My Four Favorite Summer Fragrances

A lot of people view fragrance as an after thought. But not me. And today, we’re going to talk about a few of my favorite summer fragrances.

I think fragrance actually serves as an accessory to a look, a finishing touch. Scent, though unseen, can change the entire feeling and vibe of your outfit, look, and experience. For example, a basic black T and jean combo. It’s a classic, and when paired with a classic fragrance, like my all time favorite from Chloe*, it feels just like that — classic and sophisticated. But when paired with light and citrusy fragrance, it can transform into something a little more flirty and energized. Likewise, when topped with something musky and warm, it can ease you into a sexy mentality. And this is because of the psychology of scent.

I could write an entire post on the psychology of scent and another on how it’s used in marketing, but I’ll save that for another time. Let’s jump into my favorite summer fragrances of the moment.

The Fragrances I Typically Gravitate Toward

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Generally speaking, I gravitate in one of two directions. I’ll reach for something heavy, musky, or warm. One of my favorites of all time is the REPLICA By the Fireplace* from Maison Margiela. It’s cozy and makes me feel it. The other direction I go is a little lighter and falls into a floral variety, but in a very sophisticated, delicate way. My favorite here is the original Chole perfume*.

But I like to wear whatever I think smells good and right in the moment. I do, however, tend to switch out my fragrance rotation per season. Fruity and floral in the spring/summer. Heavy and earthy in the fall. And warm and crisp in the winter.

Here are the 4 fragrances I’ve been reaching for all summer long this year:

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Jo Malone Nashi Blossom*

I’m a huge fan of Jo Malone fragrances and have owned many of them. The Nashi Blossom* cologne is a little different that what I typically go for, though. It’s part of their limited edition summer collection inspired by Hawaiian florals. And it’s described as: “pristine white blossoms signal soon-to-become succulent nashi fruit. This radiant scent is bright with mouth-watering lemon complemented by a crisp bite of apple. Rose adds a sumptuous texture to the floral heart, cushioned with white musk for a playful, efflorescent fragrance.”

And that’s exactly how I’d describe the sensory experience. It’s light, but it’s fresh and playful. It makes me feel energetic and flirty while retaining an air of sophistication.

And the bottle is gorgeous on my dresser. It’s housed in a cylindrical bottle with a rich green cap, nozzle, and pipette. It looks modern and fresh, and I love spraying it in the mornings.

• Fragrance Family: Floral
• Scent Type: Fruity Floral
• Key Notes: Lemon, Nashi Blossom, White Musk

Jo Malone Nashi Blossom Cologne*, $144, sephora.com

Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle*

I received this as a free sample with a SEPHORA order, and after using it a few times, immediately purchased the full size. It’s another fruity floral fragrance, but this one seems a little more citrusy and energetic than the last.

It’s described as the following: “Take your sensory vacation to the sunny Mediterranean with this fresh, floral, citrus perfume, which features notes of grapefruit, honeysuckle, and gardenia. Be transported to a dreamy location where the sun, sea, citrus trees, and August heat fill your heart and make you smile with delight.”

Again, the description is right on the money for me. It feels cheery and relaxed, like I’m walking along a Mediterranean beach town, with a breeze in your hair and the sun’s heat on your cheeks.

The bottle on this one is also beautiful with a rectangular prism, crisp label, and aqua stone cap reminiscent of the Mediterranean oceans and gold accents.

• Fragrance Family: Florals
• Scent Type: Fruity Florals
• Key Notes: Italian Bergamot, Honeysuckle, Grapefruit

Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle*, $135, sephora.com

Dossier Floral Rose

Dossier is one of those brands I wouldn’t stop seeing in Instagram ads, and I finally gave it a try. The ethos of the brand is that they recreate cult fragrances for a fraction of the price. And when I saw they had a fragrance inspired by the Le Labo Rose 31* scent, I wanted to give it a try. I’ve been eyeing that Rose scent from Le Labo, but it is so pricey. I wanted to know if I’d relatively even like the fragrance before I bit the bullet and spend the upwards of $200 on a bottle.

Dossier’s version “capitalizes on the rich scent of the beloved queen amongst flowers: Rose Centifolia. Boasting a soft floral finish and rich femininity, Floral Rose is paired with smoky cumin, mystical incense, unexpected ciste, and a warm amber. Together, these additions result in the unveiling of the dark side of Rose Centifolia, not unlike highlighting the unlit face of the moon.”

Doesn’t that sound so enticing? This is the one I reach for in the evenings, when I want to feel a little darker and sexier. And I notice this one changes as it wears, not in a bad way. But you definitely smell all of the different notes throughout the day.

I also really like the simplistic bottle design of the Dossier fragrances. They’re small, cylindrical, and simple with sleek labels and silver accents.

• Fragrance Family: Florals
• Scent Type: Floral Woody Musk
• Key Notes: Rose Centifolia, Incense, Amber

Dossier Floral Rose, $39, dossier.com

Maison Margiela REPLICA Bubble Bath*

I talk about Maison Margiela and the REPLICA fragrance line frequently, and it’s because I love so many of their scent options. And just as I’m an advocate of scent being used as a mood boost/sensory experience, I’m also an advocate of not forgoing fragrance at night. Many of us don’t leave the house in the morning without a spritz of our signature scent, but I’m just as religious to my nighttime routine.

Lately, I’ve been reaching for the REPLICA Bubble Bath* scent as part of my nighttime routine. After my evening bath, I will apply my skincare and a few spritzes of this scent. Inspired by the warmth and relaxation that comes with a hot bath, “the soft scent of soap, and fresh florals fills the air as memories of plunging into hot water overflowing with luxurious bubbles is evoked in a timeless unisex fragrance.” It’s described as a “fresh floral perfume contain[ing] aromatic soap bubble accord accented by the soft floral scents of rose superessence, jasmine, and lavender. The clean, fresh scent gives way to a grounding musk perfume, and subtle coconut is revealed, melting into the skin with a delicate creaminess.”

And, again, that’s exactly what this does for me. It sends me right to the bath — relaxing and winding down. Which is what makes it the perfect addition to my bedtime routine.

The packaging on the REPLICA fragrances is so sleek and simple with a cotton label with blank-ink text, influenced by classic apothecary jars.

• Fragrance Family: Fresh
• Scent Type: Fresh Florals
• Key Notes: Soap Bubble Accord, Rose Superessence, White Musk, Coconut Milk Accord

Maison Margiela REPLICA Bubble Bath*, $135, sephora.com

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To Conclude:

And there you have it, 4 of my favorite summer fragrances right now. But I don’t think these will be summer fragrances alone; I can see myself reaching for these throughout the year. They all smell so good. What are your favorite summer fragrances?

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