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Jet Set Around The Globe With The Best Summer Perfume Launches

A spritz will take you from Capri to The Hamptons.

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best summer perfumepinterest

From famed perfumer Francis Kurkdjian's much-anticipated fragrance debut for Dior to a reinterpretation of Estée Lauder's iconic and beach-ready Bronze Goddess perfume, the best summer spritzes are here to transport us to happier times and sunnier climes. Even if you are currently replying to your 4567th email of the day, these wanderlust fragrances are guaranteed to bring some much-needed joy to your workday (and hopefully inspire some travel plans in the near future).

The definition of a perfect summer break varies for each person. For some, it might be an all-week rave in Ibiza wearing Hunza G, a party-ready scent and little else, for others, it could be time spent cocooning yourself in a serene scent while you read one novel after another in the Scottish highlands. Whatever your vibe, there's something here for everyone.

'Perfume has the ability to transport you to the shore, to the sand of the beach and even to make you feel the sun in your skin,' says Loewe's in-house perfumer Nuria Cruelles. 'Also, smell is a sense of memory. It’s linked to 35% of our memories - with the visual sense we only recall up to 5%, for instance. Because of that, the perfumes you use for a specific period of time are often linked to memories of that time. When using a "summer fragrance" it will for sure make you recall all the good vibes and experiences lived during the summer.'

Shop the best summer perfumes...

Take Me To...The French Riviera

Dior Dioriviera EDP

Dioriviera EDP
Take Me To...The French Riviera

Dior Dioriviera EDP

£245 at Dior

Francis Kurkdjian's Dior debut marries the two places that are most important to this fragrance, the South of France, where the idyllic landscape serves as the scent's inspiration and Paris, where Kurkdjian created Dioriviera. Notes of creamy fig bring out the green facets of sun-soaked rose petals, resulting in a moreish scent that the entire ELLE team has fallen hard for.

Take Me To...Pacific Coast Highway

Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill

Pacific Chill
Take Me To...Pacific Coast Highway

Louis Vuitton Pacific Chill

Imagine cruising down the California coast in an open top next to the glimmering blue ocean, with your hair in the wind and the sunshine beaming down on you. This perfume is exactly that: optimistic, carefree and jubilant with punchy notes of lemon, coriander, basil and a hit of juicy blackcurrants.

Take Me To...Texas

D.S. & Durga Sweet Do Nothing EDP

Sweet Do Nothing EDP
Take Me To...Texas

D.S. & Durga Sweet Do Nothing EDP

If the expansive desert plains of Texas is on your travel bucket list, D.S. & Durga's Sweet Do Nothing scent will take you there, no itinerary required. Pepper brings on the heat, while the warmth of orange blossom balances the woody undertones.

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Take Me To...Santorini

Miller Harris Hydra Figue EDP

Hydra Figue EDP
Take Me To...Santorini

Miller Harris Hydra Figue EDP

After the initial citrusy splash, Hydra Figue mellows out into a plush, cosy scent of milky musks with a hint of warm cardamom. The scent also uses upcycled ingredients, namely oakwood sourced from scraps of French wine barrels. You'll also find anise-y notes of Ouzo, an aperitif commonly found in Greece.

Take Me To...Parc Bagatelle, Paris

La Bouche Rouge Paris Rose L'extrait de Parfum

Rose L'extrait de Parfum
Take Me To...Parc Bagatelle, Paris

La Bouche Rouge Paris Rose L'extrait de Parfum

Now 20% Off

Also taking the upcycled route is luxe French label, La Bouche Rouge, an early adopter of refillable beauty as well. There are five scents altogether - with each one incorporating 30% upcycled ingredients - but Rose is our go-to spritz for the scent of dewy, fresh, rosebuds.

Take Me To...Scottish Highlands

Jo Malone London Mallow On The Moor Cologne

Mallow On The Moor Cologne
Take Me To...Scottish Highlands

Jo Malone London Mallow On The Moor Cologne

Okay, so you prefer going somewhere super chill and quiet this summer; away from the madness of crowds, polluted air and overbooked restaurants. Somewhere like...the Scottish highlands, perhaps? The powdery soft Mallow On The Moor will take you there. There's plenty of purple flowers in here but mainly, it's gentle, soothing and will instantly leave you feeling centred. It's a limited edition collection so add to basket now.

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Take Me To...A Walking Safari

Maison Crivelli Neroli Nasimba EDP

Neroli Nasimba EDP
Take Me To...A Walking Safari

Maison Crivelli Neroli Nasimba EDP

Maison Crivelli broke new ground with neroli in this composition. Gone are the beachy vibes and in its place, a hot, sultry (that's the leather note talking) waft of orange blossom that's all shades of bright oranges, yellows and reds. It's the sauciest neroli out there, and we're all for it.

Take Me To...Mayfair

Tom Ford Soleil De Feu EDP

Soleil De Feu EDP
Take Me To...Mayfair

Tom Ford Soleil De Feu EDP

If you're the friend who knows all the hottest spots for dancing away the summer nights and has a wardrobe full of Skims dresses, you'll love Tom Ford's ambery Soleil De Feu. With sensuous tuberose and skin-hugging sandalwood, it's the kind of scent that gets better as the evening goes on.

Take Me To...Capri

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Summer Vibes EDT

Light Blue Summer Vibes EDT
Take Me To...Capri

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Summer Vibes EDT

Every year, we look forward to a new interpretation of Dolce & Gabbana's classic Light Blue perfume. Summer Vibes doesn't disappoint; it's a basket bag full of juicy peaches and zesty bergamots that manages to stay smooth and cocooning in the expert hands of perfumer Olivier Cresp.

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Take Me To...Your Best Friend's Destination Wedding

Gucci The Alchemist's Garden Where My Heart Beats EDP

The Alchemist's Garden Where My Heart Beats EDP
Take Me To...Your Best Friend's Destination Wedding

Gucci The Alchemist's Garden Where My Heart Beats EDP

Whether you're the bride (congrats!), maid of honour or an esteemed guest, this romantic floral scent will put you in the mood for love. It's a bouquet of some of the prettiest flowers out there - roses, peonies and lily of the valleys - yet with a refreshingly cool vibe thanks to flourishing green leaves and musk.

Take Me To...Barbie's Dream House

Burberry Her Elixir de Parfum

Her Elixir de Parfum
Take Me To...Barbie's Dream House

Burberry Her Elixir de Parfum

Come on, Barbie, let's go party! Burberry's Her Elixir is all kinds of Barbiecore, from the impeccable powder pink bottle to the unapologetically delicious, juicy scent inside. The notes listed read like the inside of Barb's pantry too, with strawberries, blackberries, and vanilla.

Take Me To...A Summer Soiree

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Forever EDP

For Her Forever EDP
Take Me To...A Summer Soiree

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Forever EDP

Now 15% Off

If you're a maximalist through and through, and you're not swapping your maxi skirts and floor-length gowns for crochet bras just because it's summer, this is for you. It's a generous spritz of bold white florals with Narciso's signature musky base that lingers for hours on end.

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Take Me To...Paris

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche EDT

Chance Eau Fraiche EDT
Take Me To...Paris

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche EDT

A spritz of Chanel's Chance Eau Fraiche will transport you to Paris' Tuileries gardens in full bloom, watching chic Parisians go by while you're sipping icy lemonade under a shady tree.

Take Me To...Hyde Park

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte

Aqua Media Cologne Forte
Take Me To...Hyde Park

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte

Francis Kurkdjian's latest outing for his namesake label is outdoorsy and fresh, thanks to citrusy verbena and bergamot which brings out the uplifting side of sweet fennel. The splash of cooling green tea is an added bonus.

Take Me To...A Girl's Only Vacay

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess L'Eau de Lumiere EDP

Bronze Goddess L'Eau de Lumiere EDP
Take Me To...A Girl's Only Vacay

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess L'Eau de Lumiere EDP

Inside every spritz of Bronze Goddess is the promise of a great summer day out with your closest friends with margaritas in hand, sunkissed skin and quite literally, beachy hair. 2023's version has an airiness that gives the creamy coconuts and frangipani a grown-up feel.

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Take Me To...A Sandy Beach

& Other Stories Solar Essay EDT

Solar Essay EDT
Take Me To...A Sandy Beach

& Other Stories Solar Essay EDT

Solar Essay falls into the 'suntan' scent category with its delicious, creamy notes of coconuts and tiare flower (a tropical shrub often found in Tahiti), but the extra citrusy zing sets it a cut above the rest. Wear liberally any time you need to remind yourself of warm weather days and beachside holidays.

Take Me To...Morocco

Vyrao Sun Ræ EDP - £135

Sun Ræ EDP - £135
Take Me To...Morocco

Vyrao Sun Ræ EDP - £135

There's plenty of perfumes that incorporate small amounts of turmeric to add depth in their compositions, but Vyrao's Sun Ræ shines a spotlight on the aromatic spice, with great success. Along with energising ginger, zingy citruses and basil, this is a warm scent that'll put you in an optimistic headspace.

Take Me To...The Hamptons

Tory Burch Electric Sky EDP

Electric Sky EDP
Take Me To...The Hamptons

Tory Burch Electric Sky EDP

If your summer wardrobe includes a pair of fresh new canvas espadrilles, entire rails of neutral linens and an LL Bean tote, make the crisp clean scent of Electric Sky your finishing touch. There's an aquatic saltiness here that takes the lavender note away from its 'spa-like' quality and into a brighter, summery vibe.

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Take Me To...A Rooftop Wine Tasting

Maison Margiela Replica On A Date EDT

Replica On A Date EDT
Take Me To...A Rooftop Wine Tasting

Maison Margiela Replica On A Date EDT

Not to state the obvious but Replica's On A Date smells exactly like...being on a date. Specifically, the ones that take place al fresco on a weekend afternoon, with live music playing, festoon lighting overhead and plenty of sharing plates involved. It's a cheerful scent that has the perfect amount of tartness to keep it from veering too sweet.

Take Me To...Kuala Lumpur

Byredo Lil Fleur EDP

Lil Fleur EDP
Take Me To...Kuala Lumpur

Byredo Lil Fleur EDP

In certain parts of Southeast Asia, ice cold rose cordial drinks are a thirst-quencher served as both a treat from the corner shop and at special occasions. It's sweet, but also infinitely refreshing thanks to its icy nature and the citrusy side of roses. Lil Fleur captures the scent perfectly thanks to a joyful blend of Damascena rose, blackcurrants and tangerine.

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