In a way, perfumes have always been magic potions, able to alter your mood, conjure memories, and spellbind those around you. Now though, they’re getting even more witchy. ‘High vibrational scents’ are, allegedly, adding to the alchemy, and feel-good factor of wearing a fragrance.
Here’s the theory: positive energy vibrates at a higher frequency than negative energy. Say you walk into a room and feel a bad vibe, it could be that someone else's negativity is weighing heavy on you. If you feel light, bright, focused and at ease, it’s likely you’re soaking up those good vibrations.
Scents have long played a part in energy cleansing – burning sage, splashing rose water, lighting incense, or mixing tinctures of lavender, lemon and rosemary. In some wellness circles, essential oils are believed to raise the vibration of a space and the people in it. Rose oil, in particular, is said to be pure catnip, if you want to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses (you can thank Professor Snape for that last line). But lemongrass, patchouli, frankincense, sage, and a whole host of other oils are supposed to create some serious sorcery, too.
What does science say on the subject? Not a lot, to be fair. It’s a pretty sketchy area that some argue simply hasn’t been researched well enough yet, and others dismiss as outright quackery. Awks. Although, there are a handful of studies that seem to support the theory that certain scents can lift our mood and energy.
Rosemary essential oil
One of our favourite garden herbs, rosemary essential oils have been used in tinctures and home medicine for generations, but studies are beginning to acknowledge the role the herbal, aromatic scent can have on our mood when inhaled. One study from 2012 noted that “brain wave activities, autonomic nervous system responses, and mood states can all be modified with rosemary oil inhalation,” while another study from 2018 discovered that rosemary oil helped improve short-term memory in school kids.
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint literally has pep in the name, so you already know it's geared for energy enhancement The minty herb was found to improve accuracy and reduce anxiety levels in one study from 201.
Lemon essential oil
Lemon is often associated with zingy energy and uplifting aromas but a study determined it can actually lift our spirits. A 2008 experiment that involved inhaling the scent found that “lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood”.
Sweet orange and spearmint essential oils
We've already established that citrus and mint can boost moods. A 2016 study looked at the effect of sweet orange and spearmint oils on athletic performance when inhaled. It noted that exercise performance and respiratory function were improved in both cases.
The low-down for the uninitiated.
As more of us become attuned to our own wellbeing, alternative therapies are gaining more merit in many health circles and previously woo-woo practices like Reiki and crystal healing are being taken more seriously for their ability to tangibly boost mood and relieve stress (even if it may, or may not be a placebo).
It’s the basis upon which fashion boss and influencer, Yasmin Sewell traded in her top job at luxury retailer, Farfetch, to start a venture much closer to her heart. Vyrao is a fragrance line that majors on how it makes you feel just as much as how it makes you smell.
“I’ve always worn fragrance for myself rather than for others, and I wear it to amplify my energy. It’s about ritualising your routine and stating your intentions for the day by taking a moment for yourself. I use Vyrao in that moment and so do my friends and we all find it starts our day in a positive way,” Yasmin explains.
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If you’re attracted to the occult, this goes heavy on all things mystical. “Within each fragrance are mighty intentions and ingredients with the power to shift your vibration up high,” the website says. One of the eight fragrances, Witchy Woo, encourages courage and creativity with a heady blend of earthy orris entwined with patchouli, thorny rose, cinnamon, honey-like opoponax and musk. It’s housed in a purple glass flacon and infused with a supercharged Herkimer diamond crystal, which sits in the bottom of each bottle and is energised by Yasmin’s own healer, Louise Mita, to clear, amplify and raise energy.
How are “high vibrational” perfumes different from other perfumes? Basically, they're heavy on essential oils with natural, aromatic ingredients extracted from the roots of plants, the resin of bark, the rind of fruits, the petals of flowers and herbs, seeds and grasses. Ingredients like tea tree and pollen are nature's way of repelling or attracting others and the theory follows through into perfumery and aromatherapy, where certain aromas are designed to have a therapeutic, alluring or enlivening effect. It's important to note though, that certain essential oils can create irritation when applied on skin, so brands have been working hard to replicate the exact anatomy of uplifting oils in wearable perfumes, or infusing them into home scents or candles.
We've rounded up some “high-vibrational” perfumes to consider below…
The Nue Co. Functional Anti-Stress Fragrance Travel Spray, £34, Cult Beauty
A blend of science and instinct, The Nue Co mined data from The University of Geneva to understand the effect of olfactory stimulation on cognitive function. The Functional Fragrance is a direct result and is specifically developed to help you reset during moments of high stress. Call it wisdom or call it witchcraft, but the meticulous blend of green cardamom, iris, palo santo and coriander is a magic potion for calming nerves, clearing your mind, wiping anxiety and re-setting your focus.
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Save when you shop with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Le Labo Lavande 31 Eau de Parfum, £170, Liberty
Le Labo is an artisanal, apothecary-style perfumer that rages against the machine. They believe there are too many bottles of perfume and not enough soulful fragrances and are dedicated to crafting scents with intention. They use a number of hand-picked natural ingredients and essential oils (although they do use a small amount of high-end synthetics) and all of their scents are hand-blended. Here, lavender is reimagined with a zesty lift-off (thanks to bergamot and neroli essential oils), fragrant lavender (created from the plant's distilled flower buds) and an smudgy soil-like blend in the base to keep things earthy, organic and grounded.
Vyrao Witchy Woo EDP, £135, Selfridges
Designed to amplify courage and creativity, Moroccan Orris Absolute is joined by thorny rose, sweet opoponax, aromatic frankincense, spicy nutmeg and cinnamon and musky patchouli to cast the spell of Witchy Woo.
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Save when you shop with these Selfridges discount codes.
Initio Oud for Greatness EDP, £320, Selfridges
Initio takes perfumery back to its roots – to fascinate, mesmerise and bewitch with the magical abilities of scent. The sensual vibrations of each note is magnified with careful ingredient layering. Oud For Greatness is as complex as it is contradictory, heavy and potent oud is lifted with relaxing notes of lavender, saffron and nutmeg. The scent manages to be powerful but gentle and the bottle is a pocket-sized talisman.
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Save when you shop with these Selfridges discount codes.
Molton Brown Reviving Rosemary Perfume Oil, £18, Fenwick
Inspired by aromatherapy, this herbaceous scent captures handfuls of fresh rosemary and reinvigorating eucalyptus essential oil, scattered with floral geranium, earthy patchouli and woody cedarwood. It's a subtle reset for the sinuses to help revive.
This 100% natural fragrance blends white neroli, powdery mimosa and citrusy lemon essential oils for a bright, uplifting scent that's aromatic, optimistic and warm. Spritz it around your space for a pick-me-up and take a deep inhale.
D.S. & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum, £155, Liberty
Designed to create a foggy meditation on the Californian coast, this goes heavy on conjuring the scent of eucalyptus: fresh, woody, balmy, spicy and minty.
Plum & Ashby Galbanum & Peppermint Candle, £32, Plum & Ashby
If a stroll in the garden brings you good vibes, this is that in candle form. Tapping up a medley of greenhouse aromas, this blends crushed herbs including peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus, tomato leaf and earthy galbanum with musk and moss in the base. It's outdoorsy, nostalgic, but the mint makes it uplifting.
For more from GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk
