With summer kicking into full gear, now is the time for a wardrobe refresh. Your fragrance wardrobe, that is. To usher in the warmer weather, we have been swapping out our cozy vanilla perfumes and moody oud scents for something a little more vibrant and airy.
There are plenty of new summer fragrances claiming to have captured sunshine in a bottle; think refreshing bursts of citrus, breezy white florals, coconutty sunscreen and hints of ocean air. A single spritz of the right perfume can recover happy memories of summers past: Olfactory recognition is a very powerful part of our brains and research has shown that sense of smell is closely linked to memory. Even if you're staying close to home this summer, the right scent can make you feel like you’re jetting off to the Mediterranean (gelato dripping down your hands is optional).
Ahead, we’ve sniffed our way through the latest trending perfumes and beloved classics to bring you a selection of summer scents that are as carefree and joyful as a ray of sunshine.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Coconut Breeze Eau de Toilette
“One gripe I have about summery scents is that they are often eaux de toilette, which leave something to be desired in terms of staying power. This new variation of Elizabeth Arden’s popular green tea scent proved me wrong. I apply this to my wrists at the beginning of the day and can still smell it by the time I go to bed. The whiffs of salty coconut really pack a punch — it reminds me of the raw coconut juice you get served at beach resorts — and equally powerful notes of green tea and bergamot add a bit of elegance to the mix. I like how the scent transforms into something a bit more sensual later in the day, thanks to the white amber and musk base notes. This is a classic scent for a tropical holiday. I do think the bottle design looks a bit juvenile (it reminds me of the body mists I used as a teenager) but with a price tag of $49, this is a total winner.” — Venus Wong, senior writer
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Coconut Breeze Eau de Toilette, $, available at Elizabeth Arden
Jo Malone x Paddington Orange Marmalade Cologne
“If you happen to love citrusy perfumes — or a certain red fedora-wearing bear named Paddington — this launch should be at the top of your fragrance wish list. The limited edition cologne, a collab between Jo Malone and the iconic children’s book character, is meant to smell like orange marmalade (aka Paddington’s all-time favorite food). You might be expecting a syrupy, gourmand scent but the end result is surprisingly refreshing and zesty. The tangy notes of orange peel and bitter orange are super invigorating but I’m more of a fan of how it dries down to a calming woodsy scent, which fittingly reminds me of a cuddly teddy bear. For the price — $85 for 30ml — I do wish it had a bit more longevity, though.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Jo Malone Paddington Orange Marmalade Cologne, $, available at Jo Malone
Maya Njie Tropica Eau de Parfum
“This tantalizingly fruity and topical fragrance will transport you right to the beach where the party never stops. You get sweet and juicy notes of pineapple and coconut, which complement the green floral elements of fig and the creamy milkiness of sandalwood. This fragrance feels like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer’s day and a mood-lifter when you feel low, and is quite long-lasting. Anyone who enjoys tropical scents should consider this a must-have.” — Eudora Nwasike, certified fragrance specialist by the Fragrance Foundation
Maya Njie Tropica Eau de Parfum, $, available at Liberty
Amouage Guidance 46 Eau de Parfum
“The latest addition to Amouage’s Guidance collection is my current obsession and has made its way into my top five favorite releases in 2024. It’s an alluring and luminous, floral-woody fragrance that has a beautiful contrast of fresh, nutty and milky facets. The overall composition of the fragrance embodies fragility, softness, complexity and richness. It contains a concentration of 46% perfume oils (extrait de parfum) and it lasted for 12+ hours on my skin. The simplicity and lightness of this masterpiece makes it the perfect summer fragrance that can be worn during the day or at night, when you are in a fancy attire or dressed casually. Don’t be surprised if you’re the center of attention wherever you go because the compliments just won’t stop coming.” — Eudora Nwasike, certified fragrance specialist by the Fragrance Foundation
Amouage Guidance 46 Exceptional Eau de Parfum, $, available at Nordstrom
Creed Queen of Silk Eau de Parfum
“If you’re a bit fatigued by the coconut and citrus scents that seem to dominate the warmer months, Queen of Silk is calling your name. The perfume feels appropriate for a sexy night out, with a heady blend of vanilla, myrrh musk, cedarwood and incense that announces your entrance into a room. More delicate floral notes, including osmanthus, tuberose and magnolia, move it to sultry territory. I love how all-encompassing the floral and creamy notes are. The name is incredibly apt, since wearing this feels like sliding on a silky slip dress. It’s by far the longest lasting fragrance I’ve ever tried: Not only does it linger on your skin all day, I can still smell it weeks later on the collar of my jacket.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Creed Queen of Silk Eau de Parfum, $, available at Nordstrom
Kayali Vacay In A Bottle Miniature Set
“When Mona Kattan, the founder of Kayali, introduced me to her Vacay in a Bottle collection in May, the excitement in the room was palpable — and that’s because it’s the brand’s dreamiest launch yet. The set comprises four mini perfumes, each inspired by popular holiday destinations. There’s Capri (with notes of lemon, sugar and vanilla), Marrakesh (orange blossom, neroli and bergamot), Maui (banana, coconut and jasmine) and Maldives (lemon, ylang-ylang and coconut milk).
"The latter is probably my favourite summer perfume ever — no, really — thanks to the creamy coconut that smells a lot like suncream and the addition of banana blossom, which evokes tropical vibes. It’s warm, sexy and moreish. I get compliments whenever I wear it.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director
Kayali Vacay In A Bottle Miniature Set, $, available at Sephora
Beauty Pie Element 79 Eau De Parfum
“Beauty Pie calls this perfume ‘liquid gold in a bottle’ and I can’t think of a better way to sum it up. I smile whenever I catch whiffs of the orange blossom, amber and sandalwood, topped with effervescent notes of peach. This is such a happy and nostalgic scent; it makes me think of visiting my grandmother during summer break as a little girl, when I killed time by watching TV and helping her slice up juicy peaches that were in season. I feel so warm and fuzzy inside whenever I wear this scent, and the projection (how much a perfume travels into the air when you spray it on your body) is incredible. My partner can smell it all the way across the room when I spray this. It's a wonderful late-summer scent and the $80 price tag offers great value for money for a perfume of this calibre.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Beauty Pie Element 79 Eau De Parfum, $, available at Beauty Pie
Chanel No. 5 L’Eau Limited Edition Eau de Parfum
“This isn’t a new perfume — Chanel No. 5 L’Eau has been around since 2016 — but it’s the first time a Chanel No. 5 scent is available in a limited-edition bottle that’s perfect for slipping into your beach bag. If you haven’t smelled L’Eau before, it’s nothing like the OG Chanel No. 5, which can be a tad too overpowering and mature for some people. No. 5 L’Eau feels like the outgoing younger sister of No. 5: a much fresher, cleaner scent that dries down to a powdery floral. As the initial flashes of mandarin and lemon fade, the subtle whiffs of jasmine, rose and vetiver will keep you smelling your wrists on repeat. A few hours later you’re left with a warm base of cedar and cotton musk. The pill-shaped oval glass bottle is meant to resemble a droplet of perfume; it’s the kind of smart, minimalist design that makes this a beauty collector’s item.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Chanel No. 5 L’Eau Limited Edition Eau de Parfum, $, available at Chanel
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Nuit Eau de Parfum
“When I’ve asked beauty editors for their ultimate holiday perfume in the past, so many have championed Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess. It has all the elements of a perfect summer scent: fresh and citrusy lemon, creamy coconut milk, warm vanilla and jasmine and a dash of juicy orange and mandarin. Think about the best beach holiday you’ve ever been on — sun-drenched days and balmy nights — and bottle it. Though it’s less expensive than other perfume brands, the staying power is excellent.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director
Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Nuit Eau de Parfum, $, available at Ulta
Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette
“Diptyque’s Do Son is a classic perfume I’ve been using for the last seven or eight summers. The heady blend of tuberose and orange blossom reminds me of previous vacations in Southeast Asia so I’m very happy to find a lighter, fresher younger sister in Ilio, the brand’s newest release. ‘Ilio’ is Greek for ‘sun’ and fittingly, the eau de toilette evokes Mediterranean sunshine, with an effervescent mix of prickly pear, bergamot and jasmine.
"The freshness of the pear and bergamot really jumps out after you let the powdery scent sink into your skin for a few minutes. A whiff of this scent transports me back to my mini-moon in the Algarve last year, when the only thing on the agenda was to do laps around the pool, dry off with the latest edition of Vanity Fair and finish my mango daiquiri. I also adore the cheeky bottle design, covered in vibrant illustrations by French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet. Simply put, this is what European summer smells like.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette, $, available at Diptyque
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 59 Fragrance Mist
“Picture the scene: It’s 6pm and you’ve been at the beach all day. Now you’re sitting on your hotel balcony, catching whiffs of the orange blossom tree below, a packet of Lays crisps and a Fanta Limón in hand. You can smell sea salt, hints of tropical aftersun and the rich lather of shower gel as everyone is getting ready for dinner. This is that incredible feeling in a bottle.
"The amber note lends a warm, musky, skin-like quality, while vanilla orchid and sugared violet give it a syrupy floral hit that is moreish rather than sickly. The addition of creamy sandalwood and fresh green vetiver grass balance the sweet notes perfectly. Usually, body mists disappear after a few hours but not this one. The staying power is excellent.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Deputy Beauty Director
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 59 Fragrance Mist, $, available at Sephora UK
NOYZ Sh**ty Day Eau De Parfum
“I know, I know: a perfume with a name like this probably sounds like the opposite of a good time. But NOYZ, a buzzy new brand from Shaun Neff, promises an instant mood-lifter in this shattered-effect glass bottle. I don’t know how else to describe this scent but it literally smells like ditching your phone and going outside to touch grass. Just a whiff of the eucalyptus top note opens up my lungs to take deeper breaths and the combination of clary sage and figs reminds me of an overgrown summer meadow. There’s also a hint of saltiness, which brings to mind fun seaside walks. This is by far the airiest woodsy perfume I’ve ever smelled, and definitely does what it says on the tin: takes your mind off the negatives and encourages you to enjoy the outdoors.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer Shop Ulta
Noyz Sh**ty Day Eau De Parfum, $, available at Ulta
Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia Eau de Toilette
“I normally like my perfumes sickly sweet. In the summer, I want to smell like a combination of Malibu rum and Hawaiian Tropic, which made me nervous to try a more mature (and expensive) scent like this one from Acqua Di Parma. I was happy to discover the fragrance’s immediate zesty notes on first whiff, one spritz evoking images of lying by a pool in the Italian countryside with a citrus orchard nearby. While the Mediterranean blue bottle might fool you into expecting an ocean-inspired, salty scent, the truth is much brighter, with Sicilian green mandarin, lemon and red orange mixing with bergamot and star anise to create a punchy, citrusy hit. The scent then softens thanks to ylang ylang (a personal favorite due to its fruity sweetness) and creamy green almond.
"Overall, this fragrance sits somewhere between an aftershave and a parfum thanks to the inclusion of cedarwood and musk, mixing masculine and feminine notes to create a truly androgynous scent. Plus the bottle feels like it would belong to someone who uses extraordinarily expensive olive oil, so that’s a big plus.” — Alicia Lansom, Associate Editor
Acqua Di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia Eau de Toilette, $, available at Blue Mercury
Charlotte Tilbury Joyphoria
“I always scan fragrance review sites to see what fragrance collectors think of new launches and I'm not surprised that of all the new Charlotte Tilbury perfumes, this is the scent people seem to be loving the most. It's designed for this time of year, as we head into high summer: It's fresh, floral, has a dash of coconut (nothing too overpowering though) and a base of vanilla. Upon spritzing it, I felt warm and drenched in sunshine, which was quite a feat, considering it was a drab and rainy day and my mood was a little down. There's a subtle beachiness to this scent, without smelling like sunscreen and piña coladas. The finish is noticeable but not dramatic.
“I tend to wear perfumes with a decent throw but in the summer months I tone it down to something softer, as my go-tos can feel cloying in the heat. This gets the balance just right and it has everything I need for an ideal summer scent. The rose gold packaging with a sun motif adds a cheery touch, too.” — Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Charlotte Tilbury Joyphoria, $, available at Sephora
Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar Eau de Parfum
"I called Miami Nectar the 'scent of the summer' in my review back when it launched in April, and I still stand by it. The scent combines several notes that perfectly encapsulates Miami's tropical and electric vibe — lily of the valley, jasmine, plumeria — harmonized with sultry notes of amber and salted wood. The warm and fruity scent is topped off with notes of coconut water and pink pineapple. It's all the parts you love about a beach vacation, distilled into a turquoise bottle.
"The nostalgia factor of this scent hit me hard, in the best way possible. To me, this smells like a grown-up version of my Victoria’s Secret PINK body mist. I don’t typically like to layer my fragrances, but this one paired beautifully with another summer favorite of mine, Valentino’s Born In Roma Coral Fantasy. Layering scents help with prolonging the wear time, but even worn on its own, Miami Nectar lingered on my skin for hours." — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar Eau de Parfum, $, available at Ellis Brooklyn
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