Health

These Scents Have Been Proven to Boost Your Mood

Give someone the right fragrance and they can take over the world! The power of scent can sometimes be underestimated, but smells can be very emotive and evocative. Some scents can have a great effect on your mood, which is why you should never leave the house without a spritz of your favourite perfume or aftershave.

Your sense of smell is very closely linked to the part of the brain that is responsible for emotion and memory. With that in mind, here are some of the best mood-boosting scents and what fragrances you can find them in.

Ylang-ylang

Ylang-ylang is a popular, tropical floral scent used in perfumes that is sometimes associated with uplifting your mood. This scent can not only promote relaxation, but is also said to be an aphrodisiac. Ylang-ylang is often linked to feminine energy, with a sensual smell that is beautifully sweet and exotic. It can also be used in some men’s aftershaves for a sweeter edge to masculine scents.

So, if you’ve got a date coming up, we suggest finding a fragrance with ylang-ylang. We love J’Adore by Dior, a classic perfume that uses the essence of fresh ylang-ylang flowers for its opening note.

Similarly, Acqua di Parma Colonia Absoluta integrates ylang-ylang into the heart of the aftershave, alongside jasmine and pepper for an eclectic, fresh scent.

Jasmine

Jasmine is a beautifully aromatic scent with a delicate, sweet smell. It is known for being a calming as well as optimistic scent, perfect for making you feel a little more positive. Jasmine oil is often used as a natural anti-depressant.

Jasmine can be found in a lot of oriental and floral fragrances, mostly in women’s perfume as it can be quite a feminine scent.

For an easy-to-wear, floral fragrance for every occasion, Gucci Bloom is created with natural jasmine combined with tuberose for a powdery, fresh perfume.

Citrus

Citrus scents are incredibly popular in the world of fragrance, and they lend themselves to both masculine and feminine fragrances. Citrus scents can be incredibly invigorating, perfect for helping you feel more alert and energised.

Some citrus smells can be de-stressing, such as the clean, fresh scent of lemon. You will usually find most citrus fragrances are men’s aftershaves. Two of the best examples include Acqua di Gio by Armani, which is created with lime, Mandarin orange, bergamot and lemon. Reminiscent of the Mediterranean, this aftershave has been inspired by the sea and sun.

The other citrus aftershave is L’Eau d’Issey by Issey Miyake, offering a much fresher take on this particular fragrance family. Created with Mandarin orange, lemon and bergamot, L’Eau d’Issey also uses herbs like coriander and sage for a fresh, clean scent.

Vanilla

Vanilla Is one of the most used scents in fragrances for both men and women, and makes for a perfect base note. However, did you know that vanilla is a ‘happy’ scent? It has a warming, sweet smell that is often used in oriental fragrances.

Some of the best fragrances in the world use vanilla in their make-up. For instance, Angel by Thierry Mugler uses a vanilla base alongside caramel and chocolate for a sensual yet delicate finish to this best-selling perfume.

Vanilla can also be used to create a sense of opulence; after all, vanilla pods are expensive to buy! Tom Ford Black Orchid demonstrates this perfectly, using vanilla alongside blackcurrant, orchid and patchouli for an exotic, sweet and earthy fragrance.

Rosemary

Herbs are regularly used in perfumery to create a clean, fresh scent; perfect for everyday fragrances. Herbs can also have an effect on your mood. Rosemary in particular can enhance concentration and memory, perfect for the important day ahead!