We're Calling It: These Will Be the Most-Wanted Fragrances This Summer
With the onset of summer comes all the fresh beauty inspiration: makeup trends top makeup artists are currently obsessing over, the hair shades colorists can't stop painting, and so much more. In fact, we get so caught up with the contents of our Sephora carts and the countless looks we've archived on IG that it can be easy to forget another one our favorite things for summer: fragrance.
Whether you prefer sparkling notes of citrus, the powdery temptation of florals, or earthier beats of warm musk and patchouli, the industry's best beauty brands and fragrance houses deliver an onslaught of fresh offerings each season, and this spring and summer are no exception. In perfect accordance with the rising temperatures, the number of new and exciting perfumes hitting storefronts (and our vanities) is going up. To make sure you don't miss a beat this season, and because honing a new signature scent can be trickier than it would seem, we're sharing 14 (mostly) new perfumes for spring and summer that you just might be tempted to wear all year round. (Because yes, they're just that good.) Keep scrolling!
For the Old Hollywood Enthusiast
Notes: orange blossom, grapefruit, ylang-ylang, and oriental neroli
No, this perfume isn't new, but it will be your quintessential scent for spring and summer if you love all things Old Hollywood, light, elegant, and inspired by the French Riviera. This particular fragrance was Audrey Hepburn's signature, and she's known to have worn it while filming Roman Holiday.
For the Floral—But Not Too Floral— Enthusiast
Notes: rose de grasse, Himalayan jasmine, pear, apricot, and raspberry
Described by the brand as a mix between fruity and floral, this new scent from Nest is the perfect compromise if you love something fresh and floral with a touch of non-saccharine sweetness. It smells rich and decadently juicy but not in an oppressive or overly indulgent way. It's gorgeous.
For the Byredo Enthusiast
Notes: lemon, mandarin, jasmine, neroli, cotton candy, and white musk
Byredo lovers everywhere cheered with glee earlier this season when the cult-loved fragrance house debuted its newest signature scent: Sundazed. It's nostalgia, seduction, and sun-bleached sand all in one, and yes, it's fabulous.
For the Coconut Enthusiast
Notes: sunny accord, rose, coconut water
Fresh, airy, and a match made in heaven for those who love all things coconut, this brand-new fragrance from eco-conscious brand Clean takes the addictive scent of your favorite coconutty SPF and elevates it to a deliciously wearable state of elegance. It's the ultimate long beach day, bottled.
For the Fresh-Cut-Grass Enthusiast
Notes: mint, geranium, rose, and patchouli
The greenest and freshest-cut pick of the bunch, Diptyque's new scent is a sharp-yet-soft mint metamorphosis inspired by the ancient Greek nymph Minthe. One sniff yields a refreshing wave of mint, artfully anchored by a hint of earthiness and strategic green florals.
For the Citrus Enthusiast
Notes: lime accord, petit grain, cardamom, cedarwood, cistus absolute, and white musk
The latest from Maison Margiela, the new Replica formula is inspired by a fantastical country escape—think hammocked naps under a tree, balmy breezes, and the lushness of surrounding lemon and cypress trees.
For the Beach Enthusiast
Notes: mint, sea moss, pear, citrus, and neroli
While it may sound corny, this bright and sparkling scent from Clive Christian smells like diving into turquoise water and re-emerging. Honestly, it does. It's striking, wearable, and effortlessly welcoming thanks to its expert melding of citrus, florals, and greenery.
For the Parisian Enthusiast
Notes: pear, peony, white musk
Meet Mon Paris Floral, YSL's new interpretation of the brand's iconic Mon Paris fragrance. It's reminiscent of a Parisian love story and fluttery with wisps of blossoms and moonlight. We'll be wearing it all spring and summer.
For the Sailing Enthusiast
Notes: Sicilian bergamot, neroli petals, and musk
Or, you know, anyone who daydreams about traveling around the Greek islands by way of boat, sand, and sea. This new, ethereal scent from Aerin is fresh, floral, and vibrant, with the essence of the seaside reverberating through the perfume's poignant blend of blossoms, musk, vetiver, and sandalwood.
For the Garden Enthusiast
Notes: florals, white musk, and woods
Effervescent with the swirling inspiration of forests and budding gardens, this new addition to Hermès's enchanting collection of garden-inspired fragrances is sure to be a sought-after favorite for spring and summer 2019. The perfume is powdery, but thanks to a dose of saltiness and woods, it doesn't feel overly precious.
For the Chocolate Enthusiast
Notes: bitter orange, chocolate, iris, patchouli, musk, and tonka bean
A new-for-summer riff on Prada's iconic signature, Candy, this nighttime take is equal parts dark and light—a warm and spicy "overture." It's after-dark mischief encapsulated and, according to the brand, is inspired by neon-lit cityscapes and their kaleidoscopic delights. We will let you interpret (and play) how you may.
For the Flower Shop Enthusiast
Notes: mandarin, freesia, hyacinth, muquet, white cedar, vetiver, and musk
Raining with every gorgeous floral you can think of (in a good, non-chaotic way), this new perfume from Malin+Goetz is perfect for the sunny season. As the brand explains, its the olfactory result of a dewy, deconstructed garden.
For the Lit Enthusiast
Notes: blood orange, water lily, vetiver
Like all Ellis Brooklyn perfumes, this brand-new fragrance is clean—paraben-free, phthalate-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Plus, it also happens to smell amazing and was interestingly inspired by Los Angeles writers of the ’70s. It's a little citrus, a little floral, and ultimately crisply addicting.
For the Collector's Item Enthusiast
Notes: oud, pink pepper, cedar, and Turkish rose
Sitting comfortably at a cool $1500, this gorgeous perfume definitely isn't child's play when it comes to your bank account, but it is, arguably, one of the dreamiest fragrances to have launched in the last year. Spiked with succulent earth scents, it is an ode to the rich colors of the rising sun, as the brand notes.
Next up: The One Fragrance Each of Our Editors Will Wear This Spring
Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.