From flowery fulminations to citrusy symphonies, Alice Dunn sniffs out the finest summer scents
What does summer smell like? Flowers in full bloom, fresh citrus from lemon groves in the Mediterranean or just plain sun cream? Luckily we have lots of summer-inspired fragrances to choose from…
For floral fans
Peter
Floris Fleur Eau de Toilette – £80 for 100ml
‘Fleur’ smells like an English summer garden in a bottle. With fresh lily of the valley, sweet rose, warm ylang ylang and jasmine, and fruity top notes of grapefruit, melon and peach, this fragrance is beautiful. Floris have been creating perfumes in England since 1730 so we can trust their expertise in scent. What’s more, Floris sell miniature samples for £2.50 from their website to try before you buy, or to fill your sponge bag with different scents for each day of your holiday!
Acqua Di Parma Peonia Nobile – from £47
For a quick skip to an Italian garden, look no further than Acqua Di Parma’s Peonia Nobile. Ultra feminine, super sophisticated and very pretty – close your eyes and you will be convinced you are smelling the centre of the most perfect pink peony drenched in Italian sunshine.
Shay and Blue Amber Rose – £30 for 30ml
Shay and Blue are an exciting perfume brand to watch. Launched in 2012, Dom De Vetta (the nose from top perfume houses such as Chanel and Jo Malone) and Julie Massé (who has created perfumes for Giorgio Armani and L’Occitane) founded this ‘boutique’ perfume company. Made in England with fresh natural ingredients, each scent is lovingly crafted with care. Amber Rose is a warm and hearty scent, wonderful for summer.
Givenchy Eau de Givenchy – £60 for 100ml from John Lewis
Givenchy launched the original Eau de Givenchy in 1980 but now it has been re-invented for 2018. It sparkles with notes of citrus, summer sunshine, almonds and a clean sea breeze. Perfect for women and men. Available exclusively at John Lewis.
For citrus fanatics
PDV
Prada Infusion de Mandarine Eau de Parfum – £102.50 for 100ml
It is always an exciting moment when Prada release a new fragrance, particularly when it is a part of the ‘Les Infusions’ range. This is the first citrus scent of the collection and it is exquisite: with notes of Vert de Mandarine and Neroli, it’s delicate and pure. A light kiss of citrus, just what you need on a hot summer day!
Jo Loves Orange Butterflies – from £70 for 50ml
Inspired by the South of France, Orange Butterflies is the scent of orange blossom meeting mandarin and petitgrain. Jo Loves (the brand created by renowned perfumer Jo Malone) has launched the most perfect scent for summer: it is bright and brilliant. Everyone will want to know what perfume you’re wearing when you have Orange Butterflies fluttering from your pulse points.
For sun worshippers
Clarins Eau Dynamisante – £36 for 100ml
Deep yet very fresh, Clarins Eau Dynamisante has been made from a blend of 14 aromatic essential oils. It’s energising and zesty and will put a spring in your step (if only to see you to the sun lounger!) It’s non-photosensitizing, which means that it can be safely worn in the sun.
The Body Shop Fijian Water Lotus Fragrance Mist – £8.50 for 100ml
This is a florally-seaside smell, splashy and sweet, a fun and fresh choice for a cool summer scent. It’s very reasonably priced too, so you can be liberal with your spritzing!
For the jet-setters
Richard Valencia
Jo Loves Pomelo Fragrance Paintbrush – £40
If travelling with clunky glass perfume bottles sounds like a recipe for disaster, then choose a travel-friendly alternative. Jo Loves Pomelo Paintbrush is a brush that you click to release a beautifully scented gel that dries in an instant. Pomelo is Jo’s cult-classic fragrance, citrusy and glorious. And as it’s only 18ml it’s a slim stick of scent that’s ideal for your hand luggage.
Diptyque 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Solid Perfume – £36
Solid perfumes are a fun and fool-proof way to travel with scent. Neither masculine or feminine, 34 Boulevard Saint Germain Solid Perfume has got your back (via your handbag!)
For the indecisive
Jo Loves Fragrance Graffiti Body Spray – £40 each
Pop one of these Jo Loves Fragrance Graffiti Sprays in the fridge for the ultimate cooling perfume experience. Whether you prefer to smell like Grapefruit, Tuberose, Fig or Vetiver, these are light and very wearable. Also, they are ideal for your gym bag for a post-workout re-fresh. (And, don’t worry, the spray is completely clear!)
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