Summer Fragrance Trends

Introduction to Summer Fragrances

Aah, the familiar smells of summer: The tropical, coconut-y scent of sunscreen and after-sun lotions. The smoky haze of hamburgers sizzling on the barbecue. The sweet, earthy aroma after a late August rainstorm. This summer’s biggest fragrance trends capture the scents of the season, with some more unexpected than others. “People seem to be craving big, bold fragrances that make a statement, even in warmer weather,” says Franco Wright, cofounder of retailers Luckyscent.com and Scentbar. “On the other hand, skin scents are still very much in demand.”

Summer’s Buzziest Fragrance Launches

Unexpected tropical fruits and transparent white floral notes dominate summer’s buzziest fragrance launches. “It’s going to be a fruit and flowers kind of summer,” says Bee Shapiro, founder of Ellis Brooklyn. “Solar scents are lovely, but I think the wave of sunscreen-inspired fragrances has waned.” When it comes to skin scents, salty accords breathe fresh, mineral-y air into the category, while icy eucalyptus and hot Sichuan pepper spice things up for those who prefer green and earthy eaux!

Gourmands in Summer

Unsurprisingly, gourmands aren’t going anywhere. “Social media commentators are predicting a move away from gourmands, but as far as sales and interest at our stores go, we certainly haven’t seen that yet,” says Wright. What brands are doing is adapting edible-inspired scents for the hotter weather, developing perfumes “with less of the weight and warmth that makes us associate the category with fall and winter,” says Arielle Weinberg, founder of Arielle Shoshana.

Summer Perfume Trends

Perfumers are also taking inspiration from nostalgic summer treats like ice cream and Italian aperitivi. “It’s a really interesting time in fragrance because customers have this entire world of fragrances at their fingertips and there’s this hunger to seek out newness and novelty,” says Jeniece Trizzino, vice president of innovation and physical product at Scentbird.

Be Ready To Smell Like Bananas

We’ll spare you the cringeworthy early-aughts song lyrics and give it to you straight: Banana-inspired scents are summer’s biggest perfume trend. Searches across Google and TikTok are up by 46.8% from last year, according to Spate data. “Banana is still a relatively new note in fine fragrance, which makes it exciting,” says Nicole Mancini, principal perfumer at DSM-Firmenich. “It’s being reimagined as something modern, fresh, and unexpectedly elegant.”

Banana-Based Perfumes

Banana can make for a great base note, explains Ines Guien, vice president of operations at Dossier. “Paired with deeper, spicier notes like rum and ginger, it is transformed into something perfect for day or night.” Nanatopia by Borntostandout, for example, is a shockingly seductive scent that mixes a banana bread accord with caramel and rum. Other notable mentions include 27 87 Perfume’s Hakuna Matata eau de parfum, Kayali’s Maui in a Bottle Sweet Banana, and Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild Eau So Intense.

Perfumes Are Adding a Pinch of Salt

Once reserved for aquatic and marine fragrances, salt is being sprinkled across many olfactive categories this summer, including skin scents (like Ellis Brooklyn Salt), florals (LoveShackFancy Love on the Beach and Glossier Fleur), woody blends (Issey Miyake Le Sel d’Issey), and spicy perfumes (Réservation Parfums Riviera Californienne). “Salt has become an incredibly versatile ingredient in fragrances,” says Mancini. “It brings a touch of freshness and a mineral quality that can enhance other notes.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, this summer’s fragrance trends are all about making a statement with big, bold scents and unexpected notes like banana and salt. Whether you’re into fruity and floral or woody and spicy, there’s a perfume out there for you. So go ahead, try something new, and make this summer one to remember!

FAQs

Q: What are the biggest fragrance trends for summer?
A: The biggest fragrance trends for summer include unexpected tropical fruits, transparent white floral notes, and salty accords.
Q: Are gourmands still popular in summer?
A: Yes, gourmands are still popular in summer, but brands are adapting them to be lighter and fresher for the warmer weather.
Q: What is the most unexpected fragrance trend for summer?
A: The most unexpected fragrance trend for summer is the use of banana-inspired scents, which are being reimagined as modern, fresh, and elegant.
Q: How is salt being used in perfumes this summer?
A: Salt is being used to add a touch of freshness and a mineral quality to perfumes, and is being paired with a variety of notes including florals, woody blends, and spicy perfumes.