Unlock Your Summer Scent: The fragrances you need to try right now.
From beachy mists to tropical escapes, these fragrances will transport you to sun-soaked days. Find your perfect summer scent here...
Fragrance is one of those things that’s entirely subjective, which is why I don’t write about it much. To me, a scent is the closest thing to time travel — but only through your own timeline. Trying to describe it to someone else feels a bit like a fool's errand. After all, they weren’t there.
There are though two truths about fragrance I’ve learned: what smells good on someone else won’t always smell the same (or as good) on you. If you can still smell it at lunchtime, you've overdone it.
With that said, I think we can all agree on the scents that conjure up a season. The smokey firewood and dark fruits of winter, the sharp greens and white florals of spring, the spicy woods and earthiness of autumn and the tropical fruitiness and creaminess of summer.
In truth, summer doesn’t really begin until my first spritz of Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess. Its latest incarnation, Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Aegea, £70, captures my idea of summer in a bottle, with fizzy Italian bergamot, ylang ylang and violet leaves in the top and a comforting heart of sandalwood, coconut milk and musk.
It isn’t just the juice, it’s the bottle. There hasn’t been a bottle of Bronze Goddess in the last 20 years that I haven’t immediately wanted to buy to a) start the summer season with its familiar and deliciously suntan lotion-esque vibes and b) pack in any travel bag to make any trip feel and look even more luxurious.
While Bronze Goddess marks the start of my summer, there’s another fragrance that’s equally synonymous with the season for me. I’ve been wearing Jo Malone London Beach Blossom, £86, on and off for a few months now and it’s the fragrance I always reach for when I’m in a diaphanous outfit or linen shirt because it matches the lightness and freshness of the fabrics so perfectly.
It smells like a sun-drenched holiday destination that almost certainly has a spa from which a slightly tropical, coconutty aroma is enticing you into its tranquility pools. As well as being a delicious day fragrance, this has become my post cold-shower after a hot day scent because it’s glorious to go to bed with.
Last summer, I discovered Bibbi Fragrances and there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest: Bibbi Swimming Pool, £110 (£99 at the time of writing).
Now, you remember what I said at the beginning of this column about how fragrance was like time travel? Well, this manages something even more special because it takes me to a time and place that I haven’t been yet (?) but, which I can clearly picture in mind.
I have never lazed in or around an ornate pool shaded by lemon trees in Tuscany but when I smell this fragrance, it somehow ‘takes me back’ there.
There’s wet grass and white woods at the base, eucalyptus and geranium in the heart and ginger and spearmint in the top.
It is the most extraordinary perfume I have ever worn and I dread the idea of running out of it.
If, like me, you’re a bit of a fair-weather fragrance wearer but like to smell like something more than your body lotion and deodorant then you have to be aware of Saltair. This is the brand from my lovely friend Iskra Lawrence and even though it doesn’t launch here in the UK, exclusively at Space NK, until October, it’s one you should definitely have on your wish-list.
I had a sneak peek last week at some of the products, when I was at lunch with Iskra, including the body mists and Salt Water Vanilla, $16, and Golden Hour, $16, blew me away.
I don’t know about you, but I tend to apply fragrance once I’m dressed - it’s the final flourish, when I remember. However, that’s why it’s so often forgotten. One thing I never forget is to apply body lotion, so these mists, which are best applied at that stage of the getting-ready process, are something I wouldn’t forget.
They each have that crispness of sea salt, mixed with the warmth of holiday skin and exotic fruits like coconut and pineapple but the latter is with such a light touch that they don’t render as sickly when applied.
These are my favorite summer scents, but I’d love to know yours. What fragrances define your summer? Drop your favorites in the comments and let’s swap (fragrance) notes.
Okay, so I know it’s not strictly speaking fragrance, but the first drop of Nuxe Huile P. signals summer has officially begun! 🧡
Also obsessed with Beach Blossom. My mother surprised me with it for my birthday and it’s taken number 1 spot. Love it!