These Are the Best Summertime Fragrances for Every Occasion
Smells like summer!
With hundreds of thousands of perfumes out there to choose from, narrowing down your perfume selection can be tricky. On top of that, online shopping for perfumes can be super difficult because you don’t know exactly how the perfume will smell in person. During the summertime, you might be drawn to different scents that are a bit more floral, fresh or fruity than your wintertime fragrances. Luckily, we’ve done our research and tried out tons of scents to find out which fragrances are best suited for your various summertime adventures. Whether you’re relaxing on a tropical island or enjoying a night on the town, we know the perfect fragrance to match your vibe.
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Best Fragrances for a Tropical Vacation
If you’re lucky enough to go on a tropical vacation this summer, the perfect scent to bring with you is something floral and fresh. We love the following fragrances from the women-owned beauty brand, Chantecaille, because they truly make you feel like you’re on a beach getaway. So whether you’re actually going on a vacation or just want to feel like you’re on a tropical island, these scents are the perfect options.
Frangiapagne by Chantecaille
This scent absolutely smells like summer. This perfume's most intense fragrance notes are that of Frangipani, also known as Plumeria. If you’ve ever been to Hawai’i, you probably saw these beautiful flowers everywhere you went, and you’re probably familiar with its sweet, tropical fragrance. This scent literally smells like Hawai’i so if you’re taking a trip to the islands (or want to smell like it), we highly suggest this warm floral perfume.
Top Notes: Orange, Violet Leaves, Water Hyacinth
Mid Notes: Muguet, Frangipani, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Cedarwood, Amber
Click here to buy Frangiapagne by Chantecaille!
Tiare by Chantecaille
Another fragrance that’s perfect for any island vacation is Tiare. This scent is similar to Frangiapagne in it’s focus of white florals and an amber-musk dry down. The Tiare flower is a type of Gardenia that’s indigenous to Tahiti, and has a very distinct scent. You’ll have to try out this intoxicating fresh, clean and woodsy floral for yourself!
Top Notes: Mate Leaves, Tiare Flower, Bergamot
Mid Notes: Orange Blossom, Mimosa, Ylang Ylang, Heliotrope
Base Notes: Woods, Amber, Vanilla
Click here to buy Tiare by Chantecaille!
Best Fragrances for a Night Out
During the summer you often find yourself staying out from day to night, so you need a scent that’s perfect for both occasions and will last for hours. We’ve selected the following fragrances as our favorite night-out perfumes because they’re sexy, alluring, and fresh. They’re also long-lasting and will remain fragrant throughout the whole night!
Her by Burberry
When I first smelled this scent it instantly reminded me of the cult favorite, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Bacarrat Rouge 540, so it was no surprise when I found out the nose behind Burberry Her is Francis Kurkdjian himself. If you love the warm, musky complexity of Bacarrat Rouge 540, but don’t want to spend the insane price tag, here is a great dupe! It’s got that spicy, je-ne-sais-quoi that we love, but it’s also sweet and fruity at the same time. The perfect intoxicating fragrance for a summer (or any) night out - plus, it’s available on MicroPerfumes so you can purchase a sample size before you commit!
Top Notes: Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Sour Cherry, Black Currant, Mandarin Orange, Lemon
Mid Notes: Violet, Jasmine
Base Notes: Musk, Vanilla, Cashmeran, Woody Notes, Oakmoss, Amber, Patchouli
Click here to purchase Her by Burberry!
Eau Fraiche by Jean Paul Gaultier
Sugar cane meets musky goodness in this strong and alluring fragrance from Jean Paul Gaultier. This fragrance smells classy, works great for any age, and has amazing sillage and staying power. This scent is probably the most “perfumey” scent on this roundup and because the fragrance is so strong, it’s perfect for a night out or special occasion. It feels like a cloud of bright, juicy, sharp freshness that will surround you all night long.
Top Notes: Ginger, Sugar Cane, Sorbet, Lemon
Mid Notes: Orange Blossom, Tiare Flower, Jasmine
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Labdanum
Click here to purchase Eau Fraiche by Jean Paul Gaultier!
Best Fragrances for a Beach Day
If you’re a perfume lover, you don’t go a day without wearing your signature scent - and that includes beach days! But since you’ll be covering your body in sunscreen and most likely getting wet, you preferably want a beach day scent that’s going to be light, beachy, and won’t break the bank! Below our are favorite affordable summertime beach scents!
Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 by SOL De Janeiro
This perfume from SOL De Janeiro is perfect for any beach day. It’s actually probably my most complimented scent and I’m so addicted to the smell that I own the lotion, body wash, and perfume version. This scent just smells like summer - notes of pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla are paired with jasmine and sandalwood to deliver a universally loved scent that’s sweet, warm, and beachy. Their website describes this as "a blend of the best summer you ever had and the best summer you’re about to have”, and we couldn’t agree more. Not to mention its affordability - a large 240 ML bottle is only $35!
Top Notes: Pistachio, Almond
Mid Notes: Heliotrope, Jasmine Petals
Base Notes: Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Sandalwood
Click here to buy Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 by SOL De Janeiro!
Ariana Grande Cloud Perfume
This is one of those scents that will get you tons of compliments. If you like sweet, youthful scents, you’ll love Ariana Grande’s Cloud perfume, which is like sweet cotton candy but ends with a musky spice that leaves you wanting another sniff. Some people compare it to Bacarrat Rouge 540 but to me, it’s much sweeter and more casual. This scent appeals to all age groups and many describe it as their most loved scent! If you haven’t tried it out for yourself yet, we highly recommend you do! The link to purchase a sample size or full bottle is below.
Top Notes: Lavender, Pear, Bergamot
Mid Notes: Whipped cream, Praline, Coconut, Vanilla Orchid
Base Notes: Musk and Woody Notes
Click here to buy Cloud by Ariana Grande!
Best Fragrances for Casual Everyday Wear During the Summer
During the summertime, you might opt for fragrances that are a bit more casual, understated, and definitely more floral and fruity than fall or wintertime options. You want something that's going to smell fresh and clean, but not too heavy. Below are a few great options that we know you'll love because they're so unique and universally appealing.
LOULOU by LOULOU DAMOUR
One of my favorite summertime fragrances that’s perfect for really any occasion is LOULOU, Eau De Parfum by the women-owned brand LOULOU DAMOUR. This heavenly fragrance is fresh and floral in a super unique way - it’s truly unlike any perfume I’ve tried before. This scent is very clean and fresh, it makes you smell like you just got out of the shower, and isn’t overpoweringly perfumey, which makes it the perfect everyday scent. It’s so multi-faceted that it can be casual or worn for a special occasion. Another thing I love about this fragrance is that it’s so long-lasting and has amazing sillage. A few sprays will last you for hours and the addictingly fresh scent will have you sniffing yourself all day!
Top Notes: Bergamot, Green Hyacinth, Pink Grapefruit, Lily of the Valley
Mid Notes: Jasmine, Peony Accord
Base Notes: Amber, Cedar Wood, Sandalwood, Pure Botanical Musk
Click here to buy LOULOU by LOULOU DAMOUR!
Hudson Yards by Bond No. 9
You will fall in love upon first sniff of this heavenly fragrance. This dewy, floral scent features green notes and a warm rosy dry down that lasts all day. This perfume is youthful-feeling, happy, and uncomplicated - it's a great blind buy because its gorgeous scent is appealing to everyone. This classic floral is perfect for spring and summertime, but versatile enough to be worn year-round. Bond No. 9 is known for its high-quality (and high-price tag) fragrances, so we love that you can buy a sample size from MicroPerfumes without breaking the bank!
Top Notes: Lily-of-the-Valley, Freesia, Pink Pepper
Mid Notes: Peony, Litchi, Bulgarian Rose
Base Notes: White Musk, Orange Blossom, Iris
Click here to buy Hudson Yards by Bond No. 9!
Petales by Chantecaille
If you love the smell of gardenia, then you’ll love Petales. Another one from the Chantecaille perfume collection, this soapy floral fragrance is soft, crisp, and refreshing. As its name suggests, this fragrance is floral, but it’s also clean and unique in a way that differs from many other floral fragrances. Since this scent is soft, delicate, and fresh but also lasts all day, it makes the perfect summer signature scent for daily wear.
Top Notes: Freesia, Fresh Gardenia, Wet Petals
Mid Notes: Orange Flowers, Jasmine, Tuberose, Violet Leaves
Base Notes: Cedar, Ambergris, Sandalwood, Musk
Click here to buy Petales by Chantecaille!
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