Ever wondered why some scents are associated with summer while others aren’t?
Sure, it makes sense to enjoy a floral smell during the time of year when most flowers bloom, but there’s actually more to it than that.
According to Jonny Webber of Perfume Direct, the molecules of summery perfumes work differently to heavy wintery ones.
So if you’ve been craving a perfume change-up, now you’ve got the perfect excuse.
Jonny explained: ‘Summer scents are designed to work in a different way with our bodies. This is why perfumes being promoted for summer use tend to be fruity, lighter and “less volatile”, which means they can last longer and aren’t as overwhelming as a perfume more associated with winter.
‘Perfume works with heat. It’s made up of aromatic molecules in a neutral medium. Once on the skin, the liquid begins to evaporate and the molecules leave your skin, giving off a smell.
‘Perfumers measure the volatility of the molecules to control the nature and evolution of the scent. Different notes in a perfume are combined to hit the air at different times, hence top notes, middle and base notes in perfume descriptions.
‘Lighter weight molecules, such as those present in citrus, pepper, herbs and fruity notes come out first, while the least volatile (and generally heavier notes) will linger on skin longer. These tend to be amber, woody and musky notes.
‘In warm weather, perfumes will evaporate quicker on the skin and in the air. So, citrus and crisp green scents are perfect in the heat, as are florals. White flowers in particular – jasmine, tuberose, frangipani – are known to “bloom” in hot weather.’
If you’re thinking of using your favourite heavier, muskier perfume when the weather (eventually) heats up, be warned – Jonny said it can come across as overwhelming.
‘Perfumes associated with the winter season tend to be heavier and last longer because the body doesn’t sweat as much, so they can be overwhelming if they evaporate too quickly in the warmth of the summer,’ he said.
If you’re wondering how to make your new summer scent last longer in the heat, Jonny recommends preparing your skin with moisturiser before you apply the perfume.
He also says spritzing and letting it sink in to your skin is better for longevity than rubbing it in.
Some of our favourites below:
Brand new from Byredo, Lil Fleur is nostalgic and youthful in the most sophisticated of ways. Rose mixed with cassis and tangerine on a base of warming vanilla and amber makes this perfume suitably fruity for the warmer months, but with a depth that so many other summer perfumes lack.
The latest addition to Bvlgari’s Omnia collection, Golden Citrine, is striking, fresh and sun-filled. With top notes of Sicilian mandarin and white peach mixed with a heart of ylang-ylang, it’s radiant and full of joy.
If you have ever had the joy of experiencing a Sol de Janeiro body product, you will know that everything it touches turns into sun-drenched gold. After so many requests, the brand has finally answered our prayers and released an actual perfume. Combining salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla and jasmine, trust me when I say this stuff is as close to summer in a bottle you can get.
An oldie but a goodie, Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess is a summer classic. With bergamot, amber and coconut, the scent is almost tropical but with a hint of elegance and glamour that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere.
This iconic unisex fragrance oozes summer glamour, but not in the same way that others do. It’s zesty and fresh but has an underlying base of masculinity that makes it the perfect option for those that don’t usually go for fruity or floral perfumes. It’s a total power scent that I can’t be without.
While so many of the perfumes on this list are centred around more exotic, fruity notes, this floral spritz from Malin + Goetz has notes of mandarin leaves, hyacinth florets and jasmine buds that make it smell like the British countryside on a fresh, sunny day.
This new Loewe X Paula’s Ibiza EDT was basically made for summer. Not only is it a total treat for the eyes, it smells heavenly too. Floral notes of sand lily and frangipani mix with coconut water, vanilla and patchouli for a fresh, warming scent.
No one does high-end summer fragrance quite like Tom Ford, and while there are many obvious choices, this underdog takes the top spot for me. Untraditionally masculine, it utilises the often overwhelming (and definitely more wintery) note of oud and blends it with oceanic scents that make it wonderfully fresh. I bought it first for my boyfriend, and now I have a bottle for myself too.
Since Jo Malone CBE launched Jo Loves, this is the fragrance that has totally stolen the show. Like zingy grapefruit but with a green, fresh base, thanks to vetiver, one spritz sends me far, far away.
Bergamot, lemon, coconut milk and ylang-ylang come together to create this unbelievably delicious perfume. In true Replica style, it smells exactly as it’s described – like “sun-kissed salty skin”, while a base of musk and cedarwood give it fresh, beachy vibes.
This new addition to the Bronze Goddess collection utilises notes of lemon, neroli, orange flower and cedarwood to create a fresher, more seductive take on the original.
I am a big fan of Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria summery scents, and my love for the fragrances just seems to grow with every new addition. This particular spritz encompasses all things citrus with notes of blood orange and bergamot. It’s lightweight and fresh, making it great for sunshine-filled days.
Very rarely do I come across an affordable fragrance that becomes a permanent feature in my perfume line up. However, with Nuxe Sun Delicious it was love at first sniff. With notes of orange, petit grain and coconut, it smells like really expensive sun cream without the chemically undertone.
Remember when I said that Tom Ford is renowned for producing some of the best summery fragrances going? This one is iconic. It’s citrusy but also fresh and coastal at the same time with an expensive-smelling edge that makes you want to keep it for best. But I’m warning you, if you’re yet to try a Tom Ford Private Blend fragrance, Neroli Portofino will likely kickstart an eye-wateringly expensive obsession. Trust me, I’m walking, talking, living proof.
I couldn’t compile a list of summer scents without mentioning Byredo’s Sundazed. Like creamy lemon mixed with sherbert and ice cream, as soon as June hits, this perfume very quickly becomes my most-used (and most-loved). I’d bathe in the stuff if my purse would allow.
Diptyque manages to achieve what so many other fragrance houses struggle to. The perfumers create fresh, feminine scents with serious lasting power. Eau Des Sens is case in point. Focusing on orange blossom and patchouli, it’s sweet and fruity but with a floral depth that creates a long-lasting aroma. Plus, this limited edition bottle is basically a decorative ornament.
I have waxed lyrical about the Zara Emotions collection to anyone willing to listen since it launched late last year. While I love the creamy notes of mandarin, bergamot and orange blossom that the Amalfi Sunray candle kicks out, for me the perfume itself has a depth that has it lingering on the skin all day long, much like a day spent horizontal on Italian sands.
Credit: Original article published here.You can read this post on My Celebrity Life.