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I love little more than zesty fragrance, I always have done. I find oud scents can be too heady, woody notes too opulent when you’re a few rosé’s down at a garden party with the sun beaming down.
While rose and other floral scents are fitting for the spring/summer months, I still lean towards the light and crisp citrus accords.
I have worn citrus scents all year round, because citrus notes have been said to lift the mood when the gloomy weather hits. However, I know zesty scents are often preferred in the summer months when you want something fresh and playful.
Let’s not get citrus scents confused with citronella, which is totally different, and why (I believe) summer fragrances get a bad rep. The main accords that characterise a zesty summer scent include citrus fruits, such as lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, while bergamot is also a popular find.
Another myth to debunk is that these light and playful summer-appropriate fragrances do not last, but I’ve not found this. The lasting power is largely dependent on the trio of scent layers, base, heart and top.
Whether you are looking for a summer scent to see you through this holiday season, and many more to come, a lightweight daytime aroma for the office, or you’re looking to establish a signature wedding scent, we have whittled down our personal favourites.
Shop Our Top Summer Fragrances
Jo Loves Pomelo
A sparkling citrus burst built around pomelo, which is a type of grapefruit, vetiver, patchouli, clove and suede, Jo Loves Pomelo is clean, sharp, and sun-drenched. Inspired by one of Jo Malone’s holidays, it’s ideal for those who want something uplifting, genderless, and effortlessly chic. I have worn this scent ever since Jo Malone launched her second fragrance label, and I wear it every day and night in the summer months, especially on holiday.
DIEM Quiet Riot
A bold, modern citrus scent that balances sharp mandarin and bergamot with warming cedarwood and fresh white musk. It’s fresh yet grounded, clean but with an edge, thanks to the blend of citrus and matcha, as well as wood resin and violet. It’s a perfect unisex scent too, plus it has a bit more holding power than others.
Carthusia Via Camerelle Eau De Parfum
A few years ago I ventured to the Amalfi Coast and was welcomed into Capri’s fragrance house, Carthusia, with open arms.Of course I had to take home a scent as memorabilia, and now every time I wear this punchy zesty scent it takes me straight back to sipping a limencello spritz on the clifftop overlooking the Faraglioni rock formation at sea. It is a bold scent filled with lemon, orange, marjoram and bergamot notes, as well as wild jasmine that is undercut with sea moss, amber, musk and cedarwood, so it is not too pungent. Thankfully you can purchase it in the UK too.
Creed Aventus Eau de Parfum
While it may be my boyfriend’s go-to scent for evenings out, I think it is a wonderfully genderless fragrance. It’s fresh and zesty, but with a slight peppery finish tat doesn’t overpower the sense. Not purely citrus, but its zesty top notes give it a crisp freshness perfect for summer fun.
Malin + Goetz Bergamot Eau De Parfum
This minimalist scent combines the key accord, bergamot, with other top notes including bell pepper and grapefruit. The heart notes include ginger, muguet and cardamom, which add warmth and a bit of extra sharpness, while musk, sandalwood and amberwood are the base notes. It is fresh, earthy, and herby, yet is light enough for the summer months.
Le Labo Fleur D’Oranger 27 Eau de Parfum
This scent combines orange blossom with lemon, neroli and bergamot for a multi-dimensional scent. This blend achieves a sweet yet floral fragrance with a hint of citrus. In other words, it is a welcome alternative to zingy citrus fragrances as this is slightly gentler on the nose.
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche
The clue is in the name – this fragrance is fresh, but also long-lasting for hours of wear. It is a lighter sister of the classic Chanel Chance, as this version is all about citrus, wood notes, and jasmine.
KAYALI Capri in a Bottle Lemon Sugar
A playful citrus scent, which does exactly as it says on the tin. Kayali scents are known for being sweet, but this offers a zesty twist on that. It blends candied lemon, which is sour yet sweet, with fragrant freesia, and tart raspberry for a sweet (but not sickly) fresh fragrance.
Escentric Molecules M+ Mandarin
You know my love for Escentric Molecules 001, well there’s another scent to have on your radar this summer. It contains the same Iso E Super ingredient that reacts with your natural scent to create a clean and bespoke fragrance, while the addition of tart mandarin gives the scent a summer-ready twist.
PHLUR Tangerine Boy Eau De Parfum
This scent brings together lemon, ginger, apple, tangerine, with amber, jasmine and black pepper for a bold citrus perfume that lasts. It’s fresh, yet zesty, sweet, but not sickly, warm and a little seductive.
Victoria Beckham Portofino ’97 Eau de Parfum
This genderless scent has garnered high praise from numerous beauty journalists I know, so it had to make the cut, though it is on the higher price point. The citrus-woody fragrance boasts notes of bergamot, amber, vetiver, and patchouli for a sophisticated summer scent.
Prada Infusion D’Iris Eau de Parfum
While iris leads the way, its zesty mandarin and citrus, with neroli, orris and woody undertones that creates a refreshing fragrance perfect for the summer. It’s soft, fresh, on the gentle citrus side, and wearable for day and night.
Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Summer Vibes
I don’t know what it is but Dolce and Gabbana’s Light Blue always reminds me of summer, and has done for decades.But D&G often release a spin-off of the classic too, such as Dreaming in Portofino, and Summer Vibes, which is rather fitting. Just the words lemon, cypress wood and amber has us dreaming of balmy summer nights on the Italian Riviera.
Now that’s what we call a scent-sation!
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