Hi Marie, can I ask for your expertise? I will be traveling a lot by train this summer, and generally spend long days for work and study. What perfumes would you recommend during a warm season while staying active for so long. I would consider something that smells refreshed but I dislike sweet scents. I also wondered if "fresh" has to mean citrus/floral/fresh from the shower or if there're smells that are underrated in that department - but the last question is merely a side thought.
Hi Love!!! It sounds like you have an exciting summer ahead 👀 I'm happy for you!
Your question was a very fun challenge and I hope I did it justice by compiling a few suggestions that (I hope) go into different directions. For me, summer scents are difficult for reasons you also touched upon: finding the balance between "refreshing" - "stays a long time" - "isn't oppressive to me or others". Where these offers hit for you (and whether you like them at all, of course!!! <3) will probably require an in-person test. What I can say, generally speaking, is that most summer scents are lighter. Colognes, the original "splash and refresh yourself" scents, are also the most fleeting among perfume concentrations. To me, that can be part of the appeal - carrying a little travel spray to refresh, not worrying about being too cloying, etc. (they're also usually sold in larger bottles and cheaper).
Luckily, there are many more options other than sweet (or even floral or fruity) scents for summer! I do think many 'fresh' scents do fall in the citrus category (again mentioning colognes, the original, which are usually citrus-forward), but I also think there are green and aquatic scents that might do the trick for you. Maybe that's what you had in mind with 'fresh out of the shower', but I decided to include them anyways! :=) If the scents themselves don't appeal to you, the categories might be helpful, still.
[As always with my perfume talk: if you do end up loving a scent, please look for online sellers. Sabina, Sephora. Douglas, flaconi, parfumdreams are german ones I know. Full price is the enemy.]
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Water-cool, acquatic scents
I have a feeling acquatics were very popular in the 90s, since many scents are from that era. L'eau Kenzo pour homme is among the first scents that I really loved, it to me truly felt like a splash of water (I'm sure the pour femme is lovely, too). Wood Sage & Sea Salt is a classic that's well-known for its poor longevity (always with Jo Malone), but it truly is a delight. A fresh-salty breeze, thoughts of salt-crusted driftwood. Very elegant, to me, and such a fun take on summer scents. Acqua di Gioia is another icon - I feel like this is a VERY likeable scent that people (still!!) gravitate towards. She's just very pretty, a splash of water. 'Gets compliments' isn't really a category that I think about, but I think the overall pleasant-ness of this one might be a comfort, if you're among other people a lot (apart from the fact that it's very nice in itself).
Green Scents
The Jardin line by Hermes is a classic when it comes to distinguished, different fresh/transparent scents. I think they're all worth sniffing to see if you like them (there is a new one called Jardin sur le Mer, re:acquatic scents, but I haven't smelled it yet). Sur le Nil is the icon among the bunch, a beautiful, green-light concoction of mango and lotus (among others). Another iconic line: Aqua Allegoria by Guerlain (colognes). I haven't tried the new Rosa Verde yet (scared of roses, didn't know what was in it other than that), BUT I've since learned that it has a prominent cucumber note, which I find extremely compelling and which might be very fresh, very transparent. For a true classic, try also Herba Fresca (one of the first AA's, with herbs, green tea & mint). BVLGARI Thé Vert is another classic. I find it very tender, rather than strictly refreshing? Elegant, soft, deeply calming. Still, very sheer. And re: green tea. Elizabeth Arden's green tea is absolutely worth a sniff, too!
fruity (but not overly sweet)
Fico di Amalfi is a water-splashed fig, to my nose. It's not quite as green as Philosykos by Diptyque (which you might want to sniff if you're looking for a realistic fig, fig tree, green light in fig leaves experience!), but rather juicy, a little sweet, and very nostalgic to me (my father used to wear it in summer). Acqua di Parma are icons and I recommend sniffing around for summer scents (I also like arancia di capri!). The people at 4711 are constantly introducing new and fleeting, but innovative cologne compositions: I've recently sniffed fig&vetiver (which just came out) and found it compelling! But I also like peach&coriander, or the cool-splashy coconut water&yuzu. Their bottles are SO pretty, they're not expensive, and they have a lot of fun note combinations. I think as a splashy fun treat they're perfectly darling and worth a closer sniff. For a refreshing rhubarb, try l'impératrice! It's probably the most youthful-modern scent on this list, but I do think it's so fun!! A little sour, a little pink.
personal refreshing favourites (read: possibly old-fashioned)
Chanel's Cristalle Eau Verte is a delicate citrus with that iris-softness, I do think it's very beautiful. Sheer, a light green veil. But you know me and my tastes, they're old-fashioned. Case in point: Chant d'Arômes, which I've been loving lately (it might be too sharp in high summer, though). Lemons, a hint of ylang-ylang and, apparently, oak moss in the base (with vanilla). Definitely old-fashioned and maybe rather strict-sharp to some, but so lovely in spring! I find it so comforting, so clear-headed and delicate. No5 Eau Premiére is one I always talk about, I love the champagne-frothing aldehydes. It gets softer later on (ylang ylang, rose), but for a more refreshing, lemony version, I can recommend no5 l'eau! she's the cool younger sister in every sense of the word.
Bonus: scents I've yet to try Many scents came to mind that I haven't tried yet or remember trying but which I've since forgotten, but which might still be worth a re-sniff, or which might appeal to you! I've compiled them as a little p.s.:
