If you have a mother or mother figure in your life who has a penchant for the olfactive, the aromatic, or the redolent, you’re in the right place. Gifting perfume can be a tricky, personal thing – but these 10 fragrances are beautiful and easy to love, while still remaining distinct so she can rock her sillage with pride.
Ranger Station: Rich 90s Mom
Clean Powder, Ylang Ylang, Amber
Let’s start with a scent that was made for this list – Rich 90s Mom is a soft and powdery, yet modern take on those classic fragrances worn in the 90s. Think pilates class and ladies’ lunches at the country club. It’s reminiscent of the classic Chanel No. 5 (one of my all time favorite perfumes), but a hint sweeter and without the super-strong aldehydes. It’s glamour, it’s luxury, it’s nostalgia. I highly recommend picking this one up soon if you want it, as it’s limited edition.
Jo Malone: English Pear & Freesia
Williams Pear, Freesia, Patchouli
If “pretty” were a scent, this would be it. I genuinely cannot imagine someone disliking this breezy, soothing fragrance, which smells like the air wafting out of a lovely garden at the center of which grows a pear tree. It’s not headache-inducing or too sweet (a common cause for concern) and makes an excellent gift – especially if you don’t know what kind of scents Mom likes.
Francesca Bianchi: Under My Skin
Grapefruit, Lavender, Leather
This one’s for the real fragheads. If she has a perfume collection or interest, this one is beyond perfect. It’s different – even slightly animalic – but blended so masterfully that it’s nothing but pleasant to the nose. It’s womanly and elegant, with a big dose of personality. Perfumer Francesca Bianchi said of her creation, “The name comes from a conversation with an artist and fragrance lover, who said it is as if the scent emanates from the skin.”
What We Do Is Secret: Covert Musk
Acacia Honey, Ylang Ylang, Musks
For moms who don’t like “perfumey” perfumes, this one’s your pick. It’s a clean musk that harmonizes with skin chemistry to the point where the wearer just seems to smell naturally gorgeous. It’s creamy, understated, and ultimately genderless, with a magnetic wake that will captivate everyone in the vicinity.
Glossier: You Soie
Rice Milk, Tiare, Ambrox
If you want to gift something Mom can use on an upcoming vacation or during summertime, Glossier’s newest fragrance launch absolutely lives up to the hype. This is a fresh-solar take on the original You, and probably my favorite of all the flankers. It’s not sunscreen-y or tropical in the traditional way, but it has a freshness to it that feels like a coastal getaway. If she likes lightly-sweet florals, this is your pick.
Bvlgari: Thé Blanc
White Tea & Musk
For a crisp, ultra-clean scent, Thé Blanc is the ultimate. It’s elevated and luxe, but never overpowering. Originally launched in 2003, it now has a new bottle design, an upgraded formula featuring natural tea, and a new conceptual story. If you really want to treat Mom (as you should), get the matching shower gel.
Carolina Herrera: Good Girl Jasmine Absolute
Toffee, Jasmine, Benzoin
This is a decadent floral best suited for the Moms with a slight sweet tooth. Not a gourmand by any means, it does have an ambery quality to it that pairs effortlessly with the headiness of jasmine petals. The Good Girl DNA is recognizable, but this is certainly a distinct fragrance (and my personal favorite of the collection). The bottle adds to the charm – it’s feminine, a tad kitschy, and irresistibly adorable.
Elie Saab: Le Parfum Absolu
Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, Gardenia
This one’s for the floral lovers; the word that comes to mind immediately is opulent. It smells like honeyed blossoms that have been basking in the sun all day, or like the most exquisite bouquet of white flowers money can buy. It’s an innocent scent undercut with a hidden depth (white florals will do that) that is sure to please.
Estée Lauder: Beautiful Magnolia
Magnolia Petals, Water Lotus, Illumina Musk
If Mom likes aquatic, delicate florals that exude freshness, this one’s it. It’s a dreamy, dewy mist of exuberance that will please lovers of Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. It also has incredible lasting power, making it a no-brainer for spring into summer.
Gucci: Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Intense
Mandarin Essence, Gardenia, Sandalwood
In a similar vein to the Elie Saab, this is rich floral, as intense suggests. It’s vivacious, romantic, a bit coy – for those with a youthful energy and lust for life. The vibrant fuschia of the bottle is a great indicator for how the fragrance smells; it’s bright and juicy, with a soft sandalwood sillage.
