There are plenty of new summer fragrances claiming to have captured sunshine in a bottle; think refreshing bursts of citrus, breezy white florals, coconutty sunscreen and hints of ocean air. A single spritz of the right perfume can recover special memories from the past, from nostalgic childhood holidays to summer flings. Even if you’re staying close to home this season, the right scent can make you feel like you’re jetting off to the Mediterranean (cue the TikTok-viral Jet2 Holiday advert music).
Ahead, we’ve sniffed our way through the latest perfume and body mist launches to bring you a selection of summer scents that are as carefree and joyful as a ray of sunshine.
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This story was originally published on Refinery29 US.
Whind Néroli Bronzé Eau De Parfum
“Nothing screams summer quite like neroli, the star note in Whind’s Neroli Bronze. This fragrant oil is extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree and, to me, it’s the most intoxicating of scents. Sweet, creamy, green and fresh in equal measure, it reminds me of being on holiday in Cyprus, walking past orange groves at night after the juicy white petals have been baking in the sun all day. It’s an eau de parfum, so you can expect excellent staying power. This is really special.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
Whind Néroli Bronzé Eau De Parfum, $, available at Space NK
Jo Malone Raspberry Ripple Cologne
“Jo Malone is leaning hard into nostalgia this summer with Raspberry Ripple Cologne, a limited-edition fragrance inspired by a traditional English ice cream flavour. As someone who loves a good dessert, but not so much gourmand scents, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I’m drawn to this: invigorating top notes of redcurrant and blackcurrant give way to juicy whiffs of raspberry, which feels elegantly whimsical but never too much like a kid’s treat. As it dries down, the scent unfolds into a sumptuous base of white musk that clings onto the skin and clothing for hours. It’s by far the longest-lasting Jo Malone perfume I’ve tried, and given its delicious scent profile, I’m very happy about it.” — Venus Wong, senior writer
Jo Malone Raspberry Ripple Cologne, $, available at Cult Beauty
Glossier Body Spritzes (Sandstone and Orange Neroli Blossoms)
“I’ve been spritzing these mists on repeat lately, and it’s easy to see (smell?) why. If you’re a fan of the OG Body Hero products, then the Orange Blossom Neroli mist is right up your alley. It’s bright, summery and subtly sultry with notes of musk, cypress, neroli and bergamot. I love misting it in my hair and clothes for date night, since it feels especially feminine to me.
“I first discovered Sandstone when I tested Glossier’s array of deodorants. This scent was my favorite and I’m glad the brand has now released it as a body mist. It feels very me: crisp, clean, with a hint of sexy, woody undertones. This dreamy blend of fig leaf, clary sage, sandalwood and coconut milk is my official scent this summer. Sage and sandalwood are my top two favourite notes, and the addition of coconut milk lends a ‘summer holiday’ vibe that I’m obsessed with. The £35 price point is a win for my wallet, but if you don’t want to choose, you can shop the duo for a discounted price of £56. Regardless, there’s no bad choice between the two.” — Karina Hoshikawa, senior writer
Glossier Body & Hair Fragrance Mist (Orange Blossom Neroli), $, available at Sephora UK
Glossier Body & Hair Fragrance Mist (Sandstone), $, available at Sephora UK
Initio Parfums Privés Power Self Extrait de Parfum
“Many of my go-to scents have become too cloying for this heatwave. I need something more delicate and clean, and this is where Power Self comes in. It’s lighter and fresher, so the hot weather doesn’t distort the notes into a screechy mess. It’s perfect for the office or relaxed days where you still want to feel ‘put together’. There’s a subtle spiciness in the notes, thanks to black pepper and ambrox, which I don’t typically associate with summer, but their presence alongside the musk and osmanthus [a fresh floral note] gives this fragrance an edge and uniqueness.” — Tanyel Mustafa, senior writer
INITIO Power Self Extrait de Parfum, $, available at Selfridges
Chanel Chance Eau Splendide Eau de Parfum
“Meet the latest addition to Chanel’s Chance dynasty: Eau Splendide. Equal parts floral and fruity, it blends tangy raspberry, lush rose and powdery iris with a soft touch of white musk that feels soothingly nostalgic — a subtle nod to the ’90s in the best way. It’s effortlessly wearable, draws plenty of compliments, and the lilac bottle looks beautiful on my dressing table.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
Chanel Beauty Chance Eau Splendide, $, available at Chanel
The 7 Virtues Clementine Dream Eau de Parfum
“As much as I love the invigorating smell of citrus notes, they have a reputation of fading away quickly in perfumery. Here, The 7 Virtues has managed to create a citrus fragrance that can go the distance. According to perfumer Kamila Lelakova, Clementine Dream was achieved by anchoring clementine and lemon oils with amber, cedarwood and the brand’s signature vanilla accord. The result? A perfume that smells so much more expensive than its price tag, with impressive longevity. I love that the fruity, juicy aroma of clementines takes the spotlight here, as it’s less abrasive to the nose compared to lemon. I find myself putting on this addictingly succulent scent on the evenings I’m dining al fresco; it matches the mood perfectly.” — Venus Wong, senior writer
The 7 Virtues Clementine Dream Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora UK
Rabanne Silver Skin Eau de Parfum
“Rabanne’s La Collection is a seriously luxe upgrade from the brand’s original perfumes — and I’m hooked. My summer favourite is Silver Skin, which Rabanne describes as ‘the cool sensation of a chainmail dress.’ It’s powdery and clean, thanks to its lightly floral orris and pink pepper notes, making it my go-to on sticky summer days when I want to feel fresh. But it’s the addition of vanilla and benzoin, a warm, resinous note, that gives it a sexy, skin-like depth. I can’t get enough of it, and whenever I wear it, my friends always ask what it is.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
Rabanne Silver Skin Eau de Parfum, $, available at Selfridges
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 Perfume Mist
“Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 39 is a popular limited edition fragrance that recently got bumped up to the brand’s permanent collection. If you ask me, it has all the attributes of the perfect summer scent for anyone growing their body spray collection. It’s sweet (thanks to vanilla, orchid and toasted praline) and with some time to settle on skin, the coconut comes out strong, making it very beachy and summery. It’s youthful, uncomplex and on a hot day will fit right into the vibe. It’s what we all want summer to be: fun.” — Tanyel Mustafa, senior writer
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 39 Perfume Mist, $, available at LookFantastic
Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita Eau de Parfum
“Are you having a ‘guava girl summer’? Judging from the slew of guava-themed makeup launches we’ve spotted lately, looking (and smelling) like the juicy, orangey-pink fruit is meant to be the aesthetic of the season. Leading the charge on the fragrance front is Ellis Brooklyn’s Guava Granita, a vibrant confection of guava juice, banana, melon, coconut palm and mango blossom. The scent opens with tangy, candy-like guava that’s very photorealistic, and graduates into a comforting and somewhat mellower cloud of almond milk, vanilla and sandalwood. It smells like both marshmallows and a delicious popsicle — in the best way. In other words, a fizzy summer fling captured in a bottle.” — Venus Wong, senior writer
Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita Eau de Parfum, $, available at Space NK
Balmain Beauty Blanc Galaxie Eau de Parfum
“Balmain’s Blanc Galaxie is incredibly refreshing — like the perfume equivalent of an Aperol Spritz. It feels just right worn abroad in 30°C heat, but it also cuts through grey, muggy summer days at home. That’ll be the blend of zingy bergamot, sweet mandarin and tart lime, anchored by musk and heady patchouli for surprising staying power — something many citrus scents lack. It’s genderless, so I share it with my partner, who’s just as obsessed. The finish is like a breath of fresh air when you need it most.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
Balmain Beauty Blanc Galaxie Eau de Parfum, $, available at Selfridges
& Other Stories Pink Noon Eau De Toilette
“We’ve written about & Other Stories perfumes, which provide remarkable value for money, and Pink Noon is my favourite newcomer to the lineup. It’s a pretty floral that gets straight to the point: refreshing bergamot and pear blend in beautifully with the bouquet of jasmine, frangipani and tuberose, while the salty vanilla note at the base gives it a bit of edge. It’s the type of scent I want to spray on myself when I feel hot and sweaty, as it does a great job of creating a pretty scent bubble around me. If you want to smell like a beautiful, golden sunset, this is the one.” — Venus Wong, senior writer
& Other Stories Pink Noon Eau De Toilette, $, available at & Other Stories
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