Can wearing a fragrance do more than merely smell nice, and actually change how you feel? We’ve a guide to contemporary fragrance houses who have gone beyond scents that smell great, to using particular materials in their perfumes that have been proven to help you FEEL great, too….
So how can a perfume change how you feel? Well, thanks to advances in neuroscience and olfactory research, we now know that our sense of smell and our mood are inextricably linked. This goes far further than previous ‘aromatherapy’ claims which were either not scientifically tested at all or were viewed with a sceptical raised eyebrow. Now, several fragrance brands are utilising the remarkable findings of the research to incorporate their findings into fine fragrances.
This strategy (sometimes unromantically referred to as falling into the ‘functional fragrance’ category) is something we’ll see many more houses adopting going forward – producing fragrances that help us feel better or otherwise enhance our mood, soothe our spirits, or bolster our mental health. But which are the ones we’re wearing now to feel better…?
Edeniste Oud Ghazal
At the heart of every Edeniste creation is a patented ‘De-Stress Accord fused with a powerful blend of Iso E Super, white musks, cedarwood Texas and amber. ‘Developed over 4 years with leading neuroscientists and Master Perfumer Aurélien Guichard, this molecular heart of carefully selected powerful ingredients has been scientifically proven to reduce cortisol and alpha amylase levels and create a sense of relaxation and stress relief.’ Oud Ghazal drips with deliciousness, melding this calming heart to smouldering woods, black cherries and a rich, warm leather that wraps itself around you as a protective cloak. Utterly divine decadence.
£240 for 100ml eau de parfum harrods.com
Vyrao Mamajuju
‘Get down to earth,’ we are exhorted by this neuroscience-backed scent, created as ‘an elixir for deep-rootedness and emotional equilibrium.’ (And heaven knows, we could all do with more of that, right now.) As they explain… ‘Each of Vyrao’s fragrances fuse master perfumery with energy healing elements using organic, natural ingredients chosen for their specific emotional qualities, giving each scent its own distinct vibration.’ Grounding Australian sandalwood is layered with a sprinkling of cardamom, pink pepper, nutmeg, cumin and saffron, while an extraordinary and so-soothing base of wet red clay, frankincense and a jigger of warming rum absolute further steady the nerves – a magic potion, for restored balance. We’re re-spritzing frequently this season!
£165 for 50ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com
ARgENTUM Become
What began as an apothecary ‘where science meets poetry’ now offers a collection of soulful, character-matched scents. Inviting you to choose via a ‘fragrance reading’, or simply allowing yourself to succumb to their so-beautiful compositions; ARgENTUM’s luxury fragrances follow their ‘pursuit of beauty through balance…’ Become is their hero scent, the fragrance that began it all, encompassing ‘A flight of citrus accompanied by the delicate essence of rosewood and geranium leaves, thriving on a vibrant heart of spices that extend to a composition of sandalwood and patchouli.’ Both uplifting and energising, this is a scent to feel better, braver, more beautiful while wearing every day.
Try a sample as part of our Scented Showcase Discovery Box: £22 / £18 for VIPs
COSMOSS Sacred Mist
So-cleverly tapping into the zeitgeist of the much-needed sensorial craving for calm, Kate Moss has been busy since lockdown, working with Alchemist Victoria Young, Kate made sure this was far more than merely a range of products that also happened to smell nice. Uplifting, transformative and sensorially engaging, this has already become a must-spritz daily ritual for many via the initial sunshine-y zing of zesty bergamot and delicate orange flower, a radiant heart of jasmine and tuberose, with a calming dry down of earthy oak moss and cedarwood. Spritually sensorial!
£68 for 30ml eau de parfum in our shop
Paco Rabanne Phantom
Using IFF’s Science of Wellness computer programme for the design of Phantom, it was ‘conceived by a team of perfumers–Loc Dong, Juliette Karagueuzoglou, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo – who were assisted by AI and powered by neuroscience.’ Identifying key emotional benefits for the chosen ingredients, the styrallyl acetate molecule – which smells green, slightly metallic, and can be found as a component of gardenia and tuberose, among other floral notes – was used at 10x the usual dosage, as suggested by AI to increase alertness, but woven with lavender to calm and create an harmonious balance. Ingenius!
£69 for 50ml eau de toilette theperfumeshop.com
Written by Suzy Nightingale
