34 Summer Scents You Won't Be Able to Stop Spritzing

Summer smells different to everyone. For me, it's wooder ice, hot pavement and tomato-and-mayo sandwiches. But, of course, there are also those olfactory references that aren't necessarily as regionally specific: Sticky, sugary syrups, citruses that both zig and zag, tanned leathers, bright florals opening their buds toward the sun. And there are perfumes and fragrances that capture the vibe of all of them.

As temperatures rise, our scent interests change. And in warmer weather, finding the right scent — and making it actually last — is key.

"Fragrance layering is the best way to smell amazing all day. It also allows you to design a scent that's uniquely yours," Gwen Gonzalez, a perfumer for Givaudan, tells Fashionista. She's also a fan of utilizing samples to try out different scents and see how they interact with your body chemistry. "Wear a fragrance for a full 24 hours, perhaps even a couple of days. Try it out in different settings and note how you feel throughout the day. Do not just rely on a blotter strip, doing this can lead to a big letdown."

Mona Kattan, Kayali founder and Huda Beauty global president, notes that one way to prolong a fragrance's staying power is to be properly moisturized. "I always recommend starting with well-hydrated skin by using a lotion or a balm. This provides a better base for the fragrance to stick to," she says. Her other summer scent advice? "Don't be afraid to experiment with your fragrances — the oddest combination can create the most amazing and unique scent."

Whether you're strictly into gourmands or love to switch between powdery florals and juicy bursts of fruits, there are plenty of new and beloved options on the market to choose from. Read on for a complete roundup of expert-approved fragrances to add to your scent wardrobe this season.

Fruity + Juicy

While it seems like there's a veritable fruit salad of fragrance choices on offer every summer, 2024 is leaning into zesty, juicy scents with particular abandon. Gonzalez says she's "seeing fruity notes of pear, mango, peach and lemon having a bit of a renaissance moment right now, with updated, modern interpretations."

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Sweet + Gourmand

For those of us who love to smell like a candy store, there's Kayali's recent Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar 42 launch. According to Kattan, the notes of "candied pear, white caramel, bubble gum, vanilla cream and rock sugar layer so well with other fragrances, especially if you're looking to sweeten your scent." She says it gives a comforting and nostalgic vibe that brings her back to her childhood.

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Green + Earthy

Kattan also doesn't shy away from earthy and smoky scents just because of the weather change: "Although most would associate wearing oud in the colder months, in the Middle East, oud is worn all year round and in fact has a greater projection on warm skin." She says a strong oud is "definitely for people who aren't afraid to stand out in the crowd."

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Fresh + Airy

For a refreshing vibe, Gonzalez is turning to Vacation After Sun, which she calls "the epitome of summer holiday — mute all calls and emails." The "cooling notes of aloe vera, green tea verjus, iced cucumber water and of course, minibar gin, [make for] a cooling, fun fragrance to layer on after a day sunbathing."

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