When it comes to perfume, selecting your very own ‘signature scent’ is no easy feat. One whiff can evoke specific memories, good or bad, and transport us to a time and place that has the ability to trigger powerful emotions.
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In fact, to grasp just how closely linked our moods are to our fragrance, 75 per cent of the daily emotions we experience are affected by smell.
And when it comes to the sense that creates the most lasting impact, we are 100 times more likely to remember something we smell, over something we hear, see or touch.
But, just as fragrances can trigger emotions, they can also work to subside them.
Neuroscientist and mindfulness expert Patrick K. Porter has revealed to Well And Good that particular fragrance notes have the ability to soothe certain hormones, which can play a role in reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.
So if you’d like your daily spritz to work a bit harder, he says to look for perfumes formulated with neroli, lemongrass, lavender and bergamot to keep you calm as well as smelling amazing.
Here are our top recommendations for an anxiety-reducing fragrance:
L’OCCITANE Lavender Eau de Cologne
Inspired by summertime in the south of France, there’s not much about this luxurious, lavender scent that won’t instantly put you at ease.
Vera Wang Embrace French Lavender and Tuberose
Inspired by intimacy and emotion, Vera Wang’s Embrace combines French lavender with tuberose and sandalwood to create a timeless, long-lasting scent that helps to keep a busy mind relaxed.
Ermenegildo Zegna Parfums Acqua di Neroli Eau De Toilette Spray
Praised for soothing feelings of restlessness, neroliadds a touch of spice to this fresh, zesty fragrance also containing rosemary, lemon and violet leaves.
Le Labo Bergamote 22
Fragrant citrus fruit bergamote makes up this fresh, sweet scent from luxury perfume brand Le Labo. Mixed with subtle notes of amber and musk, enjoy a delicate, sweet and soothing fragrance.
$440, available at MECCA
Main image credit: @lelabo
Lavendar is overpowering
Lavender all the way! It’s the best by far for anxiety and headaches. I don’t wear it as a perfume but just use it straight up whenever I need it.
This is so interesting how scent relates to our moods. I am always drawn to vanilla and milk & honey scents, but then I also love rose scents too.
I used to buy neroli essential oil because it made me happy, love citrus and sandalwood scents!
i need this
I actually don’t like the scent of lavender
I’d love to try L’occitane lavender. It might help for my uni study.
I would love to try, l’ocitane eau de cologne, as I’, an older person, this would be nice and light for me!
I would love to try these.
They all sound lovely. The Mecca one is expensive but no doubt really nice.
Anything citrus for me. Lavender and I don’t go too well together.
I have a lavender reed infuser in my bedroom. Smells great and it’s relaxing.
I don’t like Any type of lavender fragrances but I do love the plant.
Citrus tones like lemon myrtle , lemon grass, pink grapefruit… now they relax me
Vera Wang Embrace is one I’d try
I haven’t bought new perfume for so long now.
Hmmmm… Not convinced by this….
well yes please everyday at work lol
I’m not a big fan of perfume, with the exception of Chanel No 5, however I have always found lavender, in the essential oil form, not synthetic fragrance, to be extremely relaxing.
Lavender is so calming
I’m not a huge fan of lavender, it is a bit sweet for me.
Lavender is calming but can also be overpowering if that is all you can smell. A fragrance should be subtle and only offer a hint when you use it.
True but a whiff is delightful
This is true. If I smell someone wearing my Mum’s Fragrance. I instantly feel at ease.
Love lavender! I can’t live without Lush Twilight Body Spray!! I spray in on myself, my bending, everywhere haha!! It’s not just a typical lavender scent. I’d love to try the L’OCCITANE fragrances!! Love rose and vanilla/sandlewood too. I also have Blue Tansy essential oil which is amazing 💙💜🌿
I am quite a tense person and I didn’t think about a perfume to relax as well as enjoy . Lovely article
I don’t find perfumes of any type relax me, but I like smelling nice. The L’Occitane lavender range is really pleasant.