The best summer fragrances are those that transport you to far-flung climes, even if you are only planning to staycation this year.
Here’s the CF edit of 12 dazzling scents – go forth and spritz happy.
An ethereal, light scent bringing the freshness of basil to the fore, coupled with the shimmering zest of Calabrian bergamot, and a dash of geranium. Patchouli and spices add a fleeting depth. Aesthetes will be pleased with the clean, green bottle to sit pride of place on dressing tables.
Miss Dior is the epitome of elegant floral fragrances. Now there is a new way to wear the soft, feminine bouquet – it's been formulated into a hydrating hair oil. Laden with rose wax, this featherlight oil will leave hair glossy and strengthened, dispensing an uplifting scent of roses, peony, iris, and lily of the valley with every hair swish.
Chanel's Gabrielle Essence is a voluptuous floral; blooming with intense jasmine, fruity ylang-ylang, vibrant orange blossom, and heady tuberose. Now you can take the decadent scent with you on-the-go, in it's new travel-friendly format. The gold twist and spray dispenser can easily (and chicly) slip into hand luggage and handbags wherever your summer takes you.
Louis Vuitton has bottled the magic of balmy summer nights in this sultry new fragrance – an ode to the nocturnal allure of nightime LA. A cocophony of juicy citrus notes: lemon, blood orange, red mandarin, and bergamot, is punctuated by the warmth of tiaré flower and monoi, and grounded by creamy sandalwood for ultimate sensuality. Utterly hypnotic.
Part of Byredo's Night Veils: head-turning after-dark scents, Vanille Antique is a potent fragrance to layer atop sunwarmed skin . Like all Byredo fragrances, it lingers long on necks and wrists, leaving a trail of admirers in your path. The strong vanilla base is made unexpectedly wearable, softened by cashmere and warming amber, and cossetted in musk making it dark yet sweet in equal measure.
As entranching as the blue isle itself, this complex scent conjours a mood of playfulness. The fragrance is a riot; blooming with orange floral absolute and jasmine sambac, spiked with the freshness of mandarin and spicy black pepper, whilst sweet coconut and vanilla add a gourmand quality. The rainbow-hued bottle further sparks joy, perfect for gloomier days.
A new addition to the 'For Her' family, this is Narciso Rodriguez's most sensual scent yet. A citrus take on a romantic floral fragrance, it opens with Italian bergamot and a sprinkling of pink pepper, whilst musk and suede lend it second skin wearability. A sugar rush of plum and vanilla adds a dash of welcome sweetness too.
Part of the Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo range, this scent captures the vivid atmosphere of the ancient island of Panarea. Notes of basil, lemon, jasmine, rose, and amber make for an aromatic and refreshing scent. The bottle has been given an aesthetic revamp, thanks to a collaboration with Italian fashion brand Forte_Forte. This chic mint green vessel is ornately adorned with butterflies, dragonflies, and a beach-chic charm, which can double as a holiday-ready bracelet.
The master noses at Tom Ford have somehow captured the scent of suncream on skin in this seductive scent, inspired by hedonistic summers spent luxuriating on far-flung private islands. Think honeyed notes of amber, creamy coconut, and mysterious ylang-ylang, and you're on the right track. Dreamy.
Rosé all day, is the mantra of Veronique Gabai in this sparkling new scent, inspired by endless summer days spent on the sunny Cote D'Azur, glass of wine in hand. A floral medley of magnolia, freesia, rose, and jasmin sambac is grounded in cedarwood and musk for a bright fragrance that lasts long into the night.
Who said summer scents had to be zesty? Rich and unapologetically sensual, this scent is like a humid summer evening (bottled). Fans of jammy fig scents will be instantly entranced. There's a tropical creaminess to it too – thanks to tonka and coconut – which feels like sipping a sundowner on a Thai beach.
A lush green take on a classic floral fragrance, this feels like being submerged in an enchanting Italian garden. It combines sweet neroli, verdant vetiver, sunny basil, and more than a fleeting whiff of fresh fig.
Image credit: Louis Vuitton
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