Beauty

The 15 Best Summer Fragrances, Handpicked by Our Editors

9 Mins read16

Although I don’t particularly enjoy summer, I do look forward to changing up my cosmetic regimen to fit the season. In particular, my rotation of fragrances. Summertime perfume selection is a science. On extremely humid days, you don’t want a fragrance that is too strong to overpower you as you overheat, but you also don’t want one that is so faint that it blends in with the lingering smell of perspiring bodies, including your own.

Fortunately for you, I’ve compiled a list of the top scents for warmer weather, each of which has been approved and suggested by one of our editors or myself. These are the top 15 summer perfumes for women, ranging from fresh florals and tropical fruits to scents that are perfect for a vacation.

How I Chose the Best Summer Perfumes

I asked our editors what their go-to warm weather fragrances were in order to select the best summertime scents—the fruitier, the beachier, the better. I also looked through my own extensive collection of fragrances, noting what I’m currently loving and spraying on those long summer days. Another important aspect of my vetting process was paying attention to scent notes and concentration. I searched for notes that were light and fresh, like sandalwood or citrusy scents like bergamot. Even though eau de parfums, one of the strongest fragrance concentrations, make up the majority of the selections on this list, each one is still a delicate and cool choice to wear this season with good longevity.

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1. Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue

Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue is, in my opinion, the most famous citrus scent. Launched in 2001, Light Blue was the brand’s very first scent, and it’s been garnering women from all over the world compliments ever since. This Amalfi Coast-in-a-bottle eau de toilette, which has notes of apple, Sicilian lemon, and cedarwood, was just approved by Beauty and Cultures Editor Chelsea Candelario:I had to purchase a bottle of the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue for myself because I’ve been hearing so much about it, and the reports are accurate. It’s akin to summertime turned into an upscale fragrance. It has fresh, lingering fruity and floral notes that make me want to take a plane to the Mediterranean, she says. You can read Candelario’s detailed analysis of the well-liked scent here, along with some helpful layering advice.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: Sicilian lemon
Middle Notes: granny smith apple
Base Notes: cedarwood
Fragrance Family: citrus
Sizes: 0.33 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.3 oz, 5 oz (refill), 6.7 oz

2. Sol de Janeiro SOL Cheirosa ‘62

Those who adore Sol de Janiero’s Bum Bum cream and mist as much as we do will adore this potent eau de parfum, which doesn’t need an introduction. Right now, the yellow-gold, disco ball-capped bottle is gleaming on my vanity, and its scent and appearance make it a worthwhile purchase. However, I will add that this is the place to go if you want to upgrade from the mist to something with more durable power. The same notes of pistachio, salted caramel, golden sandalwood, and warm vanilla are present in this delicious gourmand designed to evoke the sense of summer.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: pistachio, almond
Middle Notes: heliotrope, jasmine petals
Base Notes: vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood
Fragrance Family: gourmand
Sizes: 0.27 oz, 1.7 oz

3. Glossier You Fleur

This is the most unexpected perfume I’ve ever tried. The point of this perfume is that, despite my distaste for floral scents, I can’t stop spraying it. Perhaps not for the devoted flower lover, this is a novel spin on a floral fragrance. My favorite scent to spritz on every day right now is Glossier’s You Fleur, which is fruity yet floral and salty yet sweet. Despite its numerous floral notes, like as ylang-ylang and osmanthus, it never feels overly harsh on my skin or clothing. A hint of sweetness is added by the apricot peel, and it is optimally softened by the cashmeran. To be honest, I believe it to be the ideal summer fragrance.

Fast Facts

Key Notes: ylang-ylang, apricot skin, ambrox, osmanthus, mineral salt accord, cashmeran
Fragrance Family: floral
Sizes: o.27 oz, 1.7 oz

4. Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Parfum

Marissa Wu, an SEO editor and resident rose perfume connoisseur, has been wearing Diptyque’s Eau Rose as her characteristic scent for years. I knew it was the one the moment I smelled Eau Rose. The top note is quite green, and the artichoke notes come through. It’s a fresh, bright floral with a hint of sweetness. Wu describes Eau Rose as a “infusion of the loveliest roses,” stating that it is light, green, and fresh.has strong durability as well. “The latter is recognized for its green, honeyed notes, whereas the former has a citrus profile,” she adds. The perfume becomes more of a sweet lychee aroma as the day goes on. Wu listed the top scents from the French perfume company here, adding that the brand’s woody Tam Dao, musky Fleur de Peau, and fig-derived Philosykos are all excellent choices for the summer.

Fast Facts

Key Notes: roses damascena & centifolia, chamomille, litchi, artichoke
Fragrance Family: floral
Sizes: 2.5 oz

5. Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc

Senior Editor Dana Dickey slacks, “I’m completely enamored with the new Tom Ford Eau de Soleil Blanc, which smells like the tropical island vacation I’m not taking this summer.” She comments that the eau de toilette is pleasant and mild, which she appreciates because she dislikes strong scents in hot weather. The coconut scent, which I typically find overbearing, is what makes this one smell like the beach, Dickey continues. It’s well balanced with a hint of spice, floral notes, bergamot, and bitter orange. It’s so soothing and sexy.

Fast Facts

Key Notes: vert de bergamot, orange bitter, petitgrain bigarade, ylang-ylang, pistachio accord, coco de mer accord
Fragrance Family: fresh
Sizes: 0.33 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

6. Vacation’ by Vacation

given the name suggests, this perfume is the ideal scent to pack in your suitcase (or carry-on, given it is less than 3.4 ounces) for your summer vacation. For people who enjoy using sunscreen all year round, this choice is perfect, especially the traditional Vacation SPF. As a fan, Candelario recommends Vacation and After Sun as the best summer scents.You will be taken to a sandy beach whether you choose “Vacation” or “After Sun.” Expect fruity overtones (like pineapple and coconut) and yes, a faint trace of pool water, as it smells exactly like their sunscreen. This one, together with the SPF 50, should not be left in your beach bag.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: coconut water, coconut milk, petitgrain essence
Middle Notes: bergamot, solar musk, banana, pineapple
Base Notes: pool water, swimsuit lycra, sea salt
Fragrance Family: fresh
Sizes: 1 oz

7. Parfums de Marly Valaya

Despite its expensive price tag, Candelario and Wu highly endorse Parfums de Marly’s best-selling Valaya. “Valaya by Parfum de Marly is excellent. This floral-musky combination is a great option if you want to spend more money. In addition to white flowers, musk, vanilla, and vetiver, it also contains notes of bergamot, mandarin, and sweet white peach. In addition, the bottle looks gorgeous on my vanity, Candelario remarks.

Wu recently tested this musky scent alongside the brand’s other well-liked scent, Delina. “What I like best about Valaya is that it’s not too sweet,” she writes. The sweet notes, which come from the white peach, are naturally fruity and blend wonderfully with the white florals and musks.All in all, it’s a sophisticated fragrance that I wish to wear when I dress in all-white summer attire for evenings at the theater and sunset cocktail hours. Out of the two, Valaya was her personal favorite. She spoke highly of its durability and even claimed that it performed better than her go-to Eau Rose. “In particular, Valaya lasted an amazing 14 hours, including a lingering on my skin after I had taken a shower.” Let’s talk about staying power.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: bergamot, mandarin, white peach
Middle Notes: orange flower, nympheal, vetiver
Base Notes: akigalawood, ambrofix, musk
Fragrance Family: fresh
Sizes: 1 oz, 2.5 oz

8. Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita

This summer is guava season, and not just at the farmer’s market, in case you hadn’t heard. Recent trends in beauty and fashion have been dominated by the pink tropical fruit. I haven’t added any bright pink to my clothing, but I have acquired some cosmetic products, such as this bottle of fruity-floral bliss from Ellis Brooklyn. It has a subtle fruity scent (with a hint of those florals, like waterlily and mango blossom), but it’s surprisingly not overpowering. It contains guava, vanilla, and banana overtones. Before spritzing it on, I’ll add a small amount of Fenty Skin’s Butta Drop cream in “Guava Get Away” if I want the guava note to be the most noticeable. I think the combination is ideal.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: guava juice, banana, bergamot, tropical waterlily
Middle Notes: cavaillon melon, coconut palm, mango blossom
Base Notes: vanilla, sandalwood, almond milk
Fragrance Family: fruity
Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1.7 oz

9. Bath & Body Works Off the Vine

This summer’s most popular smell note? tomatoes. Although there is still disagreement among our crew regarding fragrances derived from the garden fruit, Candelario was pleasantly delighted by Bath & Body Works’ Off the Vine line. “With notes of heirloom tomato, geranium, and moss, it makes me think of playing in a garden.” I believe you’ve found your match if you prefer scent profiles that are earthy, green, and herbaceous.

Fast Facts

Key Notes: heirloom tomato, garden geranium, Mediterranean moss
Fragrance Family: earthy
Sizes: 1.7 oz

10. Brown Girl Jane Carnivale

My heart yearns for a vacation in the Caribbean during carnival season, but until then, I’ll just mist myself with this fruity fragrance from Brown Girl Jane to get my fix. Inspired by Trinidad’s lively carnival celebration, Carnivale is a creamy coupling of Caribbean mango, whipped musk and vanilla, making it a delicious pick up for the season. I discovered this one last May and wore it every day until the start of September—no exaggeration.It isn’t as tooth-achingly sweet as you may assume. When the juices run down your chin and into your clean shirt, it smells to me like biting into a juicy, soft mango on a hot summer day. Which is how I spend my summer days anyway, if you don’t mind. There aren’t many mango scents available, which saddens me, but this one gives the colorful fruit justice.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: Caribbean mango, jasmine, nectar
Middle Notes: amber, ginger, whipped musks
Base Notes: golden pimento, creamy sandalwood, vanilla
Fragrance Family: fruity
Sizes: 0.34 oz, 1.7 oz

11. By/Rosie Jane Missy

It isn’t as tooth-achingly sweet as you may assume. When the juices run down your chin and into your clean shirt, it smells to me like biting into a juicy, soft mango on a hot summer day. Which is how I spend my summer days anyway, if you don’t mind. There aren’t many mango scents available, which saddens me, but this one gives the colorful fruit justice.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: ocean mist, green mandarin, pineapple
Middle Notes: orange blossom, frangipani petals
Base Notes: toasted coconut, whipped musk, sandalwood
Fragrance Family: fresh
Sizes: 0.33 oz, 1.7 oz

12. Juliette Has a Gun Miami Shake

Are you still looking for a gourmet that fits along with the summer? One of our team members’ favorite desserts is Juliette Has a Gun, so you need look no farther. According to Madeline Merinuk, assistant editor of branded content, “it’s the ideal combination of gourmand sweetness yet still light.” It smells like a strawberry shake and truly lives up to the name, but it’s not overpowering or overly artificial. For vanilla girls who desire something a bit more sophisticated, this is the ideal graduation.Its smell notes—wild strawberry, whipped cream, vanilla, and creamy musk—are not overly sweet or overpowering. I’ve also smelled this one and can confirm that it has a subtle sweetness that nevertheless catches your eye. You can thank us later if you give it a try.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: wild strawberry
Middle Notes: whipped cream, ice cream cone, orange blossom
Base Notes: vanilla absolute, creamy musk
Fragrance Family: gourmand
Sizes: 0.25 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz

13. Kilian Paris Princess Eau Fraiche

Kilian Paris offers a variety of high-end scents that are adored by many, including celebrities, ranging from Beyoncé’s warm and spicy signature aroma to Rihanna’s seductively sweet mainstay. However, their range of redesigned Eau Fraiches designed for warmer seasons is, in my opinion, their most underappreciated offering. I happened upon Princess Eau Fraiche two summers ago when perusing Sephora’s latest offerings as I usually do. To be honest, I thought I had won the lottery of summer fragrances.

With multiple empty bottles to prove it, the original Princess—a dreamy concoction of green tea, marshmallow, and ginger—has been my favorite for years. It smells like an edible cloud. You wouldn’t want to wear that in 90 degree temperatures, though. But Princess Perfume Fraiche isn’t all that dissimilar from the skin-improving fragrances that have been popular lately. The ginger note is replaced with a lemon-tinged bergamot, which makes it fresh and light instead of sweet and spicy, yet it still has that subtle sweetness like the original. To be honest, it smells nearly like perspiration, but in a positive way (if there is one). Believe me, this one is deserving of all the accolades and more.

Fast Facts

Key Notes: bergamot, green tea, marshmallow
Fragrance Family: gourmand
Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz (refill)

14. Noteworthy n,290 Crescendo

Among Noteworthy’s many summer-appropriate fragrances, LaBarbera’s personal favorite is Crescendo, which she wears all year round. It’s really different and doesn’t feel fake at all, which is something I find annoying about many perfumes. Although it has a hint of floweriness, the sandalwood is also very noticeable. Wearing Crescendo on even the hottest summer days will have you praising its elegance and freshness. It is citrusy, floral, and woodsy.

Fast Facts

Top Notes: bergamot oil, mandarin oil
Middle Notes: pear blossom, peony, jasmine sambac
Base Notes: sandalwood oil, vanilla
Fragrance Family: floral
Sizes: 0.27 oz, 0.54 oz, 3.30 oz

15. Glasshouse Fragrances Flower Therapy

This thin flowery eau de perfume by Glasshouse Fragrances is bright, fresh, and reminds me of playing in a field of poppies. Wu says, “It’s very bright and has that lazy summer scent of flowers in the heat.” Customers who expressed satisfaction also praised the fragrance’s longevity, saying it doesn’t get overly sweet or powerful even after hours of exposure to the summer heat. Throughout the summer, you will want to spritz the cheerful floral perfume, which has notes of hydrangea, wild poppy, blackberry, and fig.