'These are scents that gently guide your mood'
INTERVIEW HAPPINEZ
Scent can have a profound effect on how you feel. Mascha discovered this when she became ill. She decided to investigate. That search grew into the product line Mood M.
How did you become passionate about scent?
'It actually started very practically, with the book 'Zero waste'. It made me aware of how much junk is in everyday products. Detergent, for example, often contains plastic and a dose of synthetic fragrances, and I found that frustrating. So I started making my own detergent. When I got breast cancer, my sense of smell suddenly became sharper and I could no longer tolerate synthetic scents. It was as if my body was saying: this isn't right. During that period, scent therapy gave me something to hold onto — it had a positive effect on my recovery. I noticed how powerful scent can be. I immersed myself in aromatherapy and discovered that many classic scents have been known for centuries for their positive effect on emotions and wellbeing.'
Can you give an example?
'In my products I use four base scents. Orange is relaxing and uplifting. Bergamot brings emotional balance and can provide calm in moments of anxiety or tension. Patchouli has a grounding effect and pine is refreshing, as if you're briefly walking through a forest. The beautiful thing is that it doesn't just smell good — it actually makes you feel something.'
How did that grow into an entire product line?
'Because I was ill and we were in the middle of the corona period, I lived in a kind of bubble with a lot of time to experiment. My father-in-law gave me a pot of lanolin. I started working with it and discovered it had a nourishing effect. It eventually became the Delicate Spray — a textile spray that a friend with a vintage shop needed to freshen up clothes without washing. That product became an instant favourite.'
What is your mission with Mood M?
"I want to contribute to awareness. Many people don't realise that all those synthetic fragrances — in detergent, shower gel, deodorant — together form a kind of scent bomb. With Mood M I offer a natural alternative: subtler scents that don't overpower, and that are supportive. Scents that gently guide your mood, towards relaxation, energy or calm. My motto is: scent is selfcare."
Who are the fans of Mood M?
'It varies enormously. Gen Z loves the Mood Rollers — you apply them to your temples or wrists for a mini mood boost. Yogis use the Chakra Spray. Women who struggle with sleeplessness swear by the Sleep Oil.'
What has Mood M brought you?
'For years I worked as a make-up artist, in a world I still find wonderful. But I missed being able to give something of myself. Mood M is my own little revolution: here I bring together my love for beauty and wellbeing. I see that it makes people happy. That is why I do it.'
