Fragrance is something I've grown to appreciate more as I've gotten older.
As a teen and young adult, I would buy any old perfume I could find that smelled OK, often something under £20 that had that cheap, underlying 'sanitiser' smell that folks on Fragrantica go on about all the time. I had a huge collection and would rotate them daily, so I never really had a 'signature scent'.
Now, as a 32-year-old, if a fragrance doesn't blow my mind, knock my socks off, and thrust me back in time 15 years then I'm not buying it.
I'm still figuring out my favourite notes - I am mostly drawn to anything floral or fruity, but in the warmer months I find myself wanting something creamy or woody. I love the idea of wearing one, maybe two, fragrances each season and having those scents define your memories. Check out this article from Harvard Medicine if you want to read more into the connection between scent and memory. A super interesting read.
My current rotation of fragrances lean very summery, so I figured now would be a perfect time to post this. If you're looking for a new summer scent, I've got you covered.
Note: Two of the fragrances featured below are solely hair perfumes, however I do wear them as normal perfume sometimes. I wanted to include them because they're utterly gorgeous and worth a mention.
Childhood memories of blackberry picking. A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. Vibrant and verdant.
In my top 3 favourite scents of all time. I wear this all year round. It reminds me of York, since that's where I first bought it around 8 years ago. It holds a lot of memories for me.
A summer escape to the idyllic palm-fringed beaches of the Seychelles to encounter the rare coco de mer. Basking in tropical sunlight, the sea coconut’s sculptural form inspires a fresh solar scent. A refreshing twist of coconut water is carried on the breeze, meeting the sparkling clarity of lime and mint, wrapped in the allure of tonka bean.
This was a recent purchase, bought to layer with Blackberry & Bay. Alone it's wonderful, but layered it's divine.
A shimmering garden oasis. Clementine flower sparkles over a heart of orange blossom and water lily, with warm undertones of orris and balsamic vetiver. Pure delight.
Like delving head first into a fragrant spring garden. Apparently one of Kate Middleton's favourite scents.
Embrace the sun-soaked simplicity of island life with scents of juicy mandarin, creamy coconut and exotic jasmine, warmed by a sensual trail of sandalwood and caramel. Enriched with baobab and vitamin B5, this lightweight, non-sticky formulation helps to lock in moisture and protect hair from environmental stressors whilst nourishing skin and hair from head to toe.
Fresh, citrusy, and heavy on the coconut. A true summer scent. Makes me pine for a beach holiday.
The Coco-Cacao scent blends milk chocolate, coconut and sandalwood, creating a warm, tropical gourmand fragrance. After using Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume - Coco-Cacao, the hair feels refreshed, hydrated and luminous, and has a subtle, lasting scent.
Sultry, chocolatey goodness in a bottle.
Enriched with honey from the sustainably maintained Mirsalehi honey and bee garden, this luxurious fragrance works to smooth, soften and nourish the hair. The scent is made up of warm comforting honey, floral lavender, and the fruity sweetness of blackberry leaf.
The combination of lavender and sweet berry is heavenly. So rich and comforting.
The bestselling OUAI St. Barts fragrance captures the essence of a carefree island escape, leaving a fresh scent and offering a fabulous feeling throughout the day. Dragon fruit adds a touch of vibrant sweetness, while orange blossom provides a delicate floral note. Tuberose lends a touch of creamy richness, and musk grounds the fragrance with a hint of warmth.
Heavy on the cream and sweet notes. Truly delicious. Similarly to Caribbean Shores, this makes me want to book a holiday, stat.
Background photos by Daria Mushtaieva, Kamil Kalbarczyk, Ginabell Andujar, Ly Le Minh, Luise and Nic, Alexander Davies, and Aniki Photos.
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