I have so many fond associations with summer. When I was young we would all move in with family friends in their Stilbaai beach house which had these fluffy brown couches that got wonderfully warm baking in the warm afternoon sun, and I still remember lying on my stomach soaking up the heat. In the mornings we would all put on our costumes and walk down to the beach where the scent of sunscreen, warm sand and salty sea water would fill the air. In the afternoons we would come home, grateful for the cool interior, drink ice cold fruit juice and play board games or read books, and a little after three the entire house would become quiet as one by one we snuck away for an afternoon nap.
We tend to love fragrances because the various notes tap into happy memories that we associate with those smells. For you summer might mean long hikes in the mountains and swimming in cold rivers, and the chances are you’ll like fresh, herby smells that remind you of crushed fynbos and fresh water. Or you might think of sipping cocktails by the beach, in which case sweet, fruity scents could work for you.
In anticipation for summer holidays, I’ve assembled some of my favourite fragrances, from strawberry ice-cream scents to soft florals and warm Mediterranean treats. I hope you’ll find something you like.
1. Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Morning Gardens Eau de Toilette
(R345 for 100ml, elizabetharden.co.za)
This is a light, fresh and sunny fragrance that makes me think of ice cold lemonade, blossoms and juicy oranges. You’ll get notes of bergamot, grapefruit and nectarine at first, followed by softer jasmine, rose and honeysuckle, and then warm cedarwood and musk.
2. Revlon Pink Happiness First Love Eau de Toilette
(R289 for 50ml, revlon.co.za).
The first thing that comes to mind when I smell this is strawberry ice cream. It’s definitely sweet, with notes of cherries, rose, peach and musk, and it taps into memories of eating soft serve on the beach, kissing a boy with the taste of cherry lip balm between the two of us, cold sodas and the smell of sunscreen in the air.
3. Boucheron Quatre Eau de Parfum
(R1195 for 100ml, Stuttafords & Dis-Chem)
This perfume is light and fresh with a soft floral tone. At first you’ll smell bitter orange and strawberries, followed by that alluring softness of jasmine and rose, and warm woody notes on the linger. The juice is sweet but there is a hint of bitterness that helps to add balance.
4. Elizabeth Arden Untold Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette
(R795 for 100ml, elizabetharden.co.za)
The newest addition to the Untold family is a perfect for summer, with vibrant hits of citrus and juicy fruits, followed by a floral heart and woods on the linger. You’ll catch notes of lemon and pear, mandarin, lily and a hint of musk. It is sparkling, bright and refreshing.
5. Rogue Love by Rihanna Eau de Parfum
(R645 for 75ml, Stuttafords, Edgars, Red Square, Foschini, Clicks, Dis-Chem)
The latest fragrance from Rihanna is sweet and girly with a sensual undertone. It’s like that moment of love (or teen obsession) at first site – new and exciting with the promise of seduction. You’ll get notes of fresh citrus, peach and juicy berries, with honeysuckle and jasmine at the heart, and warm vanilla and caramel on the linger.
6. Modern Muse Le Rouge Eau de Parfum
(R795 for 30ml, esteelauder.co.za)
This one is a bit different from the popular feminine scents and perhaps a bit old-school, but I like it. It makes me think of a strong, independent, sensual woman who knows her mind and will work for what she wants. I get prominent notes of red currant, rose and raspberries, with jasmine at the heart and vanilla on the linger.
7. Oscar d la Renta Extraordinary Eau de Parfum
(R1195 for 90ml)
For me, the new perfume from Oscar de la Renta really sums up summer. I find it both juicy and floral, with notes of citrus, neroli and cherry blossom on the first smell, freesia, rose and peonies at the heart, and a linger of wood and vanilla orchid. It’s all summer dresses and wide rimmed hats, gin and tonic, and picnics under the trees. Lovely.
8. essence Like a Day in Paradise Eau de Toilette
(R115 for 50ml, Clicks)
This is such a fun, young fragrance with prominent scents of coconut, vanilla and peach that instantly make me think of those warm days on the beach with bikini bodies baking on the warm sand, and enjoying fruity ice lollies from the tuck shop. The fruity top notes are followed by white flowers and apple at the heart, and woody base notes.
9. The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig Eau de Toilette
(R275 for 50ml, thebodyshop.co.za)
If you don’t enjoy typically feminine fruity-floral fragrances, you might like this one. It really has a strong scent of fig, with that warm, nuttiness of the Mediterranean fruit. For me it is green, warm and alluring, and takes me back to our holiday in Positano on the coast of Italy, with the bright blue ocean before me and a glass of cold white wine in my hand.
Main picture: Shutterstock; Product image and styling: Liezel Malherbe / 9Lives
The post Juicy Summer Scents appeared first on 9Lives.