SUN scents
In search of summer perfumes? Ashleigh Cometti suggests scents that say sun-kissed and beach-bound.
NOTHING OFFERS A DOSE of escapism after returning from holidays quite like a fragrance designed to send you right back to golden beaches and balmy evenings.
In 2024, summer-ready scents abound — evoking the golden warmth of sun-kissed skin or beckoning faraway lands.
Fragrances worn in the warmer months generally tend to be on the lighter side, meaning they won’t smell as overpowering or attract unwanted attention from bugs.
Eau de parfums promise longer staying power in warmer climes, as they don’t evaporate as quickly as their lighter eau de toilette cousins. However, if you’re happy to reapply throughout the day, use an eau de toilette with a body oil in the same fragrance family, and spritz strategically on the nape of your neck and in the bend of your knee.
Here, the seven best scents to accompany you through summer and beyond.
1
LA COLLECTION PRIVE´ E CHRISTIAN DIOR New Look 125ml eau de parfum, $500
What it is: Mysterious and earthy, the 2024 edition of New Look was developed by renowned perfumer Francis Kurkdjian to capture the synergy between fashion and fragrance. Intended to mimic the audacity, spirit and nuances of the fashion house, Kurkdjan’s New Look captures attention with the freshness of its top notes and makes a lasting impression with the sensuousness and mystery of its warming base.
Fragrance family: Amber
What it smells like: Top notes of aldehyde C-12 MNA (a long-lasting, fresh and clean note with green citrus characteristics), a heart of frankincense extract and base notes of white amber, with hints of incense.
Where to get it: Dior Beauty Britomart boutique, or online at Dior.co.nz.
2
DIPTYQUE Limited Edition Do Son 100ml eau de toilette, $291
What it is: An homage to its Vietnamese roots, Diptyque has unveiled a limited-edition take on one of its most-loved scents, Do Son. Dreamed up by friends Christiane Montadregautrot, Yves Coueslant and Desmond Knoxleet in 1961, the fragrance maison salutes Vietnam’s special place in its story with its now-iconic scent. Yves recalls the trailling tuberoses — adored by his mother — being carried by the breeze in a seaside town in Vietnam, a scent that was later crafted and bottled by perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin. Fragrance family: Floral
What it smells like: Top notes of African orange flower, iris and rose, a heart of tuberose and pink pepper, alongside a base of musk and benzoin.
Where to get it: Mecca or online at Meccabeauty.co.nz.
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3
SOL DE JANEIRO Cheirosa 59 240ml perfume mist, $74
What it is: Building on its collection of hair and body mists comes Sol De Janeiro’s new Cheirosa 59, the fifth scent in the Cheirosa story. The bright lavender bottle is befitting of the uplifting juice inside — a swirling co-mingle of sweet, creamy notes that evoke the warmth of winding down at sunset. Available in either a 90ml or 240ml size, this body mist offers an excellent way to freshen up post-swim.
Fragrance family: Gourmand
What it smells like: Top notes of vanilla orchid, a heart of candied violet set amongst a sandalwood base.
Where to get it: Mecca or online at Meccabeauty.co.nz.
4
AMOUAGE Lineage 100ml eau de parfum fragrance spray, $594
What it is: Acting as the third chapter in Amouage’s Odyssey story, Lineage transports the wearer to a sun-drenched desert island, with wafts of sea spray and the earthy minerality of suntanned skin. It’s the ultimate balancing act between sweet and spicy, with salty elements of myrrh and frankincense seemingly at odds with the warmth and creaminess of benzoin and labdanum, but somehow it works.
Fragrance family: Amber/aquatic
What it smells like: Top notes of ginger, Sichuan pepper, saffron and Peruvian pepper, a heart of frankincense, myrrh and fenugreek, with a base of labdanum, vetiver, benzoin and patchouli.
Where to get it: Smith & Caughey’s or online at Smithandcaugheys.co.nz
5
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH Away Weekend 100ml eau de parfum, $91
What it is: Composed by perfumer Clement Gavarry, Away Weekend continues Abercrombie & Fitch’s Away series, this time telling the story of a weekend sojourn spent disconnecting from the world and relishing the simplicity of life. Sparkling yet serene, the olfaction couples soothing lavender with bright white tea and ambroxan for a touch of warmth and comfort. It’s vibrant and inviting, and acts as a sensorial reminder to live in the moment.
Fragrance family: Aromatic
What it smells like: Top notes of fig, white tea and rhubarb, a heart of clary sage, lavender and jasmine, with base notes of musk, ambroxan and tonka bean.
Where to get it: Selected department stores and pharmacies including Life Pharmacy or online at Lifepharmacy.co.nz.
6
CREED Virgin Island Water 100ml eau de parfum fragrance spray, $522
What it is: Uplifting and warm, this fresh, invigorating scent captures a life spent sailing in the Caribbean — evoking the tropical beauty of its surrounding islands and dazzling blue seas. A paradisaical scent to wear in peak summer or while on a island holiday, its cocktail of aquatic, citrus and floral notes is equally enticing when worn all year round to keep that summer feeling alive.
Fragrance family: Aquatic
What it smells like: Top notes of bergamot, Jamaican lime and Silician mandarin, a heart of hibiscus, ylang ylang and Indian jasmine, set among a base of coconut and tropical woods.
Where to get it: Smith & Caughey’s or online at Smithandcaugheys.co.nz
7
SISLEY PARIS Le Eau Reˆ ve´ e d’hubert 50ml fragrance spray, $160
What it is: New to Sisley Paris Le Eau Reˆve´e collection is d’hubert, a powerful aromatic that captures the climbing geranium that sits proudly in Sisley cofounder Isabelle d’ornano’s garden. Considered by most perfumers as a masculine rose, the geranium used here reflects a vibrant, green and unexpected scent, capturing the strong aroma emitted when you rub the plant’s leaves. This is the sixth scent of this d’hubert collection, with each fragrance revealing treasured memories, places or desires — occupying the space between the real and imaginary.
Fragrance family: Citrus
What it smells like: Top notes of mint, shiso (an aromatic herb) and agathosma (hints at balsamic), a heart of geranium, papyrus and cedar, and base notes of oakmoss, patchouli and ambroxan (boasts a caramel quality).
Where to get it: Selected department stores or online at Davidjones.com.