For instance, did you know that merely thinking about a smell you love—like apple pie fresh out of the oven—can make you smile? It’s true. “[Scent] has a profound effect on your state of mind,” says certified aromatherapist Amy Galper. “When we smell an aroma, we’re actually connecting with molecules that trigger neurological responses in the emotional part of the brain called the limbic system.” For this reason, the fragrances we wear can greatly impact the way we feel, too. With this in mind, we partnered with Sephora to bring you 11 scents that will make you feel like your best self.
Vanilla
Get this: According to Galper, there’s a molecule in vanilla called vanillin, and research has shown it to be sedating to the nervous system—hence why vanilla scents tend to have a calming quality. The vanilla bean pod also smells sweet, and generally speaking, we’re drawn to plants that have sweet smells, says certified aromatherapist Amy Anthony.
