Here’s a new piece from TriedTestedLoved about coming back to old favourites, Happy by Clinique.

Summer is a great time to reflect on fragrance, the days are longer and with a bit of luck, the sun will come out now and again, allowing us to wear shorter sleeves and lighter clothes.

I like to pick a fresh, breezy fragrance for the sunny days, or for holidays and this year I’ve gone back to one of my favourite classics, Happy by Clinique.

Now, perhaps you are a perfumista, with a detailed appreciation for some of the more niche and trendy scents from cool and edgy brands. If yes, then Happy may not be your cup of tea at all.

However, for the sheer joy of being able to spray a dose of radiant vibrant heaven, it is hard to beat.

Firstly, I can be quite easily swayed when a product’s name and its aroma evoke the same sensation – in this case happiness.

Why? Well, if you like citrus notes, welcome home. The initial sharpness of the grapefruit and bergamot blend creates a burst of tangy freshness, which is quickly toned down by the soft florals and hints of green apple. I always find this to be zesty and clean, balanced enough to wear as a proper grown up perfume, but not overpowering and stifling in the heat.

Wearing this fragrance is an uplifting experience. The colours that come to my mind are yellow, red, lime green and coral – perfect shades for a holiday wardrobe.

At the same time, the transparency and gentle fizziness remind me of cocktails at the pool, or maybe I’ve just gone a bit dizzy after so many months of lockdown.

As someone with a tendency to overspray, I always feel confident that I won’t knock anyone out if they walk past me when I’m wearing Happy, it just lingers and dances around your nose, rather than punching you in the face.  But then I’m biased.

We all have different associations with a scent, however the success of this fragrance speaks for itself. Happy by Clinique is one of Clinique’s best sellers and is still going strong since it was launched in 1998.

Now more than ever, our fragrance and cosmetics can really make a difference to our wellbeing.

I’m always ready to be Happy and hope if this perfume isn’t for you, the one you choose this summer still makes you feel wonderful.

Nana Mensah @TriedTestedLoved has a true passion for beauty. An expert in all aspects of perfume and fragrance, she is also a qualified Aromatherapist, specialising in skin health and skin analysis. She believes in a whole-body approach to beauty and wellness and loves discovering new products. She is a member of the IFA (International Federation of Aromatherapists) and writes articles for magazines on essential oils.