I tried Charlotte Tilbury's mood-boosting perfume to rebound from winter depression

Charlotte Tilbury's emotion-boosting perfume lifted my winter depression (Image: Tiffany Lo)

As the darker months take hold and we wrap up against the colder nights, it's common to experience a drop in mood and energy. But rather than turning to crystals for a lift, I've found Charlotte Tilbury's perfume does wonders for my spirits.

The highly anticipated Fragrance of Emotions collection, as revealed by founder Charlotte in May, was backed by science with 40 years of research from neuroscientists and colour theorists, these fragrances are designed to transform your mood into "how you want to feel".

There are six captivating scents in the range: 'Love Frequency', 'Joyphoria', 'More Sex', 'Magic Energy', 'Calm Bliss', and 'Cosmic Power'.

The full-sized 100ml bottles, priced at £130, boast a gemstone-like cap and a design reminiscent of tarot card readings. The popular scents Joyphoria and Love Frequency are available in limited edition perfume sets, which include an extra 10ml travel size for the same price.

Upon first trying Joyphoria - a blend of summer jasmine floral, uplifting neroli and warm vanilla bean - I wasn't overly impressed, and it didn't whisk me away to a sun-drenched paradise as I'd hoped. However, when I revisited the scent during the winter months, it resonated with me, providing a comforting warmth that can likely be attributed to the mood-enhancing molecules found in ylang-ylang and vanilla bean extract.

It felt as though a ray of sunshine had broken through the dense cloud looming over us, illuminating the sky and lifting my spirits.

'Magic Energy' offers an invigorating citrus-woody aroma that adds a touch of excitement to mundane office days. The fresh cypress combined with sweet jasmine sambac strikes a perfect balance.

This unique scent formula bears a striking resemblance to the Rare Beauty body lotion from the Find Comfort collection (you can get a set with a body lotion and a perfume mist at £30). While I wouldn't say the perfume makes me feel "magical", it does emit a warm and inviting sensation, making it an excellent choice for daily wear.

Battling through the workload before Christmas can be a slog, but 'Calm Bliss' has been a godsend for soothing and resetting both body and mind, whisking you away to a spa in moments. The blend of lavender and sweet neroli oil is described as 'bliss in a spritz'.

I tried Charlotte Tilbury's new perfume on the discovery set when it was launched in May (Image: Tiffany Lo)

Echoing Charlotte's sentiments, this fragrance wraps you in a cocoon of tranquillity and serenity. It encourages a slower pace and deep breathing, akin to a meditative state.

'More Sex' is the scent to amplify your allure, with a potent mix of black pepper, leather, ambroxan, musk, and sandalwood. It's likened to a "seductive version of natural skin scent", with the velvety musk and rich sandalwood evoking Phlur's Somebody Wood eau de parfum, a fragrance that captures emotions.

As winter chills set in, 'Love Frequency' rekindles the hope of romance with its inviting notes of rose and patchouli, reminiscent of my first perfume love, Miss Dior. Donning this perfume stirred a desire to dress up and the anticipation of falling in love anew.

Lastly, 'Cosmic Power', which Charlotte claims is "the perfect empowering scent that transports you on a magnetic journey into your inner self", didn't quite resonate with me, perhaps due to my aversion to spices like clove, frankincense, and cinnamon bark oil.

The discovery set that I've tried are sold out, but shoppers can purchase a 10ml version for £20. If you buy a full-size 100ml, priced at £130, you also receive a 1.5ml sample to try.

This year, cherry fragrances are in vogue, including the YSL Opium Over Red (now £51, was £68 at Debenhams) and the Elie Saab Elixir Love (from £49).