If you’re anything like me, then the simple act of popping on a pair of sandals or wearing your favourite sunglasses will instantly put you in the mood for summer. And the same goes for wearing perfume.
Just as you’d switch up your wardrobe for summer by leaving behind turtle neck jumpers and fluffy socks in favour of breezy t-shirts, shorts and sandals, switching up your fragrance wardrobe is the perfect way to enjoy the season to its fullest. There’s no doubt about it; wearing perfume is a great way to add a little bit of fun, sun and joy to everyday life (even on the greyest summer days!)
So, I’ve rounded up some of my standout summer scents that I think you’ll want to be wearing this season. Trust me; they’ll have the power to carry you away to the places that remind us all of summer – from lounging around in sun-dappled poolside spots to strolling through shaded woods as we breathe in the herbaceous, aromatic scents of the natural world.
1. The Scent For Poolside Lounging
If there was ever a time to go for a fragrance that’s a little more playful, fun and juicy, it has to be summertime. When I look for a summer perfume, I’m often on the hunt for something a little fruiter and ‘sparklier’ (this is the term I use to describe fresh, juicy fragrances that somehow mimic an almost bubbly effervescence as you breathe them in.)
For me, one of the scents of the moment to perfectly capture the playfulness, bliss, and carefree feeling of summer has to be Versace Dylan Turquoise. The 2021 Eau de Toilette for women starts with a lively, sweet and zesty blend of mandarin and lemon primofiore essence, which is invigorated by a dash of pink pepper; it’s because of this refreshing citrus blend that I’ve picked this as the fragrance to wear while you’re relaxing by the pool. Trust me – it will perfectly complement your glass of lemonade or sweet, bubbly cocktail as you chill by the pool!
Plus, I love that the fragrance still has a more sensual feel to it as you stroll through a blossoming garden of fresh fruits and white petals in the heart before reaching the seductive, addictive base of woods and musk.
2. The Scent To Transport You To The Med
As soon as I heard that Light Blue Forever Pour Femme evokes the memory of long summer days by the Mediterranean Sea, I knew I’d love it.
Dolce and Gabbana’s fragrance opens with crisp granny smith apple and tangy Calabrian lemon for a bright, zesty summer feel before the fragrance creates a sunny floral feel in the heart. The central notes of honeyed orange blossom and heady, voluptuous white flowers certainly jump out to me; together, they carry you away and allow you to imagine that you’re enjoying a late afternoon stroll through a courtyard bursting with sun-soaked florals, just a stone’s throw away from the coast. The base has a cosy, woody tone as Virginia cedar blends with cashmere woods, while white musk adds a final touch of seduction as it melts blissfully into warm, sun-kissed skin.
And of course, I have to mention the bottle! The gorgeous, sparkling turquoise hues perfectly recall the Mediterranean sea, while touches of gold celebrate the dazzling Mediterranean sunlight as it shimmers on the waves.
3. The Scent For An Early-Summer Hike
Held in a translucent emerald green flacon, Parfums de Marly’s Greenley pays homage to the gardens and surroundings of Château of Marly, a truly opulent palace commissioned by Louis XIV, which is a major inspiration for the niche perfume brand. At the palace, luxury and nature collide, and it’s through this collision that Greenley Eau de Parfum is born.
The house’s grand architecture is perfectly integrated into the landscape, and the scent honours both the landscape and the natural world more widely. It’s for this reason that I’ve chosen this as the summer scent to wear if you seek out shaded woods to enjoy a stroll or hike away from the intense heat of the summer sun.
Every accord of Greenley is magnified by the naturalness of its raw materials, so it celebrates nature both in essence and in its end result. The fragrance definitely has an undeniable sense of freshness; when I first spritz the Eau de Parfum, it reminds me of misty early morning walks in nature before the heat of the day sets in.
Nathalie Templer’s fragrance is a whirlwind of fruit, citrus, bark and sap. Its bold freshness is created by a surprisingly crisp, tangy note of green apple, which is enhanced by Sicilian bergamot, juicy mandarin and dewy violet for a bright, uplifting and refreshed feel. The fragrance develops into a more sensual tone as cedar wood, oak moss, amber and musk mingle together. All in all, the fragrance leaves you feeling truly revived and revitalised, just like a summer hike does.
4. The Scent For The Beach
View this post on Instagram
To me, there aren’t many things that scream summer more than a trip to the beach. That’s why Amouage Ashore is my fragrance recommendation for anyone who loves the sand and sea just as much as I do.
Mackenzie Rielly’s masterpiece perfectly mimics the sight, scent and sensation of being on the coast of Oman; the unisex perfume cleverly blends warm, heated tones with cool, salty facets to capture the unique juxtaposition of the coast. As you breathe it in, you can almost feel the warm, soft sand between your toes as the sea refreshingly laps at your feet, the sun beating down as a gentle sea breeze blows through your hair.
But how does it create this feeling? Ashore Eau de Parfum starts with cardamom oil, turmeric leaf oil and a dash of pink pepper CO² for a warm, spicy feel before the floral heart of heady jasmine sambac absolute and rose absolute is lifted by a bright, luminous solar accord. Finally, luxuriously opulent olibanum hyperabsolute and soft sandalwood oil are balanced by the saltier tones of ambergris; all in all, Ashore is like the beach in a bottle.
5. The Scent For Barbecue Nights
As much as I love fruity, fresh and playful scents for summer, sometimes you want something a little bolder and edgier, particularly on long summer nights. For me, that fragrance of the moment is the Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory Extreme, a fresh-oriental Eau de Parfum for men that contrasts fresh, zesty lemon with sultry sensual vanilla for a fragrance that takes you from summer days to summer nights.
The scent opens with a sharp and zesty burst of lemon – a key fragrance note that you’ll often see in summer fragrances – which is enhanced and enlivened by pink peppercorn. The heart has a more aromatic feel as soothing lavender juxtaposes the rich, smoky and powerful tones of incense – a fragrance note that I think you’d appreciate when you’re enjoying a barbeque with friends on a summer’s evening; it complements the event perfectly!
Finally, the seductive base blends tonka bean, creamy vanilla with subtly sweet amber for a fragrance that feels sensual and subtly warming. It’s the perfect aroma for the time when the sun is beginning to set and the air is beginning to cool ever so slightly, and you want a scent that gently warms you up.
