The Best of Summer Scents 2024
As the temperature changes, our wardrobes get a overhaul, our skincare, and just like that - our perfume. In the summer, warmer temperatures can amplify scents, making lighter and fresher fragrances more desirable. Citrus, floral, and aquatic notes are commonly chosen for their invigorating and cooling properties. These scents evoke a sense of freshness and are less likely to become overwhelming in the heat. Additionally, summer fragrances often include notes that are associated with outdoor activities and nature, such as green leaves and tropical fruits, which enhance the seasonal experience.
In contrast, winter's cooler temperatures tend to dull the intensity of scents, prompting individuals to choose richer, warmer fragrances that can provide a sense of comfort and coziness. Perfumes with notes of vanilla, spices, woods, and amber are popular during the colder months because they create a warming effect and evoke a sense of warmth and intimacy. These heavier scents are better suited to the winter season as they linger longer on the skin and project a more pronounced aroma, cutting through the cold air. The shift in perfume preferences between summer and winter reflects the human tendency to seek sensory experiences that complement and enhance their environmental conditions and emotional states.
Understanding the behavioural element as to why we’re drawn to different scents
The allure of different scents is deeply rooted in human psychology and biology. Scents have a unique ability to evoke memories and emotions, a phenomenon known as the Proustian memory effect. When we smell something, the olfactory receptors in our noses send signals directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain that governs emotions and memories. This direct link explains why a whiff of a particular fragrance can instantly transport us back to a specific time and place or make us feel a certain way. Moreover, our scent preferences can be influenced by cultural background, personal experiences, and even genetic factors. For instance, certain smells that are pleasant in one culture might be considered unpleasant in another, highlighting the role of learned associations in scent preference.
“Many people unconsciously link the aroma of summer with pleasure and relaxation” comments Ruta Degutyte, creator of Art de Parfum, “which is why perfumers so often seek to recreate it in the form of perfume. Nothing revives a feeling, a place or moment so completely as experiencing the smell associated with it.
I like to change my scent regularly according to my mood and the season, as the fragrance we wear also directly affects the way we feel and also how that olfactory memory makes other people feel and how they respond to us. For me, being by the sea is where I am happiest. One of my first fragrances was Sea Foam, which is very much connected to my childhood memories of times spent sailing on the Baltic Sea to the island of Gotland. I’ve tried to recreate this feeling of the ocean hitting the senses and diving straight in. So whenever I wear this fragrance I am transported back to the sea, triggered by a single spray, with the smell of salty air, hints of seaweed and summer on the beach.”
On a biological level, our attraction to certain scents can also be linked to evolutionary factors. Pheromones, for example, are chemicals secreted by individuals that can influence the behaviour of others, particularly in attracting mates. Although human pheromones and their effects are not as well understood as those in animals, it is believed that scents play a role in mate selection and social communication. Additionally, individual scent preferences can be shaped by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a set of genes involved in immune system functioning. Research suggests that people are often subconsciously attracted to the scents of others who have different MHC genes, potentially promoting genetic diversity in offspring. These intricate interactions between biology, psychology, and personal experience underscore the complex and deeply personal nature of fragrance preferences.
Taking all of this into account, we’ve compiled a list of invigorating citrus and floral scents to keep your going through the summer months and your next sunny escape.
Art de Parfum Sea Foam
Top Notes: bergamot, marine notes, laurel
Heart Notes: guaiac wood, seaweed absolute, fig leaf
Base Notes: driftwood, sea salt, sandalwood
Sea Foam is rich in natural oils, essences, and absolutes that call to mind the various facets of the seaside: the salt, the sweetness, the fresh air, seaweed, the green smell of the sea grasses up on the dunes.
Available at Art de Parfum for £125.
Neäl & Wølf AURA Hair Perfume & Body Fragrance
Top Notes: White Tyme, Mandarin
Middle Notes: Lily, Ylang Ylang
Base Notes: Vanilla, Orange Blossom
Their signature scent bottled! Perfect for revitalising hair and body, the intoxicating blend of Orange Blossom with White Thyme engages and awakens the senses, revealing delicate undertones of Lily and Vanilla. This captivating fragrance unites playfulness and sophistication, resulting in their distinctive signature scent.
Available at Neäl & Wølf for £22.95.
Noyz Lost + Found
Top Notes: Italian lemon, Australian pink pepper
Heart Notes: jasmine petals, rhubarb, raspberry blossom
Base Notes: cedarwood, crisp amber, pink sugar
Noyz Lost + Found is an intriguing unisex fragrance that artfully balances fresh, floral, and woody notes to create a distinctive olfactory experience, perfect for those seeking a versatile and memorable fragrance that effortlessly transitions from day to night.
Available at Harrods for £85.
BIBBI PARFUM Boy Of June
Top Notes: Italian Bergamot, Madagascan Black Pepper, Italian Lemon
Heart Notes: Egyptian Geranium, Somalian Incense, Green Apple
Base Notes: Indonesian Patchouli, White Leather, Crisp Amber
As exhilarating as the love affair which inspired it, Boy of June is a timeless elixir of freshness, opulence and sensuality. A true love affair between bergamot and geranium makes this fragrance timeless, yet classic. It develops into a rich potion with heady notes of incense, patchouli and white leather.
Available at Liberty London for £225.
Thameen The Cora
Top Notes: Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine, Magnolia, Wisteria
Middle Notes: Benzoin, Carnation, Lily-of-the-Valley, Vanilla
Base Notes: Amber, Patchouli, White Patchouli
Thameen The Cora is an exquisite fragrance inspired by the radiant beauty of the Cora Sun-Drop Diamond, the world's largest yellow pear-shaped diamond. This perfume is a luxurious blend that captures the essence of elegance and brilliance. The composition of The Cora is designed to evolve beautifully on the skin, offering a warm and sensual finish that lingers long after application.
Available at Selfridges.com for £280
SO…? Vanilla Body Mist
Top Notes: Floral, Lily of the Valley, Jasmine
Heart Notes: Vanilla
Base Notes: Musk
This body mist is designed to provide a quick and refreshing burst of fragrance throughout the day. It features notes of rich, creamy vanilla that create a soothing and indulgent scent experience. Perfect for daily wear, the SO…? Vanilla Body Mist offers a long-lasting fragrance that lingers on the skin, making it an ideal choice for anyone who loves the classic and timeless scent of vanilla.
Available at SO…? for £3.99
Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist
Top Notes: Velvet Plum, Sugared Violet
Middle Notes: Vanilla Orchid, Whipped Amber
Base Notes: Sheer Sandalwood, Fresh Vetiver
Uplifting and delicious, this woody gourmand fragrance envelops you like the warmth of a glowing sunset. Immerse your body and mind with enticing notes of vanilla orchid, sugared violet, and sheer sandalwood. Feels like connection.
Available at SpaceNK from £24.
ARgENTUM Innocent
Top Notes: green apple, tropical basil, Argentinian organic lemon
Heart Notes: bitter almond, organic clary sage
Base Notes: ambrette seeds, organic sandalwood
Argentum's Innocent perfume is a citrus floral eau de parfum that embodies a playful and fresh essence. This fragrance features top notes of green apple, tropical basil, and Argentinian organic lemon, which provide a vibrant and refreshing opening.
Available at ARgENTUM for £148.
anatomē Energy Eau de Parfum
Top: Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin, Petitgrain, Grapefruit.
Middle: Orange Blossom, Neroli, Mint, May Chang.
Base: Indonesian Patchouli, Cedarwood.
An elegant citrus-and-blossom scent inspired by the tenacity of sportsmanship and movement, to energise, stimulate and revitalise the mind body. It works for ,movement, and any kind of physical extension , to support mental endurance and movement center on the court on in the city.
Available at anatomē from £28.
ISSEY MIYAKE L'Eau d'Issey Eau & Magnolia
Top Notes: bergamot
Heart Notes: magnolia
Base notes: sandalwood
Issey Miyake's L'Eau d'Issey Eau & Magnolia is a radiant and delicate fragrance that beautifully marries the freshness of water with the luminous essence of magnolia petals. This perfume is ideal for spring and summer, offering a light, airy scent that feels fresh and natural. The blend of floral and aquatic notes makes it a perfect choice for warmer weather, as it evokes a sense of purity and natural beauty.
Available at The Perfume Shop from £72.
ZADIG & VOLTAIRE This Is Her! Undressed
Top Notes: Organic Ginger, Orange Bolssom Absolute
Heart Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Skin Accord
Base Notes: Benzoin Resinoid, Organic Sandalwood Nepal, Musk
Zadig & Voltaire's "This Is Her! Undressed" is an Eau de Parfum that captures the essence of intimacy and sensuality. This fragrance embodies the elegance and spontaneity of the Zadig woman, characterized by her fresh, sunny, and effortlessly chic personality.
Available at The Perfume Shop for £77.
Maison Louis Marie No.9 Vallee de Farney Perfume Oil
Top Notes: Black Pepper, Grapefruit, Orange
Middle Notes: Cedar, Geranium, Patchouli
Base Notes: Amber, Musk, Vetiver
Inspired by the Vallée de Farney nature preserve, this scent evokes the lush, vibrant landscape with a sophisticated blend of citrus and woody elements. The roll-on application allows for a concentrated and intimate fragrance experience, staying close to the skin and providing long-lasting wear.
Available at maisonlouismarie.com for £55.
JusBox Carioca Heart
Top notes: Lemon sfumatrice primofiore, Pineapple, Mango accord
Middle notes: Peony, Rum absolute, Sandalwood
Base Notes: Vanilla extract CO2 LMR, Labdaneum, Operanide, Ambroxan
Jusbox is a scent that will awaken a new way of life within you, with its fruity notes of primofiore lemon oil and mango deepened by a soulful heart of rum and the rising jazz of labdanum and vanilla.
Available at Harrods for £200.
Experimental Perfume Club Fig Neroli Eau de Parfum
Top notes: Fig leaves, Basil, Petitgrain,
Middle Notes: Orange blossom absolute, Neroli,
Base Notes: Benzoin, Vetiver, Virginian Cedarwood
Outside of their custom blends, EPC serves classic scents like the Fig Neroli - a refreshing and sophisticated Eau de Parfum that evokes the tranquility and vibrancy of a Mediterranean garden. This fragrance is characterized by its crisp, green, and fresh profile, offering a harmonious blend of fig leaves, neroli, and orange blossom absolute. The scent captures the essence of a lush garden in full bloom, with the green, earthy tones of fig leaves and basil contrasting beautifully with the bright and radiant notes of neroli and petitgrain.
Available at Experimental Perfume Club from £28.
