When it comes to fragrance, I’m a firm believer that the best perfumes are the ones you connect with on a personal level; that give you a boost of confidence, act as a comfort blanket, evoke a fond memory, or put a spring in your step on a dreary grey day. But what's interesting about fragrance is that although on one level it's incredibly subjective, on another, there's an ability to easily categorise certain scents. Most of us are in agreement over whether a perfume is better for nighttime wear rather than day, which fragrances remind us of spring or are best suited to winter, and what scents can boost our mood versus those that calm it.
But what's the science behind the connection between scent and the effect it has upon our mood, our emotions, and our memories? "Scents can have a powerful effect on mood," explains perfumer Ruth Mastenbroek, whose entire brand is built around the concept of functional fragrance. "Our sense of smell is more closely linked to memory than any other sense, so that if an odour triggers a memory it will immediately trigger an emotion linked to that memory." On a scientific level, this translates quite literally into the way that our brain registers a fragrance. "The olfactory bulb is closely linked to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that governs our emotional and behavioural responses, as well as associative learning and memory," adds Mastenbroek. "Essential oils can also affect certain parts of our brain – they can calm your nervous system and slow heart rate and breathing. They can be stimulating and energising, or soothing and uplifting."
Because different scents affect different parts of our brain, this is why we can recognise similarities in the way we as individuals perceive specific notes. After all, there's reason why lavender is included in products like sleep sprays and night creams, and why citrus-flavoured body washes are the most popular choice for a morning shower. "Scents that boost mood can include uplifting oils of peppermint, bergamot and geranium, while neroli, ylang ylang and chamomile are among the most calming," explains Mastenbroek. "For stress-busters, look for scents containing patchouli, rose, and sandalwood, while lavender and frankincense are renowned for the sense of balance they can bring."And the list goes on... "Rosemary elevates our concentration and helps reduce stress, clary sage is soothing and can reduce stress too, whilst peppermint oil can help energise and refresh," adds Mastenbroek's son and apprentice perfumer Nic Mastenbroek. "Vanilla notes are also popular in fragrance because of their soothing properties."
Understanding which notes inspire certain feelings and emotions is a great way to choose your perfume. For example, a floral geranium and neroli blend might perk you up in the morning, while a warm sandalwood scent will be perfect for an evening wind-down.
Furthermore, on a more personal level our brains continue to establish further connections to certain scents based on the feelings we then experience while wearing them. "Anecdotally we’ve probably all experienced certain feelings being triggered when we’ve smelled something which has reminded us of a loved one, or a certain time of our lives," says Nic Mastenbroek. "This immediate and instinctive reaction to smell can be so powerful that it can knock us for six, for example if a smell reminds us of a lost loved one." It's for this reason that you might come to associate a perfume with a certain place or time. I for one, can't smell Tom Ford's Violet Orchid without being transported back to my post-university "going out-out" days, while Byredo's Bal d'Afrique will forever remind me of a summer I spent in Australia.
When I need to boost my mood however, I do find myself reaching for certain scents, and once I sat down to compile a list of my favourite mood-boosting perfumes I noticed a common theme. Notes like lemon, tomato leaf, oakmoss, and bergamot pop up again and again—all of which are known for being bright, fresh, and invigorating. If you're after a mood-boosting perfume yourself, scroll down—you might just discover a new fave.
The Best Mood-Boosting Perfumes:
1. Sisley Eau de Campagne
Key notes: bergamot, lemon, tomato leaves, patchouli, vetiver, oakmoss, plum, basil
Green, earthy, and vibrant, this scent reminds me of warm summer days spent in the garden.
2. Byredo Bal d'Afrique
Key notes: lemon, blackcurrant, bergamot, violet, jasmine, vetiver, cedar
This warm, vibrant fragrance is my favourite Byredo scent. Its notes somehow seem to almost physically translate the sensation of warmth, so I reach for this when I'm dreaming of holidays abroad and hot weather.
3. Ruth Mastenbroek Zephyr
Key notes: peppermint, grapefruit, blackcurrant, galbanum, oakmoss, sandalwood
"We recently created a trio of fragrances designed around three key essential oils and the emotional responses they illicit," says Mastenbroek. "Zepyhyr is the energetic and invigorating scent of the bunch containing a beautiful Black Mitcham Peppermint oil from Hampshire."
4. Lancôme Ô de Lancôme
Key notes: lemon, bergamot, mandarin orange, basil, coriander, jasmine, sandalwood, oakmoss
This is my go-to perfume on a sunny summer's day—its green and fruity notes are the perfect refreshing accompaniment to hot weather.
5. Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto di Calabria
Key notes: bergamot, citron, ginger, cedar, vetiver, musk
With just one spritz of this I'm somehow immediately transported to a sunbaked terrace in the Italian Riviera—an on a cold, grey Monday in the U.K., what could be better?
6. Phlur Tangerine Boy
Key notes: lemon, ginger, black pepper, tangerine, jasmine, amber, moss
This multifaceted fragrance has fruity, zesty top notes but a warm and comforting musky base.
7. Jo Loves Green Orange & Coriander
Key notes: black pepper, green orange, coriander, oakmoss, tonka bean
Coriander is something I always avoid when ordering food, but in fragrance? It's one of my favourite notes. Paired with zesty orange and hot black pepper, this perfume is vibrant and uplifting.
8. The Nue Co. Water Therapy
Key notes: vetiver, sage, sandalwood, seaweed, cardamom, rose
If I'm having a slow morning or a major case of brain fog, I can always count on this invigorating ocean-inspired scent to perk me up.
9. Clinique Happy
Key notes: orange, grapefruit, bergamot, plum, freesia, mimosa, lily, magnolia, amber, musk
The name says it all—this iconic fragrance is inspired by the essence of a sunny, happy morning.
10. Altra Jasmin XXX
Key notes: bergamot, jasmine, buddha wood
"This scent has a huge dose of jasmin sambac, which as well as being an aphrodisiac has been proven to increase alertness and improve mood, alongside effervescent bergamot which is renowned for its uplifting and energising effects and buddha wood which helps combat depression," says Altra founder Beckielou Brown. "It's a powerhouse of vibe altering essences."
11. Commodity Moss
Key notes: bergamot, petitgrain, oakmoss, orange blossom, eucalyptus, cedar, amber
The next best thing to taking a walk in nature—this woody green fragrance is like a breath of fresh air.
12. Clarins Eau des Jardins
Key notes: orange, grapefruit, bergamot, lemon, mint, bay leaf, cedar, vetiver, patchouli
The best way to describe this scent is 'summer in a bottle'. It offers pure olfactory escapism, and wearing it automatically puts me in a good mood.
13. Bon Parfumeur 701
Key notes: grapefruit, bergamot, pineapple, eucalyptus, rosemary, pepper, white wood, amber
Clean, crisp, and fresh are the words that automatically spring to mind upon spraying this fragrance. It's the kind you should spritz on before you step out of the door to put a spring in your step.
14. D'Orsay Dandy Or Not
Key notes: cardamom, grapefruit, black tea, orange blossom, cedar, patchouli
Warm and sparkling, this complex scent is simultaneously comforting and uplifting.
Next Up: I Always Get Compliments When I Wear This Trending Perfume
-
Jasmine Tookes on Her Beauty Must-Haves, Signature Style, and Fitness RegimenCan you say iconic?
-
I Have a Degree in English—These Eight Fragrances Remind Me of My Favorite ReadsRead all about it.
-
20 Nordstrom Beauty Products to Snag Before Gen Z Buys Them AllAct fast.
-
Rosalía's "Cherry Cola" Lip Combo Involves This Iconic Lip TintWe're taking notes.
-
I'm a Beauty Editor—These Are the 20 Nordstrom Finds on My Black Friday List*Adds to basket.*
-
If You Love Alluring, Subtly Sweet Fragrances—Prioritize This Strategic NoteLet the compliments roll in.
-
Think You Don't Like the Smell of Leather? These Perfumes Will Change Your MindThey're as smooth as your favorite leather jacket.
-
Byredo Just Re-Released This "Unnamed" Fragrance for Valentine's DayIt would make the perfect gift.
