Perfume an investment that yields emotional returns

L to R: Nina Ricci Love in Paris, La Prairie Silver Rain, Cacharel Amor Amor, DKNY Be Delicious, Chanel Coco. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

While a mother may be forever, not just for Mother's Day, the big day is a chance to honour her and pay tribute to all those years of unconditional love. Fragrance works.

La Prairie Silver Rain
$300 for 50ml eau de parfum

So it's a funny name for a perfume, but Silver Rain is a "metaphor for all that is uncommon and most exquisite in the world". Naturally, you'd want the very best from this Swiss luxury skincare line - from the silver raindrop bottle to the rare essential oils used in this sensual fragrance. Any old flower is not good enough here. This is Moroccan red rose-petal and night-blooming Indian jasmine, Chinese star magnolia and creamy Venezuelan tonka bean. From Smith & Caughey's and Life Pharmacy Hamilton.

DKNY Be Delicious
$148 for 100ml eau de parfum

This could only come out of a city like the fashion designer Donna Karan's home, the Big Apple. From this green and silver apple-shaped bottle comes a fresh, modern perfume with a top note of cucumber and grapefruit, a mid-note of tuberose and violet, and a base of sandalwood and amber. Urban and fresh it's as American as apple pie.

From selected department stores and Life pharmacies.

Cacharel Amor Amor
$89 for 30ml eau de toilette

For mothers who are young at heart, a modern love potion in a red vial. Citrus, blackcurrant, lily, apricot, vanilla, musk and amber in this saucy mix. It's an eau de toilette, so you'll need to apply it more than a perfume.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Nina Ricci Love in Paris
$115 for 50ml eau de parfum

If you're going to be in love, Paris is the place. Nina Ricci's people say this is the perfume for love at first sight. Bergamot, star anise, jasmine, vanilla, roses and peonies have given their all for this fragrance. If you can't be in love in Paris, you can wear the scent in Auckland.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
$200 for 7.5ml parfum

A parfum version of the fabulous fragrance Coco Mademoiselle. The parfum is described by creator Jacques Polge as "the haute couture of fragrance". It's pretty close to heaven.

From Smith & Caughey's and selected pharmacies.

GET THE LOOK

Perfume is an investment that will yield emotional returns. Here's how you know you've chosen well.

1. You get a thrill each time you pick up the bottle to use it.

2. It's part of your daily ritual and you get a kick out of just looking at the bottle.

3. You love the scent when you apply it.

4. You can't smell it on yourself but others can, and compliment you.

5. The very scent triggers a fond memory.

6. If need be, you're only too happy to make sacrifices to buy another bottle.