Top 10 Summer Fragrances
This summer has been unusually cool where I live. Thus, I have been able to wear many fragrances that I normally would designate for brisk weather like Parfums de Rosine Rose D’Argent. A sojourn in Washington, D.C. provided me with a few days of insufferable humidity, when I returned to my old standby—the scent of my own skin. But otherwise, it has been a season of revisitation, discovery, and unlikely summer choices.
1. Caron Violette Precieuse
On those rushed mornings when I have had to get out of the house pronto, Violette Precieuse is the one I have reached for. It is, to my estimation, the perfect dry violet—green, twiggy, with a bit of fresh bitterness. Like Serge Lutens Bois de Violette, I find it inherently sophisticated, urbane, and destined to go with the driest of martinis.
2. Serge Lutens Daim Blond
This is another fragrance I have grabbed when in a state of helter skelter in the early morn. Like Caron Violette Precieuse, it never ceases to amaze me how perfect it smells. It is another indubitably elegant composition, joining the scent of buttery soft leather with divine flowers.
3. Caron Tubereuse
Sends me to cloud 9 and I stay there all day long because the tiniest drop truly goes a long way with this extrait de parfum concentration. It is the creamiest, most delicious, yet utterly soft and refined tuberose soliflore I have had the pleasure of experiencing. It is a definite year-rounder for me, as it never fails to make me praise the heavens for the invention of perfume.
4. Guerlain Apres L’Ondee
The most beautiful poem of a fragrance, at once melancholy and artistic. Violet does pirouettes with anise, rose, and iris to spin a story that evokes nostalgia in the coldest of hearts.
5. Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier
When I first tried Fleurs de Citronnier, I did not think much of it, finding it a bit too soapy for my taste. But this softly clean floral, with its sunny citrus overtones, has grown on me with each wearing. As before, it still opens with a shot of soapy neroli, but it is softened by petitgrain, warm honey, and the subtlety of florals—a whisper of delicious tuberose and faintly powdery iris. The musk is evident on my skin, but it figures beautifully, an extremely clean and pure scent, like baby’s breath. This is a perfect choice for those days you step out into the sunshine with towel-dried hair, looking forward to either running errands or just going for a sauntering walk.
6. Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
This is another surprise for me given my general dislike of sweet and fruity scents. But, the mango Jean-Claude Ellena uses is an underripe green, which acts as a brilliant foil with the notes of pine. I find it pleasantly refreshing and it cools me off on those days of intense dry heat.
7. The Different Company Divine Bergamote
When I was in New York this summer, this was the perfect choice. Now I am not a huge fan of citrus, as I find them generally too sharp and often akin to cleaning agents, but The Different Company got it irresistibly right. Opening with bergamot, it unfolds into the most delicious execution of orange and grapefruit mingling with ginger. Sadly, it does not last too long, but on those oppressively sweltering days, it is the answer.
8. Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
A notorious fragrance and one of my favorites by the Lutens/Sheldrake team. At this point, I have fully acclimated to the menthol opening and even like it. For those who feel they might inflict harm to their sinuses, the emerging tuberose is worth the wait. It is unbelievably beautiful with a quality that is more silky and refined than lush and decadent. For those summer evenings you want to be a man magnet, wear this with a killer pair of heels.
9. Parfums de Rosine Rose D’Argent
This is a fragrance that I would normally wear in the cooler months, as it can get a bit too spicy. However, many a day has been grey in southern California this past summer and I have successfully worn what I view as Ms. Rogeon’s most unique rose bouquet. The notes include green anise, pepper, geranium leaves, Turkish rose essence, Grasse rose absolute, Ambrette seed, angel root.
10. Guerlain Nahema
For whatever reason, Nahema smells unusually gorgeous on me lately and I cannot get enough of its rich, honeyed floral evolution. It is aldehydic with a large dose of rose, glorious peach, honey, and ylang ylang. It is a voluptuous, ultra feminine scent, and one that should be applied with a light hand. If you have a swanky summer event to attend, wear Nahema with a fire engine red dress and the perfect ’40s red lipstick.
Want to see more Top 10 Summer Fragrance lists? Check out An Alabaster Brow, Bois de Jasmin, Blogdorf Goodman, Brain Trapped in Girl’s Body, C’est Chic, Koneko’s *Mostly* Beauty Diary, Life in Paris, Now Smell This, Make a Mental Note, Ombligo!, Seldom Nice Nowadays, Self-Styled Siren, She’ll Be Feverish After So Much Thinking and This Bananafish Smells Like Leaves.
Hi dear! love the new name, love the new posts, cannot BELIEVE how closely our tastes in perfume match. On this list, there’s just one I haven’t tried (the TDC) and one I didn’t care for (the Hermes dried down badly on me, though I liked the top).
I emailed you, by the by, so I hope you get it.
Comment by Campaspe — August 17, 2005 @ 10:44 am
Hello dear D! I love your list and fab reviews AND we have a few in common. How could I forget Nahema!! Well this list was tough to come up with.
xoxo
Comment by parislondres — August 17, 2005 @ 11:06 am
Great list dear Diane! Have a few in common and how could I forget Nahema.
Hope you are well.
xoxo
Comment by parislondres — August 17, 2005 @ 11:07 am
Hello D!
Lovely list. I am intrigued by the Caron… it sounds deliciously wonderful. I am also really needing to try the Divine Bergamote!
Comment by koneko — August 17, 2005 @ 1:18 pm
ANOTHER vote for Divine Bergarmot! I shall really have to try this out. I knew it had a following, but I’d no idea it was this good. I love that your list is such a mix of old and new, floral and citurs.
Comment by katiedid — August 17, 2005 @ 4:12 pm
Dear F, yes, we do have similar tastes in perfume! I know what you mean about the dry down of Un Jardin and recoiled a bit the first couple of trials. But, it grew on me, or rather, I found that it worked really well during the most intensely desert hot days. Got your email, whew!
Dear N, thank you and you’re so right, it was difficult to come up with a list. I am so glad you like Nahema as well.
Dear M, you must try Caron Tubereuse (and Violette if you haven’t). Glorious, a slice of heaven really.
Dear K, yes, it would seem it’s Divine Bergamote’s hour, or shall we say, season? It really is a fantastic choice when it’s sweltering and you don’t want to put anything on your perspiring self.
Comment by alabasterbrow — August 17, 2005 @ 6:12 pm
D, your list is fabulous, replete with my favourites that I would wear anytime, hot or cold. I noticed how similar Robin’s list and my own turned out to be, and I thought that it is definitely related to the humid hell that PA was this summer. Nothing but very crisp worked. Nevertheless, when it was more bearable I wore my beloved lush fragrances.
xoxo
Comment by boisdejasmin — August 17, 2005 @ 6:49 pm
Dear V, indeed, the kind of summers we’ve all experienced invariably have affected the kinds of fragrances we can bear. Due to strange weather patterns, it shouldn’t be taken for granted that summer = hot now. Often, it was quite cool here and out came my stronger scents, like Nahema. Hugs to you, dear!
Comment by alabasterbrow — August 17, 2005 @ 7:51 pm
I adore your list darling D! I have really fallen for Caron’s Violette Precieuse! And to see Divine Bergamonte on yet another list makes me want to try it even more!
Comment by Atreau — August 17, 2005 @ 8:23 pm
Hello sweet S! I concur wholeheartedly re: Violette Precieuse. It is ***perfect***. It really is Divine Bergamote’s day and free advertising for TDC.
Comment by alabasterbrow — August 17, 2005 @ 8:39 pm
Boy, did I have a time getting logged on at this site, but I am here!
Love your top ten selections, my love, especially the Tubereuse, Divine Bergamot, Apres L’Ondee and Rose D’Argent. Your taste in perfume is exquisite, just like you.
Much love and hugs!
Comment by mreenymo — August 18, 2005 @ 11:40 am
Sorry about that, R. Lots of people have emailed me about the problems actually. Ugh. On another note, thank you for the sweet compliment. You’re too kind. Naturally, I knew you’d approve of Rose D’Argent.
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