I don’t want to call it prematurely, but I think maybe, just possibly, it might just be almost summer, kind of. Let’s face it, you never know with British weather – one day we will be hiding indoors from torrential downpours and the next we will be stripping down to our swim shorts, eating 99s on the beach and turning ourselves a healthy shade of Lobster. Such is the life of the Brit in summer!

But ice creams, swimwear and sunburn (I’d like to remind you all of the importance of wearing your SPF, please!) are not the only essential elements of summer life – there is fragrance too, of course. What would a balmy summer’s day be without a splash of Eau de Cologne or a refreshing floral? A sticky summer eve would be nothing without a heady, sexy spritz to get one hot under the collar! Fragrance is always important, and particularly in summer, we use it to refresh ourselves and match the tone of the season.

In this post, I’ve put together a list of my ‘it’ fragrances for Summer 2019. These new launches are the olfactory blockbusters you’re going to encounter on every corner, and if you’re into what’s on trend, then may I suggest you hop on board and buy yourself a ticket to this summer’s scented showings…

#1 Angel Eau Croisiere by MUGLER

Mugler Angel Eau Croisiere Eau de Toilette Spray

Angel, the iconic debut fragrance of the House of Mugler, has been reinterpreted more times that each of us has had barbecues. Many of these have been summer editions and have included the likes of Angel Fruity Fair (a syrupy, fruity Angel) and Angel Eau Sucree (Angel flavoured meringues – as delicious as it sounds).

For 2019, Mugler are treating us to Angel Eau Croisiere, a Miami Vice cocktail of fragrance that is as vibrant as a night out on the neon. Angel truly has gone fruity with Eau Croisiere, with mango, grapefruit and blackcurrant sorbet coming together to create a beautifully juicy (and sulphurically fizzy) scent that is just begging to be adorned with a mini umbrella. Angel Eau Croisiere is zesty and delicious, drying down to that signature patchouli-vanilla that we all know so well. Now I just have to find an outfit that matches something this vibrant…

#2 Cipresso di Toscana by Acqua di Parma

Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Cipresso di Toscana Eau de Toilette Spray

Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Collection is inspired by the landscapes of Italy and takes one on an olfactory tour through the bergamot fields of Calabria and the arid landscape dotted with juniper trees of Sardinia, to name a few. Their latest, Cipresso di Toscana, drops us smack bang in the middle of a sunlight forest in the heart of Tuscany. Celebrating woods, Cipresso di Toscana is a frankly butch fragrance that centres on the note of cypress, adorning it with lavender, pine needles and star anise.

It smells rough and ready to me, and almost a bit lumberjack-y, in the best possible way, but it also captures the glow of the sunlight moving through the trees. Smelling it, I feel as if I am pressing my face against the warm bark of a cypress tree, while a handsome plaid-wearing man wearing the most “ooft” of fragrances politely informs me that this is a national park and I am not permitted to hug the trees. Spoilsport.

#3 Olympea Legend by Paco Rabanne

Paco Rabanne Olympea Legend Eau de Parfum Spray

If you’re all about bronzed skin and beach days, then I’d guess that Olympea Legend is going to be your scent of summer 2019. Intended as a rich, more opulent take on Rabanne’s Olympea, Legend is evocative of sunkissed skin.

Boasting the nutty-marine strangeness of the original, Legend adds a touch of SPF to the mix, intensifying the creamy facets to create a sexy floral fragrance awash with milky vanilla. It is literally the ultimate beach accessory and one that you’re going to regret not throwing in your beach bag with your bikini and sunnies, I can feel it.

You can read my full review of Olympea Legend here.

#4 Gentleman Cologne by GIVENCHY

GIVENCHY Gentleman Cologne Eau de Toilette Spray

Taking inspiration (in spirit rather than in scent) from the brand’s iconic hero fragrance Gentleman, this cologne is a thoroughly modern scent that pairs citrus, iris, greenery and musk to create what I like to call the “crisp white shirt effect”.

Gentleman Cologne is the softest, most contemporary Eau de Cologne, with a light, airy and musky quality. Citrus up top adds a bit of a lively, refreshing feel, while iris adds a subtle touch of powder and earth. It’s not often that a modern masculine fragrance makes me exclaim “damn, that’s good”, but believe me when I say that Gentleman Cologne definitely did.

#5 Aqua Allegoria Ginger Piccante by GUERLAIN

GUERLAIN Aqua Allegoria Ginger Piccante Eau de Toilette Spray

We finish with my top spot for summer scent 2019: Aqua Allegoria Ginger Piccante by GUERLAIN. Each and every summer season GUERLAIN treat us to a selection of new Aqua Allegoria scents – fragrances that celebrate simplicity and the beauty of natural ingredients (that is to say they are inspired by natural materials rather than being all natural fragrances). Sometimes the fragrances stay in the collection, other times they disappear when the season ends.

I love Ginger Piccante so much; I’m rooting for it to stay. So why do I love it? Well, it’s just so zesty and refreshing! Taking the sharp, tangy note of ginger and warming it with rose and musk, Ginger Piccante opens with a spicy bite and a juicy explosion of ginger. It’s sharp and tart, but also a little bit soapy. Rose warms things up, while musk extends the whole scent for days, sending it swirling up into the stratosphere. Ginger Piccante is unusual, refreshing and blooming beautiful!

Discover More:

• How To Scent Your Body Without Spraying Fragrance
• New & Noteworthy: Male Fragrances