Sensory Scents
While the main aim of perfume is to make you smell great, find the right scent and it can actually change your mood. Scents are powerful things since the place in the brain where we process smells is near the brain’s limbic system which is closely associated to where we process feelings. Here’s our guide to the new spring scents, how they smell and what they can do for your mood...
You know the feeling, you’re lying in bed and you just don’t want to get up. Whatever the reason, spritz one of these scents on to help calm you and boost your confidence so you’re ready to face the world.
Coach Poppy, £36 for 30ml EDP, at Harrods. Enq: 0870 034 2566
The scent: This light and pretty, fruit floral is perfect for putting a spring in your step. Be warned it’s not for everyone, as the crème brûlée makes it super sweet.
The mood ingredients: This contains a lot of calming and mood boosting ingredients, most notably Sandalwood soothes anxiety, tension and stress.
Carolina Herrera CH, from £49. Enq: 0207 494 6220
The scent: Not too sweet or floral, the sandalwood, cashmere and suede gives this perfume a heady, well-rounded fragrance that is, quite frankly, super sexy.
The mood ingredients: Bergamot is good for anyone feeling anxious or a bit depressed; orange blos<
Whether you have an early start, you’re heading out to a party or just need to squeeze in that extra gym session these perfumes will instantly boost your energy levels.
Guerlain Shalimar L’eau, from £37. Enq: 01932 233 887
The scent: Think of mood boosting and you probably think fresh mint or zesty citrus, but this scent is a pretty, powdery rose with a hint of sweetness. Shalimar is a true classic and while this update still has the signature almond gourmand facet of its elder, this is lighter and fresher than the original.
The mood ingredients: Bergamot helps increase motivation, while rose and jasmine are uplifting.
Ghost Whisper, from £24.90 (nationwide)
The scent: With mandarin oil and orange flower this is a light citrus scent, it has a warmth and depth thanks to the musk and cedarwood. Ideal for bright spring days and balmy summer nights.
The mood ingredient: Orang<
If you need to get lots done in a short space of time and you just need to be that little bit more organised, here are two scents that will help.
Escada Especially Escada, from £32 (available nationwide)
The scent: This delicate rose scent has hints of fruit (thanks to the addition of pear), musk and ylang ylang - it’s neither too sweet nor too old lady (some rose scents can be). It’s an easy to wear scent that could be a future classic.
The mood ingredients: Ylang ylang is both uplifting and calming so you’ll be ready to face any challenge.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud, £175 (from March)
The scent: This warm, woody, oriental scent is an acquired taste but the aroma is instantly calming – great if you need a clear, stress-free mind.
The mood ingredients: Cedarwood focuses your mind and helps you find purpose, while patchouli rids indecision, ideal if you need to get thing<
Finding the right perfume for a first date is tricky, look for fragrances that include sensual ingredients, as well as notes to help soothe those nerves.
Angel Aqua Chic, £40 (from April)
The scent: Okay, Angel is definitely an acquired taste but the sweet, oriental notes of the original have been tempered by the addition of cornflower water, pink peppercorn and lemon for a lighter, fresher scent. Having said that, if you find the original a turn-off, we wouldn’t advise this for a date!
The mood ingredients: Patchouli helps to ease away nerves and tension before your date, while lemon will uplift so you are your sparkling best.
Gucci Flora Gracious Tuberose, from £49 (available 7 March nationwide)
The scent: With orange flower, rose and tuberose this scent is super pretty, fresh and light, great if it’s a first date and you don’t want your perfume to upstage you.
The mood ingredien<
If you’re feeling a bit glum and generally down in the dumps, look for fragrances that will boost your mood and get you back to your sunny self.
Diptyque Eau Rose, from £30
The scent: Fresh and spritely this rose scent is livened up with lychee and blackcurrant. Leathery moss, cedar and honey gives skin a sensual aroma.
The mood ingredients: Cedarwood helps to counteract any stress, while bergamot and rose motivate and help to lift the your spirit.
Miss Dior Eau Fraîche, from £49 (available at Harrods now and nationwide from March 5)
The scent: Light floral with a hint of citrus and ever-so-slightly powdery, this scent is really easy to wear and ideal for spring days.
The mood ingredients: Gardenia is uplifting and boosts confidence, while bergamot motivates you to face the world with gusto.
Whether you’re off for mini break or just want to switch off from the daily grind, spritz one of these perfumes and they’ll gently ease your mind off work or those daily niggles and help you unwind.
Tom Ford Lavender Palm, from £120 (nationwide)
The scent: Think lavender is for grannies? Thick again. Tom Ford has given the typically staid ingredient an injection of style blending it with more fragrance notes that I can list here. The scent has an interesting character thanks to the blend of lavender, citrus, woods and resin.
The mood ingredients: If you’ve ever seen those trad lavender pouches, you’ll know the flower is traditionally used in aromatherapy to help lower the heart rate so you can relax and sleep more easily. Benzoin (a wood resin) is also known to be relaxing, and clary sage is so potent, aromatherapists advise you avoid it if you’re planning on drinking alcohol as it can exaggerate the effects.
Roja Dove I<
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