Recent data from the Benchmark Company shows that men and women want their fragrances to make them feel “happy” (60 percent of women, 39 percent of men). When shopping for a new scent, consumers seek notes that inspire happy memories. 69 percent say that scent can impact their mood, often bringing up positive emotions. But what makes a happy memory fragrance?
Consumers Want Scents That Inspire Happiness
We know that scent and memory are extremely close friends, so what scent notes inspire your happy thoughts are likely unique to you. The challenge for perfumers is to evoke these feelings and memories in the average consumer. And oftentimes, that means letting their personal favorite happy memory fragrances take on a universal appeal.
“The scent of freshly brewed coffee always brings back happy memories—it’s a bold rush of energy, a joyful addiction and brings the comforting ritual from the first sip,” explains Gil Clavien, Principal Perfumer at DSM-Firmenich and the nose behind Sweet Tooth, Fragrance by Sabrina. “There’s something so warm and energizing about it. That’s why I love using coffee notes in fragrances; they add a rich, inviting depth that makes a scent feel both familiar and indulgent.”
But that doesn’t mean perfumers are setting out to make happy memory fragrances—that’s more of a happy accident.
“Me Espresso is designed to energize and awaken the wearer’s confidence, mirroring Sabrina Carpenter’s dynamic spirit,” Clavien explains. “The fragrance blends the comforting and familiar scent of espresso with rich florals and vanilla, evoking warmth, sophistication and motivation – creating an indulgent and transformative experience.”
Our Favorite Happy Memory Fragrance Notes
So many scent notes can inspire those positive emotions and good memories. And depending on your tastes, those notes can range across the fragrance categories. From delicate florals to sweet gourmands, these are the notes that make our scents a guaranteed happy memory fragrance.
Florals are a great gateway into memories of fresh gardens and springtime. And for us, they make us think of Mom.
“The combination of jasmine and osmanthus gives me such a specific happy memory,” says NewBeauty staff writer, Rowan Lynam. “It makes me think of my mom waking me up on Saturday mornings when I was really small, and being carried into the garden with her. We used to have a huge jasmine plant that covered an entire pergola, and in the early summer the whole thing would smell heavenly, and the flowers were just everywhere.”
“Scent notes like jasmine and peony always make me smile,” says NewBeauty editorial assistant Isabelle Buneo. “They make me think of my mom.”
On the other end of the spectrum, cozy and warm notes are the perfect way to reflect on the times you’ve felt comforted and calm.
“Maybe it’s the fact that my grandmother wore vanilla musk perfume, or maybe it’s simply the warm, comforting feelings these notes can instantly evoke, but any fragrance with vanilla musk puts a smile on my face,” says NewBeauty VP of strategy & growth, Hayley Mason.
“I gravitate towards clean scents like cotton and linen,” says NewBeauty senior digital content producer, Leiana Foye. “I love the smell of fresh laundry, and scents like it never fail to make me feel calm.”
Scents That Make Us Smile
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Cocoa Powder, Espresso Bean, Vanilla Orchid, Buttery Biscotti
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Melon, Osmanthus, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Moss
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Peony, Jasmine, Red Apple, Suede
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Bergamot, Benzoin, Cotton Musk
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Sea Salt, Vanilla Créme, Marshmallow, Sheer Amber, Skin Musk
