Get Scent Smart for Mother's Day

Finger-painted masterpieces notwithstanding, perfume is a thoughtful, lasting gift to give on Mother’s Day. With the holiday planted firmly this side of spring on the calendar, most moms are already looking to update their heavier, wintery scents for warmer weather.

“You usually want something fresh and light for spring and summer,” says Jayne Harvey, one of Westport’s perfume experts. She’s been helping women find the scent that scent that speaks to them for 35 years. Usually, you can find her behind the counter at Achorn’s pharmacy, on Main Street in downtown Westport. “Every spring, Estée Lauder comes out with a signature scent for the season. This year’s is called Wild Elixer. It’s kind of a hip fragrance. It’s young and fun and a little sweet. A great gift for a younger mom on Mother’s Day. Even the packaging is pretty,” she says of the honeysuckle pink bottle. I took Jayne’s cue and spritzed my wrist with a little Wild Elixer. It’s a whimsical, flirty and unapologetically girlie scent. I dug it.

“The traditional scents are always a safe but elegant gift for mom, too,” Jayne says. “A bottle of Chanel No. 5 would put a smile on any mom’s face. Or, for a more floral twist on the traditional, Coco Mademoiselle is lovely as well.”

What about the grandmothers and aunts?

“Crabtree and Evelyn is usually a big hit with older women,” she says. “They have lavender and rose scented soaps and sprays and lotions. Very subtle scents.”

Jayne has a favorite scent for the coming summer, too. “Prada’s Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger,” she says. “It’s a very crisp scent. It’s citrusy, not sweet. Working around so many sweeter scents all day long, I think I tend to like this one because it’s a little outdoorsy and not overpowering.”

As for all Jayne’s recommendations, it seems she knows what she’s talking about. After sampling the scents  at her counter, I had to make a less than glamorous trip to the supermarket. At the checkout, the young woman behind the register said to me, “I’m sorry, you smell so good I just have to ask what perfume you’re wearing.”

Do you have a favorite scent for spring? What about the mom's on your gift list this mother's day?

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