Is Your Period Affecting Your Sense of Smell? We Ask Experts
Did You Know Your Sense of Smell Changes Throughout Your Cycle? It Could be Time to Switch Perfume
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What's going on?
As your cycle comes to an end, progesterone and oestrogen drop when your body realises it hasn't conceived. Your period is starting to loom.
How are you likely to feel?
Most people find the week before their period is worse than the main event when it comes to mood. You will feel more irritable at this point and therefore more sensitive to scent.
Which scents should you try?
Again, as ovulation has passed, your nose is no longer on high alert. However, fluctuating hormones can mean you're more easily annoyed, and scents that wouldn't normally bug you are now all-consuming. We know that fragrance is intrinsically linked to mood, so stock up on relaxing and calming scents to balance your mind. "You can't beat lavender for helping to reduce anxiety, along with chamomile and rose," suggests Ruth Mastenbroek. "Combined with woody notes and a touch of musk, a fragrance can help you to see the world in a better light." Maybe the way your partner chews their food isn't so infuriating after all.
If you want to slightly veer away from traditional pillow spray-like scents, you could try a more herbal route. "I turn to herbaceous, woody and green notes when stressed," says Nic Mastenbroek. "I think it's the fact that it helps to conjure the smells of nature that relaxes me. Think rosemary, thyme, basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, and sandalwood. These notes combined have a spa-like feeling to them which will help combat stress."
Beauty Pie Une Balade En Forêt Eau de Parfum (£34) is the fragrance equivalent of a walk in the woods. This eau de parfum is comforting, relaxing, and zingy all at once. Base notes of cedarwood, woody amber, and moss are topped with cashmere, fir and, bergamot. There's also the Ruth Mastenbroek Oxford Eau de Parfum (£130) formulated to inspire you to move forward with confidence. This is exactly the scent you need when your nerves are frazzled as it uses rosemary, lavender, and basil nestled with floral and woody notes.
If you're finding all scents overwhelming, the Altra Skin Eau de Parfum (£168) is a good compromise. It's a blend of plant-based white musks and botanical base notes to enhance the natural scent of your skin. You can layer with other perfumes to enhance their scent when the idea of them feels more palatable.