8 mood-boosting perfumes to lift your spirits and make winter feel less gloomy

Even the most positive people can find it difficult after the clocks change for winter and we're all plunged into darkness at 5pm. Other than booking a long-haul flight south of the equator, the best antidote to glum moods and gloomy mornings is a mood-boosting perfume.

The link between our sense of smell and our memories is well documented, so it's no surprise that the best perfumes for women are the ones that take you somewhere. Take a whiff of the right notes, and suddenly you’re not dragging yourself out of bed in pitch-blackness – you’re sunbathing on a tropical beach, walking through a forest, unwinding in a spa.

Does that sound appealing? Your wish is our command - our editors have rounded up eight of the best mood-boosting perfumes to brighten your day…

How mood-boosting perfume works

The power of smell is incredible. “Unlike our other senses, scent signals bypass the brain’s filter, the thalamus, and travel straight to the limbic system, the area that governs emotion, memory, and behaviour,” explains Paris-based perfumer and Granado partner Cécile Zarokian.

“This direct link means that a scent can instantly trigger emotional responses or vivid memories before we even have time to think. In short, we feel a scent first and then we process it.”

8 uplifting perfumes our beauty editors swear by

Which perfume notes are uplifting?

According to Zarokian. “Particular notes positively influence our nervous system and emotional state. Citrus notes, like bergamot, lemon and grapefruit, are bright and vibrant, stimulating energy and optimism.

Floral fragrance notes, such as jasmine, neroli and rose perfume, balance emotions, evoking feelings of joy or serenity. Green and herbal notes, including mint, basil and rosemary, are fresh and crisp, helping to cleanse the mind and sharpen focus.”

Like something with a bit more depth? Typically, wintery woody notes, “like sandalwood, cedarwood and vetiver are warm and grounding, helping to reduce stress and promote calm.”

If you prefer something more interesting, then “spicy notes such as cardamom, cinnamon and ginger are stimulating and invigorating – they awaken the senses and boost confidence.”

Of course, while there are some notes, like citrus (which you’ll find in Riviera perfumes) and neroli, that are mood-enhancing crowd-pleasers, fragrance is still incredibly subjective. We all have different memories, so what makes one person feel happy won’t necessarily spark joy for someone else.

“Over time, we form personal associations with certain smells,” says Zarokian. “They can remind us of someone we love, a place, a season. These emotional and learned responses together explain why perfume has such a profound and immediate impact on your mood.”

Do any scents negatively impact your mood?

“Yes, certain notes can negatively impact your mood, though it often depends on personal associations and sensitivity,” says Zarokian. “Fragrances that evoke negative memories can often trigger discomfort or stress rather than pleasure. Individual preference and context play a big role in whether a note is uplifting or draining.”

For example, someone who loves a cosy night in might love a fireside perfume, but someone who was recently broken up with in front of a roaring hearth? Not so much.

Are there any scents that trigger dopamine?

Dopamine, the feel-good hormone and neurotransmitter, is “associated with pleasure, motivation and happiness,” according to Zarokian. “Some scents can stimulate the brain’s reward system to increase dopamine.” A good example is vanilla, which is “sweet and comforting, evoking warmth and safety and triggering dopamine release.”

Lavender, a scent typically associated with sleep aids and helping you to nod off, also helps dopamine levels rise. “It’s calming, balancing, and helps to reduce stress, which indirectly boosts dopamine,” adds Zarokian.