Summer Scents

3 min read

Summer Scents are big business in the perfume industry. A lot of big names release variations on best-sellers, or have their very own ‘holiday’ ranges. I always struggle with the idea of changing my perfume in summer. I like what I wear, so why change it? But, sometimes, a change is as good as a rest, as my mum loves to say, and when there are simple summer scents out there to try, why not?

I’ve been dousing myself in the absolutely summer-tastic Aqua Citra for the last week. I can’t get enough of it’s lemony-fresh smell. I can’t praise this highly enough. Aqua Manda (orange-based) and Aqua Citra (lemon) are reincarnations of the classic 1960s/70s fragrances. I blogged about the brand a few years back when they first relaunched.

Summer Scents Aqua Citra

Being a vintage fan, I think I adore the packaging on these as much as the scent. The Aqua Citra has a soft, spicy accord, with the citrus burst as you spray, a green floral heart, and then a woody, musky, dry down. It is summer in a bottle. it comes in this cute little 30ml handbag/luggage size for summer (£27.50, aquamanda.com).

Lemon fresh Aqua Citra

Another really fresh, lovely summer scent is an EDT from Marks and Spencer – and it’s only £16 for a whopping 95ml! Island Escape, in lovely packaging, is very very pretty, even if it does fade quite quickly. Top notes of bergamot and pear combine with sea salt and rose petal accords, and then there’s driftwood and musk on the drydown. I love the top notes so much, that I keep refreshing. That 95ml will not last long! But at this price you can afford to literally splash out! It also comes in a 25ml, for £8.50, both exclusively at M&S.

Island Escape Marks and Spencer summer fragrance

Lily of the Valley is a much-misunderstood scent, I think. Reminiscent to so many of old ladies, it is actually a delightfully fresh summer fragrance. Heathcote & Ivory’s Lily of the Valley EDT (£9) comes in a lovely glass bottle, and smells beautiful. I also really love the design of the packaging. It opens with warm, soft notes of citrus and rosebud, has creamy white tuberose, jasmine and lily of the valley at the heart, and a subtle hint of sandalwood and iris for a happy dry down. Give it another go! Available from heathcote-ivory.com and independent stockists.

Heathcote & Ivory Lily of the Valley

 

Finally, from Jo Malone London, Black Cedarwood & Juniper, which isn’t exactly what I would call a summer scent, but perhaps it reminds me of some aspects of a British summer? Jo Malone London reckon is evokes thoughts of midnight rain, and it is a very dark, seductive scent, thanks to that base of cedarwood. The top note is cumin, which is unusual, and the heart is juniper.

Jo Malone Black Cedarwood and Juniper Cologne

It’s not like anything else I have ever smelled. It isn’t for the faint-hearted, but, if like me, you do love a bit of a masculine fragrance, give it a try. Of course, you can layer it with Lime, Basil & Mandarin for a fresh woody fragrance, or combine with Wood Sage & Sea Salt for something more aromatic.

It’s Jo Malone London’s big summer launch, out June. £86 for 100ml, £42 for 30ml, jomalone.co.uk, or stores and counters nationwide