Recently, on a rerun of Frasier (yes, I’m passing my non-writing, non-Zooming and non-cleaning self-isolation time by watching ’90s sitcoms), the television show’s hero Dr. Frasier Crane was challenged with creating a jingle for his psychiatry-based radio show. If you’re familiar with the series and character you know Frasier orchestrated an over-the-top song, which was rejected of course for a perky little jingle his father wrote that went like this…
What’s new? I’m listening? Feeling blue? I’m listening. Feeling sad, feeling mad, feeling bad, feeling glad? I’m listening.
Pretty much sums up my RL, off-screen emotions of COVID. Except, instead of calling a radio shrink, I’m spritzing my way to happiness with a select few fragrances, guaranteed to put me in a better mood—all because they contain feel-good ingredients.
According to a Japanese study, a National Cancer Institute study and the U.S. National Library of Medicine, scents like orange, mandarin orange, bergamot, neroli and lemon can reportedly put a smile on your face within moments after inhaling their bright and joyful scents. Once diffused, their oils are said to contain up to 97 per cent d-limonene, a fragrant compound used in perfumery to send relaxing, cheerful emotions to your brain and body’s nervous system. With multiple parfums to choose from, each one mix-mastered with a unique blend of floral, woodsy and spicy notes, choosing a positivity-infused eau is easy. All you have to do is pick one that appeals to your inner happy place.
Happy Note: Orange or Mandarin Orange
The sweet, juicy and gentle fragrance of orange and mandarin orange is reportedly ideal at alleviating stress. With its blend of fresh and woody notes in Giorgio Armani Privé’s
Orangerie Venise and the mouth-watering, good enough to pour into a glass and drink fragrance in Bond No. 9’s Little Italy, one spritz will make you feel as though you’re walking through the friendliest olfactory orange grove on the planet.
Giorgio Armani Privé Orangerie Venise EDP, $165 for 50 ml and $220 for 100 ml, available online at www.thebay.com.
Bond No. 9 Little Italy EDP, from approximately $335 for 100 ml, available online at www.saksfifthavenue.com.
Happy Note: Lemon
Invigorating lemon scents are sure to put a smile on your face. They’ve also been found to stimulate cognitive abilities and energy, while simultaneously lifting your mood. In Lancôme’s longtime classic, zesty and brilliant Ô de Lancôme, notes of lemon are swirled into fresh flowers, green herbs and intimate musk for all all-over feel-good vibe.
Lancôme Ô de Lancôme, $97 for 125 ml, available online at www.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
Happy Note: Bergamot
This elegant, slightly bitter and tart citrus note adds a brilliant fruity and aromatic component to floral eaus, including Viktor & Rolf’s succulent and sparkling Flowerbomb Dew and Yves Saint Laurent’s timeless and heady bouquet, Paris.
Viktor & Rolf, Flowerbomb Dew EDP, $100 for 30 ml, $144 for 50 ml and $200 for 100 ml, available online at www.sephora.com.
Yves Saint Laurent, Paris EDT, $120 for 125 ml, available online at www.thebay.com.
Happy Note: Neroli
This fruity, citrusy, light and slightly bitter note boasts hints of green, honeyed orange. Ultra feminine, neroli is the perfect and sensually cozy fit with Elie Saab’s Le Parfum’s floral, woody and barely-there spicy undertones.
Elie Saab Le Parfum EDP, $112 for 50 ml and $142 for 90 ml, available online at www.thebay.com.
