If this time last year, you’d have asked me to sum up my taste in perfume in three words, I probably would have said something along the lines of woody, musky and unisex. I have always liked my scents to enter a room before I do. I lean towards those heavy notes that linger on clothes until the next morning. And while these preferences might not be to everyone’s tastes, I quite like it when my perfumes divide a room. As long as some people found my fragrance distasteful, at least I knew I wasn’t smelling the same as everyone else in the room, who were no doubt doused in the latest, totally inoffensive, crowd-pleasing floral.
But then the pandemic hit, and I had no longer had anyone to fluff up my fragrance feathers in front of. Instead, I was confined to the same four walls with nothing but the intoxicating scents of perfumes to remind me of the excess and freedom of a previous life. In a time when I needed fragrance more than ever before to lift my spirits, the aromas of my trusty favourites couldn’t serve me anymore. And on top of my love for deep, attention-grabbing scents, it’s also worth noting that I was (and still am) painfully fussy. Finding a perfume to fit my mood on any given day is no mean feat. But luckily, despite all of the above, my perfume collection is shockingly vast.
I have shelves and shelves full of perfumes that I just can’t let go of. From ouds and musks to citruses and florals, I own a perfume for every occasion. And while I spent the best part of the past year trying to make my strong scents work in my new way of living, it was always niggling away in the back of my brain that there were a bunch of wildly unloved, but beautiful, perfumes collecting dust in my cabinets. And so, a few weeks ago, I finally accepted that my beloved woody scents had served their purpose, and it was time for the lighter, floral perfumes to take centre stage.
But that’s not to say I have totally changed my tune. Sure, I’m ready to embrace the uplifting, lightweight freshness of florals, but my perfumes of choice still need to possess a certain je ne sais quoi. They need to smell unlike anything else, ooze expense (even if they’re affordable) and leave you wanting to go back for just one more sniff. So, after many hours of going through every last bottle in my collection, these are the floral perfumes I’m ready to embrace for the summer—and they’re seriously special.
Shop the Best Floral Perfumes for Summer 2024:
1. Chanel Comète Eau De Parfum, £375
2. Zara Nude Bouquet Eau De Parfum, £20
3. Byredo Bal D'afrique Eau De Parfum, £150
4. Diptyque Do Son Eau De Toilette, £129
5. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Tiger Lily Eau De Parfum, £95
6. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose Eau de Parfum, £205
7. Parfums De Marly Delina Eau De Parfum, £150
8. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense Eau De Parfum, £85
9. Kilian Love Don't Be Shy Eau De Parfum, £220
10. Sana Jardin Incense Water Eau De Parfum, £95
11. Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau De Parfum, £220
12. Estée Lauder Beautiful Magnolia Eau De Parfum, £83
13. Jo Malone London Yellow Hibiscus Cologne, £86
14. EX NIHILO Fleur Narcotique Extrait De Parfum, £325
15. Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves, £118
1. Chanel Comète Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cherry blossom, aldehydes, iris, heliotrope, musk.
Whenever I dream about what my wedding day might be like, this is what I smell. It’s delicate and powdery, like an English Iris garden in the summer, but it has a beautiful creaminess to it that makes it stand out from the rest.
2. Zara Nude Bouquet Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cherry, peony, vanilla.
I must admit, this perfume has been a favourite since I first bought it last year. It's a cosy, fresh floral scent with a sweet, powdery dry down. If you're looking for a 'clean girl' fragrance to wear throughout summer, you should definitely give this one a try.
3. Byredo Bal D'afrique Eau De Parfum
Notes: African marigold, bergamot, buchu, cyclamen, violet, Moroccan cedarwood, vetiver.
If there’s one brand that can win me over with any scent, it’s Byredo. Not only are the bottles perfect for minimalists like myself, but the floral juices that they hold are equally as special. Intricately unique and alluringly powerful, they’re totally captivating while maintaining a level of freshness. Right now, I can’t get enough of the Bal d'Afrique. It’s escapism in a bottle.
4. Diptyque Do Son Eau De Toilette
Notes: African orange flower, iris, rose, tuberose, pink pepper, musk, benzoin.
Inspired by one of the founder's holiday in Vietnam this spicy, floral scent is one that's sure to turn heads. This is definitely a fragrance for those looking for a more sophisticated twist on the classic floral perfume.
5. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Tiger Lily Eau De Parfum
Notes: Coconut milk, tiger lily, mango, benzoin.
Let me first say that I am no fan of Viktor & Rolf's iconic Flowerbomb. While I appreciate its unique beauty, it’s strong and a little too floral for my liking. However, this tiger lily update is warmer, sweeter and a whole lot more wearable. It’s totally won me over.
6. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose Eau de Parfum
Notes: Calabrian bergamot, California orange, Bulgarian rose, Grasse rose, violet, magnolia, musk, cedar.
Hear me out: I know that rose scents might appear super basic at first glance, but the iconic note has had a 2024 refresh and I’m here for it. The two varieties of rose come together to create a gorgeous blend of honey and fruity notes, creating a flirty, feminine fragrance that will no doubt have people asking what it is you’re wearing.
7. Parfums De Marly Delina Eau De Parfum
Notes: Turkish rose, peony, musk, petalia, vanilla, incense, cedar, Haitian vetiver.
You might have spotted this iconic bottle all over your TikTok or Instagram feed lately, and I'm here to tell you that it's very much worth the hype. We all know that perfumes smell different depending on the person but I truly believe that this unique floral fragrance will smell good on everyone.
8. Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense Eau De Parfum
Notes: Strawberry, pear, bergamot, honey, jasmine, rose, vanilla, musk, benzoin, moss.
Marc Jacobs Daisy was one of my go-to perfumes in my uni years. It reminds me of summer breaks and all of the youthful joy they brought with them. This newer addition to the line is a little bit darker and a whole lot more intense, perfectly in line with my evolving tastes.
9. Kilian Love Don't Be Shy Eau De Parfum
Notes: Neroli, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander, orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, iris, rose, sugar, vanilla, caramel, musk, civet, labdanum.
Another TikTok favourite that I have recently rediscovered, Love Don't Be Shy is one hell of a floral. It champions that unique, creamy note of honeysuckle and blends it with pink pepper and coriander n to take the edge off. It’s the only spicy, floral perfume I’ve ever come across that I would describe as totally wearable. And not only is it wearable, but it’s also become one of my favourite perfumes ever.
10. Sana Jardin Incense Water Eau De Parfum
Notes: Raspberry leaf, pimento seeds, bergamot, rose, rose oil, rose water, musk, patchouli, sandalwood.
Upon the first sniff, this smells absolutely nothing like a floral perfume. In fact, it has been the perfect scent to ween myself off the deep, heady aromas of yesteryear. It’s dark and (believe it or not) incense-like, but it has strong notes of rose that make everything seem perfectly balanced. Trust me, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that smells quite like it.
11. Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Eau De Parfum
Notes: Aldehydes, violet, rose, peach, vanilla, sandalwood, white musks.
Again, at first you’ll struggle to get any hint of florals through the fresh scent of aldehydes and white musk, but soon enough, the delicate freshness of roses and violet will come shining through. If you hate the headiness of sweet scents but appreciate their warmth, this fresh but comforting spritz can’t be beaten. It’s unbelievably expensive, but it truly is one of a kind.
12. Estée Lauder Beautiful Magnolia Eau De Parfum
Notes: Magnolia, lotus, gardenia, Turkish rose, musk, sandalwood, cedar.
Out of all of the floral perfumes I’ve been reaching for, this is by far the most inoffensive. It’s light, fresh and delicate—like a crisp, blue-skied spring morning.
13. Jo Malone London Yellow Hibiscus Cologne
Notes: Hibiscus, rose, lime, white musk.
This stuff is set to be my scent of the summer. It’s effervescent and fizzy thanks to notes of lime but is delicately floral at the same time. This is the sort of scent you want to trail behind you as you walk down the street.
14. EX NIHILO Fleur Narcotique Extrait De Parfum
Notes: Lychee, bergamot, peach, peony, osmanthus, orange blossom, jasmine, musk, moss.
If you don’t like powerful scents that take over a room, this one isn’t for you. When I first saw the bottle, I was expecting something extremely woody and generally nauseating. What you get, however, is a balanced mix between the floral and earthy notes with subtle fruity undertones. It’s not for the faint-hearted but it will definitely make you stand out from the crowd.
15. Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves
Notes: Lemon peel, honey, cedarwood, rose, geranium.
The idea of white rose is usually enough to make me want to run for the hills, but there’s something undeniably comforting and irresistibly likeable about this perfume. The zest of lemon intertwines with a blend of delicate floral notes to create the most wearable everyday perfume.
