Some people subscribe to a signature scent. Others opt to have a seasonal switch out this time of year, putting the winter fragrances infused with warm gourmands and rich woody notes to the side, in favorite of the best summer perfumes for women. There’s no shortage of options, with the best citrus fragrances, the best light perfumes, and the best floral fragrances, offering refreshing blends that instantly perk up the senses.
The classics, like Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue or Gucci Flora, will always have a well-deserved place on our list. But, over the past few years, we’ve seen nuanced takes on the traditional fragrance families enter the fold. Notes like fig, matcha, coconut, and strawberry have effectively infiltrated the fragrance ether, with exciting launches coming from Phlur, Aerin, and Dior. “Fragrances with fruity and citrus notes are in high demand because they’re refreshing and not too overpowering, which is ideal for summer,” says Firmenich perfumer Alexandra Monet. “Green and mineral notes are trending too, as they bring a lively and vibrant character that evokes a sense of nature and the outdoors.”
While we’ll undoubtedly cue you into what’s trending in the fragrance world (more on that below), scents are extremely individual, so pick the perfume that calls to you. With that in mind, the Marie Claire team decided to write little love letters to the summer fragrances they can’t put down this season.
The Best Summer Perfumes for Women
- Best Summer Fragrance Overall: Aerin Amber Musk Santal Eau de Parfum
- Best Citrus Summer Fragrance: Fragrance Du Bois Wild Orange Eau de Parfum
- Best Floral Summer Fragrance: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid Eau de Parfum
- Best Rose Summer Fragrance: Dior Dioriviera Eau de Parfum
- Best Fruity Summer Fragrance: Vilhelm Perfume Mango Skin Eau de Parfum
- Best Fresh Summer Fragrance: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
- Best Sweet Summer Fragrance: Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau de Parfum
- Best Vanilla Summer Fragrance: Nette Thé Vanille Eau de Parfum
- Best Solar Summer Fragrance: Byredo Sundazed Eau de Parfum
- Best Light Summer Fragrancce: Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette
“Since I got my hands on this bottle, which is a spin on the brand’s classic Amber Musk Eau de Parfum, I have not put it down. To say I want to bathe in it, would be an understatement. It’s light and fresh, which makes it end-of-summer-appropriate, but it has a warm base that feels like a light cashmere sweater. The rose is really subtle (I’m not a rose girl at all, so trust me on this one), while the gourmand vanilla starts to come out the longer it wears on my skin. It’s the fragrance you want to wear while watching the sunset.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Why We Love It: Light fragrance that lends itself nicely to layering; can be worn in summer or fall; smells different on everyone
Notes: Rose centifolia, amber, sandalwood
Aerin's Amber Musk Santal falls into the Woody fragrance family.
“My fragrance collection is filled with citrusy perfumes, so I wasn't that surprised when I swiftly fell for the energetic scent of Fragrance Du Bois' Wild Orange Eau de Parfum. This bottle is packed with a blend of invigorating notes like bergamot, lemon, and mandarin that are noticeable but not too overpowering. As the name of the perfume suggests, it truly does smell like a fresh-cut bouquet of wild orange blossoms. Above all, this scent has a soothing appeal that I absolutely love.” — Lauren Tappan, Fashion Editor
Why We Love It: Refreshing and bright; standout fragrance that won’t smell like what everyone else wears; elaborate packaging; dynamic take on citrus
Notes: Mandarin, lemon, bergamot, orange, lily of the valley, orange blossom, cypress, cedar, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood
This citrus fragrance comes encased in a red velvet box.
“I’m always on the hunt for an interesting floral perfume, as my favorite type of scent profile is sensual and heady. However, you can smell only so many before they all start blending together. This new offering from Gucci is lush, and perfect for a steamy summer night. The vanilla note makes the orchid sweet and rich. A surprising addition (and the first for the house) is the addition of an ozone note. This keeps the fragrance from wearing out its welcome, giving the creaminess an edge and a lightness. It’s simultaneously familiar and unexpected; you can smell ozone after a storm, but it’s very rare to smell like it! As always with Gucci, the bottle is such a gorgeous addition to one’s vanity, it makes me feel happy every time I see the bright yellow bottle with the classic floral print on the front.” — Brittany Holloway-Brown, Art Director
Why We Love It: Incredibly unique balance of floral, gourmand, and ozonic notes; sustainable approach by being made with 10 percent recycled glass; light enough for summer; constantly evolves on the skin
Notes: Vanilla duo, vanilla orchid, ozonic accord
This just-launched version of Gucci Floral is more gourmand than the rest of the range.
“I thought I was ready to die on the hill that I was not a rose fragrance girl. Then, I got my hands on Dioriviera. After just one spray, I was hooked. So hooked in fact, that I’ve already powered my way through three bottles since last year’s launch. The fig is definitely the more dominant note, offering a fresh, tingly, and even a bit zesty edge to the markedly light fragrance. I didn’t even realize rose made its way into the blend until I did a deeper investigation. It’s light and subtle—almost like the breeze you would smell walking by a bouquet. I douse myself in this fragrance (one spray on the wrists, one on the chest, two in the hair, and two on my clothes) and it never smells overpowering.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Why We Love It: Light summer fragrance; includes trendy fig note; not overpowering, but still a distinct and different scent; available in three sizes, up to 8.5 ounces; one of the only Dior fragrances made by famed perfumer Maison Kurkdijan
Notes: Fig, rose
This fig-rose blend is Samantha's go-to for summer days.
“There’s something so enchanting about a realistic scent—especially a fruity one. I love spraying on Phlur’s Tangerine Boy and smelling like I rubbed a clementine on my wrist, and the brilliant Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Mango Skin is the newest fresh selection in my fruit bowl (er, perfume shelf). An ‘expressionist burst of blackberries, mango, and black pepper,’ Mango Skin is ripe and lovely and powerful in the best way. While it’s a summer scent through and through, I’ll probably be spritzing in the winter when I need a little pick me up and brightness (I don’t have synesthesia, but I see all kinds of gorgeous sunset hues in my head when I spray this) on a dreary day.” — Sophia Vilensky, Beauty Freelancer
Why We Love It: A true fruity fragrance reminiscent of a tropical island; mango is a very trendy perfume ingredient right now; powerful scent that only requires one to two sprays; bottle lasts a long time
Notes: Blackberries, mango, black pepper, wild orris, black lotus, jasmine, patchouli, vanilla, pink sugar
A fresh, fruity fragrance, you can buy this in travel-size for on-the-go application, too.
“In a dream world, I summer in Portofino. Such is not my reality (catch me in the New York City heat), but this newly launched Tom Ford fragrance is a welcome tease of what could be. Inspired by the breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast, this turquoise bottle houses an aquatic-citrus dichotomy that reminds of standing oceanside at dawn. It’s fresh and crisp, with a faint limoncello whiff. It’s a cologne, but I don’t let that technicality steer me away from wearing it. It’s just more of a nighttime spritz for me.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Why We Love It: More of a masculine scent that’s still fresh for summer; Very emotive fragrance that channels a vacation setting; lasts all day; meant to be worn alone (wouldn’t layer this one)
Notes: Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon
Tom Ford's latest fragrance launch, this new-to-shelves fragrance is a more mature scent.
“I’m such a summer girl, mostly because of the delicious produce. And, you can smell me by my fruit-forward summer scents. With its luxe, hot-pink bottle (I especially love that mirrored ball cap), the fruity-floral Oriana is as sweet and summery as they come. I especially love it for a mid-day lunch, when everyone is starting to crave a little treat (little is also a key word here; the projection is impressive and a simple spray will do you just fine).” — Sophia Vilensky, Beauty Freelancer
Why We Love It: Powerful fragrance so you only need one spray; incredibly long-lasting; bright and happy blend; sweet without being too intense; gorgeous bottle
Notes: Mandarin, bergamot, grapefruit, orange blossom, raspberry, black currant, whipped cream, marshmallow, musk, ambrette
According to Vilensky, this fragrance will stay strong on your skin for roughly 12 hours.
“Often times I find myself letting fragrances collect dust on a shelf. Why? Because every single time I spray them, I feel a chemical scent is left in its wake. Such is far from the case with this Nette scent. I’m actually able to make out the different notes and am delighted by the crisp and clean composition. Vanilla obviously takes precedence, but I also pick up hints of matcha tea and cedarwood to combat any overpowering sweetness.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Why We Love It: The brand plants a tree with every purchase; gorgeous packaging; crisp notes; not too sweet; a vanilla for people who don’t love when fragrances are too overly gourmand
Notes: Salt accord, cardamom LMR, turmeric root LMR, mate extract, narcisse absolute French LMR, magnolia flower LMR, orris LMR, vanilla CO2 LMR
This grounding fragrance will take you from the end of summer into early fall.
“The first spritz of Byredo's Sundazed is an immediate burst of invigorating citrus with notes of lemon and mandarin that’s light and perfect as a summery scent. As the perfume settles, hints of neroli and jasmine came through, creating a floral sweetness that’s a bit spicy and adds some complexity to the perfume as time goes on. It’s light enough for an everyday fragrance—it doesn't feel overpowering as I've been wearing it in 90-degree heat, but it’s also the perfect pick-me-up spritz for the day, which I've been loving.” — Sara Holzman, Style Director
Why We Love It: Cotton candy is an unexpected note that invokes memories of a carnival; dynamic scent; it smells different on everyone; crisp dry down
Notes: Mandarin, lemon, neroli, jasmine sambac, cotton candy, musk
Just one spray of Sundazed will do the trick.
“There was this incredibly influential fragrance I loved growing up in the '90s: Heaven by Gap. It was light and airy and smelled exactly like summer (it didn't last long and dissipated quickly, but for me the scent is inextricably linked with hot dogs and trips to the beach). Diptyque Ilio smells almost *exactly* the same, just a bit deeper and more long-lasting. When I first spritzed it on, a wave of nostalgia came over me: there's something so pleasant about the prickly pair and bergamot. I put it on in the morning when I want to feel refreshed, even in the midst of the summer heat—and it literally takes me back to feeling like a kid.”— Katherine J Igo, Contributing Editor
Why We Love It: Very sunny and bright scent; light fragrance (although because an eau de toilette it will fade faster; lower alcohol content means it can be used as a hair perfume; collector’s item
Notes: Barbary fig, bergamot, jasmine, iris
Ilio is limited-edition—so grab it while you can.
Also Recommended
“I received a travel-size tube of this fragrance and have been obsessed with it ever since. The scent is unlike anything else I've tried and has incredible staying power on my skin, without being too strong or overpowering. It's balanced and feels subtly woodsy yet floral.” — Dana Mendelwitz, Group Executive Director, Integrated Marketing
Why We Love It: Eau de toilette is lighter and airy, which is great for summer; very creamy finish that provides a warm essence despite the floral-fruity composition; perfect scent to wear for a beach day or on vacation
Notes: Bergamot, cardamom, pink berries, fig, violet petals, orris, creamy sandalwood, crisp woods, musk
“I’ve tried my fair share of coconut perfumes and none have made me feel as luxurious as this one. It reminds me of summer vacations on the beach, but don’t mistake it for a sunscreen-y scent. Instead, it’s more of a lush tropical floral fragrance, with layers of ylang-ylang, vanilla, tiare flower, and coconut that lasts all day long. While I’m personally not a socialite island hopping around the Bahamas, I can pretend I’m one when wearing this perfume.” — Brooke Knappenberger, E-Commerce Editor
Why We Love It: Elevated take on coconut; limited-edition (stock up!); smells more solar than chemical; warm and creamy, while still smelling bright and light
Notes: Bergamot, tiare flower, coconut
“I’m a vanilla perfume girl through and through and I’ll be the first to admit it’s hard to find one that’s unique. This 7 Virtues perfume, however, is unlike anything else in my vast collection. Unlike most vanilla fragrances, Santal Vanille isn’t sweet but earthy. Vanilla provides a base of warmth, but I’d say the myrrh and sandalwood are the real stars of the show. It’s not as heavy as other vanilla perfumes either, and every time I wear it I feel more relaxed, making it one of my go-to’s for hot, busy days.” — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate E-Commerce Editor
Why We Love It: Affordable; earthy take on vanilla; warm yet fresh; vegan; lasts long; hypoallergic
Notes: Myrrh, vanilla, sandalwood
“I smelled this on a friend and fell in love with this unique scent. She made me swear I wouldn't copy her, but I had to try it for myself. The fragrance is incredible and feels unique in a sea of similar scents. It simultaneously has depth but isn't too heavy. And it has decent lasting power on my skin. I also agree with Le Labo's description of it being addictive. Shhh, don't tell my friend, but I can't help but copy her.” — Dana Mendelwitz, Group Executive Director, Integrated Marketing
Why We Love It: A true signature scent that is instantly recognizable; vegan; fresh yet soft; a good entry into the spicy category for people that don’t normally choose spicy scents
Notes: Bergamot, fig, bay leaves, cedar, vetiver, musk, hay, tobacco
“I love wearing Dolce and Gabbana Light blue at summertime. It’s so refreshing and clean. The citrus character of the fragrance is very energizing, whereas the woody dry down is sensual without being overwhelming. It is fresh and long-lasting at the same time.” — Alexandra Monet, Fine Fragrance Perfumer at Firmenich
Why We Love It: Classic designer scent that’s stood the test of time; a favorite of MC Beauty Director Deena Campbell, who loves the 11th iteration of Light Blue, called Italian Love; refreshing and light yet long-lasting; very feminine
Notes: Citrus, apple, bamboo
“This LaVanila perfume is very feminine and radiates warmth like the late afternoon sun. It’s very long-lasting and strong enough that it doesn’t require much of a spritz—so much so that it’s a bit overwhelming when first applied, but you can still smell it on yourself hours later. The product touts being a “healthy fragrance,” meaning it’s infused with essential oils and organic sugarcane alcohol, and it certainly has a natural, tropical scent with its coconut notes. But even still, the vanilla overpowers.” — Sadie Bell, Senior Culture Editor
Why We Love It: Smells like a tropical island (even a bit sunscreen-like); very strong; long-lasting; vanilla dominant scent—if you want to layer, use something more grounding and warmer to balance out the profile
Notes: Coconut, Tahitian tiare flower, warm Madagascar vanilla
“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t immediately on board with this cologne. But the more I wore it and let it adapt to my skin, the more I loved it. It manages to be light, fresh, and floral all at once, while emphasizing and acquatic, ozonic component that instantly transports me to a water-side destination. The prismatic effect of the bottle is truly indicative of the constantly evolving scent profile—it smells like a rainbow after a downpour.” — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Why We Love It: Complex and long-lasting scent; beautiful packaging; can be worn on men or women
Notes: Verbena accord, bergamot, sweet fennel, hedione, woody Musk
What Fragrance Is Trending for Summer?
With the humid heat of summer, fresh and airy scents typically dominate the trend cycle. Still, nothing is off-limits. You can layer lighter, fruitier profiles with grounding vanilla. Or mix an aquatic unisex fragrance with a traditionally feminine floral.
Citrus
Lemon and orange, while classic citrus notes, have been dominating the new launch category. “I’m seeing a lot of nostalgia around tropical drinks, like a pina colada,” explains fragrance developer Carlos Huber. You’ll find a take on a classic limoncello drink from Dyptique and a spin on tangerine from niche fragrance brand Fragrance Du Bois. You’ll even find pineapple and orange blossom in the sunscreen-inspired Vacation signature scent.
Floral
Musk can go either way, but as of late it’s been taking up an affinity for floral fragrances. Case in point: Aerin’s new Amber Musk Santal, which just so happens to be my personal favorite scent for summer. You’ll also find new spins on rose and peony.
Fruity
“Fruity notes, such as bergamot and grapefruit, are popular for their fresh, zesty sensation,” says Monet. You’ll notice a lot of fig on our list too, with top spots going to Dior Dioriviera and Batiste Figue Amour.
Green
Think green like the color and you might find yourself scooping up a matcha-scented fragrance. But contextualize green to the season, and Monet believes you’ll find notes like geranium and rosemary, which “add a fresh, natural aroma.” If earthy scents are more your vibe, look out for sandalwood and crystal moss. “Dry salty woods like driftwood, bamboo, and cedar can also be great notes to balance the fruity or citrusy notes,” adds Huber.
Aquatic
“Ozonic notes also play a crucial role, offering an airy freshness reminiscent of a cool breeze on a hot day,” explains Monet. These lighter and vibrant notes help create refreshing fragrances that can last through the heat of summer without becoming overwhelming. Huber adds that you should look for anything “that takes you outdoors—especially beachside or poolside—with marine, salty, and tropical notes.”
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