How your mum influences your perfume choices

Choosing a new fragrance from all that’s on offer might not be as random as we think. Our new favourite might be inspired by our mums or another female in our lives. That’s according to Hollie Race, senior brand manager at The Fragrance Shop. ‘When it comes to perfume, it appears that what each individual finds appealing in a perfume goes far beyond the blend. In fact, it’s the story associated with that smell that grants a perfume a special place in someone’s heart. The ones that we hold dearest to us tend to evoke memories of happy, joyful times that we have grown to cherish,’ Hollie says. ‘It makes sense, therefore, that we inherit a huge amount of our perfume taste from those who were closest to us in our formative years, notably the mother figures in our lives.’

Hollie says there are favourite fragrances that have lasted through the generations, one of them being Chanel N°5.

‘The admiration and appreciation for this multi-layered scent is why it has become one of the most popular fragrances of all time and is a scent most remember their mums wearing. With notes of neroli, may rose and jasmine, this fragrance is all encompassing, like a hug,’ says Hollie,

On Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Hollie says: ‘This fragrance was designed with free, independent women in mind, so it’s not a surprise mother figures passed it down for generations. With notes including

Chanel No5 is all encompassing; it’s like a hug

honeysuckle, peach, bergamot, iris, jasmine, lily of the valley, sandalwood and musk, it’s a unique floral fragrance that takes you on a journey.’

One of my own first favourite fragrances, Lancôme’s Trésor has been a big hitter in perfume for a long time. ‘When this fragrance launched in 1990 it was a luxury, a fragrance that mums took out for special occasions and we’d all admire the iconic bottle. It’s now a scent that embodies and emulates love, power, and confidence with its smooth blend of florals and exotic notes including apricot blossom, rose, lilac, iris, amber and vanilla,’ says Hollie.

Estée Lauder’s Pleasures was a bit of a breakthrough scent back in the 1990s, and Hollie explains why.

‘Created in 1995, Estée Lauder Pleasures set the trend for uplifting scents, even being labelled “optimism in a bottle”— a wonderful message for mums to pass on to their children!

‘Notes include white lily, violet leaves, white peony, pink rose, jasmine, sandalwood and patchouli for a clean, sparkling fragrance that lasts all day.’ Such a pretty floral, we get why it’s so popular.’