Five Incredible Summer Perfume Options | Summer Perfume

You might be on the hunt for a summer perfume if you are headed to the beach and want to smell great. However, perhaps you are seeking something a little more interesting than the usual coconut suntan lotion, or clean musk fare that typically abound when the warm weather emerges. If so, here are five fragrances for your next summer getaway to investigate. Whether you are going upmarket for chic sunset cocktails, or casual ice creams on the sand, these will have you covered!

1. White Sandalwood – Goldfield & Banks

Perfumer: Francois Merle-Baudoin

There is no doubt that Pacific Rock Moss has been the crowd favourite from this brand for summery days. However, one that is often overlooked is White Sandalwood, and as someone who personally doesn’t gravitate towards aquatic scents all that often, this is my personal go-to for a holiday mood.

White Sandalwood opens with a clean, dry wood (a beautiful Sandalwood sourced from Kununurra, Western Australia) with a little bit of sparkle in the top. I cannot determine if that is a citrus note, or perhaps the pepper blending perfectly with the saffron and sweeter notes, but citrus is not listed in the note profile.

As it dries down, the dry woodiness transitions to a more creamy base and the rose helps to soften and sweeten the blend, holding the profile squarely in the unisex range, preventing the woody and aromatic notes from leaning too far masculine.

The amber accord is light and translucent and does not overwhelm, it carries the subtle sweetness into the deeper dry down and the herbal thyme, coupled with saffron again adds some interest and airiness.

White Sandalwood is a very classy, sophisticated summer perfume that brings to mind polished resorts filled with patrons donned in white, flowy linen as they stroll elegantly from breakfast to the spa.

Notes:

Australian White Sandalwood
Thyme Morocco
Amber
Rose Turkey
Pepper Comoros Islands
Saffron Spain

NB: I purchased my bottle of White Sandalwood in 2018/2019 and it has an orange label. The Goldfield & Banks website states that this fragrance has a new formulation and I note the labels are now white. The newer formulation does differ from what I have described above. Goldfield & Banks were kind enough to send me a sample of the reformulation and I filmed a full comparison on my YouTube channel:

2. Pure Musc For Her- Narciso Rodriguez

Perfumer: Sonia Constant

This fragrance for me is definitely an all-rounder that is not just limited to a sunny getaway, nor do I believe it is just limited “For Her”. It is absolutely work friendly and also goes well layered with other fragrances. I love that it is also is readily available in a range of sizes and is moderately affordable (depending on where you buy).

Pure Musc opens very crisp, arguably a bit sharp, but very quickly softens and starts to settle into a floral leaning, almost soapy clean musk. I say “almost” because it doesn’t quite reach the point of smelling like soap or developing that waxy feel that soapy fragrances can sometimes have. It remains light and airy. The florals are predominantly white florals, and the crispness reminds me of freshly cut flower, the smell of soft, dewy petals mingling with stemmy juices, although I wouldn’t describe this as “green”.

Pure Musc is great for the sunny weather, it keeps me feeling fresh, has a moderate projection for the few hours, but then dies down into more of a skin scent that just makes it seem even more like you naturally smell clean. Whilst it is clean, it doesn’t smell like fabric softener, a big plus for me – fabric softener smells can become nauseating to me after a while.

A diffusive, intoxicating musky floral with a hefty dose of cashmeran to help with a light, fluffy texture. This is not the type of fragrance you try to smell directly on your arm, although you can and it likely wouldn’t offend. Rather, Pure Musc is designed to be experienced in the scent bubble, allow it to waft around you, don’t try to hold onto it, impossible – it is as evasive as it is present.

A terrific all-rounder summer perfume for the season.

Notes:

Top: Musk
Heart: White Flowers
Base: Cashmeran

3. So Nude – Costume National

Perfumer: Dominique Ropion

What more to say about this? I love it, some people hate it, many are ambivalent. 

However, to me, this is a sensual tuberose with a hint of cumin that just adds a bit more warmth and a ‘sun-warmed skin’ element.  There is a sweetness but it’s not buble-gummy sweet like other tuberose fragrances that you might come across. 

The ultimate summer perfume – be it date night or strolling through beachside markets.

It opens spicy green (I can definitely detect cardamom) but So Nude very quickly turns creamy – possibly from sandalwood – but I think also the florals, Tuberose and Ylang Ylang.

So Nude by Costume National is a tuberose that leans slightly dark and seductive, although I absolutely wear it in the daytime regularly, and it is perfect for that tropical getaway!  I do think this is well suited to summer nights, dinner and drinks on a beach in a swanky bar.

It dries down to be less sweet, more woody and quite earthy.

Notes:

4. Rouge Malachite – Armani Prive

Perfumer: Pascal Gaurin

Well, well, well – I never thought I would be writing about THIS fragrance! Rouge Malachite has certainly had a “moment” these past couple of years, so I haven’t really given it that much attention. However, it certainly has made it’s stamp on me as a great summer perfume option.

Admittedly, this comes as a bit of a surprise to me.  When I packed the decant for our holiday I thought it would be a bit too much. However, it was actually perfect for the warm evenings! Thailand was not super hot while we were there, torrential rain, floods and landslides so, the spiciness in the opening was perfect for cutting through the weather but the florals bloomed beautifully in the humidity and warmth.

I think when it comes to Rouge Malachite, people either fit into two camps – those that think it smells a little bit like Alien by Theirry Mugler, and those that don’t. I am one who thinks it does bear a resemblance, and I suppose its that combination of jasmine sambac and amber that does it.

However, once that opening settles (and that does take a little bit) the spices and creamy tuberose step into the limelight and you have yourself a very – dare I say it – sexy evening appropriate tuberose. Intoxicating and addictive – a heady mix for a romantic tropcial evening.

Notes:

Top: Tuberose, Pink Pepper, Clary Sage
Heart: Tuberose, Jasmine Sambac, Ylang-Ylang, Benzoin, Cashmeran, Orange Blossom.
Base: Tuberose, Amber.

5. Do Son (EdT) – Diptyque

Perfumer: Fabrice Pellegrin

Do Son is such a delightful, bright summer perfume. It has a sparkling floral opening thanks to the orange blossom. Though the notes are not listed, I am convinced I also get citrus in the opening.

Do Son also has terrific sillage, it is easily detectable for hours on end and has even garnered me a compliment or two over the years (unheard of where I live!).

It has a way of making me feel fresh and clean, thanks most likely to the musk. Tuberose is definitely the dominant floral but the orange blossom, iris and rose provide great support and help to make the tuberose more approachable for neither is it too green, nor too creamy.

Overall I would say the wear is fairly linear but it is unique enough to avoid disappointment. Also, a fragrance designed to be worn in the heat

The perfect tropical fragrance for those “It Girl” vibes. A head turner for sure and one of my favourites from Diptyque.

Notes:

Top: African Orange Flower, Iris, Rose.
Heart: Tuberose, Pink Pepper.
Base: Benzoin, Musk.

All perfumes discussed in this post were purchased myself.

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