When looking for a summer fragrance, limiting yourself to citrus based scents is a disservice, we encourage you to challenge your scent palette to notes like ylang ylang, coconut, white florals and amber. Smelling like sweet morning dew on a spring day or a tropical flower on a hot summer night is always the goal, but finding a scent you like in the heat can be tricky. Don’t worry, we got you covered, see our list of recommendations for every price point, theres a little something for everyone.
TIP: If your on a budget, get the travel size/ roll on.
1.
Louis Vuitton: Le Jour Se Leve
This fruity floral fragrance translates to “the day begins”, this screams the ultimate day time summer scent. The opening of this scent leans heavily on the citrus side with a deeper dry down, consider this the older sister of D&G light blue. Nonetheless, it’s giving Morning breeze in Italy: fresh and airy.
Notes: Top notes are Grapefruit, Mandarin Orange, Orange, Bergamot and Black Currant; middle notes are Lily-of-the-Valley, Jasmine Sambac, Green Notes, Osmanthus, Magnolia, Peony and Rose; base notes are White Musk, Iso E Super, Vanillin and Vanilla.
Day or Night: Day
2.
Fragrance Du Bois: Oud Jaune Intense
This is a unisex amber floral fragrance. Crafted by 5th generation perfumers, this scent is on every luxury fragrance reviewer’s top 10 list. Keep in mind this is a niche scent, you either love it or hate it.
Notes: Top notes are Tahitian Tiare Flower, Fruity Notes, Pineapple and Ylang-Ylang; middle notes are Jasmine, White Flowers, Amyl Salicylate and Orange Blossom; base notes are Vanilla, Musk and Agarwood (Oud).
Day or Night: Both
3.
Byredo: Bal D’Afrique
This is a unisex Amber Woody fragrance. According to Byredo, this scent is inspired by the French’s obsession with African music, art, dance and culture during the late 1920’s. The scent was intentionally crafted as a love letter to Africa. Perfumer and Founder of Byredo Ben Gorham created an imaginary scent of how he sees African culture and its influence through the stories he read in his fathers travel diary.
Notes: Top notes are Amalfi Lemon, Tagetes, Black Currant, Bergamot and African Orange Flower; middle notes are Violet, Cyclamen and Jasmine; base notes are Vetiver, Musk, Amber and Virginia Cedar
Day or Night: Both
4.
Clean: Acqua Neroli
This is a unisex floral citrus fragrance. Clean is an vegan friendly brand that values people and the planet. This list wouldnt be complete if we didnt include a scent with an aquatifc feel -this scent is simple and soapy in a good way. Perfect for running errands, something in your gym workout bag to spray on after a shower and airy enough to wear to the office. Consider this the baby sister of Armani’s Ocean di Gioia.
Notes: Top notes are Bergamot, Sicilian Orange and Mandarin Orange; middle notes are Neroli, Orange Blossom and Jasmine; base notes are Musk, Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Sandalwood and Amber
Day or Night: Day
5.
Sol de Janeiro: Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’40
This is a Floral Fruity Gourmand fragrance. Generally sweeter/gourmand scents aren’t a smart choice when its hot outside however this mist is has an appropriate amount of sweetness that feels breathable. Its also a great cost and performs at it’s best when layered with other scents.
Notes: Top notes are Plum, Black Amber and Cassis; middle notes are Orchid and Jasmine; base notes are Vanilla, Woodsy Notes and Musk
Day or Night: Day
6.
Paco Rabanne: Fame
This is a Floral Woody Musk fragrance. This scent is feminine and intoxicating, the fruitiness of the mango give it a tropical nature mixed with jasmine and vanilla giving it depth and warmth appropriate for both day and night. We would imagine this is what Hawaii smells like in the summer.
Notes: Top notes are Mango and Bergamot; middle notes are Jasmine and Olibanum; base notes are Vanilla and Sandalwood
Day or Night: Both
7.
Montblanc: Signature
This is a Amber Floral fragrance. This is a cult classic and for many has become a signature scent, hence the name. The ylang ylang gives it a sweet yet earthy feel making it appropriate for summer. Keep in mind, this scent is very strong, don’t let the orange and vanilla pairing fool you, this is not for everyone but those that love it swear by it.
Notes: Top note is Clementine; middle notes are Magnolia, Ylang-Ylang and Peony; base notes are Vanilla, White Musk and Benzoin
Day or Night: Day
8.
Rasasi: La Yuqawam Jasmine Wisp
This scent is a Floral Fruity Gourmand fragrance. Of all the fragrances on the list this one is a hidden gem, this popular Middle Eastern scent has a beautiful silage and is definitely signature worthy.
Notes: Top notes are Mandarin Orange, Grapefruit and Lemon; middle notes are Passionfruit, White Flowers, Pear, Peach and Coconut; base notes are Vanilla, Tonka Bean and Amber.
Day or Night: Both
9.
Amouage: Sunshine
This is a Amber Floral fragrance. This is definitely a niche scent, if you enjoy a mature scent with a prevalent tobacco note this is for you. Yes, the price tag is heavy we got you covered on a close dupe (Gucci Flora).
Notes: Top notes are Almond, Black Currant and Artemisia; middle notes are Osmanthus, Vanilla, Magnolia and Jasmine; base notes are White Tobacco, Papyrus, Juniper and Patchouli.
Day or Night: Day
10.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Like the old saying goes: if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! This oldie but a goodie is the ultimate throwback summer scent. This the quintessential summer fragrance and is a safe buy anyone.
Notes: Top notes are Sicilian Lemon, Apple, Cedar and Bellflower; middle notes are Bamboo, Jasmine and White Rose; base notes are Cedar, Musk and Amber
Day or Night: Day
11.
Vilhelm Parfumerie: Mango Skin
This is a tropical fruity fragrance. This scent is for the Viktor Rolf girlies; if you loved flowerbomb your will definetly love this. It smells edible and juicy and pairs well with other scents to give it depth.This is a bit hard to get your hands on, keep your eyes out for a restock every now and then.
Notes: Top notes are Mango, Blackberry and Black Pepper; middle notes are Orris, Lotus and Jasmine; base notes are Icing pink, Vanilla and Patchouli
Day or Night: Day
12.
Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777: God of Fire
This is a unisex Amber Woody fragrance that leans more feminine. It’s fresh and fruity nature pairs well with the musky and woody undertones. If you like white florals, this one is for you.
Notes: Top notes are Mango, Lemon, Ginger and Red Berries; middle notes are Woody Notes, Coumarin and Jasmine; base notes are Musk, Amber, Agarwood (Oud) and Cypriol Oil or Nagarmotha.
Day or Night: Both
13.
Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777: Soleil de Jeddah Mango Kiss
This is a fruity amber fragrance. *chef’s kiss*
Notes: Base notes: Iris butter, Siam Benzoin, Vanilla, Middle notes: Ylang ylang, Amber, Coconut, Top notes: Mango, Wild chamomile oil, Orange blossom
Day or Night: Both
14.
Thameen London: Royal Sapphire
This is a unisex citrus floral yet woody fragrance. This scent leans more towards the masculine side, it has a clean and elegant feel. Although not the same, consider YSL Libre Intense if you want to ditch the price tag. Nonetheless, you will love this.
Notes: Top notes are Mandarin Orange and Bergamot; middle notes are Orange Blossom and Jasmine; base notes are Amber, Oakmoss, Patchouli and Woody Notes
Day or Night: Night
15.
Tom Ford: Electric Cherry
This is a Floral Fruity fragrance. This scent is one of 2 recent additions to Tom Ford’s cherry fragrance line, this scent is the perfect sweet musk for the summer.
Notes: Top notes are Cherry and Ginger; middle note is Jasmine Sambac; base notes are Pink Pepper, Ambrettolide and Musk
Day or Night: Both