Which fragrances help to relax and unwind?
A dear friend of my mine is dealing with stress issues in her life. One way or another many of us do, these days. This got me to think about fragrances which can help to relax and unwind. Fragrances which help me personally are A Lab on Fire What We Do In Paris Is Secret and Carner Tardes. I find Tardes to be especially relaxing. Both fragrances have an almondy gourmand scent (probably due to the heliotrope in both fragrances) which I love. I do not find them too sweet but have read some do.
While doing research on the internet and in aromatherapy books I found lavender (true lavender) to work soothing and comforting and clear the head (this will not come as a surprise) and neroli to help with anxiety and stress related conditions. A lavender fragrance which is easily available online is Caron Pour Un Homme and one more exclusively Chanel Jersey.
Some of my favorite neroli fragrances are Atelier Cologne Neroli, Penhaligon’s Castile, Roja Dove Neroli and Chloe Eau de Fleurs Neroli. I used to spray Chloe Eau de Fleurs Neroli before going to bed. Hermes will introduce Eau de Néroli Doré in its cologne collection this month. This is a release I really look forward to. Yves Rocher has a neroli fragrance in its Secrets d’Essences line with matching body products which one could use before going to bed.
All these fragrances could help you to unwind and relax, but this is always personal. So it is worth to try different fragrances and experience what works for you.
Which fragrances are relaxing for you and do you use to unwind?
Carner Tardes official notes: top Egyptian Geranium, Bulgarian Rose, Rosewood, Almond mid: Virginian Cedar Wood, Celery, Plum. base: Venezuelan Tonka Bean, Musk, Heliotrope
A Lab on Fire What We Do In Paris Is Secret official notes: top bergamot, honey, lychee
Mid: Turkish rose essence, vanilla, heliotrope, base: tonka bean, tolu, sandalwood, ambergris
Sources Aromatherapy books: Jennifer Peace Rhind: Fragrance and Wellbeing, Julia Lawless: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatheraphy
Disclosure: all fragrances in this article were bought by me, photography by me
February 5, 2016 @ 19:10
For some reason or other big tuberose fragrances are relaxing to me. If I am stressed out, Versace Blonde calms me down. I also find that Tauer’s Incense Flash will put me to sleep. Using bourbon geranium, lavender, neroli or frankincense in a diffuser is also helpful.
February 5, 2016 @ 22:59
Interesting Azar, to read big florals relax you. I can imagine geranium, lavender, neroli or Frankincense in a diffuser. Maybe a combination of these as well.
February 6, 2016 @ 16:48
E – My current go to’s for relaxation are Unspoken by Roja Parfums and Guerlain’s Samsara…both of which are based in Sandalwood, though very different…but both can make me forget all my worries.
February 7, 2016 @ 00:20
Great choices, S. Love the idea of Unspoken as a relaxing fragrance!
February 9, 2016 @ 00:41
I remember reading recently about how we use the words wrong i.e. saying we are stressed or depressed, when most people are in fact not stressed and depressed but very busy or sad. I think if you are busy or sad fragrance can help, but not in the case of real illness.
I’m not sure that I actively use fragrance to relax, but your pictures are truly wonderful and calming to look at. Bravo, and hopefully your friend will soon be better, whether thanks to perfume or not 🙂
February 19, 2016 @ 10:20
Thank you Asali, I will let her know. I agree with you that fragrances will not be enough in case of real illness. Interesting point, I had to digest it some time, in case of stress there is an underlying reason like being busy or something else.
The photographs were taken in a natural park which is very relaxing.
February 24, 2016 @ 09:45
I do not use perfumes for relaxation: for me perfumes are an adornment and not a chemical substance that can effect my mood. It would be similar to me trying to answer a question: “Which jewelry (or lipstick) do you wear to relax?” 🙂 But I’m all for it if people use perfumes to help them to feel better – be it more relaxed, confident or any other positive influence.
March 7, 2016 @ 08:21
The perfume that really makes me feel calm at the moment is Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels. I spray this on every time I go to bed at night and I just really really love it. Also I recently discovered BAT by Zoologist, it’s this strange earthy, mossy, fruity scent that also gives me a chilled vibe.
March 13, 2016 @ 11:53
Thanks for dropping by, Helene. Bat is an interesting choice as a relaxing fragrance.