Middle Eastern summers aren’t for everyone. The humidity alone is a huge bummer, but scents can be a mood booster. With notes that are sweet, spice, and everything nice, here’s our roundup of fresh and clean summer perfumes that will uplift your mood and send you to vacation mode with one whiff.
Kayali | Vacay In A Bottle Range
Dhs 411
The best part about the Vacay In A Bottle range is that there is something for everyone! Capri in a Bottle is addictively sweet, with notes of lemon and sugar sitting on a base of vanilla and musk. Whereas, Maui in a Bottle blends sweet with creamy, with notes of banana, pear, and coconut, on a base of jasmine, sandalwood, and vanilla. Marrakesh in a Bottle is warm and heady, reminiscent of summer nights, with opening notes of bergamot and orange blossom, and base notes of neroli and cedarwood. Whereas the final piece, Maldives in a Bottle, is cool and refreshing, blending notes of rosemary, lemon, starfruit, banana blossom, ylang-ylang, and coconut milk. Each pick brings on a different mood, but one thing is for sure: they all smell like summer.
Ahmed Al Maghribi | Summer Oud
Dhs 150
Who says oud is just for winter? Sure, it’s heady and warm, but with the right notes, it can be just as sweet as any other summer perfume. Summer Oud does just that, blending mandarin with rose to start a floral, juicy opening. It then dries down to a sweet musky scent courtesy of cashmere wood, caramel, and, of course, oud. Overall, if you like spicy florals with a strong sillage, then this is the scent for you.
Jo Malone | Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Dhs 595
Honestly, what’s a summer scent without an aquatic perfume? If there’s any time to evoke the scent of water and sand, then that’s summer. Musky ambrette seeds and earthy sage join the oceanic note of sea salt, together creating a scent profile that feels like crashing waves. Although aquatic and salty, the fragrance isn’t masculine at all, thanks to the sweetness of ambrette seeds, so give this one a spritz if you prefer your watery scents with a creamy touch.
Gucci | Flora Gorgeous Gardenia
Dhs 355
Light and super girly, this is for those who love to smell as if they came from a field of blossoming flowers. The opening is sweet and bubbly with notes of pear mixed with berries, leading to the heart of the fragrance’s signature gardenia note. The dry down leaves behind a brown sugar note, which only adds to the sweetness. Although fresh and sweet, it does have moderate sillage and projection, so if the weather is humid and hotter than usual, then you can either skip this scent or layer it with something stronger.
Dior | Dioriviera
Dhs 1,295
Fig and rose just scream summer love, and this perfume blends the two accords perfectly. Fresh, green, zesty, and with the right amount of warmth, this is a light fragrance that feels like a sunny day. The juicy notes are not too overpowering, and the woody base note ties the fragrance together. Whether it’s brunch with the girls or a business lunch, this fresh and invigorating scent stands out without being too overwhelming.
Tom Ford | Neroli Portofino
Dhs 665
Italian vacation, anyone? Neroli Portofino brings that to reality with one whiff. Citrus opening notes of mandarin, orange, lemon, and bergamot are sharp, bright, and crisp. Whereas the heart notes of neroli and jasmine give off an understated elegance and a more masculine feel. As far as summer scents go, this one is light and clean and smells like a vacation to the Italian Riviera.
Byredo | Desert Dawn
Dhs 1,115
Meant to recreate dry heat and mornings in the desert, this perfume is airy, dry, with a touch of spice. It opens with notes of cardamom and rose, a delicate, spicy-sweet pairing that leads to the notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, and musk. The woodiness is what makes this scent feel like dry heat, and overall, this fragrance smells spicy, but clean, leaving behind freshness with a hint of sensuality.
Maison Margiela | Replica From The Garden
Dhs 690
Inspired by the gardens of Puglia, Italy, this scent is centred around a unique accord: tomato leaf. For those who’ve never heard of a tomato leaf accord, it is a green, sharp, aromatic note that evokes the aroma of ripe tomatoes on vines. The perfume blends tomato leaf with notes of mandarin, geranium, and patchouli, which all come together as a vibrant, earthy scent, reminiscent of tomato leaves. Although unique, the scent might not be for everyone, so spritz with caution.
