create the right impression in formal meetings.
In the animal kingdom, communication through scent is extremely common. In humans, the role of scent as a communication tool has diminished over millions of years of evolution. Above all, our enhanced visual and auditory senses have reduced our conscious interpretation of smells. Despite this, your olfactory system registers scents even at very low concentrations – often entirely unconsciously. Use this to your advantage in negotiations.
- Skip traditionally feminine, floral perfumes that signal a conventional gender role.
- Avoid fragrances you would wear to a nightclub.
- Eliminate perfumes you would choose for a date or those that lean heavily into sexuality. This includes many dark, sensual scents containing organic notes such as musk, ambergris, the “dirty” variety of oud, and other animalic notes intended to evoke skin, sweat, and bodily fluids (yes, they are more common than you think!).
Instead, keep it professional and aim to project alpha energy. This is most easily achieved with drier fragrances (low sweetness) that command respect or subtly unsettle your counterpart.
Here are my top fragrance recommendations for a successful negotiation:
1. Di Ser Kyara
This is my dedicated fragrance for extremely important negotiations. If you detect this scent at the negotiation table, you likely have something I very much want. It is strict, cool, and a hitman disguised in patchouli. The discreet (and non-dirty) oud lingers like an unspoken threat between the lines – and your counterpart is subconsciously aware of it.
2. Nasomatto Black Afgano
A masculine fragrance with notes of licorice and herbs. Deep, unconventional, and a real punch – even for a man. My colleague and Gents fragrance expert Denis first encountered it on a Spanish beauty and described his head as completely “tilted.” A dominant men’s fragrance worn by a sharp woman – and most people lose their composure entirely.
3. Floraïku Just a Rose
Floraïku Just a Rose is an excellent negotiation fragrance for the elegant, goal-driven businesswoman who refuses to sacrifice her femininity just because she plays hardball. Not overly floral, but fresh, vital, and energetic. This is a woman I am happy to negotiate with – I know the outcome will benefit both parties and the collaboration will endure over time.
4. Widian London
Widian London is a bolder fragrance that clearly signals who is in charge. However, remember that excessive strength is always a weakness. Use it sparingly if you don’t want to come across as a bulldozer. I’ve made that mistake myself – sprayed too much, dominated the room, and lost the deal. In subtle amounts, however, Widian is a true deal sealer.
5. No perfume at all
If you are a strong negotiator, it may be fair to your counterpart to enter “naked.” This is particularly true when negotiating with younger or less experienced colleagues. Live and let live.