Mood-boosting products that feel and smell amazing

As you all know, we’re celebrating positivity month here at Beaut.ie, and while everyone has their own take on what makes or keeps them positive in this life, today it’s all about scents, fragrances and smells. Scent is such a human experience; our memories can be triggered by a whiff of perfume as someone walks past, or the smell as a new jar of night cream is opened, reminding us in an instant of an auntie, friend or event that happened years before.

Some people poo-poo the whole aromatherapy thing, and while I’m not someone who practices it in a professional capacity, I have always had an interest in it. But this piece isn’t really about aromatherapy, it’s about scents and smells that are uplifting – regardless of whether they come in the form of a candle, hand cream, freshly brewed coffee in the morning or a set of clean sheets at night.

For me, it’s the crisp, clean smell of lemons that always brightens my mood, which is why when I’m working on set or location shooting, I never really wear perfume but instead opt for a lemon based cologne.

My go-to is usually L’Occitane Verbena or Citrus Verbena (€49/100ml), which I've received a lot of compliments for over the years. It’s light, zingy and fresh and makes me feel like I’m good to go, whether I'm with the first person I’m working with that day, or the third or the tenth.

Another mood-boosting product I love is the Kinvara Rosehip Face Serum (€29.95), which not only works wonders on my lack-lustre skin in times of need, but also smells delish.

It’s not labeled in any way as being uplifting, but I find it is; it makes me want to breathe in deeper whenever I use it. Anyone else feel that way?

Last but by no means least, I couldn’t talk about positivity and uplifting fragrances without mentioning NEOM Organics who actually have a whole collection called “Scents to Make You Happy”.

The stand-out products for me in the series have to be the gorgeous Great Day Body Scrub (€41), which is infused with wild mint, lemon zest and mandarin (divine!), as well as the Feel Refreshed, Sicilian Lemon and Basil candle, available in travel size (€19) or full sized (€36) which is quite simply, beautiful, and really does leave you feeling refreshed.

Do you have any favourite mood boosting fragrances you love? Or products that bring back happy memories?