The Pheromone Perfume Craze: Could Love is Blind’s Taylor Be Onto Something Big?

If you haven’t heard the latest buzz about pheromone perfume, let us fill you in—it’s juicy. On the latest season of Love is Blind, Taylor Krause dropped a little secret that has left thousands of fans buzzing. Just before sealing her engagement to Garrett Josemans, Taylor reached for a fragrance (allegedly known as the best pheromone perfume for women), dabbing it on her love note as a final touch. 

Sales of that Love is Blind pheromone oil? Through the roof. Suddenly, everyone wants to know: does pheromone perfume work, or is it just a reality TV gimmick?

Why Taylor’s Secret Weapon Has Fans in a Chokehold 

Picture this: You’re on a Netflix reality show, in a love experiment where no one sees each other until there’s a ring involved. That’s a lot of pressure, right? Taylor from Love is Blind Season 7 understood the assignment, but she didn’t just show up—she came prepared. As she held her love note, she confided in a friend that she’s always ready, applying a roll-on pheromone fragrance before sending it off to Garrett.

Fast forward to when Taylor and Garrett finally meet face-to-face, and he’s clearly captivated. Fans didn’t miss it, either, as Garrett tells her, “You smell very nice.” Getting told that you smell good, of course, is one of the biggest compliments you can get in your day to day life.

The scent’s impact was instant, and now Pure Instinct, the company behind the viral TikTok fragrance, is reaping the benefits. Pure Instinct pheromone perfume sales have skyrocketed– the company’s website saw a massive 500% spike in traffic after the episode aired. As a result, this roll-on fragrance oil is even being called the latest and greatest TikTok viral perfume.

So, what’s the deal? Does pheromone perfume and pheromone cologne work? Do our “natural pheromones” exist or have any impact on our relationships?

Does Pheromone Perfume Work After All?

Many are left wondering: is there any science behind these claims? Before we jump in, let’s break it down—what is pheromone perfume exactly? And, more importantly, what are pheromones?

Pheromones are chemicals animals naturally produce to signal attraction. These “ecto-hormones” are little chemical messengers released into the environment and detected by other members of the species through specialized receptors. In many animals, pheromones can trigger behaviors such as mating, bonding, and even territorial marking. For example, in insects like butterflies, pheromones like bombykol are so potent that a single molecule can initiate a mating response.

But for humans? Experts, like Dr. Pamela Dalton from the Monell Chemical Senses Center, aren’t so sure. She explains that while animals use pheromones to signal sexual attraction to each other, we humans don’t have solid proof that “human pheromones” are a real thing—at least not in a way that leads to insta-attraction. “We don’t know the specific chemicals that might produce a pheromone-like effect in people,” says Dr. Dalton.

What we do know, however, is that fragrance plays a powerful role in emotion and confidence. It’s no surprise, then, that people are flooding social media with pheromone perfume reviews and their thoughts on women and men’s fragrances that boost self-assurance.

Perfumer Dana Schmitt from Givaudan adds that it’s a possibility that fragrance could have an impact on sexual attraction. “I think most scents improve people's moods,” she says. And hey, a sunny disposition might just be the ultimate secret weapon for turning heads.

What the Research Really Says About Human Pheromones and Attraction

Studies on human pheromones suggest that while pheromone communication is well-established in animals, the evidence in humans is still under debate.

Originally, pheromones were observed in insects like the Bombyx mori butterfly, where bombykol acts as a precise sexual attractant. In mammals, pheromones have been shown to impact reproductive and social behaviors through a specialized olfactory system known as the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which triggers responses in the hypothalamus.

In humans, the VNO appears to be vestigial, meaning it may not play an active role in pheromone detection. This has led scientists to question whether humans can detect or respond to pheromones in the same way other mammals do. Some researchers argue that humans might still produce and perceive certain pheromones, even without a fully functioning VNO. For instance, the presence of steroidal compounds in apocrine sweat glands—located in areas like the armpits and pubic region—has been associated with human scent. The exact role these compounds play in attraction, however, remains inconclusive.

Studies have observed behavioral phenomena such as menstrual synchrony among women who live together, hinting at possible subconscious responses to chemical signals. Yet, rigorous lab-controlled studies have shown mixed results on whether synthetic pheromones directly affect human attraction or simply enhance mood and self-perception. The scientific consensus, according to various studies, remains cautious.

In other words, while pheromones might subtly influence human behavior, more research is needed to confirm their role in sexual attraction and behavior.

Why Taylor’s Scent Got Noticed

We all want to know how to smell good, of course, but there isn’t one scent that does it all. Our body chemistry, natural scent, personal preferences, and other key factors all play a role in how we wear a fragrance and its effects on others. Taylor’s moment on Love is Blind is the ultimate reminder: our scent goes deeper than the nose. 

Notes like vanilla, musk, and florals, loved universally, have an emotional impact—whether or not there’s pheromone magic behind them. Schmitt hints at this as well, explaining that fragrance helps “add dimension to life”. If Taylor’s pheromone perfume gave her a confidence boost, smelled pleasant, and put both her and Garrett in a good mood, that’s probably what really caught Garrett’s attention.

For those curious, Taylor’s choice, Pure Instinct Crave, is now among the best pheromone perfume options that are trending online. Still, most critics agree that it was likely Taylor’s assertiveness doing the heavy lifting.

The Bottom Line

Taylor may have launched a massive sales craze, but the real story might be even simpler than we think: when you feel good, it shows. A little confidence, a spritz of your favorite perfume, and maybe—just maybe—the world notices.

Curious about more fragrance trends? Have a look at our other stories to see what (and who) else is stirring things up in the world of scent. Whether you want to know how to make your house smell good, how to make perfume last longer, or any other topic in between, we’re here to share all the scents and secrets that make a lasting impression!