Now that summer is really here, it’s time to update your outfit. Well, your scent closet, that is. We have started replacing our gloomy oud smells and warm vanilla perfumes with something a little brighter and lighter to welcome the warmer weather.
Many recently released summer perfumes make the claim that they are the embodiment of sunlight in a bottle; they include notes of ocean air, airy white florals, refreshing citrus bursts, and coconutty sunscreen. The perfect perfume can bring back pleasant memories of previous summers with only one spritz: A strong component of our brains is responsible for olfactory recognition, and studies have indicated a strong correlation between memory and sense of smell.
This summer, a great perfume can transport you to the Mediterranean even if you’re remaining close to home (gelato flowing down your hands is optional).
We’ve sniffed our way through both old classics and the newest fragrance trends to bring you a selection of summer scents that are as happy and carefree as a beam of sunlight.
We at Refinery29 are here to guide you through this bewildering world of material goods. The editorial staff has personally chosen and curated each of our market selections. Refinery29 may receive a commission if you purchase anything from a link on our website.
Creed Queen of Silk Eau de Parfum
Queen of Silk is calling your name if the fragrances of citrus and coconut that tend to dominate the warmer months are getting on your nerves a little. With a powerful blend of vanilla, myrrh musk, cedarwood, and incense that announces your entry into a room, the perfume feels ideal for a sexy night out. It enters sultry territory with the addition of more delicate flower notes including magnolia, tuberose, and osmanthus.
I adore how pervasive the creamy and flowery notes are. The name couldn’t be more fitting, since this looks and feels like a silky slip dress. Not only does it stay on your skin all day, but I can still smell it weeks later on the collar of my jacket. It’s by far the longest-lasting scent I’ve ever smelt. — Senior Writer Venus Wong
Kayali Vacay In A Bottle Miniature Set
“The excitement in the room was palpable when Kayali founder Mona Kattan introduced me to her Vacay in a Bottle collection in May, and that’s because it’s the brand’s dreamiest launch yet. The set comprises four mini perfumes, each inspired by popular holiday destinations: Maui (banana, coconut, and jasmine), Capri (lemon, sugar, and vanilla), and Marrakesh (orange blossom, neroli, and bergamot).
The latter, with its creamy coconut scent that is reminiscent of suncream and the addition of banana blossom, which conjures up tropical thoughts, is definitely my favourite summer scent ever. It’s moreish, seductive, and comforting. I always receive compliments when I wear it. Jacqueline Kilikita, the Deputy Director of Beauty
Beauty Pie Element 79 Eau De Parfum
“This scent is described as “liquid gold in a bottle” by Pretty Pie, and I can’t think of a better way to put it. Every time I smell orange blossom, sandalwood, amber, and peach topped with bubbly notes, I grin. This Perfumes smells so cheery and nostalgic that it takes me back to my childhood summer vacations spent with my grandmother, when I would pass the time by watching TV and helping her cut up fresh, juicy peaches. Every time I wear this scent, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and I can’t get over how much the perfume projects into the air after you spritz it on your body.
When I spray this, my boyfriend can smell it from across the room. The fragrance is fantastic for the end of summer, and at $80, it’s quite expensive for a perfume of this level. — Senior Writer Venus Wong
Chanel No. 5 L’Eau Limited Edition Eau de Parfum
Although Perfumes Chanel No. 5 L’Eau has been around since 2016, this is the first time the aroma has been offered in a limited-edition bottle that is ideal for packing in a beach bag. If L’Eau is unfamiliar to you, it smells nothing like the original Chanel No. 5, which some find to be a bit too strong and sophisticated. No. 5 L’Eau is considerably fresher and cleaner than No. 5, with a powdered flowery finish that makes it feel like the outgoing younger sister of No. 5.
You’ll find yourself repeatedly sniffing your wrists as the delicate notes of jasmine, rose, and vetiver take over after the first bursts of mandarin and lemon. After a few hours, a warm base of cotton musk and cedar remains. The oval glass container, shaped like a pill, is intended to simulate a droplet of perfume; its clever, understated design elevates it to the status of a beautiful collector’s item. — Senior Writer Venus Wong
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Nuit Eau de Parfum
“So many beauty editors have defended Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess when I’ve asked them in the past what their favourite holiday scent is. It is the epitome of a summertime fragrance, with notes of sweet vanilla and jasmine, creamy coconut milk, fresh and zesty lemon, and juicy orange and mandarin. Imagine your ideal beach vacation—sun-filled days and warm nights—and put it in a bottle. Even though it costs less than other perfume brands, it has outstanding longevity. Jacqueline Kilikita, the Deputy Director of Beauty
Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette
I’ve been using the iconic scent Do Son by Diptyque for the past seven or eight summers. I love the heady combination of orange blossom and tuberose that takes me back to my Southeast Asian holidays. Ilio, the brand’s newest offering, is like a lighter, fresher sister. The name “Ilio” is Greek for “sun,” so it makes sense that the eau de toilette, with its lively blend of jasmine, bergamot, and prickly pear, conjures Mediterranean sunshine.
“Once you allow the powdery scent to settle into your skin for a few minutes, the freshness of the pear and bergamot really comes through.” A whiff of this Perfumes takes me back to my mini-moon in the Algarve last year, when my sole plans were to drink my mango daiquiri, dry off with the newest issue of Vanity Fair, and swim laps around the pool. I especially love the playful bottle design created by French designer Alexandre Benjamin Navet, which is adorned with vivid graphics. This is, to put it simply, the scent of summer in Europe. — Senior Writer Venus Wong
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 59 Fragrance Mist
Imagine this: You’ve spent the entire day at the beach, and it’s 6 p.m. Now imagine yourself sitting on your hotel balcony with a Fanta Limón and a packet of Lays crackers in hand, while you take in scents from the orange blossom tree below. As everyone gets ready for dinner, you can smell the delicious froth of shower gel, sea salt, and undertones of tropical aftersun. This is that amazing sensation captured in a bottle.
“The warm, musky, skin-like character is contributed by the amber note, and the syrupy floral impact that is moreish rather than sickening is provided by the vanilla orchid and sugared violet. Fresh green vetiver grass and creamy sandalwood provide the ideal counterbalance to the sweet scents. Body mists usually go away after a few hours, but not this one. It has outstanding durability. Jacqueline Kilikita, the Deputy Director of Beauty.
NOYZ Sh**ty Day Eau De Parfum
“I know, I know: a perfume bearing such a moniker is surely not what you would call enjoyable. However, Shaun Neff’s recently popularised NOYZ brand promises an instant mood enhancer in this glass bottle with a shattered look. This aroma literally smells like throwing away your phone and walking outside to smell the grass. I’m not sure how else to put it. The scent of clary sage and figs reminds me of an overgrown summer meadow, while the hint of eucalyptus opens my lungs to take deeper breaths.
Additionally, there’s a little saltiness that reminds me of enjoyable walks by the sea. This is the most airy, woodsy scent I’ve ever smelt, and it really does what it promises on the tin—it helps you forget about your problems and enjoy the great outdoors. — Senior Writer Venus Wong
Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia Eau de Toilette
“Normally, I want my fragrances to be too sweet. My ideal summertime aroma is a blend of Hawaiian Tropic and Malibu rum, so I was hesitant to try a more sophisticated (and pricey) scent like this one from Acqua Di Parma. I was pleased to find the fragrance’s instantly energising notes from first sniff; just a single spritz conjured up memories of lounging by a pool in the Italian countryside next to a citrus orchard.
The fragrance is actually considerably livelier, with Sicilian green mandarin, lemon, and red orange blending with bergamot and star anise to give a strong, citrussy hit. The Mediterranean blue bottle may trick you into thinking it smells salty and oceanic. Then, the fruity sweetness of ylang ylang—a personal favorite—and creamy green almond help to soften the aroma.
Thanks to the addition of musk and cedarwood, this Perfumes fragrance falls midway between an aftershave and a Perfumes, combining both feminine and masculine components to produce a completely androgynous aroma. Another huge bonus is that the bottle has the appearance of belonging to someone who consumes really costly olive oil. — Associate Editor Alicia Lansom
Charlotte Tilbury Joyphoria
“I usually wear perfumes with a good throw, but during the summer I go for something milder because my favourites get too strong in the heat. This has everything I need for the perfect summer aroma and strikes the perfect balance. The sun-themed rose gold packaging also provides a happy element. — Senior Writer Tanyel Mustafa
“I regularly peruse fragrance review websites to find out what enthusiasts think of recent releases, so it comes as no surprise that this is the scent that people appear to be most drawn to among all the current Charlotte Tilbury offerings. It’s appropriate for now, as we approach the height of summer: It’s floral, fresh, with a hint of coconut (not too much, though) and a vanilla base. It was a dull, rainy day, and I was feeling a little down, so it was quite the accomplishment when I spritzed it and felt warm and bathed in sunshine. This aroma has a hint of beachiness without being overpoweringly beachy or piña colada-like. The finish is distinct but not striking.
Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar Eau de Parfum
“When Miami Nectar was arrived in April, I referred to it as the’scent of the summer’ in my review, and I still feel that way today. The fragrance includes a number of notes, including plumeria, jasmine, and lily of the valley, that harmoniously blend with seductive undertones of salted wood and amber to precisely capture Miami’s tropical and electrifying mood. Pink pineapple and coconut water tones round out the warm, delicious aroma. It’s a turquoise bottle containing everything you enjoy most about taking a beach vacation.
“This smell really appealed to my sense of nostalgia in the greatest manner possible. This smells to me like a sophisticated take on my Victoria’s Secret PINK body mist. Although I don’t usually stack scents, Valentino’s Born in Roma Coral Fantasy, another summertime favourite of mine, went really well with this one. Although wearing Miami Nectar Perfumes alone didn’t last as long on my skin as wearing it in layers helped.” Writer Karina Hoshikawa, Senior
