All posts tagged: scent

Do You Need An Emotional Support Scent?

Do You Need An Emotional Support Scent?

Published by Daniella Wilson

The way we buy, and wear, fragrance is officially changing. No longer chosen for occasion (day or night), or because of celebrity influence, brand status or even as a means to attract others, it’s becoming a viable way of regulating your mood and emotions and creating a sense of self. “Consumers are increasingly looking for fragrances that do something for them and we’re seeing a clear shift towards functional fragrance where scent is chosen not only because it smells good, but because people want to feel a certain way, be it calmer, more positive, energised or simply happier,” says Michael White, Global R&D director at CPL Aromas, an independent British fragrance house. It’s representative of the cultural shift we’re seeing towards rituals and wellbeing in 2026 too. In a world that’s always switched on, where we can feel over stimulated and overwhelmed most days, fragrance becomes a small but scientifically proven way to alter our mood and influence how we feel almost immediately.    Emotional Support Scents Fragrance has the power to lift our mood …

Signature Scent: How to Pick a Cologne That Works Best for You

Signature Scent: How to Pick a Cologne That Works Best for You

Published by Jenni Sidey

While online research is helpful, a signature scent is best discovered in person, by the nose, not the screen. And that usually means visiting a great fragrance shop. New York City has so many, from niche favorite Stéle to luxury-leaning Osswald NYC and one of the OGs of curated scent, Aedes Perfumery. But wherever you are, it’s worth seeking out a retailer with a distinctive point of view. Walking into a shop gives you something the internet can’t: knowledgeable staff, thoughtful curation, and the chance to smell dozens of fragrances side by side. As Levy and Belanger put it, “You are a unique processor of this experience. The point is to try things, explore, and figure out what makes you happy.” Pro tip: Any fragrance house worth its salt should offer discovery sets, letting you explore multiple miniature scents without committing to a full bottle. And don’t be shy—if you smell something you admire on someone, ask what it is! Most folks are happy to share, and even if it doesn’t become your signature scent, …

Scientists discover the invisible scent language of plants

Scientists discover the invisible scent language of plants

Published by Jenni Sidey

A quiet grassland can feel still, but it is never silent. Every leaf, flower, and root releases tiny scent molecules that drift through the air. Those odors help plants deal with threats, recruit helpful insects, and send cues to nearby life. New research from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and the University of Kiel shows that when plant diversity drops, this scent language changes across whole communities, and even inside individual plants. The study offers rare experimental proof that biodiversity shapes chemical communication. The researchers found that species-rich grasslands release a broader, more layered mix of odor signals. As diversity declines, those signals shift, which can change how organisms interact across the ecosystem. “Understanding how a plant’s chemical signals change with plant diversity in its environment helps us to see the loss of biodiversity as more than just a loss of species. It also changes the chemical communication of an entire ecosystem,” said Sybille Unsicker, who led the Plant-Environment Interactions project group at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and is now …

UPenn researchers trained dogs to sniff out canine cancer by scent

UPenn researchers trained dogs to sniff out canine cancer by scent

Published by Jenni Sidey

Cancer kills many people and pets each year. Studies suggest that between one-third and one-half of dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime. One of the most feared forms is hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer that starts in blood vessel cells and can grow unnoticed until a crisis. Clara Wilson, a postdoctoral research fellow at Penn Vet’s Working Dog Center, explains what the dogs are keying in on. “We’re picking up on volatile organic compounds every time we smell something,” she told The Brighter Side of News. “The dogs have an ability to detect them at much lower levels than we can. These compounds are important because they seem to be the key to how dogs are able to smell things like cancer.” Dalton at the olfactometer lineup. (CREDIT: Shelby Wise) Why this disease is so hard to catch Hemangiosarcoma has earned a grim nickname as a “silent killer.” A dog can seem healthy, then suddenly collapse when a tumor ruptures and causes internal bleeding. Veterinarians often confirm the diagnosis only after invasive sampling and lab …

The 9 best dishwasher tablets of 2026, tested for effectiveness, scent and value

The 9 best dishwasher tablets of 2026, tested for effectiveness, scent and value

Published by Sam Flores

Finding a dishwasher tablet that lives up to its promises is no mean feat. Single dose, all-in-one capsules that combine detergent, rinse aid and salt are now the market favourite, yet results are often disappointing. If you’re pressed for time, pre-rinsing (or worse, post scrubbing) the dishes to ensure they return to the cupboard without dried-on food or smears isn’t an appealing prospect. That’s why choosing a reliable tablet that works with your machine and water hardness is essential. While the best dishwashers have a plethora of programmes, it’s the tablet that does much of the hard work. Advances in formulation mean that many clean effectively at cooler temperatures and on shorter cycles, but testing remains the only true way to know which ones deliver genuinely spotless dishes. So, I tried 13 leading brands to find the most reliable performers. Here are the best in a quick list. The best dishwasher tablets: At a glance JUMP TO REVIEWS How we test dishwasher tablets I used five different metrics to test each tablet, rating the formula, …

Salt & Stone natural deodorant review: A scent that replaces perfume

Salt & Stone natural deodorant review: A scent that replaces perfume

Published by Daniella Wilson

As someone who runs or lifts weights six days a week while managing a busy household and working full-time, I need a deodorant that can actually keep up with the paces I put it through. Over the years, I’ve been intrigued by natural deodorants — partly for their promise of being gentler on the body, partly because of the environmental angle — but I’ve also approached them with a healthy dose of skepticism. Many natural formulas smell nice but underperform when it comes to odor control, leaving you wondering if it’s worth the switch. Over the past year, I set out to find a natural deodorant that could truly meet the demands of an active lifestyle. I’ve tested nearly a dozen formulas, and one has consistently risen to the top: Salt & Stone black rose and oud extra strength aluminum-free deodorant. I find myself reaching for it day after day, whether I’m hitting the gym, running errands, or juggling the chaos of family life. With minimalist yet sophisticated packaging, elevated ingredients, and an alluring scent …