Summer Perfume Recommendations, Part II: What to Wear in the Heat

Written by Eveline Nagajeva and Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

As summer is finally in full swing, light and fresh perfumes are now at the front of our fragrance wardrobe. A few weeks ago, we shared summer perfume recommendations from our writers Ally, Sima, and Angel. Today, we’re featuring the picks of Kristina and Eveline.

Photo credit: Unsplash

Eveline’s Picks

Diptyque - Philosykos

The note of fig and its green leaves is a great modern alternative to citrus. It brings both freshness and a soft fruitiness that feels effortlessly wearable in warm weather. Fig as a note is gaining popularity, and while many beautiful fragrances feature it, Philosykos remains my go-to.

This fragrance is all about figs—ripe and tender, softened by lactonic touches, and green leaves with drops of dew. There are no unnecessary twists or overwhelming complexity—just the serene, refreshing scent of fig in all its glory.

Tom Ford - Soleil Blanc

Another one of my summer must-haves and a fragrance I just have to include on this list is Soleil Blanc. I can’t shake the image of this scent peeking out of a white straw beach bag, surrounded by suntan lotion, tuberose, ylang-ylang, pistachios, and coconut, all set against the backdrop of a white sand beach resort.

In fact, I’d recommend the entire Soleil line—they’re all perfect for the sunny season. If you haven’t already, pay special attention to Soleil de Feu, with its creamy sandalwood, resins and cinnamon.

Amouage - Opus XIII – Silver Oud

Don’t hesitate to wear ouds — summer heat is actually the perfect time to bring out those deep, hidden-away scents featuring this note. There’s something special about this southern ingredient, it performs beautifully on warm skin.​

If you're into animalic scents, I recommend Silver Oud. To me, it smells like a forest after a fire, the blue sky above, sun shining, and charred trees all around. The scent of smoke and wood. It opens with a sharp, animalic, medicinal, leathery oud, but the vanilla in the drydown makes it incredibly addictive.

While Silver Oud may be a challenging scent—especially for those who usually avoid heavier perfumes—I still encourage you to give oud a chance, at least on summer evenings. Start with softer, more wearable compositions like Armani Privé Oud Royal, Maison Francis Kurkdjian Ouds, Lancôme Oud Bouquet, Tom Ford Oud Wood, Dior Oud Ispahan.

Jil Sander – Sun

A good old, budget-friendly scent for summer. Sun is a surprisingly complex fragrance that smells far more expensive than its price tag suggests. It’s one of the best—if not the best—in the aldehydic, solar, suntan lotion-inspired category. To me, it blends perfectly with the summer heat, the scorching sun, and the sea waves cooling the hot white sand.

I love applying it after sunbathing, when my skin is warm and sea-salty. Its subtly sweet resins seem to melt into the skin, spreading softly alongside creamy yellow florals.

As with many fragrances from that era, the composition is rich and multi-layered. But for me, the standout elements are the bright citrus opening and the blend of resins with yellow florals that create the suntan lotion feel.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian – Aqua Celestia

What’s a summer list without citruses? Citrus is the perfect note to start your summer day—bright, refreshing, a scent to carry with you whenever you need a little lift. The biggest complaint, of course, is that citrus scents don’t last. Many people hesitate to invest in a fragrance that seems to disappear after an hour.

That’s because hesperidic notes (like lemon, bergamot, grapefruit) are made up of small, lightweight molecules that evaporate quickly—especially in the heat. They give an immediate, uplifting burst of freshness, but tend to fade fast due to their chemical volatility.

Still, there are exceptions! Aqua Celestia is one of those rare citrus fragrances with surprisingly good longevity for the genre. The same goes for other scents in the Aqua Collection—I’m sure anyone can find a freshie there that suits their taste. Aqua Celestia is my cold glass of mojito.

Also worth mentioning: Perris Monte Carlo’s Italy Collection offers a fantastic range of citrus-focused fragrances, perfect for sunny days.

Chloé – Cedrus

Another great note for summer—especially for those who enjoy woody scents—is vetiver. Cedrus smells like a forest and freshly cut wood, lightly dusted with citrus and moss. It’s an airy, easy-to-wear woody freshie with good projection. It leans minimalist and clean, making it perfect for those who want a woody scent that doesn’t overwhelm in the heat.

If we’re talking vetiver, there are a few more summer-friendly picks worth mentioning some of them: Chanel Sycomore, Ex Nihilo Vetiver Moloko, the classic Terre d’Hermès, and one I recently sampled—L'Artisan Parfumeur Vétiver Écarlate, which offers an interesting take on vetiver with a twist of tomato leaf.

Comme des Garçons – Comme des Garçons 2

At the last moment, I decided to include this scent as well—to, let’s say, spice up the list with something futuristic. It’s an unusual take on the “summer freshie” from the avant-garde house and visionary perfumer Mark Buxton.

“2” was released back in 1999, yet it still feels like a scent of the future… a future where cold, heartless machines replace people, and plants grow in sterile labs under cold white LED lights.

The fragrance smells like delicate floral petals dipped in blue ink, with a touch of aldehydes. I also pick up soft green nuances and a gentle blend of spices. Even with the spices, it still feels fresh, thanks to a coldness that runs through the composition.

Kristina's Picks

Neela Vermeire Creations – Bombay Bling!

Exotic, tropical fruits and flowers have the most summery scent associations for me. Lychee, mango, frangipani, ylang-ylang—they all give me holiday vibes, and they’re all found in Bombay Bling!

However, as sweet as it might sound, this composition is quite calming and relaxing. It's slightly spiced with cool cardamom; the tropical bouquet is complemented by gardenia, tuberose, and jasmine, while the base is softly woody, with sandalwood, tobacco, and a touch of vanilla. While fragrances like this can sometimes feel overly playful with all the fruity notes, Bombay Bling!, created by Bertrand Duchaufour, smells classy and mature—yet still maintains that captivating exotic feel.

Floraiku – Sand and Skin

Vanilla and benzoin aren't the first notes that come to mind when I think of summer perfumes. As much as I love these two, I usually reserve them for autumn or winter. However, Floraiku created a stunning vanilla scent that works beautifully in summer, too.

Sand and Skin smells like solar flowers—ylang-ylang and frangipani—combined with lilies, thanks to the Mahonial® molecule. The scent is unique, though not exactly tropical. On the skin, it feels like the florals are blending with sunscreen, painting a picture of summer by the sea. There’s also plenty of sandalwood, which, to me, is the perfect wood for warm weather. Here, vanilla melds with it into something soft and creamy—like a warm, cocooning summer evening.

Chanel – Chance Eau Splendide

Just before the season began, Chanel launched a fragrance that is bound to become a staple for many. Created by Olivier Polge, this is a sparkly, sweet, fruity-floral perfume that’s incredibly easy to wear.

Juicy raspberry is blended with rose, violet, and iris, plus fresh geranium leaf and white musk. The composition is unpretentious and effortless—while not groundbreaking, it feels modern and instantly likable. It also became an instant hit on social media, suggesting it might be the IT perfume of the summer. And yes, I caved too—after testing it multiple times at airports and department stores, I finally decided I needed it in my summer perfume wardrobe.

Thomas De Monaco – Ultima Storia

I was never a fan of citrus fragrances—most of them smelled more or less the same to me, with little lasting power or any interesting twist. So when brand founder and creative director Thomas introduced Ultima Storia to me at Esxence 2024, I bet he noticed how I rolled my eyes, expecting just another forgettable citrus. It wasn’t. In fact, it became one of my most-worn perfumes—especially in summer.

Ultima Storia opens with zesty, refreshing Citron Noir (black lemon), followed by juicy pear, almond, roasted coffee, talcum powder, and even leather. It’s Italian summer in a bottle! What I especially love is how the citrusy spark stays throughout the entire scent journey, intertwining with gourmand and leathery facets to create something truly unique.

Xerjoff – Cruz del Sur II

This is a fragrance that goes all-in on tropical fruit. From the very first spray, the room is filled with the mouthwatering scent of mango and juicy pineapple, topped with delicate apple blossom. It feels so realistic—like walking through a fresh fruit market or sipping a beachside cocktail. It captures all the senses and immerses you in a holiday mood.

As it develops, fresh florals and green leaves come forward, grounded by cedarwood and musk. These elements balance the initial sweetness, leaving a soft, slightly tart fruity finish that still smells divine.

Goldfield & Banks – Pacific Rock Flower

If you’re not into florals, citruses, or tropical fruits, and prefer something more aquatic, this could be the perfect scent for you. The newest release from Goldfield & Banks invites you to experience the Pacific coast.

It opens with a salty note that instantly evokes the ocean breeze. Then it turns a bit sweeter, thanks to tuberose, coral tree blossom, and coastal tea tree—definitely not your usual floral combination. It smells unfamiliar in a good way, inviting you to explore and discover. The base includes sandalwood and patchouli, but it’s never heavy—on my skin, it dries down to something fresh and clean, like a freshly washed crisp white linen shirt.

Celine – Parade

If you’re after a fresh, clean scent that works every day, for any occasion, this is it. When I first saw the list of notes, I wasn’t intrigued at all—and yet, it ended up being the first sample I finished from the discovery set of Celine.

The fragrance opens citrusy with neroli and bergamot, softened by vetiver. But what sets it apart is the generous dose of musk, which feels like the signature of Celine’s private line. This is a grab-and-go scent—refreshing, effortlessly chic. Classic citrus, but so much better.