We’re all trying to improve our wellbeing, it would seem. Not surprisingly, the fragrance industry is keen to demonstrate the therapeutic qualities of inhaling scent. In the 17th century, fragrance was often drunk rather than inhaled as it was appreciated for its health giving benefits. There are many studies showing the power of scent; the uplifting qualities of eucalyptus, the brain-sharpening powers of rosemary and the soothing qualities of sandalwood. Most industry experts we speak to feel we’ve only just started to scrape the surface in understanding the close connection between scent and wellbeing.
There are some terrific new fragrances that aim to make you feel good as well as smell fantastic, we’ve selected our favourites for you to consider.
Harmonie and Vitalite by Valeur Absolue
Valuer Absolue was launched in 2013, by Benedicte Foucarte, who figured, after years working in the fragrance industry, there was a market for scent aimed at women who wanted something more relevant to their lifestyle than what was available on the market. She describes Valeur Absolue’s selection of seven scents as ‘Haute perfumery enriched with wellbeing’. The range of easy to wear scents feature additional ingredients to improve how you feel, including essential oils -well known for mood enhancement – and actives such as magnesium, potassium and areumat perpetua, a floral extract which stimulates feel-good beta endorphins. Each bottle also contains a handful of semi precious stones -amethyst, garnet, seed pearl – enriching the juice still further with their mineral powers.
We love Harmonie, a softly rounded cloud of Earl Grey tea, orange blossom, an uplifting hint of bergamot and a swirl of real amethysts in the bottle. The scent has a pleasantly relaxing vibe, like an inhaled moment of reassuring calmness. Spritzed discretely throughout the day this could indeed give you just enough head space to keep yourself grounded when all around you seems madness. All the fragrances have built-in ‘powers’ and are excellent quality for the price, we urge you to check them out, for your own wellbeing.
Organic Essential Oil Collection by Bamford
Luxury lifestyle brand Bamford is one of our favourite providers of prestige ‘feel good’ moments, both through its excellent Haybarn Spas and its lovely stores. The Organic Essential Oil collection taps the power of yoga asanas as inspiration for its four blends; Chakrasana for energy, Shavasana for relaxation, Padmasana for concentration and Balasana for protection. You simply roll the fragrance oil onto pulse points and inhale the goodness.
Padmasana’s gently zingy blend of rosemary, ginger and basil is a beautiful boost to concentration. A bottle kept beside the laptop and quietly applied when energy drops can be a real help in keeping productive. Similarly, the travel sized roll-ons are ideal to slip into a bag to reach for when you need to keep it together when out and about. Balasana has a blend of immune-boosting eucalyptus, cajuput and frankincense which smells good almost as an afterthought. The intimate roll-on ritual adds a more sensual element to application too, where ever those oils roll, wellbeing is pretty much guaranteed.
Pulse Point Gift Set by The White Company
The White Company is one of our go-to brands for great scented candles and diffusers, the extensive range of interesting scent combinations are a quick way of improving your environment and general mood. The brand launched its Spa Collection recently as a way of introducing ‘me time’ into your everyday routine, allowing us all to stop and inhale some peace and calm. Included in the range is the excellently priced Pulse Point Gift Set, two neat roll-on fragrance oils, which promise an improvement in your well being due to the use of essential oils combined in beneficial combinations.
Spa Restore is a re-energising mix of geranium oil, a multi-purpose oil used here for its fatigue-lessening properties, neroli and uplifting eucalyptus. As well as smelling deliciously fresh and herby, It’s excellent at dispelling mental sluggishness. Spa Relax does exactly that, using calming lavender oil, which has sedative and tension-relieving qualities, clary sage – one of the main components of original eau de cologne – and anxiety relieving peppermint. A couple of rolls of this on the skin at the end of the day can relax the mind through the gorgeously gentle aromas.
Wellbeing in a bottle. It could catch on.
