As much as we love comforting, spicy perfumes in the cold days of winter, they can feel far too heavy in the summer. Right now, we’re craving breezy scents with summery notes of every tropical fruit and flower under the sun and fragrances that evoke lazy days at the beach and warm sunshine. These light, sparkling fragrances are perfect when enjoying the great outdoors or sipping frosé on rooftop bars, but they can also serve as a great remedy for when we’re stuck in a windowless, air-conditioned office and dreaming of summer holidays.
Read on for 13 of our favorite summer perfumes for women that are like a vacay in a bottle.
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This article originally appeared on TotalBeauty.com
13 Tropical Summer Perfumes for Women That Are Like a Vacay in a Bottle
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Dolce & Gabbana
Light Blue Italian Zest, $78 at Ulta
Be transported to a Mediterranean lemon grove with a few spritzes of this fragrance. The scent is as bright as the cheerful yellow bottle thanks to notes of Sicilian cedar, granny smith apple and zesty citrus. White rose and amber balance the uplifting fruit. It all adds up to a light, breezy fragrance that captures la dolce vita.
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Maison Margiela
Replica Beach Walk, $126 at Sephora
This fragrance is the closest thing to a beach walk without actually getting sand between your toes. It has a fresh floral scent, which combines bergamot, lemon, coconut milk and cedarwood. Maison Marigela's "Replica" collection has been specifically designed to evoke personal memories, so don't be surprised if you start feeling the warm ocean breeze after one spritz.
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Acqua di Parma
Blu Mediterraneo Arancia Di Capri Eau De Toilette, $107 at Nordstrom
Even if you're not up on your Italian, you would probably deduce from the brilliant blue bottle that this fragrance has tropical vibes. If you're wondering, "arancia di Capri" translates to the "orange of Capri." In addition to the obvious orange essential oils, it contains lemon, mandarin, caramel, cardamom and musk. The result is a relaxing fragrance that will evoke dreams of boat rides around picturesque Italian islands.
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Demeter Fragrance Library
Sunshine, $40 at Demeter Fragrance Library
Think sunshine doesn't have a scent? Demeter says it does and the brand spent two years trying to put sunshine in a bottle. They sought to replicate the scent of cotton warmed by the sun and this is the resulting fragrance. It's clean and refreshing and does carry an air of fresh laundry — with a dash of vanilla and a splash of citrus. Try it for yourself and see if you agree.
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Jo Malone London
Tropical Cherimoya Cologne, $140 at Nordstrom
This vibrant bottle is as summery as a pair of flip flops or a floral maxi dress. The limited-edition cologne is a splurge, but it lasts all day, unlike spray-and-they-are-gone body mists. It sets itself apart from other tropical fruity fragrances because it mixes passion flower, cherimoya fruit, pear, tonka bean and Brazilian copahu resin. The fragrance is fresh, exotic and best paired with bronzed skin and a wet-look hairstyle.
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Philosophy
Pure Grace Endless Summer Eau de Toilette, $49 at Sephora
Never want summer to end? Keep the warm weather vibes alive with this limited-edition EDT. The Instagrammable packaging makes the seasonal vibe clear and so does the scent. It's a refreshing fruity floral fragrance that combines pomelo, musk and iced lychee.
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Bobbi Brown
Beach, $78 at Bobbi Brown
Whether you wear fragrance to the beach or not doesn't matter because you'll want this summery scent in your fragrance collection. It's inspired by the beach and features notes of mandarin, jasmine and, yes, sea spray. It's light, refreshing and will cure a case of the beach blues. It's versatile enough that it can be worn to almost any summer event.
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Giorgio Armani
Sun di Gioia Eau de Parfum, $72 at Giorgio Armani
It wouldn't be summer without the sun. Add some to your day with a spritz or two of this EDP. It brings to mind the essence of sun-warmed skin (without having to worry about harmful UV rays) with notes of jasmine, vanilla, benzoin and ylang ylang. It's the warmer, deeper sister to the Acqua di Gioia Eau de Parfum.
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Aerin
Hibiscus Palm, $120 at Nordstrom
Relive that beach vacation after your tan has started to fade and you're fully back in work mode with the help of this eau de parfum. It's as powerful as any souvenir for recalling island life for the way it mixes hibiscus palm, frangipani, coconut milk, vanilla and ginger. The tropical scent comes housed in a chic bottle that demands pride of place on your vanity.
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Sarah Horowitz
Perfect Nectar Eau de Parfum, $40 at b-glowing
Stay in a summer state of mind with this eau de parfum spray, thanks to exotic notes of blood orange, tangerine, green tea, papaya and ylang ylang. It has as much fruit packed inside of it as a superfood smoothie, but the flowers provide a nice balance. If you want a scent that sings of the tropics, this is it.
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Comptoir Sud Pacifique
Vanille Blackberry, $85 at Sephora
Every scent in Comptoir Sud Pacifique's intoxicating range pays tribute to explorers and memories of tropical climes. This one gives warming vanilla a summer makeover with the addition of juicy, bright blackberries. The result is a floral gourmand fragrance that separates itself from the countless fruity floral scents lining your vanity.
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Tom Ford
Soleil Blanc, $230 at Nordstrom
This scent isn't cheap but it's a luxurious splurge. Those who are hunting for a sexy summer scent for date night can look no further. It's inspired by remote private islands where summer is never-ending. (Take their word for it.) It has a decadent mix of white flowers, amber, pistachio accord and cardamom oil. It's an eau de parfum, so one squirt will deliver enough scent to last all day and night.
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Jo Loves
Orange Butterflies, $105 at Jo Loves
Rest assured no butterflies were harmed in the making of this fragrance. It's a vibrant summer scent that takes inspiration from orange blossoms and the South of France. Orange blossom, mandarin, petitgrain and neroli create a sweet-but-sharp fragrance that won't disappear. The bronze and black butterfly bottle makes it that much better.
