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Top Perfumes Summer 2010

07/12/10 03:49:41

By: Sandra Raičević-Petrović

There are more and more fragrances created especially for summer, as limited summer editions. Whether these fragrances are the best solutions for summer, the market and consumers will answer. The consumers rate each fragrance by quality, longevity, uniqueness and personal inclination for designers.

In the last several years there was a tide of summer compositions, floral-fruity, aquatic and citrusy juices. Some of these fragrances will be worth our attention and we'll come back to them with joy.

1. What differentiates summer editions from other perfumes launched during year?

It is difficult to answer this question. Summertime asks for lighter notes to refresh us and to accompany us in summer days and evenings. Relaxing notes of aromatic and citrusy compositions are an excellent choice for summer temperatures, as well as aquatic versions leaving a pleasant trace. Men can choose between aromatic, green and aquatic notes with a bit of sweetness and sexy spices.

As for flacons, most of the designers' summer editions suggest the aromas of summer. Escada is characterized by their design of red fruity cocktails (Ocean Lounge, Sunset Heat, Marine Groove, Tropical Punch) while Bvlgari for example rather chooses bluish nuances resembling the sea or aromatic air of the coast (Aqua, Aqua Marine, BVL II, BLV Eau d`Ete). Many white airy flacons promise freshness, while pink aromas suggest romantic chic.

Calvin Klein with his summer edition CK One Summer creates aromatic variations of his invincible original perfume CK One, while Donna Karan presents new little apples with delicate aromas of red and green apple. I would like to draw your attention to Elizabeth Arden and their Green Tea which has been among the best-sellers for many years. The latest edition puts lavender in the first plan: Green Tea Lavender.

If you prefer citruses and fresh floral notes, try fragrances by L`Occitane, such as their cherry blossom, lemon verbena, peach blossom, myrtle, tea scents and the latest editions Calanques and Verdon. You can also choose between orange scents: Ruban d`Orange and (in case you are lucky and manage to find it in stock) phenomenal Feu d`Orange!

2. How important is the name of a perfume for its summer success?

The name can serve to help you remember a certain edition more easily, but it is not crucial in the long run. Hot, Cool, Sun, Summer, Eau, Aqua, Fresh (Fraiche) are the most common solutions the creators come up with for their summer editions. I find interesting those editions which tell a story, like collections Hermes - Un Jardin with fragrances Sur Le Nil, Après la Mousson, En Mediterranee; games by Acqua di Parma with its Mediterranean Blue Collection abounding with "tasty" ingredients; and sophisticated and feminine Aqua Allegoria collections for summer by Guerlain.

3. Does the popularity of some editions guarantee their success and quality?

According to statistics and top lists of sales, some editions never leave bestseller lists. Their popularity does not pass even though new similar editions appear. Among the best rated summer fragrances are the following: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, Davidoff Cool Water, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, already mentioned CK One, Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, DKNY Be Delicious, Moschino Cheap and Chic I Love Love, Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche, Armani Acqua di Gio, Versace Versence, Crystal Bright, Issey Miyake L`eau d`Issey and others.

As for men's editions, the most popular one are the following: Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme, Armani Aqua di Gio, Davidoff Cool Water, Issey Miyake L`Eau d`Issey Pour Homme, Chanel Allure Homme Sport, Azzaro Chrome, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme, Clinique Happy, Versace Man Eau Fraiche etc. These statistics are taken from Fragrantica.com and they suggest that older and well-known editions which have been on the market for a longer while are among the bestsellers and best-graded perfumes.

4. How to choose a summer fragrance?

It is not a problem for fans of perfumes. Most of us who are in constant search for perfumes have a list of criteria which are based on experience and on personal style. We recommend to new explorers not to test a large number of perfumes on their skin at once, but to try to find what is perfect for them slowly and gradually. The best rated perfumes in my opinion are the best base and direction for what to choose, but I recommend adventures and constant exploration. Our skin and nose will show us what suits us.

Out of new editions, I would like to point out some which were most praised: women's edition Armani Code Summer 2010, men's Guerlain Homme L`Eau, Hermes Voyage d`Hermes, Tauer's Orange Star, new limited editions by Thierry Mugler Angel Sunessence Bleu Lagoon, Alien Sunessence Saphir Soleil, A*Men Sunessence Orange d`Ete, exotic Zen Purple, Boss Orange Celebration of Happiness, Chanel Chance Eau Tendre and others.

If you enjoy eaux de cologne, you can read more about them and choose one for you. Their freshness and pure aromas can be the perfect companion during warm summer days. Our suggestion: read columns Eau de cologne Part 1 and Eau de cologne Part 2!

5. You cannot go wrong with citruses!

Citruses have refreshing characteristics, but are also an excellent stimulus for thenervous system. They are dashing and optimistic. They will help you stay awake and refreshed in the heat. On top of that, citruses are particularly pleasant for the workspace-- for colleagues and co-workers. You will not insult anyone if you give them a great citrusy fragrance as a gift for summer! Check out the perfume lists of Fragrantica which feature pure citrusy and citrusy-aromatic editions.

Juicy oranges: Acqua Allegoria Orange Magnifica, Hermes Elixir des Merveilles, Cacharel Liberte, Tauer Orange Star, Azzaro Orange Tonic, Keiko Mecheri Sanguine, L`Occitane Feu d`Orange, Acqua di Parma Arancia di Capri, Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Sanguine Muskissime.

6. When I asked people around me who are not in the perfume business how they selected perfumes, they said:

• It must be fresh!
• I like new editions which are fresh and linger on the skin for a long time!
• I choose elegant and discrete fragrances!
• I choose fragrances which smell like cleanliness.
• I chose a fragrance based on an advertising campaign and I did not regret it.

From the point of the view of a person who really loves perfumes, uses them and explores them all the time, I was not surprised by these answers. Whether they chose well, I don't know, but each interviewee was very happy with the fragrance they use.

7. Three summer fragrances larger than life!

I dedicate this paragraph to you. Each perfume expert, and there are quite a few here, has three favourites they single out as the best summer editions of all times.

My three would be Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune, L`Occitane Feu d`Orange and fabulous Hermes Elixir des Merveilles-–magic elixir of orange, caramel and resins which I adore when temperatures are high. As for men's editions, my three winners for summer period are Kenzo Homme, Issey Miyake L`Eau d`Issey Homme and Dior Dune Pour Homme.

It is your turn now! Maybe your three picks for summer will be the perfect pointer for new perfume explorers!

Autor: Sandra Raičević Petrović
(sandrina_bambina)

Fragrantica Editor, Writer and Designer

Conacha

This summer, I've been wearing a lot Polo Sport Woman... fantastic for hot weather and really long lasting.

Jan
15
2012

FallenAngel

there are really nice scents out there but first you have to think at summer like...a lot of sun fresh air and the perfumes have to be inspired by this ideas and not to be heavy

Jul
22
2010

nomadring

Best

Jul
20
2010

623debbie

My favorites for summer are:

Michael Kors Island and Island Capri
CK One Summer 2005. (Haven't tried 2010 yet)
Fresh Sugar Lemon

There are so many new summer scents that I would love to try!

Jul
18
2010

michelle_belle_de_jour

My fave scent to wear during the summer is Paul Smith Floral :) I love many of the scents listed because they are all so fresh and summery.

Jul
17
2010

scentual healing

Right now I am wearing Aroma M geisha blanche, such a lovely fragrane for summer.

Jul
16
2010

funnyboy

I like Allesandro del aqua for men
ALSO
CK 1 summer 2008 edition,
Bvlgari pour homme,original,
Creed Virgin Island Water and finally Creed Royal Water.
The last 2 and the CK are unisex,none of them too heavy for the summer temperatures although here, in England the temperatures have dropped over the last week.
i PREFER THE HIGH 20.S PLUS TO WEAR THE ABOVE FRAGRANCES...

Jul
16
2010

sandrina_bambina

Thank you dear friends for your great summer suggestions! We made a long list of summer scents here! :)

Jul
15
2010

visione

Thank you, Sandrina! A lovely article with great suggestions. I find myself drawn to citrus scents in warmer weather, and return again and again to the classic unisex Royall Lyme. It has been a staple in my perfume wardrobe since my first visit to Bermuda back in the early sixties - to me, it is the most refreshing of all the lime-based scents.
Here are a couple of others I enjoy when the temperature soars:

Hermes: Un Jardin sur le Mediterranee
Tocca: Gulietta
Ralph Lauren: Blue

And almost any of the Acqua Allegorica fragrances with a hint of citrus, although none of them seem to last long. I keep a bottle of Pamplelune in its original box in my fridge for frequent cool sprays when the humidity really gets to me - it's so refreshing.

Now I have some suggestions for new summer scents - thanks again, Sandrina, and thanks to all those who have added their suggestions as well.

Jul
14
2010

lulllull

Nice article. I'm not that good at summer perfumes. I live in the north of sweden and temperature doesnt get that high up here. We rarely go swimming in the ocean here in the summer if you get my point. My favorite summer perfumes so far are:

Guerlain - shalimar
for long sultry summer nights
Byredo - palermo
for a visit to the beach
I profumi di firenze - talco delicato
all day any day

Jul
14
2010

gypsy parfumista

I love summer fragrances but so many of them have a limited longevity and need reapplication but I understand that you don't want a heavy long lasting fragrance intensified by your own sweat and musk...especially if your area's summer temps exceed 100 degrees!

My Three favorite summer fragrances are:

1)Asprey Londons Purple Water-unisex

2)Burberry Summer for men(2009)

3)Calvin Klein's cK1 summer 2010 ed.

There are many, many summer frags (and more released for each new summer) and many that are quite wearable that are not summer editions(per se)like Purple Water. Only you know what will work on your skin and with your chemistry and if you're like me you might just wear a "summer" edition in the middle of winter to smell those fresh smells that are months gone OR wear a woody, orinetal spicy one; because, thats how you feel or what you want to wear, in the middle of summer(of course, I have AC and my house is usually 68-72 degrees all summer). I am usually very excited to see the new frags come out each summer yet sometimes wish they would come out with a Spring or Autumn fragrance for a change...

One thing is for sure: fresh, green and citrus are always great for summer!

Jul
14
2010

kiwicocoylima

I love summer perfumes ^^

Jul
14
2010

Migotka

My summer favourites are Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo - Mandorlo di Sicilia, Stella Nude and Cacharel Noa :)

Jul
14
2010

Unicorn1

My favorite summer picks are:

Citrus Sorbet Mist from April Aromatics
Sweet Summer Mist
Rose L'Orange Perfume
Lindenblossom Perfume

All by April Aromatics...
Since I do not like synthetic perfumes...these work really well for me...light and fresh.

Jul
14
2010

misscareyann

My three picks for summer are:

1. Stella by Stella McCartney
(sweet warmed roses and citrus amber in the sun!)

2. Burberry Brit Sheer
(clear fruits and florals fully come to life in the hotter weather)

3. Clean Ultimate
(florals that are blended so flawlessly which give off a slightly beachy, suntan lotion feel)

*I also like Harajuku Lovers G, which is heavy on the coconut, perfect for a tropical summer feel.

Jul
13
2010

Miss Guerlain

BOTTLED SUMMER TOP #3:

1. "Mure et Musc" edt - L'Artisan
2. Biotherm "Eau Vitaminee!
3. Jennifer Lopez "Live"

Jul
13
2010

BIG

For men:

1)L`Eau d`Issey Summer Pour Homme 2008 by Issey Miyake

2)L`Eau Par Kenzo ICE Pour Homme by Kenzo

3)Time Uomo by Krizia

Jul
13
2010

ahmed ehab

amazing article sandra i love your work !
my 2 favorites are
1)bvlgari aqva
2) dior homme sport (love this one!)

Jul
12
2010

Mado Haddad

Excellent article Sandrina ( and I enjoy reading what you write in general :) )
I wish I can find citrussy fragrances that won't get sour on me...
So far, the summer perfume I loved for Summer 2010 is: amor amor eau fraiche.
I'll add more two favourites later :)

Jul
12
2010

naheed

Great article Sandrina! I would prefer fragrances which give me fresh and clean feeling.'Cause when the temperature is high and the sweat makes you stink you need something which keeps you fresh. I would prefer woodsy citruses, aquatic and aromatic scents.

Jul
12
2010

systeme_d

Elixir des Merveilles is one of my very favorites. Thanks to this article, I will be seeking out a sample of L'Occitane Feu D'Orange!

Jul
12
2010

mariotgomez

What a great article.

Here are my 3 suggestions:

La Cologne Du Parfumeru by Guerlain.

Eau de Cartier by Cartier

and

Infusion d'Iris by Prada

There are so many to choose from, that is way we all love Fragrantica.com. This site has some great contributors in sharing the their love of perfumes.

Jul
12
2010

zoka

I also enjoy citruses when is hot weather... and sometimes some fresh ozone like cucumber or watermelon may be good.

Jul
12
2010

jeca

Thank you for the article, Sandrina ;o))) I enjoyed reading it ;o) I love citruses, especially sharp woodsy citruses, i love my Orange leaves by L'Occitane.

Jul
12
2010

imgcas

Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic and Hermès Un Jardin après la Mousson are staples for me in summer.

I also suggest Parfums de Nicolai L'Eau Mixte and Parfums de Rosine Écume de Rose.

Jul
12
2010

a.k.a.warum

What a wonderful article!
I live in a very mild climate, it's never too cold in Winter and never too hot in Summer. I could wear the same fragrances all year around, but I do try to go more seasonally. This Summer I enjoyed Ninfeo Mio by Annick Goutal, Lucky Clover from DSH Perfumes, and Cherry EDT (Cerisier) by L'Occitane.

Jul
12
2010

Ina_Mo

An excellent article and wonderful suggestions for summer! There is something for everyone's taste, from refreshing citruses, fruity cocktails, opulent notes to aquatic or marine fragrances!
I agree with the suggestions, but in order not to repeat them, I would recommend the following three aquatic-marine fragrances for ladies:
Davidoff Cool Water Game, more opulent than original, with even more fruit and flowers;
Aquawoman Rochas - refreshing sea water with tingling spices;
Aqua Motu Comptoir Sud Pacifique - a touch of clean blue sea and seaweed in a flacon.

Jul
12
2010