So, time to think summer scents – which generally means fruitiness, full bloom florals and the off burst of seasidey freshness. Obligingly most of the major perfume houses have launched summer versions of their popular numbers – and in some cases introduced new lines with decidedly seasonal themes – so it's hardly an onerous task to find something to suit.
Paul Smith Optimistic It's not hard to understand the thinking behind the name of Paul Smith's new fragrance. in turbulent and uncertain times the man who is known for his cheerful disposition and playful approach to design, wants to inject a spirit of hope and excitement – an upbeat mood.
And so this is a youthful and very feminine scent that opens with a sorbet-like fruitiness (pink berries, pink grapefuit and juicy lychee) and the vibrancy lasts through until a heady floral dry down
(EDP £38.00 - 50ml) from Boots and stockists nationwide
Armani Code Summer
The blue packaging and bottle of this limited edition summer version of Armani Code, gives a hint of the fresh and exuberant nature of this scent. Although it burst initially on a bright orange and pear note, it's more of a floral than a fruity fragrance and to me has an almost ozonic, sea-side quality.
After time the scent becomes more sensual and delicate – touches of vanilla and musk with a zap of sparkling ginger.
(£39.50 - 75ml) from The Perfume Shop
Guess Seductive Wild Summer Given the overt sexiness of Guess advertising, this summer version of its signature scent was never going to be shy and retiring was it? From the first spritz it's fruity, lively and cheeky – a mix of lychee, pear and red berries.
After a while it softens to something more sultry, powdery, but still sweet, thanks to the middle notes of rose, orange flower and jasmine then dries down to a sensual but soft vanilla muskiness. The bottle, with its gilt charm around the neck just adds to the girliness.
(EDT £19.95 - 30ml) www.guess.com
Sheer by Stella McCartney
If you prefer your summer scent to have a lightness and subtlety to it (rather than a fruity hit) Stella McCartney's limited edition Sheer Stella will appeal. As you would expect from this designer, it's modern and edgy – the airy floral notes spiked with a hint of apple and lemon. But then the organic rose and amber heart takes over and, as the name suggests, there's an airiness to this scent which leaves just a lingering soft sweetness at the end of the day.
(EDT £38 - 100ml)
Unforgiveable Woman by Sean Jean This fragrance from Sean 'Diddy' Combs isn't new (it launched in 2007) but it's definitely summery – particularly given that it was largely inspired by pina colada and all the exotic, beachy, hedonism that the cocktail conjures up!
Think sun, sand, fruitiness (bergamot, grapefruit, pear, cassis) then a heady floral blend of jasmine, muguet, freesia and violet. The heart is as sensually sexy as you'd expect – sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, amber, vanilla... wear and wait to be seduced!
(RRP £35 - 75ml 0870 034 2566)
Aura by Swarovski
Swarovski crystal jewellery is so ubiquitous, it's a wonder that it has taken this long for the legendary Swiss brand to introduce its own scent. But here it is now, housed in a modern, cylindrical bottle and sheathed in a long metal case, topped with a single crystal.
It's this crystal – and the way it captures and diffracts light – that was the inspiration behind this fizzy, fruity, floral scent. Lychee to open, followed by tuberose and a softer dry down that is warm and woody with a subtle spike of pink pepper.
(EDP £59 - 50ml from selected stores nationwide)
Korres Peonia/Vanilla/Amber/Pear I loved the thinking behind the Korres fragrance range when it launched a couple of years ago (no synthetics and named for their dominant notes) so I was keen to try a new one. Peonia/Vanilla/Amber/Pear sounds suitably summery – and so it is.
It has an almost quaffable, natural fruitiness to it – sweet and warm, especially as it dries down and quite distinctive. `The bottle is dark and pharmaceutical in style and I love the wrap-around car box it's in. Unfold and you can read about the ingredients as well as the philosophy of this Greek skincare brand.
(EDT £24 - 50ml) 0870 850 3868 |
