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For my first job in high school, I worked as a lifeguard at the local civic center swimming pool. Beyond the easy pool access, extra spending money, and killer tan, I have to admit that I really enjoyed the weird smells of fresh chlorine in the morning.
Mandy Naglich is a certified Advanced Cicerone, beer educator, food stylist, and the author of How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life.
Phil Riportella is the co-founder of Snif, a luxury indie fragrance brand that utilizes unique scent profiles to create nostalgic perfumes.
The smell of chlorine is a weird thing to enjoy. Chlorine can be incredibly toxic to humans; breathing it in large doses can lead to pulmonary edema. Its chemical properties are so strong that it can turn blonde hair green and strip skin of its natural oils, and yet, I crave the smell of it every year when springtime hits.
An appreciation of weird smells seems to be a universal experience. Cow manure, fresh tennis balls, gasoline, and even the bottom of dogs’ feet (Fritos, anyone?) are just a few of the strange smells people say they can’t get enough of. Where does our affinity for strange, sometimes noxious, smells come from? Does the nose know something we don’t?
Why do you love weird smells so much?
Before we tackle why we love strange smells, it’s important to understand the relationship between smells and the human brain. When scents travel up our nose, they eventually hit the olfactory nerve, located in a small patch of tissue high up in the nasal cavity. This nerve houses receptors that detect scent molecules and relay that information to the olfactory bulb in the brain. This bulb is part of our brain’s limbic system, the part of our brain that controls memory formation and recall.
“Scientists think these parts of the brain [limbic system] are responsible for assigning emotional meaning to events,” says Naglich. “Hence, by their nature autobiographical memories triggered by scent must also trigger an emotion. Rather than being simultaneous recollections, emotion and memory are inherently intertwined as one.”
It’s in your genes
Humans are wildly diverse when it comes to our scent likes and dislikes. Each of us have approximately 400 odorant receptors, and any two people are likely to have a 30 percent difference in odor reception function between them. Our sense of smell is unique and wholly ours, which could explain why some people love the sawdust-y smell of Home Depot while others don’t seem to notice it at all.
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Context
While you might love the smell of gasoline on a chilly winter evening or the smell of skunk during a cross-country road trip, you probably don’t want to smell them in your own home. This is because the context of smells is paramount to whether we like them or not in the moment. Since olfaction is directly linked to our memory, we’re more likely to have a positive reaction to smelling them in the context where we formed good memories.
Common Weird Smells and Why You Like Them
Gasoline
The sweet odor of benzene, a chemical solvent found in crude oil, could be responsible for our collective obsession with the smell of gasoline. Cigarettes and fires also contain trace amounts of the aromatic compound, which could explain why the smell of bonfires and tobacco are so popular, even amongst nonsmokers.
Our love for the smell of weird smells, especially gasoline, is so widely-shared that luxury perfume brands like Snif have begun using them as inspiration for new fragrances. Known for their experimental, “out there” scents, Snif formulated a fragrance for their secret NoNoses menu called Dead Dino that contains a scent profile built around the strong smell of petrol.
“We wanted our first scent to evoke some form of nostalgia, and when we polled our community, the smell of gasoline kept coming up, and that’s how Dead Dino was born,” says Phil Riportella, co-founder of Snif. “It’s really the memories associated with those nostalgic scents that make it so interesting.”
This one’s a little gross. The strong smell of pool chlorine is due to chloramines, volatile substances that form in pool water when chlorine bonds to water contaminants like sweat and pee (ew). Speaking from experience, raw chlorine powder and pellets do smell very strong, but you’re likely smelling the water’s chloramines, since chlorine is kept in airtight containers hidden in the pool’s maintenance room.
As with all weird smells, context is important, and our love of pool smell is strongly linked to childhood memories of swimming with family and friends.
Your partner’s armpits
If you find yourself savoring the smell of your boyfriend’s armpits, you’re not alone. The explanation for this is actually pretty romantic. For one, your partner’s body odor can bring you a sense of comfort or arousal; smells linger, so when you get a whiff of their dirty t-shirt, you’re reminded of them.
Secondly, scientists theorize that our unique major histocompatibility complexes (MHC), collections of genes that code for proteins that help our immune systems, can dictate our biological attraction with potential romantic partners. One study involved asking women to rank the pleasantness of body odor from six different shirts, all worn by different men for two consecutive days. The group ended up preferring the smell of shirts from men whose MHC makeups were different from their own, suggesting that opposites *do* attract.
The Nose Knows
If you still think it’s nasty that some of us like the smell of skunk, we get it. Despite how *gross* they may be, the powerful scents of chlorine, skunk, gasoline, and sweaty armpits have the power to transport us back in time. The magnificent teamwork between our olfactory systems and our brains—an intricate pairing wholly unique to each and every one of us—is nothing to sneeze at.
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February tends to get a bad wrap as a cold, dreary month, but that's not entirely fair. For starters, there's Valentine's Day, which is nothing if not warm and fuzzy. Then, there's Presidents' Day, which is a somewhat random federal holiday but rife with discounts on big-ticket items like appliances and mattresses. And then there are wonderful self-care brands like Foria, who are kind enough to help us beat the doldrums of winter by offering discounts on intimacy oils and sexual wellness products so we can heat things up with our partners (or solo!).
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This long weekend—as in now through Monday, February 17—you can snag 20 percent off any one-time Foria purchase when you use the promo code WELLANDGOOD at checkout. Whether you're shopping for a steamy CBD arousal oil to set the mood with your boo, or the brand's Intimacy Melt suppositories to enhance pleasure when things get more serious, Foria is ready to help you warm things up this weekend. Scroll on to see what the W+G team is scooping up.
What we're shopping during this weekend's Foria sale
This intimacy oil from Foria is infused with stimulating botanical ingredients like cinnamon and kava root, as well as 30mg of organic broad-spectrum hemp CBD to boost relaxation and help you set the mood. It can be used pretty much anywhere that feels good, but vulva owners can use it both externally and internally to ramp up the pleasure—just note that it's not compatible with latex condoms. We've tried it, we love it.
Another CBD-infused offering, Foria's Intimacy Melts are designed to slide into your vagina or anus and—as the name implies—melt. Each melt contains cocoa butter and 50mg of organic broad-spectrum hemp CBD to increase relaxation during penetration. Foria recommends inserting the suppository 30-60 minutes before you're ready to get things going with your partner (or a toy) for sheet-gripping results. (Heads up: This is another pick that's not compatible with latex condoms.)
There's nothing to warm you up on a cold day like a soothing full-body massage. Whether you're the massager or the recipient (I've been both with this oil and can vouch!), this blend of organic botanicals will definitely enhance the experience. The quick-absorbing formula smells amazing, thanks to the blend of ylang-ylang, ginger, vanilla, and coriander extracts, and the consistency is silky smooth to keep things sensual.
Made with organic pumpkin seed and coconut oil, as well as antioxidant-rich buckthorn and vitamin E, this moisturizer was designed to provide daily hydration to vulva owners. Think that's not something your bod needs? W+G contributing writer Cathy Nelson might convince you otherwise.
"This is the product I didn’t know I needed but now can’t live without," she shares. "Seriously—who knew we should be moisturizing our vulvas daily? Using it makes me feel so comfortable. The formula goes on easily, absorbs nicely, and the hydrating effects last for hours."
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission
No matter the relationship stage you’re in—dating, married, or in a situationship—Valentine’s Day can add pressure for extravagant, rom-com-worthy displays of love and devotion. But the reality isn’t always as romantic. If you’ve been with someone for a really long time, the same old heart-shaped box of chocolates and flowers might begin to feel a bit stale, and if you’re just getting started with someone new, you might be itching to gush, but fear going overboard. Truth be told, there is no “right” answer when it comes to showing your love with a gift but, in our opinion, the best V-Day presents are those you can enjoy together. Read on for over 50 suggestions for Valentine’s Day gifts for couples that will help get the inspiration flowing.
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Best Valentine's Day gifts for couples, at a glance:
What’s better than flowers on Valentine’s Day? Flowers and a vibrator. This year, the flower delivery company The Bouqs has partnered with Dame to offer this stunning “Good Vibes” arrangement. Each order of this lush, strawberry shortcake-colored bouquet includes a Dame Zig bullet vibe, which is made with soft silicone and has a fluttering tip. Siri, play “My Favorite Things.”
With positions called “Love is Blind,” “Tickle Me Elmo,” and “A Moveable Feast,” this saucy book of sex positions is guaranteed to help keep things interesting in the bedroom.
Help your lover unwind with this soothing massage oil from Lazarus Naturals. It's made with nourishing jojoba and sweet almond oils, as well as USDA Organic-certified full-spectrum CBD for added relief. Plus, it comes in a handy pump dispenser and is free of added fragrances or sketchy ingredients, so you can relax and focus your attention on delivering an excellent full-body massage.
These tasty gummies are blended with full-spectrum CBD and a load of other popular aphrodisiacs, like maca, horny goat weed, and ashwagandha. Needless to say, they’re great for ~getting in the mood~ and are the libido boost no bedside table should go without.
This couples vibrator is designed to be inserted into the vagina during penetrative sex, sending stimulating vibrations to the clitoris, G-spot, and penis at the same time. And you can operate it via the remote control—which responds to you squeezing it to ramp up the intensity. It even has a touch-sensitive function that allows the Chorus to respond to your body movements!
If you and your partner want to have an even happier happy hour, this fun drinking game is the way to do it (though you could just as easily play with mocktails instead of a cocktail.) With 100 cards in the deck, this 2-person card game is sure to spark laughs and conversation. The rules are simple: follow whatever the card says, or take a drink. It’s basically the adult version of Truth or Dare, only instead of spilling secrets, you’re sipping your drink.
This solid massage bar is a must-buy Valentine’s Day gift for any couple whose love language is physical touch. In addition to nourishing dry skin, the Sex Stone functions as a lubricant in intimate situations, offering the perfect amount of glide.
Nobody actually likes those chalky heart-shaped candies, right? With this four-pack of soft modal thongs from PSD, you’re the real treat. And if the cheeky candy sayings aren’t your vibe, PSD has other Valentine’s Day prints to explore, as well as matching sets for men and women.
This silky soft pajama set is soft, sexy, and made of 100 percent Mulberry silk that’s thermoregulating to keep you cool and comfortable all night long. The best part, though, is that it’s machine washable (hold for applause). They also come in a matching men’s style that’s equally luxe.
If snuggling up on the couch with your boo is your idea of quality time, there’s literally no better throw blanket for the job (especially in frigid February). The Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket is seriously soft, made with cuddly faux fur you’ll want to run your hands over—honestly I end up petting it while it’s on my lap. Whether you choose the regular or “bubble” style, this hefty throw will quickly become your favorite.
Recreate the feeling of relaxing in a fancy hotel robe by treating you and your partner to matching Cloud Robes from Parachute. The luxe robe is made of 100-percent Turkish cotton and has a plush gauze that feels uber-soft on skin. Note: some sizes are selling out quickly, so act fast on this one!
With notes of olive wood, bergamot, and rose, this Ya Thamani Candle has a soft, inviting scent that’s grounding, romantic, and luxurious all at once—making it an instant mood-maker for your Valentine’s Day night-in.
This ultra-soothing neck and shoulder massager is the third wheel you never knew you needed. It delivers a heated deep tissue massage so good, those stress induced knots won’t stand a chance.
With over 20,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, these affordable house slippers feel like you’re walking on a cloud—which obviously means you’ll have to get your Valentine a matching pair.
For the couple that prefers baths to showers, these Fur bath beads are packed with nourishing oils like jojoba and grapeseed oil, along with the brand’s signature Fur Oil that’s beloved for its hydrating benefits that totally banish dry, itchy skin.
For couples who are also proud plant parents, treating yourselves to a new houseplant is a fool-proof Valentine’s Day gift—especially when it waters itself. Seriously, I have the happiest Fiddle Leaf Fig bush from Easyplant and all I’ve done is keep an eye on the brand’s self-watering pot. You fill up the pot’s water chamber once a month and forget about it, meaning you’ll never have to worry about not feeding it too much or too little. Anthuriums make a great gift, as they thrive in bright, indirect light and are one of the longest-blooming house plants—which means you can enjoy their gorgeous, pink blooms for longer.
One of the small but mighty ways my husband shows me he loves me is by filling up my BrüMate, which yes, sounds like something I can and should do for myself, but the Brita is heavy and sometimes I forget and ugh, whatever, it’ssweet ok?! Anyway, if you’re looking to give the gift of ice-cold hydration, this seasonal rose pattern (as well as this cute heart design) is a great pick.
For the couple that loves to cook together, Valentine’s Day is a solid excuse to splurge on new cookware. This wooden cutting board set from Caraway (a brand beloved by team W+G) is made with gorgeous, Forest Stewardship Council-certified birchwood, and comes with a sleek storage rack. The set’s versatile size range means you and your honey can both get to choppin’ at the same time, and each board contains indented sections for added organization while you prep.
How sweet are these heart-shaped salt and pepper shakers? Beyond being adorable and seasonally appropriate, the set comes from Le Creuset so you know they’ll last a lifetime. Pop them on your dinner table during your Valentine’s Day meal to surprise your culinary cutie.
Why is fondue so romantic? Maybe it’s the communal aspect, or the choose-your-own-adventure energy—or maybe just the simple fact that you can pop a cheese-coated grape in your lover’s mouth and that’s pretty fun. Whatever your reasons for fondu-ing, this 3qt fondue pot from Cuisinart will set you up with everything you need—just add cheese.
What’s there to say? It’s a heart-shaped waffle maker and it costs less than $10. The only way to make this a better Valentine’s Day gift is by using it to make waffles together the morning of Feb 14.
If you’re looking for an experience-led gift, Sur La Table’s virtual cooking classes are a great option. You and your Valentine will get the chance to be taught by an expert chef, and making something new (and delicious) from the comfort of your home kitchen. Besides, it beats fighting over a restaurant reservation.
If you two bond over a glass of vino, check out this cool wine accessory from Ullo. It’s a purifier that uses a filter to reduce the amount of unwanted sulfites in your pour. You can also adjust the device’s aeration to work for different types of wine (less for whites, more for reds, etc).
Here’s the sweetest way to celebrate together. With indulgent, small-batch ice cream flavors made from the creamiest, real-deal ingredients, it’s a perfect date-night treat. Whether you’re sharing straight from the pint or crafting sundaes, this bundle turns dessert into a love language—no reservations required.
If the two of you are tea drinkers, why not level up your daily brew with some luxe blends from Art of Tea? This thoughtful gift set includes a sampler of pyramid sachets, featuring 12 blends that range from the predictable (English Breakfast, Mint Green) to the exotic (Egyptian Chamomile, White Coconut Cremé). Plus, the set comes in a giftable wooden box and includes two gorgeous ceramic mugs to add to your collection.
You know what they say—couples that espresso together, stay together. Ok, maybe they don’t say that, but they should. The Bialetti Mini Express takes your traditional Moka Pot and splits it in two, brewing up two espresso shots at the same time, making it a great Valentine’s Day gift for couples who bond over their morning coffee time.
A Valentine’s Day gift that’s both cute and practical, these adorable face-shaped mugs will make you and your partner’s coffee breaks all the more special. Whether you’re sipping on coffee together or apart, this unique set will keep your loved one at top of mind.
If you and your partner are in the mood to splurge this Valentine’s Day on a kitchen gift you’ll both fall head over heels for, let it be this drip coffee maker. Not only is it a tried, tested, and true W+G team favorite, it’ll save you serious cash on trips to the coffee shop. Plus there are over 20 color options to choose from, guaranteeing you’ll find one to suit your kitchen.
For the caffeinated couple who can’t go a day without coffee, this subscription from Partner’s Coffee (the brand behind our all-time favorite instant coffee) is the Valentine’s Day gift that’ll keep your coffee cupboard stocked at all times. The Roaster’s Choice option is just that—a random coffee choice handpicked by Partner’s expert roasters, so you can experience something new every month.
For long-distance couples who want to rekindle the lost art of letter writing, this book of prompted, tear-out letters makes for a heartwarming Valentine’s Day gift to give your partner before parting. Whether they’re in need of motivation or guidance before a big decision, they’ll be able to open a handwritten letter from you for some peace of mind.
Gift your significant other a keepsake photo album they can enjoy for years to come, especially in those moments when you’re physically not together. Artifact Uprising has hundreds of customizable photo products you can create, packaging your most precious memories in an heirloom-quality gift they’ll cherish forever.
For couples who love a night in, this gorgeous 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Piecework makes for a fun (and challenging) Valentine’s Day activity. Warning: the art is so pretty, it’s heartbreaking to take these puzzles apart once they’re complete!
If you and your sweetheart like a little friendly competition, give the gift of a fast-paced card game. My husband and I are newly addicted to Dutch Blitz, which is a little bit Egyptian Ratscrew, a little bit Solitaire, and a lot of fun. I recommend raising the stakes by offering up a back massage to the winner.
This Valentine’s Day Lego set makes for a fun way to spend time together on the 14th without having to sort through a gazillion pieces—ok there are still 250 pieces, but that’s not nearly as many as most Lego sets and it can absolutely be completed in an evening. Plus, once it’s finished, you can hang it on your front door or anywhere in your home for a little seasonal decor!
Suds up your sweetheart with this set of gel-infused sponges from Spongelle. The heart-shaped design holds a dermatologist-tested formula of glycerin and botanical ingredients like edelweiss and vetiver extract. Choose from two fragrance sets: Beloved Lily and pink camilla, or sweet orchid and scarlet blush.
For couples that live together, a fancy hand soap is kind of a big deal. Even if your partner claims not to care, once they’ve tried an Aesop soap, they’ll recognize it as the treat that it is. The Reverence Wash has finely ground pumice for a satisfying, exfoliating effect, and smells like vetiver, petitgrain, and bergamot.
For sheets that smell as sexy as they feel, you’ll want this Dedcool Room + Linen Spray. The brand’s best-selling “Taunt” scent has notes of florals and cassis, bergamot, and fresh dew, along with warming amber and vanilla—creating a sensual aroma that’ll make your bed even more inviting. To take things up a notch, we recommend pairing it with the matching laundry detergent.
If you think a robot vacuum isn’t romantic enough for Valentine’s Day, think again. Equipped with the brand’s patented Dirt Detect technology, this genius vacuum cleaner detects and cleans up messes, so you and your partner don’t have to. So you two can spend more time on what matters most—each other. And did we mention it’s on sale for 35 percent off?
Every couple has “their” song—turn your favorite song into wall art with this personalized song lyric print. Just add your name, song title, and artist before adding to your cart, and you’ll get a custom, keepsake-worthy print shipped to your door and ready to frame.
Vinyl-collecting couples, this Victrola portable record player deserves a place in your shopping cart. It blends retro with modern style, as it’s equipped to play all your favorite records or connect to your Bluetooth devices when you want to stream something else. The best part? It packs up easy thanks to the suitcase-inspired design that allows you to take your tunes anywhere.
With a name like Lover’s Bracelet, you know this minimalist gold chain bracelet makes for a beautiful couple’s gift. It’s made with 100 percent recycled 14K gold and a touch wider and weighter than Catbird’s other chains, for a look that makes a statement alone, or paired with other pieces. Snag one for you and your Valentine for a sweet matching moment.
Inspired by the breathing techniques of ancient Japanese Komusō monks, this Mindful Breathing Necklace helps calm anxiety, so you can stay present. Just inhale normally, and exhale through the straw pendant for a mini meditation throughout the day.
Spoiler alert: my husband will be receiving this set of McConnell’s Ice Creams for Valentine’s Day, and I plan to be very involved in the enjoyment of his gift. The set includes five 16oz pints of ice cream in delicious and unique flavors like Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Sea Salt Cookies & Cream. Also, don’t sleep on the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate—it’s out of this world.
The ideal way to top off your Valentine’s Day date night, this mouthwatering sampler pack from New York’s iconic Magnolia Bakery includes two cups of its famous chocolate covered strawberry pudding (which is made fresh and ships the same day it’s made), and two Valentine’s Day cupcakes.
Instead of going the heart shaped box of chocolate route, make a heartwarming memory with your Valentine by making your own chocolate truffles instead. This easy to follow kit includes everything you need—from the French dark chocolate morsels to all the tasty add-ins like Himalayan salt, coconut flakes, vanilla, and more.
For the couple that could do serious damage in a candy store, this Sugarfina Bento Box is positively loaded with all of the gourmet candy varieties they could hope for—from champagne gummy bears to dark chocolate caramels.
Whether you have a pool nearby or are jet-setting somewhere warm together, these heart-shaped pool floats from Funboy make a really fun Valentine’s Day gift. Not only are they super cute, they’re made from upcycled production scraps (see ya never, landfill!) so you can feel great about your purchase. Choose a single heart tube, or snag a 3-pack ($69) so you can float together.
For the couple with an ever-expanding bucket list, this scratchable world map will help you keep tabs on all the destinations you’ve visited. Plus, it doubles as wall art.
For the couple that loves a day outdoors, this Yeti Cooler makes for an ideal V-day investment. On top of its ultra-durable design, the personal sized cooler easily accommodates enough drinks and ice for two people, making it a must-pack for romantic hikes, picnics, or days at the beach.
For the selfie-savvy couple who loves making memories, this Fujifilm instant camera has a built-in one-touch selfie mode and mirror that make it a welcome addition on vacations, date nights, and group hangs. The only thing you’ll love more than getting a photo printed in an instant is the compact camera’s retro aesthetic.
Gifts are great and all, but the honest truth is that time spent with your partner is the best gift of them all. As we said above, we think that the best Valentine’s Day gifts for couples are the ones that you can enjoy together, and that pave the way for more meaningful quality time.
For example, if you and your partners are foodies who love to cook new recipes at home, new cookware or matching aprons will make cooking meals together even more special. If you’re homebodies who love to lounge and practice self-care together, a comfy robe, slippers, and blanket would all make delightful Valentine’s Day gifts. And if you can’t keep your hands off each other, there are countless sexy gift options out there that’ll set sparks flying in the bedroom, from vibrators to sensual massage oils. To spare you the headache of having to track these gifts down yourself, we rounded up the very best Valentine’s Day gifts for couples that you can shop right now (which we’d gently recommend, as V-day is less than a month away!)
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