Want To Feel More Confident In Dating? Consider Vabbing.
I don’t know about you, but the natural scent of a man just does something to me. Ladies, you know what I mean too. But what if your natural scent can make a man more attracted to you or get the attention of that one person you’ve been secretly crushing on? And when I say your natural scent, I am talking about the natural scent of your vagina. According to the latest TikTok trend, there is some type of truth to this and it's called vabbing. A mix between the word "vagina" and "dabbing," influencer and fashion writer Mandy Lee’s (@oldloserinbrooklyn) video about vabbing has gone viral with over 1.5 million views. TikTok users are swearing that vabbing is working for their dating life too.
Let’s explore what exactly vabbing is and what it means for women, sex appeal, and feeling more confident.
What Is Vabbing?
So, the idea of vabbing is inserting clean fingers into your clean vagina and dabbing your vaginal fluids onto your pressure points (wrists, neck, and behind the ears), and using it as perfume. According to Healthline, our vag fluids contain pheromones and its smell is our “sexual scent of attraction.” Who knew? Now, vabbing isn’t as “new” as we think it is. In 2019, sexologist, intimacy expert, and author Shan Boodram shares that she has been vabbing for more than 15 years! She actually put the polarizing concept on the map in her 2019 book, The Game of Desire.
In a YouTube video, Boodram broke down the origin of the word pheromones and its meaning. She explained that by transferring your pheromones you’re transferring your excitement which makes people drawn to your raw human scent.
Does Vabbing Actually Work?
Unfortunately, biology and science say that vabbing doesn’t work. Here’s the thing, pheromones have a role in mating behavior as studies show with animals. According to medical experts, there isn’t enough research to support how pheromones affect human mating behavior. Gynecologists also say vabbing is safe and it does not pose a health risk. With that said, it's important to be aware of your sexual status when it comes to sharing your bodily fluids. Let’s not forget that STIs still exist.
However, there are others who believe vabbing is absolutely absurd. According to ABC network, Professor Mark Elgar says when it comes to attracting a significant other that, “It could be how you look, it could be how you speak, the frequency, your voice that seems to have the influence.” He also states, “If you’re going to look at it from a biological perspective. You don’t need to do any of this stuff. It’s the boys that should be dancing in front of you, telling you how great they are.”
It's Giving Confidence and Sex Appeal
If it’s one thing that women are doing more of in 2022, it’s becoming empowered, building their confidence, and having sex appeal. So, why wouldn’t we vab? It seems that vabbing is more of a state of mind than just a physical act to get a reaction or stimulate the desired response. Shan Boodram further explains that vabbing for her is like a secret weapon. It is her reminder that her vagina is intoxicating AF. In an article by The Cut, Boodram states when it comes to vabbing, “It's not necessary and the fun is when it's something you do because you believe it will make you feel confident.”
In a recent Reel posted to Instagram, Boodram shares, "For me, it's feeling like I have a secret weapon and also it's me claiming the truth that the smell of my vulva/vagina is intoxicating, NOT toxic, which I believe we get the reverse message in society. And whether it's placebo or something legitimate, there have been occasions where I've noticed very different reactions from people when I've 'vabbed' versus when I have not."
Personally speaking, I have yet to try vabbing. But for the ladies looking to feel empowered and explore more of their sexual side, I wouldn’t disagree that vabbing would be one easy way to start. I mean, not every woman is comfortable sticking their fingers in their lady parts, let alone masturbating. Science says one thing, but I would argue that psychology says another when it comes to vabbing. It’s internal. You know what they say, our thoughts become our reality. Confidence and sex appeal are all about what makes you feel comfortable, turns you on, turns your partner on, and makes you feel good.
So, ladies are we vabbing, or nah?
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Featured image by LaylaBird/Getty Images
Camille is a lover of all things skin, curls, music, justice, and wanderlust; oceans and islands are her thing. Her words inspire and her power is her voice. A California native with Trinidadian roots, she has penned personal essays, interviews, and lifestyle pieces for POPSUGAR, FEMI magazine, and SelfishBabe. Camille is currently creating a life she loves through words, self-love, fitness, travel, and empowerment. You can follow her on Instagram @cam_just_living or @written_by_cam.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.