How to pick a perfume for Mum: According to our perfume expert, Aude Asklöv

Fragrance is more than just a scent - it’s a language of identity, memory and emotion. Perfume reflects the wearer’s essence and aspirations, making it a powerful medium of self-expression.

A mother’s perfume can be a signature of her essence, a reflection of her aspirations, and a nostalgic connection to cherished moments – making it a perfect gift for Mother’s Day.

This Mother’s Day, gifting a fragrance is about more than picking a pretty bottle - it’s about celebrating who she is.

Thoughtful gifting requires strategy and connection, ensuring that the scent you choose resonates with her personality, style, and treasured memories. By taking a bit of time understanding the recipient’s preferences and personality, you can transform the gifting experience into something truly special.

Here are three tips on how to pick the perfect perfume for the mother figure in your life.

1. The Mood Board Approach 

The secret to successful fragrance gifting lies in appreciating that choosing a scent is as much about understanding the person as it is about the perfume itself. Perfume is deeply personal – woven into our routines, memories and self-expression. To make a meaningful selection, it helps to explore your Mum’s personality and lifestyle.

One effective method I use when helping clients find their ideal scent is creating a fragrance mood board. This goes beyond simply considering what perfumes they already wear - it’s about curating an overview of their essence.

How to Create a Fragrance Mood Board:

1. Immerse Yourself in Her World – Consider your Mum’s personal style, favourite fashion choices and the energy she brings to a room. For example, if she favours bright colours and current fashion over classic styling or floaty dresses consider sweet and gourmand scents that are trendy and addictive.
2. Identify Key Personality Traits – Is your Mum bold and adventurous? Classic and sophisticated? Dreamy and romantic? If she’s bold, elegant, and confident consider a rich, sophisticated spicy or woody fragrance; for Mums with a softer, whimsical personality look for delicate, powdery floral scents that have notes including rose, peony, violet and iris.
3. Consider Her Lifestyle & Routine – Does you Mum gravitate towards the outdoors? Love cosy evenings in? Is she always on the go? If she loves cosy evenings and warm embraces then a soft vanilla or amber fragrance can evoke comfort and warmth; for Mums who love the outdoors choose a nature-inspired fragrance or citrus based scent.
4. Look for Fragrance Clues – Observe the types of scents she naturally enjoys (candles, skincare, even food aromas). Choose fragrances that are airy, comforting, and effortlessly graceful - like a soft cloud of scent.
5. Match Mum’s Essence to a Fragrance Family – Fresh citruses for the energetic and sporty, rich orientals for the bold and mysterious, soft florals for the romantic, or woody notes for those who love understated elegance.

By focusing on these details, you can guide her toward a fragrance that truly resonates with her identity.

2. Let 2025’s Perfume Trends Inspire Your Gift 

Many of this year’s biggest trends in perfumery offer fresh takes on classic notes, making them perfect for a thoughtful and on-trend gift. Here’s some trends to try out:

Reinvented Florals – Florals are timeless, but in 2025, they’re being reimagined with unexpected pairings. Think rose with smoky oud, white florals infused with leather, or peony with salty marine notes. Perfect for mums who love elegance but want a modern twist.

Nature-Inspired Scents – Fragrances that capture earthy, green, and botanical elements are on the rise. Perfumes featuring notes like pine, moss, fig leaves, or sea breeze bring a refreshing and grounding quality. Ideal for mums who love the outdoors and appreciate natural beauty.

Unexpected Gourmands – This year, sweet fragrances get an upgrade, moving beyond traditional vanilla and caramel into spiced honey, roasted nuts, and deep cocoa. If she enjoys warm, comforting scents with a touch of indulgence, a modern gourmand could be the perfect choice.

Twists on Classics – Traditional notes like musk, amber, and citrus are being transformed with unexpected layers. Imagine a classic citrus cologne softened with creamy sandalwood or a deep amber scent infused with zesty green tea. These blends offer familiarity with a contemporary edge—ideal for mums who appreciate sophistication with a fresh perspective.

And one final tip …

3. Think beyond the bottle 

When it comes to selecting a fragrance, don’t let the price or packaging sway your decision. Treat the bottle as a separate experience and focus on the fragrance itself—it’s what truly matters. Let your nose, not your eyes, guide your choice. Beautiful packaging can be tempting, but it’s the scent inside that will create memories and resonate with the recipient. Some of the most luxurious, timeless fragrances are housed in simple, understated bottles. Their true value lies in their expertly crafted composition, not their external design. 

When evaluating a fragrance, go beyond appearances and dive into detailed scent descriptions to better understand the composition and notes of the fragrance. Focus on the interplay of top, middle, and base notes, which define the scent’s personality and how it unfolds over time.

Fragrance gifting is more than the act of choosing a scent; it is about crafting a story, evoking memories, and celebrating identity.

Perfume is more than what’s in the bottle—it’s about the story it tells and the memories it creates. By observing, understanding, and tailoring your choice, you can transform a simple gesture into a deeply personal and unforgettable experience.

Explore our collection of Mother’s Day fragrances and introduce Mum to something new and exciting this year.