Hot summer days call for the best summer perfumes. While it’s not mandatory to switch up your scent with each season, this list of fresh scents will give you 19 reasons to discover new go-to’s. As fragrance lovers, we’ve been on the hunt for crisper, sparkling, and more refreshing smells to replace the deeper notes that warmed us all winter.
These uplifting new fragrances play to the warmest season with classic florals and zesty, citrus notes that instantly lighten your mood. There are cool, breezy, ocean scents that lead your mind straight to the beach, and, of course, there are a few rebels that don’t care if it’s summer—they’re going rich, soft, and dramatically delicious regardless of the temperature.
The balanced blends of sweet, fresh, and flowery are bright enough to get noticed and subtle enough to spritz in the summer heat, earning the display-worthy bottles prime countertop real estate. Whether they’ve got traditional notes of the summer or they’re giving you every reason to switch things up this season, these refreshingly energized new smells will transport your senses to a state of vacation-like bliss—even if you’re sticking close to home. Keep scrolling to meet our lineup of the best summer fragrances.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Byredo Animalique Eau de Parfum
Byredo’s Animalique Eau de Parfum has the bones of those subtle skin scents we know and love, but it’s got an extra flair for the dramatic. It’s like the wrong-shoe theory in perfume form: it has the same warm, floral beginning as Byredo’s beloved Gypsy Water EDP, but then it settles into an unexpected dark, deep base of suede, amber, and tobacco leaf.
Best Fruity Fragrance: Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Eau de Parfum
If you couldn’t tell by the bright yellow bottle, Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit was inspired by all things summer vacation—but it doesn’t rely on the typical notes you might expect from a summery scent. It achieves a new kind of fruity floral vibe with fig, bergamot, jasmine, cyclamen, and vanilla, creating something more creamy than tart, leaning more into smooth versus zingy. And it totally works. “A whiff of Sun Fruit instantly elevates my mood, especially when I’m tired in the mornings (so, all the time),” commerce editor Sarah Han says. “I’m swept away to memories of my trip to Japan—not the major cities, persay, but the quieter moments spent along the coast or amongst the deer in Nara.”
Best Citrus Perfume: Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette
Maybe it’s the Challengers fever talking, but we can’t help but see a tennis ball when we look at Chanel’s Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette. This iteration of Chanel’s Chance fragrance is zesty and energetic, thanks to the grapefruit and jasmine. It’s fresh, a little sweet, and very long-lasting, which makes it ideal for long days outside in the summer sun, whether you’re playing tennis or just chilling outside (but don’t forget your sunscreen!) We’re not saying Tashi Duncan would wear this perfume, but Zendaya hasn’t denied it either.
Best Fresh Scent: Acne Studios par Frédéric Maille Eau de Parfum
The scent of fresh laundry is the definition of, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” but who are we to complain if Frédéric Maille wants to reinvent the wheel? The legendary perfume house’s new collab with Acne Studios is the sexiest take on fresh linens. It’s fresh, fruity, and fizzy without ever losing its cool.
Best Floral Fragrance: Kismet Olfactive Tuberose Tantra Eau de Parfum
Florals may not be groundbreaking for spring anymore, but they certainly belong in your fragrance wardrobe for summer. Kismet Olfactive’s Tuberose Tantra Eau de Parfum is a damn near perfect symphony of spice and white florals but tuberose—a fragrance note that Frédéric Maille once called “the caviar of perfumery” is the main attraction here. If you’re concerned about the notorious white floral headache have no fear, the patchouli, sandalwood, and cashmeran base are there to satisfy folks who aren’t purists (yet).
Best Sweet Scent: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68 Fragrance Mist
Made for both bodies and hair, Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’68 Fragrance Mist is an intoxicating way to douse yourself in tropical deliciousness. Brazilian jasmine, pink dragonfruit, and sheer vanilla make this tempting enough to drink—but please don’t—and absolutely irresistible as a transporting head-to-toe scent for summer.
Best Woody Perfume: Liis In This World Eau de Parfum
Fig girlies, we didn’t forget about you. Liis’s newest perfume In This World is a lovely, powdery scent that has a little something for everyone. The eucalyptus, sage, and lavender make it feel green and clean, while the fig and tonka bean add an air of warmth and comfort.
More Perfumes We Love:
Maison Margiela Replica From the Garden Eau de Parfum
The only thing better than eating off-the-vine tomatoes during the summer is smelling like a leafy tomato plant, right? Anyone? From the Garden is an earthy departure for Maison Margiela’s Replica fragrance line, but the brand’s new fresh scent is worth a shot for the vegetal-curious. It’s definitely green and herby, but there’s a crowd-pleasing mandarin note that adds a touch of sweetness. If your Sicilian summer vacation isn’t making it off of the Pinterest board this year, treat yourself to this summer fragrance, close your eyes, and pretend.
Eilish No. 1 Eau de Parfum
Before you pack your vanilla perfumes away for the summer, hear Allure associate director of social media Kassidy Silva out. “As a self-declared gourmand girlie, Eilish No.1 is my go-to for the summer,” says Silva. “While it still gives all the sweet notes that I’m looking for, the lighter intensity makes it ideal for summer versus a richer gourmand scent for the colder months.”
D.S. & Durga Black Magenta Eau de Parfum
If your summer mood board includes hazy nights and city lights, D.S. & Durga’s Black Magenta Eau de Parfum will help you set the mood. The sweet, pink pineapple top note hits your nose first before the black amber and balkan tobacco show up to add some darkness and intrigue. It’s the most early aughts party girl fragrance on this list—which we mean as a huge compliment.
Dior J’adore Parfum d’Eau Eau de Parfum
If you’d describe yourself as a floral moon, aqua rising when it comes to scents, Dior’s J’adore Parfum d’Eau Eau de Parfum is a match from the stars. Dior describes this scent as, “Flowers, water, that’s it.” This version of J’Adore has the same white floral core is the original—although if you like rose and ylang-ylang more, opt for that one—but with a fresher, lighter vibe. Fans of neroli, magnolia, and jasmine, add this to your cart ASAP.
Gucci Heart of Leo Eau de Parfum
It’s not summer quite yet, but we’re granting you our official Allure blessing to kick off Leo season early. “Gucci’s eccentric take on fruity fragrances is sweet and savory, kind of like a summertime salad, but all the more luxe,” writes commerce writer Jennifer Hussein. “Like a true Leo, this fragrance is topped off with smoky notes of myrrh and frankincense.”
Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum
If a summer fling had a scent, it would be Diptyque’s Eau Duelle. An ultra-subtle spiced vanilla, this fragrance from the iconic Paris-based perfume brand is light enough for wearing in the office, but romantic and alluring enough for date night. It’s not pure vanilla—there’s some earthy cypriol (think vetiver-esque woodiness) and some incense for added intrigue.
Elorea Hazy Blue Eau de Parfum
It wouldn’t be a list of the best summer fragrances without some aquatic scent representation, and our pick for the season is Elorea’s Hazy Blue Eau de Parfum. If this scent had a color, it would be light blue, which is fitting because the fragrance is inspired by the Korean word ēnae, which is the, “bluish, hazy energy that is visible in the distance during sunset,” according to the brand.
