When summer looks like it might actually stay for more than three days in a row (at least British summers anyway) many women like to change their fragrance wardrobe as well as their clothes.
When it comes to fragrance, it’s no secret that citrussy stuff will cool you down and the aquatics will make you think of the sea. But what about the other perfumes that you can wear in summer? What about the summer scents that they say you shouldn’t wear? I know what you’re thinking- “Who is THEY? Well it’s generally the media who, as you may have noticed, like to churn out articles about sun cream around Christmas time and articles about Christmas stuff at the end of August when you’re still using the sun cream you bought in December.
There’s no hard and fast rule to say you have to wear citruses in summer and heavy spicy gourmands in winter, so I thought I’d talk about some perfumes that make great summer scents, but may not be obvious choices.
Here’s the I Scent You a Day round up of summer scents for people who don’t like summer scents.
Food for Thought
Cartier Baiser Fou
Many perfume fans dislike using gourmands in the summer on the grounds that they just smell sticky and sweet. After all, do you want vanilla cupcakes in the heat? No sir. Melty icing is not my thing. However, Cartier Baiser Fou is a delightful white chocolate and posh lipstick scent that I couldn’t get enough of when I smelled it. On my blog, I recommended it as the perfect wedding guest scent. Yes, white chocolate can work in the summer sun.
There. I’ve said it.
When Spice is Nice
Andy Tauer L’Air du Desert Marocain
Andy Tauer is an independent perfumer based in Zurich. L’Air du Desert Marocain was his second scent, and the one that really sealed his reputation. Many regard it as a cult classic, including me. It’s the smell of hot sand in a desert with spices from the souk, and it lasts four around fifteen hours.
If you couldn’t give a fig before…
The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig
Fig is a juicy, dark scent that always reminds me of having a mouthful of too many sultanas. However, our Mediterranean friends have long since cottoned on to the fact that summer under a fig tree isn’t a bad place to be. Next time you’re tempted to buy eau-de-zingy, try fig and you’ll see what I mean. The Body Shop does a good one.
Chypre and Cheerful
Chanel No 19
A chypre (pronounced Sheep-ra) is usually, but not always an accord of moss, amber and bergamot, but it can vary. The identifying characteristic is an earthy mossy finish with a hint of powdery notes, although this can vary too. If you’ve ever smelled Estee Lauder White Linen, or Lancôme Magie Noir, then you’ve smelled a chypre.
Chypres are fabulous in winter, but also, if you wear them with hint of sassiness and cool elegance, they can be incredible in summer too. I recommend Chanel No 19. It has green notes, chic florals and a powdery base note that tells people “I don’t have to explain anything to you.” Now, I don’t know this for a fact, but I reckon Kristin Scott Thomas wears it. It’s very her, and I love her.
Celebrity Stunners
Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights
As a perfume blogger, I often hear people tell me that they would never try a celebrity scent and I ask them why. Celebrity scents are all made by professional, respected noses and priced low to sell in volume. You do have to be selective, but the low prices often mean that blind buys are low risk. In summer, I love to wear Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights. If you’ve ever tried Prada Amber, there is very little difference between the two, apart from about thirty quid in the price. I also recommend J Lo Still, which is a lightly spiced green tea scent that’s perfect for adding spice with the lightest of touches. My advice? Never overlook a celeb scent. Many have cult status to fume-heads and perfumistas.
How about you?
Do you have a favourite summer scent that’ not a summer scent? I’d love to know because I’m nosy about how people smell. I’ve been known to ask complete strangers what thy smell of with varying results. I’m sure that’ll get me into trouble one day, but so far, so good.
Find Sam here:
https://twitter.com/IScentYouADay
Buy Cartier Baiser Fou for £56 from John Lewis
Buy L’Air Du Desert Marocain for £99 from Lessenteurs
Buy The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig for £7.50 from Direct Cosmetics
Buy Chanel No. 19 for £52 from Harrods
Buy Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights for £11.19 from Fragrance X
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