A fine fragrance is the perfect Mother’s Day gift – she can continue to enjoy it for months or even years, associating the scent with a cherished moment. Here are ten gorgeously giftable scents for Mom that exude warmth and femininity.
I’ll start with the three most classic picks on the list, those easy-reach, can’t-go-wrong scents that will be sure to please any mother figure in your life. First, Michael Malul’s Rose+Honey is the most beautiful bubble of fresh rose petals and ambery honey, tinged with fruity notes of strawberry, tangerine and peach. It’s like the color pink, bottled and lavishly scented, and so easy to love it’s begun to develop a bit of a cult following. This one reminds me a bit of Parfums de Marly’s Delina with that sour lychee note well toned down.
The Coveted Duchess Rose by Penhaligon’s is another rose scent and compliment magnet. Picture a dewy pink rose, still attached to its green stem, set on a cashmere scarf. This scent marries the freshness of rose with the warmth of amber and vanilla, and the balance is perfect. Besides, Penhaligon’s bottles are to die for.
This next scent is an ode to ballet dancers – perfect for the moms who love the theater! Tutù by Gritti is a dance of pink champagne, blackcurrant, jasmine, rose, powder, vanilla and musk. The notes create a cheerful scent with an undertone of mystery; this is not your average fruity floral. If Mom has a fragrance collection and you’d like to introduce her to the world of niche fragrances, this may be the perfect addition. It’s conveniently available at FragranceNet.com, usually at excellent discount.
House of Bo’s new launch Ave María is certainly classically feminine, but it’s so innovative that I’m putting it into a category of its own. This is one of my favorites of late – it’s an airy, misty veil of shimmering gardenia and jasmine with cashmere, rain drops, merlot wine and napa leather. The notes are undeniably intriguing, and they work together shockingly well. At first spray, this is a dewy white floral, but when the red wine reveals itself, it becomes a velvety cloak of allure and mystery. I think of a mermaid or siren when I smell this. For the moms who aren’t afraid to try something a bit different, Ave María is perfect.
If she likes clean scents that have an elevated, soapy, fresh-out-of-the-shower quality, try Initio’s Musk Therapy, which reminds me of a crisp linen sheet at a 5-star hotel. Bergamot, mandarin, magnolia and white sandalwood harmonize with two types of musks (white and pink) for a creamy and comforting sillage that has the same effect of a weighted blanket for me – it’s that calming. You’ve likely smelled clean scents before, but Musk Therapy is on a different level.
Another scent in this category is Bamboo Harmony by Kilian. This one evokes a zen outdoor retreat; the inspiration behind it is sipping white tea in a bamboo forest. Smelling it truly does feel like a cleansing of the senses, a refreshing of both mind and body. Bigarade, mimosa and white tea leaves ensure this doesn’t get too sweet. Treat Mom to this scent, and you’ll also be gifting her a secret spa escape every time she sprays it.
In a similar vein, Fracas Eau Fraîche by Robert Piguet Parfums is a stunningly fresh take on the iconic scent of the 1940s. If she’s into vintage scents – or perhaps has a personal connection to that legendary scent worn by Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Brigitte Bardot – this will be perfect. It’s a much more modern version of Fracas, ideal for springtime. Think of a delicate bouquet of tuberose, gardenia and jasmine, preceded by a burst of zingy citrus.
Speaking of citrus, Fragrance du Bois’ new release Wild Orange is a vibrant take on an orange tree, from bark to blossom. This enlivening scent merges citrus notes with woods and florals, resulting in the most uplifting scent imaginable. The expected top notes of orange and mandarin take on an ethereal quality when blended with orange blossom, cypress, cedar and sandalwood. Something about a white floral reeled in with woody notes is otherworldly.
Finally, let’s visit some more gourmand notes. First, the sophisticated TriBeCa by Bond No. 9, an individual alchemy of cacao, green hazelnut, jasmine and caramel. If Mom loves sweet smells, this one has her name written all over it. Not unlike scents like the ever-popular Baccarat Rouge 540, it’s different enough that no one else will be wearing it, but likeable enough to be utterly delicious. Just warn her, though – this one’s a show-stopper, so she will receive extra attention.
Last of all, we have the very special Soie Malaquais by Dries Van Noten, which many fragrance reviewers have dubbed, in some way or another, an emblematic scent of womanhood. One of the heart notes of this scent is silk – the perfumer was inspired by the silken dresses in the Dries Van Noten boutique in Quai Malaquais, Paris. Other notes include rose, chestnut and cocoa. This smells like a devastatingly chic woman in a tailor-made dress. The note of silk gives it an impossibly smooth quality; it’s unlike anything I’ve smelled before, and would make an unforgettable gift.
