Fragrances guaranteed to get you in the mood

Take a deep breath; that fragrance sat on your dresser is not there to just look good you know – it can actually determine your mood too. 'Scent fundamentally alters how we feel,' says Perfumer Roja Dove. He adds, 'smell is not processed in the nose; it's processed in the most primitive part of your brain. It's the oldest sense – developed to find food, escape danger, and find a mate. Fragrance has been used to change mood since antiquity which is why smell it is the most profound of all the senses: It is one of the best things you can buy to make you feel good as each odour stimulates the synapses, which release hormones that govern every bodily function or action, giving us energy, lifting us from glumness, or enhancing sensations of pleasure.'

James Craven, Fragrance Archivist at Les Senteurs agrees, 'perfume, like the very best champagne, raises the morale and spirits; revives and stimulates; makes the wearer glitter and sparkle from an inner bienfaisance and confidence.'

And thus, we have dutifully sniffed out the best scents for their mood-enhancing benefits whether you’re looking for sedative properties, or a potion to get the party started – we have suggestions for both men and women...

James Heeley Bubblegum Chic, £170

This is vibrantly young, sensual and loud. A sweet hot-house of tropical flowers, predominantly jasmine to excess – and uber-sexy tuberose. If perfumes have a colour, this one is shocking pink.
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Maison Margiela Replica Music Festival at John Lewis, £95

With high on life notes of cannabis, mixed with tobacco, oud and violet leaf, it’s a seductive scent guaranteed to help you get into the party spirit.
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Frédéric Malle Lipstick Rose, £85

A bouncy, sexy, joyous fragrance inspired by the smell of a brand-new fuschia lipstick. This aldehydic fruity-floral, is just perfect for parties.
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Tom Daxon Laconia at Les Senteurs, £155

This is inspired by the Isles of Greece. With its succulent lemon, mandarin, bergamot and water mint mix, it refreshes and revives in equal measure.
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Creed Jardin d’Amalfi, £335

The juiciness of zesty oranges and lemons, mixed with pink pepper and petitgrain, sit alongside apple and a hint of rose to give this spritz a rounded freshness.
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L’Occitane Eau de Cedrat, £46

This includes all the uplifting notes of bergamot, citrus, and ginger and is akin to a power-shower, bottled.
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Tom Daxon Midnight Saffron at Les Senteurs, £155

The earthy saffron base, combined with a big hit of lavender works like a good G&T at the end of a hard day. And relax.
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Penhaligon’s Lavandula, £98

There’s one reason to sport this; scientific studies have revealed that lavender can help to reduce sleep disturbance and moodiness by up to 33%. Plus another – it smells simply divine too.
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Roja Dove A Goodnight Kiss, from £95

Powdery, musky, and leather notes meet warm milky accords and some light florals too; some say it’s like a kiss from your loved one at bedtime – and there’s nothing more comforting than that.
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