mum Archives - The Perfume Society

This Mother’s Day we’re not only celebrating mothers (as many can have fractured relationships or, through loss, find this day difficult); but suggesting we honour any of the women who have been mother-figures to us. These are women who’ve guided you, given you hugs when you most needed them, and who you know you can turn to when things get tough. What better way to say ‘Thank you!’ than with one of these gorgeous fragrances…?

CARINE ROITFLED Carine (Limited Edition)

A wearable hug of patchouli, vetiver and cashmere will wrap around the lucky person who receives this so-chic, yet ultra-comforting scent, while in the heart a bouquet of white flowers sprinkled with pink pepper unfurls. This feels like a fragrant embodiment of the strength of women, and within this love-bedecked limited edition flacon, your message (in a bottle) will be treasured all the more.

Exclusively in-store at Harrods

ACQUA DI PARMA Signatures of the Sun Magnolia Infinita

Magnolia continues its reign as one of the key ingredients du jour, in a radiant floral that envelops you in sumptuous, sun-speckled kindness. Breathe in luminous citrus elements of orange and lemon before the encounter between sambac jasmine and magnolia, rose and ylang ylang, in the heart. Skin-warmed, Magnolia Infinita reveals sensuous undertones of musk and patchouli. Seriously lovely: what a gift!

From £212 for 100ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

BVLGARI Rose Goldea Blossom Delight

Yet again, Alberto Morillas casts a spell here, proffering a gorgeous bouquet of violet leaf, rosebuds, rose petals and lily of the valley, underpinned by white musks. That apparent simplicity, however, belies an audacity: this is not one for shrinking violets (or even shrinking rosebuds, come to that), but an elegant, empowering floral for a woman utterly at ease in her skin, as unabashedly feminine as a fragrance can be.

£104 for 75ml eau de parfum fenwick.co.uk

JIMMY CHOO I Want Choo Forever

We’re loving the trend of a dark shade of cherry fruitiness rippling through the fragrance world right now. Encased in the mossy softness of the base notes, this offers a juicy juxtaposition with rose – a glamorous garnish to the cocktail of the composition, the initial hit of which is a boozy, black cherry liquor. Who better than to gift this scent to than whichever (seriously glam, we’re guessing!) woman inspired you most?

£47 for 40ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

ANGELA FLANDERS Precious One

This exquisite jasmine/tuberose, which gradually softens to a green chypre, won a Fragrance Foundation Award for Best New Independent Fragrance in 2012. Now, through her talented daughter, Kate Evans, who took on the house and role of perfumer after her mother’s passing; Angela’s legacy endures. This is a beautiful fragrance to wear at any time, but how even more precious to gift to your ‘mum’ figure, now…

£75 for 30ml eau de parfum angelaflanders-perfumer.com

For thousands of years, coded messages have been attributed to flowers, and the cultural or social settings in which they’re given as tokens or displayed. The Victorians were particularly fond of this sentimental ‘Language of Flowers‘, with a number of books and pamphlets devoted to the subject – informing the reader how they may go about creating their own secret message or decoding what that bouquet from a loved one actually meant.

With one of the biggest floral gift-buying times of the year mere days away, let’s explore a way you could add extra heartfelt meaning to your scented Mother’s Day offerings, be they bottles of perfume or fragrant bouquets…

Bluebell – Humility
Sometimes, mums do know best. We surely all have occasions when mother has proffered some timely advice, at which we’ve rolled our eyes, and has later been proved entirely correct. Sorry for doubting you, ma!

Penhaligon’s Bluebell £67 for 50ml eau de toilette
Buy it at Penhaligon’s

Carnation (pink) – I’ll never forget you:
Unforgettable, that’s what you are… Before we break into song (inadvisable) let’s pay homage to the eccentric mums out there, who do things we may cringe at in youth but come to admire as adults. Maybe. Try a mini of this one in our gorgeous Les Infusions de Prada Discovery Box, too!

Prada Les Infusions de Prada Oeillet £90 for 100ml eau de parfum.
Buy it at Selfridges

Iris – Your friendship means so much to me
As we get older, it’s lovely to be able to treasure time spent with our mums as friends, rather than the sometimes fraught parent/child relationships we can all struggle with over the years. Perhaps make some time to get your know your mum as a person, too?

Ormonde Jayne Vanille d’Iris £110 for 50ml eau de parfum
Buy it at Ormonde Jayne

Rose (dark pink) – Thankfulness
Everyone likes being told ‘thank you’ every now and again – even if you think they should know you’re thankful by now, it’s still always nice to actually hear it expressed. Why not let her try a sample of this in our Jet Set Discovery Box…?

L’Artisan Parfumeur Rose Privée from £77 for 50ml eau de parfum
Buy it at L’Artisan Parfumeur

Violet – I’ll always be true
We’re taking this to mean family loyalty rather than always telling the absolute truth to our mums, because… yeah. Blood being thicker than water in emotional ties, we may hve been through the wars with our mums, but if we’re lucky enough to still be on speaking terms and have them in our lives, it’s good to have a hug and let them know you’re always there…

Yardley April Violets £6.66 for 50ml eau de toilette
Buy it at Boots