9 May’s a Sunday but also Mum’s day. Which means you will need to show some love and respect to the do-it-all doyennes of the fam on this day (and everyday, actually). Gift the gift of an ambrosia; not food or flowers, but a bottle of tincture, of ointment, of liquid gold. In other words, perfume. But, since you can’t exactly sniff around freely at the stores right now, we have gathered some of the sweetest (thought-wise, not necessarily smell-wise) scents for you to pay tribute to all the Goddesses (wifey, mummy, MIL and gran-gran) in your life.
Dylan Blue Pour Femme Turquoise Eau De Toilette (100ml), $170, Versace
Mothers of a certain vintage would recognise the Medusa head logo, so this could be the one to get for them. Launched in fall 2020, this floral, fruity fragrance comes in a voluptuous aquamarine bottle, and is a flanker (a newly created perfume that shares characteristics with an already existing one) of the brand’s Versace Pour Femme Dylan Blue. It’s one to wear for when Mum gets to go for a beach staycay, since it smells of guava, Mandarin orange, primofiore lemon, black currant bud, jasmine and freesia. Top this up with a hairmist of the same fragrance (30ml; $70) if you want her to go completely “fruity” (hah).
Available at Sephora stores, multiple locations, www.sephora.sg
My Burberry Blush Eau De Parfum Spring Set, $226, Burberry Beauty
So pink, so pretty, so easy to gift. What’s in the box: a 90ml Eau de Parfum, a 75ml body lotion and a 7.6ml purse spray. What it looks like: The perfume’s stored in a baby pink-hued classic cuboid bottle, but comes tied with a matching gabardine ribbon so it looks even prettier. What it smells like: “a London garden awakening in the first light of day”. And what does a London garden smell like? Glazed pomegranate, lemon, geranium, crisp apple, rose petal, jasmine and wisteria, from the whiff of this parfum apparently. Expect mothers who are lovers of all things British to gasp “oh my, how lovely, my lovely” when presented with this, then.
Available at Sephora stores, multiple locations, www.sephora.sg
Frangipani Flower Cologne (100ml), $225, Jo Malone London
This one’s not for the superstitious housewives out there. It may be a frangipani scent and a cologne (it doesn’t mean it’s for the guys; it just refers to its 2-4 percent essential oil concentration), but it’s light enough for Mum to layer with her other fave perfumes. But, before she goes wild on the spraying and mixing, you might like to remind her that this smells of jasmine petals, exotic ylang ylang, topped with a fresh twist of lemon along with a creamy sandalwood base. Oh, and if you aren’t quite sure how wild she’s gonna get (or if you fear suddenly pricking her superstitious side), there’s a 30ml ($115) version to test out her olfactory sensitivities.
Available at Jo Malone London stores, multiple locations, www.jomalaone.com.sg
Mixed Emotions Eau De Parfum (100ml), $372, Byredo
Mum’s the nostalgic, open-minded yet emotion-led kind? (Yes, mothers can be complex creatures.) Then this abstract parfum by cult-fave Byredo would be right up her alley. Conceived of as an encapsulation of all the roller coaster feels of 2020 – hence, the name “Mixed Emotions” – this creation, matter-of-fact speaking, contains notes of maté (it’s a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink that smells herbal or similar to eucalyptus), cassis, black tea and violet leaf. It should be an intriguing enough brew for women of mystery.
Available at escentials boutiques, multiple locations, escentiels.com; and Byredo boutique, 391 Orchard Rd, Ngee Ann City, #B1-34, 238872, byredo.com/eu_en/
Eau De Parfum, from $118 for 30ml, Tiffany & Co.
Can’t afford Tiffany & Co. jewellery for the Madame with sophisticated tastes? Get her the next best thing. The jeweller’s signature fragrance is not your typical fruity or floral type, but a floral-musk one with a vert de mandarine top note and iris flower at its heart, that dries down to a warm patchouli and gentle musk. (Psst, we heard it’s a bestseller so better get this quick, otherwise it’s really gonna be a real Tiffany & Co. bauble not bottle that you might have to end up tapping that card for.)
Available at Tiffany & Co. perfume brand stockists such as TANGS and Sephora, multiple locations.
Le Lion de CHANEL (200ml), $588, CHANEL
Don’t just turn to CHANEL N°5 for your classy mother, every year for Mother’s Day. Try switching things up a bit by dipping into the luxury perfume brand’s Les Exclusifs de CHANEL collection of fragrances composed of rare and intricate ingredients. The bestest, newest one to try is one that’s inspired by the astrological sign of Gabrielle Chanel herself – Leo. By turns ambery and leathery (because of labdanum and patchouli), and warm and soft (thanks to the vanilla, bergamot and lemon), a parfum that’s so redolent of such refinery and majesty is definitely meant to be worn by the queen of the pride.
Available at CHANEL Beauty boutiques and brand stockists, multiple locations, www.chanel.com/sg
White Musk Flora, from $30 for 30ml, The Body Shop
You shouldn’t need to fork out much to make your mother happy – it’s the thought that counts. And for this, the thought does count, not because it’s affordable, but because it is a vegan scent. Part of The Body Shop’s series of vegan scented products, this floral and feminine fragrance is the latest member of its classic bestselling signature White Musk family. A pink-hued EDT housed in an easy-to-use, on-the-go bottle, it contains uplifting springtime notes of peonies, lily of the valley, pink pepper and bergamot, and is enriched with Community Fair Trade sugarcane essence that’s sustainably sourced in São Paulo, Brazil. And, but of course, it also features the brand’s iconic, cruelty-free musk. Earth mothers will love this… and you, too.
Available at The Body Shop stores, multiple locations, www.thebodyshop.com/en-sg
All products are subject to availability and prices are subject to change. Prices stated are correct as of time of posting and are based on current exchange rates.
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