These sunshine-worthy scents deserve a place alongside your SPF and sunglasses this season.
When the temperatures rise, our fragrance wardrobe gets a seasonal refresh, too.
Gone are the rich, heavy scents of winter; in their place come breezy florals, juicy fruits, creamy coconuts and skin-like musks that feel tailor-made for sunny weather.
Whether you’re searching for a beach scent, a compliment-generating fragrance or an affordable body mist to keep in your handbag, these are the summer perfumes earning a permanent place in our rotation.
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Floral Street Wonderland Peony Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: peony, pink berry, violet, cedarwood, hazelnut
I picked up a sample size of this to test out, but I’m already rushing back for a full-sized bottle.
Floral yet unexpectedly nutty, it’s the scent I reach for when I’m off to meet friends for sun-soaked brunches, park picnics and long afternoons spent outdoors.
Feminine without being overly sweet, it’s a modern, floral perfume that feels effortlessly wearable.
Ouai Ibiza Fragrance Mist
Fragrance notes: cocoa, tonka bean, vanilla, rum
This has been my scent of the summer so far, earning a permanent spot in my work bag for midday top-ups.
Every time I put it on, someone asks what I’m wearing — which is always a good sign.
The sweetness of cocoa, tonka bean and vanilla is balanced beautifully by the warm, boozy edge of rum, creating a fragrance that feels indulgent yet surprisingly fresh.
Diptyque Eau des Sens Eau De Toilette
Fragrance notes: orange blossom, angelica root, patchouli, juniper berry
If you’re after a citrus fragrance that feels grown-up rather than zesty, Eau des Sens is hard to beat.
Built around every facet of bitter orange, the first thing you notice is the aroma of sparkling orange blossom, before the scent of juniper berry adds a green, aromatic twist.
Angelica root and patchouli give it a subtle earthiness that keep things interesting, creating a scent that feels fresh, elegant and like it should cost about five times more than it actually does.
Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette
Fragrance notes: prickly pear, jasmine, iris
Inspired by long Mediterranean summers, Ilio is sunshine bottled.
Juicy prickly pear gives the fragrance a refreshing, almost watery fruitiness, while bergamot adds a sparkling citrus lift. Jasmine softens the composition with delicate florals, and iris lends a velvety finish that feels effortlessly chic.
Light, bright and endlessly wearable, it’ll be my go-to for those hot days when I want something fresh, but still distinctive.
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Nuxe Sun Delicious Fragrant Water
Fragrance notes: sweet orange, petitgrain, coconut, tiare flowers, vanilla and musk
If summer holidays could be bottled, they might smell something like this. Sweet orange and coconut immediately evoke sun-drenched beaches, while tiare flowers and vanilla create a creamy tropical heart.
One spritz and you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away to the French Riviera.
Nuxe Prodigieux le parfum
Fragrance notes: orange blossom, magnolia, vanilla
Fans of Nuxe’s iconic Huile Prodigieuse oil will instantly recognise this addictive scent.
Soft orange blossom and magnolia give it a sunny floral quality, while vanilla adds a comforting warmth that feels perfect for balmy evenings.
Carolina Herrera La Bomba Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: fruity, peony, vanilla
La Bomba is a fruity-floral fragrance designed to help you make an entrance. Juicy fruits and peony provide brightness, while vanilla lends a smooth sweetness that feels youthful without being overpowering.
And if you’re a sucker for beautiful packaging, the eye-catching bottle is shaped like a butterfly, making it just as display-worthy as the fragrance itself.
Buy from The Perfume Shop for £67
Laura Ashley Serene Meadows Parfum
Fragrance notes: bergamot, fig, blackcurrant, ylang, neroli, powdery musks, vetiver, amber
Capturing the feeling of an English garden in full bloom, Serene Meadows balances juicy fruits with soft florals and warm musks.
The result is a refined fragrance that’s equal parts fresh, comforting and sophisticated.
Kayali Maui in a Bottle Sweet Banana 37 Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: banana, pear, coconut cream, jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla
A sniff of this will instantly transport you to Maui’s lush mountains and dazzling beaches.
Opening with creamy banana and coconut cream, this tropical fragrance develops into a sunny floral heart of jasmine and gardenia before settling into warm sandalwood, rum and vanilla bourbon.
It’s summer in perfume form.
Kayali Eden Plush Pear Eau de Parfum
Fragrance notes: pear, mandarin, bergamot, orange blossom, sandalwood, vanilla caviar
Juicy, sparkling and irresistibly wearable, Eden Plush Pear combines ripe pear with bright mandarin and bergamot before unfolding into delicate orange blossom.
Sandalwood and vanilla caviar ensure it remains sophisticated from the very first spray to dry down.
Lush Million Dollar Body Spray
Fragrance notes: rosewood, lavender, tonka
If you’re looking for a body spray that punches well above its price point, this is it.
Rosewood and lavender create an uplifting opening, while tonka adds a creamy sweetness that makes it feel surprisingly luxurious.
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Lush Dad’s Garden Lemon Tree Body Spray
Fragrance notes: lime, lemon, lavender
Fresh, uplifting and endlessly refreshing, this citrus-forward body spray is made for hot weather.
Bright lime and lemon deliver an instant burst of energy, softened by calming lavender for a fragrance that’s both invigorating and easy to wear.
M&S Solar Fleur Eau de Toilette
Fragrance notes: mandarin, jasmine, coconut milk
Proof that great summer fragrances don’t have to cost a fortune, Solar Fleur combines juicy mandarin with jasmine and creamy coconut milk.
The result is a sunny, beachy scent that feels far more expensive than its £12 price tag suggests.
Read more: 10 best M&S perfume dupes — save up to £135 on designer scents
M&S Marshmallow Delight Eau de Toilette
Fragrance notes: raspberry and marshmallow
Sweet-toothed fragrance-lovers, this one’s for you.
Playful raspberry meets fluffy marshmallow for a deliciously gourmand scent that’s fun, youthful and guaranteed to brighten your day.
Feature image: Canva/brands
