You remember something. You are reminded of / about something. You can also use infinitives in both cases: You should remember to call your friend. That note reminded you to call your friend. In your example, it would be: That smells reminds me of something. That smell makes / made me remember something.

"That smell makes me remember sonthing " -- or -- " That smell reminds me something" - You wouldn't say "makes me remember". You should say: " That smell reminds me OF something"

"makes me ... " is fine, normal, natural for ordinary conversation without an issue of being forced.

Yes. The short answer is "yes". They are both fine. (With the typo corrected, of course "something")

So -- I can say " You remind me of your mother"// when It comes to someone's personality ? Thank you so much everyone for your help-- I do appreciate it