Picture this. It’s a warm sunny day, you are passing Mediterranean gardens full of citrus trees with a plan to dip in the sea and dine al fresco right after. Your slightly oversized white linen shirt is billowing in slow motion with every step you take and the very calm, restful wind brings fresh, clean and bright air. That’s what summer should look like and you are there to enjoy it.
The only spanner in the works is that most of us can’t spend the whole summer by the Mediterranean Sea. But luckily there are at least citrus fragrances which send our minds straight there anytime, wherever we might be, and make us feel good and refreshed. And because they are light, it makes them a great option for day-to-day use, no matter if you are going to an office, to your studio, to exercise or just meeting up with friends in the evening. They’re one of the best options to use, instead of heavy scents which might become too much during warm days.
While there are plenty of good citrus scents on the market, here are a few you should try.
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino
Neroli Portofino is a well-executed citrus and neroli fragrance which smells clean, fresh and vibrant. Its citrus notes and a luscious burst of neroli transport you to the Italian Riviera every time you apply it. The lemony notes are accompanied by blossoms of jasmine and orange, followed by green and dusky herbs, rosemary and lavender. It’s been one of the top citrus scents (especially for the summer) for years now and always takes me back to Italy. Believe me, with every spray it seduces you into wanting more.
Matiere Premiere Neroli Oranger
This scent is a sublime study of sunlight and summer. While immediately after spraying, citrusy notes are dominant, they rather quickly turn into bright floral notes of orange blossom with the snappy green bite of the orange leaf. It’s a lovely combination of sweet, honeyed-citrusy orange blossom and green neroli, based on musk. Wearing this scent feels like the late summer sun touching your skin while going through a garden full of orange trees. It lasts unexpectedly long on the skin and while this might be the sweetest scent on this list, it’s my go-to scent for this summer.
Le Labo Bergamote 22
Bergamote 22 is one of the most beautiful bergamot scents that smells like freshly squeezed oranges (and lemons). But it’s more than just a citrusy fragrance as woods (not too dark or bitter), spices and vanilla emerge as it progresses. The result is a citrus scent with great longevity that’s clean and bright, with a hint of sweetness at the end. I remember precisely the first time I tried this scent, a couple of years ago, on a lovely sunny day here in Copenhagen. From that day, it became one of my summer must-haves. And it should be yours too.
Maison Margiela Replica Under Lemon Trees
The fragrance begins with nice refreshing juicy lemons and limes almost reminding you of a lemon cake. The slightly sweet light scent becomes a little stronger later when citruses subside, and the tea and rose come through to give the scent of a garden set with a hint of a musky, slightly woody base. This fragrance feels like being fresh out of the shower on holiday and being ready to have an al fresco glass of wine in a lemon grove.
Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill
Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill is a sophisticated juicy fragrance which starts with a mixed fresh smell of fruits such as oranges, apricots, peaches, apples and currants, together with herbs such as mint and basil. While being juicy at the beginning, it turns nicely into a creamy, soapy citrus with a bit of warmth in the background. Imagine entering a smoothie bar full of mixed flavours of fruits and fresh herbs, during a warm summer day by the coast, or even better – imagine yourself slowly sipping a mojito, or refreshing cold mint tea with a squeeze of lime. That’s where this scent takes you.
