When the sun’s out and the temperature climbs, a lot of us assume our perfumes have to smell like a fruit cocktail or a bouquet of baby-soft florals.
But summer doesn’t mean you have to give up feeling sophisticated and grown-up.
In fact, it’s the perfect time to explore elegant, mood-lifting fragrances that leave a lasting impression.
From exotic blends with a personal story to breezy garden-inspired classics, here are the most exciting early summer scents to try if you want to smell sensational – without smelling sugary.
A Touch of Heritage and Heart: La Pyae Apothecary’s Masterpiece
Let’s start with something truly special. Catch Me If I Fall Eau de Parfum by La Pyae Apothecary (£185 for 50ml, lapyae.com) is more than a perfume – it’s a heartfelt tribute.
Created by beauty journalist Kathleen Baird-Murray, it was inspired by her mother’s Myanmar roots and took nine years to perfect.
Crafted by legendary perfumer Frank Voelkl (yes, the nose behind Le Labo’s iconic Santal 33), this scent is a complex blend of jasmine and freesia at its core, with green leaves and cardamom on top and creamy sandalwood at the base.
And even if you’re not a jasmine fan – like me – this might just change your mind. It’s incredibly elegant and utterly unique.
For a more affordable sandalwood fix, Beauty Pie’s Le Smash Santal (£33 for 50ml for members, £60 for non-members) is a bestseller that’s creamy, spicy, and seriously addictive.
A Juicy Twist: Rhubarb Reimagined
If you love fruity scents but don’t want to smell like dessert, rhubarb is your secret weapon.
Prada’s Infusion de Rhubarbe Eau de Parfum (£119 for 100ml, sephora.co.uk) captures that grown-up tartness beautifully.
It opens with a bitter green mandarin note before moving into soft rhubarb and rose, and finishes with a fresh white musk.
It’s playful but refined – proof that fruit can be sexy when done right.
Looking for something more budget-friendly? Arkive’s No One Elsie Eau de Parfum (£30 for 50ml, asos.com) is crisp, green, and reminiscent of tomato leaves and rhubarb.
So fresh, it feels like standing in a garden at dawn.
Like Iced Tea in a Bottle
Beauty Pie’s Brazilian Lime, Fig Leaves & Tea Eau de Parfum (£28 for members, £60 for non-members) is sunshine in a bottle.
It’s as refreshing as a tall glass of iced lemon tea – but with a sophisticated twist.
The citrusy lime top note brings a burst of energy, balanced by a soft heart of fig and tea, and finishes with grounding cedarwood and amber.
If you love Calyx by Clinique or Diptyque’s Philosykos, this one’s for you.
Channeling English Garden Serenity
Floris’s Purple Mémoire (£120 for 50ml, florislondon.com) is an elegant tribute to classic English gardens and the family estate of the Floris fragrance dynasty.
It’s soothing yet complex – with lavender and coriander at the top, iris in the middle, and a comforting base of powdery amber.
Bonus: it might even help you sleep better, too.
Celebrating Freshness with Cologne & Cotton
To mark its 35th anniversary, Cologne & Cotton has re-released its original six signature scents – and Niobe (£85 for 150ml) is an absolute standout.
It’s grounded in earthy vetiver, lifted by neroli and frankincense, and feels clean, comforting, and subtly spicy.
If you like that clean-linen, just-showered scent with a twist, this one’s a must-try.
You can also sample the Cos Perfumery Discovery Set (£19) from COS, which includes minis of Solaire, Auburn, Fleuriste, and Mythe.
All are airy, intriguing, and perfect for scent explorers.
Mood Magic: Perfume with Purpose
Vyrao, the brand by fashion tastemaker Yasmin Sewell, makes perfumes designed to uplift your energy.
Magnetic 70 (£89 for 30ml, vyrao.com) has become a go-to for me during perimenopause.
It’s grounding with vetiver, uplifting with cedarwood, and layered with iris and juniper wood.
The result? A comforting, empowering scent that’s a little witchy, a little wise, and deeply wearable.
The Unexpected Bestseller: A Supplement That Took Off
Not a fragrance, but worth shouting about: Victoria Health’s Collagen Tripeptide Complex (£45) became the website’s top seller in just two months.
That’s no small feat considering they stock over 3,000 products.
It’s packed with clinical-grade ingredients to support glowing skin, stronger hair, and even better joint health. A great inside-out beauty boost.
A Nostalgic Beauty Icon Turns 50
Remember Benefit’s Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain (£22.50, sephora.co.uk)?
It was originally created in 1976 for exotic dancers who wanted to replicate that natural flushed look.
Since then, it’s become a cult favorite worn by the likes of Nicole Kidman and Winona Ryder.
As it nears its 50th birthday, it’s had a glow-up – now available in two sexy new shades: a cool dark cherry and a punchy raspberry.
Smudge-proof, humidity-proof, and still selling one every 11 seconds, this stain is a summer essential.
Final Thought: A Season for Scent Discovery
Summer is the perfect time to step outside your usual fragrance box.
Whether you’re drawn to fruity rhubarb, herbal tea-inspired blends, or grounding woody notes, there’s something magical about a scent that feels like sunshine on your skin.
Go ahead – spritz something new and watch how the world leans in.