Get spritzing - time for a scentsational summer!
After the recent great spell of weather, and a brand-new shelf in my bedroom for perfume, it got me thinking about my favourite summer scents.
For many years through the early noughties I always bought myself a summer scent and Escada has always done a sweet summer one, my favourite being Pink Graffiti which was of course limited edition. Fragrance is all about portraying a mood or a vibe and in the summer I want that to be sexy, fresh and as carefree as possible.
As I have grown up, though, my penchant for sweet summer smell has evolved and I now prefer a more sophisticated scent. I have also completely discounted the alcohol-free versions as they don’t tend to last on the skin. I like to have a scent that people admire, and I must admit that I find using the body cream and layering works well. If buying the body lotion or cream isn’t an option, then just wear unscented and spritz a little perfume into the tub.
Let’s look at a great daytime fragrance, Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk (€109 for 100ml).
Beach Walk scent evokes the memory of a summer day, with radiant notes of bergamot, coconut milk, musk, pink pepper and ylang-ylang. It smells fresh yet sexy. The daytime warmth of the bergamot leads you into the spice of pink pepper for a fresh scent.
If fruity citrus is your thing then Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis is the perfect punch citrus unisex. Made of pomelo from Florida, mandarin from Italy and vetiver from Haiti, this citrus fragrance for men and women will remind you of delicious, exotic fruits ripening in the warm sun. Zesty and refreshing! It comes in a 30ml travel size too of you are a tan avid traveller.
If you love lighter floral notes, then Guerlain Meteorites is your powdery floral masterpiece. The fragrance opens with apple for a fruity, slightly sharp note, while rose and violet fuse in a floral bouquet which is delightfully revealed through a sensual white musk. Anyone that is familiar with the powder will recall this smell and it launched the fragrance last year. It would be a lovely one to pack in your suitcase. So fresh and feminine.
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is a tribute to an Italian escape and is light and fresh but sticks around thanks to the standout notes of neroli and Sicilian lemon. It’s tangy and unforgettable, and it is unisex so it might be a handy one for those couples that like to pack light.
Jenny Glow is a multi-award-winning brand of fragrances that has an array of olfactory notes to keep you interested and it starts from just €10.
I am never really a fan of dupes, but these handbag heroes contain some familiar blends like wood sage and sea salt. It’s available in chemists all over Cork and has recently launched body sprays to match.
For a lighter scent, spray the fragrance in the air and slowly walk into the mist. The spray will distribute evenly across your body and leave you with a hint of fragrance for occasions that you just want to waft gently through the air.
Romantically, they say, you should spray perfume wherever you wish to be kissed.
Spray your perfume right after taking a shower and before getting dressed. The moisture on your skin will help lock in the scent. This will also prevent the fragrance from staining delicate clothes
Target pulse points and warm areas on your body when spraying perfume. To make your scent last longer, choose a couple of target areas (not all of them at once) wrists, backs of knees, below your midriff and ankles. The warm areas will help diffuse the fragrance across your entire body and spraying your ankles and calves will allow the scent to rise throughout the day.
Don't dab the fragrance on your wrists after spraying. If you rub your wrists together, you'll force the top notes to disappear faster than intended and as a result make your fragrance not last as long.