So-called ‘Blue Monday’ has become something of a cultural phenomenon in the past few years, and it doesn’t really matter if you fully subscribe to the theory of it being the most difficult day to get through (on average) for many people (something to do with the amount of daylight hours, weather and the fact that January seems utterly relentless). The one thing we do know for sure – thanks to incoming scientific data – is that wearing a fragrance can truly help lift your mood and give you something to focus on when all around seems a bit blah.
Do you need to sleep better, boost your energy levels and want to feel happier (all while being beautifully scented, of course)? Here are some houses that have done the research and come up with power-packed scents that do way more than waft prettiness. Reach for these and thank us later…
Blue Monday begone! The Lifeboost® essences can be worn alone or layered with any of the eaux de parfums as an extra shot of whatever you need right now. For Relax, the mellowness of ylang-ylang melds with creamy monoi – the name means “sacred oil” in Tahiti – and the pure jasmine sambac simply sighs into the smoothness of Madagascan vanilla absolute. edeniste says: ‘Relax, feel the sun shining up above, let yourself be rocked by the sound of the waves and trees swaying in the breeze… You’re in Eden.’ And honestly, don’t we all need that feeling, currently, more than ever?
edeniste Relax Lifeboost® £68 for 30ml eau de parfum in our shop
Vyrao‘s founder, Yasmin Sewell wanted to offer ‘the power of nature to amplify energy, tapping into the science of scent and its potential to activate the parts of the brain where memories and emotions are processed.’ And for The Sixth, she collaborated with Irish perfumer Meabh McCurtin who used neuroscience via ‘scientific protocols from the Science of Wellness program at International Flavors & Fragrance (IFF)’ to guide her composition. Apple, patchouli and basil radiate positivity; juniper, cedar and fir add balance, while angelica, fennel and wormwood counteract negativity.
Vyrao The Sixth £150 for 50ml eau de parfum vyrao.com
P.S: For even more emotionally-supportive scents, read all about Vyrao’s High Five Discovery Set!
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 a harmonious balance.
Paco Rabanne Phantom £60 for 50ml eau de toilette pacorabanne.com
Launching with two wellness fragrances harnessing the power of neuroscience and experienced to their fullest potential using an app – 85% of people studied wearing them achieved a more focused state, while 90% reached a more meditative state. AI generated programmes of well-being rituals use smell, calming or stimulating visuals, and sound. Red Skies is a ‘functional fragrance’ designed to re-focus and energise via vibrant orange blossom, rose, pink pepper, mandarin and neroli in the top notes, blissfully enlivening jasmine, carrot seed, sap, iris and spices in the heart, resting on a grounding, earthy base of patchouli, oakmoss, resin and cedar.
Øthers Red Skies £90 for 50ml eau de parfum + 6 months app subscription others.co
This ‘scent and sound ritual’ was partially designed by AI for those ‘desperately seeking clarity of thought’ and feeling overwhelmed by ‘a rising sense of panic.’ [That’ll be most of us, then!] Using notes of cut grass and ‘green canopies’ entwined with soothing green tea, the heart resonates incense, wild mushrooms, worn leather and spices on toasted woods, while the base sinks into spiritual Palo Santo, shady vetiver, smoked amber, Hinoki wood (prized as sacred, native to Japan, with unusual hints of citrus) and a silken sandalwood. They suggest the scent and app are used in combination to ‘create a gearshift in your day.’
Øthers Mystic Zingaro £90 for 50ml eau de parfum + 6 months app subscription others.co
Written by Suzy Nightingale