When a school in Brooklyn temporarily closes due to noxious fumes that turn out to be an overload of Axe body spray, it makes you wonder if it’s time for an intervention.

They say that scents provoke the strongest memories. Unfortunately for me, simply reading about this stupid mishap brought back disgusting memories of PE freshman year. I try to block that section of my life out of my mind – who actually wants to reminisce over choking on a pungent combination of Axe and body odor?

First off: I’m glad that you’re trying to smell good. Puberty isn’t everyone’s best friend, and cologne/perfume might be your final attempt at making yourself presentable. Here’s the thing – you can’t rely on chemicals to fix everything, and more often than not, you’re going to have undesirable results. If you smell terrible, masking it under a sizzling layer of Axe body spray or scented body lotion won’t make anything better.

Sure, I have a sensitive nose when it comes to these types of things. Artificial flavoring and scents often give me headaches and stomachaches. But most anyone can admit that there’s a fine line between smelling pleasant and smelling overwhelming. When using fragrances, make sure to use them sparingly – less is more. Would you rather repel or attract people?