Summertime is my favourite time for fragrances. The bright colours and even brighter scents do away with the drab winter clouds, and I love how spoiled for choice we get around this time of year, too. I’ve got a heftier-than-usual wish list this year, but I’ve narrowed it down to my absolute essentials.

Here my pick of both male and female scents to see you through the entirety of summer 2011…

Harajuku Lovers G of the Sea, £20.00
A whimsical fresh fruity floral that is the perfect soundtrack to a summer of fun. The blend of crisp fruits and watery flora is ultra-wearable and so fresh, with Apple, Water Lily, Freesia, Peony, Woods and Musk. This will be my perfect accompaniment to festival season this year; the scent is fresh and fun, and the bottle is surprisingly portable (not to mention unbearably cute).

Thierry Mugler Angel Sunessence Angel Ocean d’Argent, £40.00
I smelled a little sample of this a couple of months ago, and I’ve been craving a big bottle ever since. In the composition of Angel Ocean d’Argent, the gourmand notes of the original scent have been toned down and blended with juicy Kumquat and refreshing Sea Salt Blossom – and the combination is just so subtle, sweet and addictive. A definite “what are you wearing?” scent.

Marc Jacobs Cocktail Splashes, £48.00 each (Pre-Order)
Inspired by the first sip of a cocktail on a sun-soaked summer’s day, this year’s elegant yet quirky unisex Marc Jacobs Splash scents are exciting and quenching. From the attention-grabbing Cranberry, to scintillating Ginger, to smooth and sensual Curacao, this year’s collection is an instant hit. I’m, gearing up to nab the sharp but sweet Cranberry as an invigorating everyday scent.

Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme Summer, £37.50 (Pre-Order)
A lot of the fragrances have a penchant for the ocean this year, but none of them pull off the underwater theme quite as well as the brand new Issey (I’m sorry mermaid G!) The men’s L’Eau d’Issey Summer scent is something else: a dynamic, mellow citrus opening that invigorates the senses, and sensual woody notes that smell incredible on the skin.

Davidoff Cool Water Summer Dive for Men, £31.00
The intensity of this scent comes from warm aromatic notes and woods, while the freshness is supplied from zesty citruses, including Lemon, mandarin and Grapefruit. It’s the perfect combination of warm and cool to symbolise the moment when sun-warmed skin comes into contact with the cool water of a swimming pool. Absolutely love it.