SMELLS LIKE SUMMER

Seasons change and so should fragrances with them.

When you think of Spring or Summer you think of light, fresh, citrus, and sweet giving you that feeling of renewed energy, the warm sun and the summer breeze. Autumn or Winter is all about the warmth and spices that give you that warm cashmere, fireside feeling.

Keep in mind that the fragrance notes you smell will change as you wear the perfume. Your initial impression when you spray the scent will be different from what you smell 10 minutes later or in the hours to come.

We contacted 6 perfume houses, including both well-known and lesser-known boutique perfumeries: Molton Brown, Commodity, Shay & Blue, Atelier Materi, Tulpa Club, and Thursday Perfumes. These brands sent us a selection of their summer fragrances for us to test on your behalf. We’ve identified our favourite scents that we believe you should consider trying and rated them out of 5 based on their fragrance combination, bottle design, and their lasting scent and projection. Make sure to keep an eye out on our socials for some fragrance-related competitions.

MOLTON BROWN SUNLIT CLEMENTINE & VETIVER

100ml Eau De Parfum rrp £120 www.moltonbrown.co.uk

Also available in 100ml Eau De Toilette rrp £85 and a 7.5ml travel size rrp £16.

Top notes: Mandarin Orange, Clementine, Lime. Mid notes: Iris Absolute, Hazelnut, Fig.

Base notes: Suede, Moss, Bourbon Vetiver.

What Molton Brown says:

Rolling hills of ripe citrus trees bathed in golden sun. The hazy morning air, brightly vibrating with the freshfaced vigour of sparkling clementine, juicy mandarin and lime. Warm, creamy fig leaves and roasted hazelnut smoothly branch into nature’s earthy notes of moss and the richest vetiver; a lingering trail of easy refinement. Spend every day in endless summer; live the good life.

Daniel’s thoughts:

This fragrance is like capturing the essence of summer in a bottle. It has the delightful scent of an Italian orangery, with a mix of green, earthy moss and roasted hazelnut. Throughout the day, I noticed the different notes evolving, each taking its turn to shine. I could still smell it on my clothes the next day, which to me, is proof of its purity and longevity. Molton Brown bottles are known for their attractive shelf appeal, and this scent is no different, with its thick, smoky glass and a lid that resembles orange marble. It looks perfect on the bathroom shelf.”

Fragrance combination: 5/5

Bottle aesthetics: 5/5

Scent longevity & Projection: 5/5

OVERALL SCORE: 15

MOLTON BROWN COASTAL CYPRESS & SEA FENNEL

100ml Eau De Parfum rrp £120 www.moltonbrown.co.uk

Also available in 100ml Eau De Toilette rrp £85 & 7.5ml travel size rrp £16.

Top notes: Cardamom, Bergamot, Fig Leaves, Ginger. Mid notes: Cypress, Sea Notes, Jasmine. Base notes: Leather, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Musk.

What Molton Brown says:

A salt-sprayed collision of the ocean swell against rugged outcrops. The shore air fresh with crisp fig leaves mingled with unexpected, punchy cardamom, joyful bergamot and marine notes. Bracing cypress, cedarwood and musks brings a natural, earthy appeal. Explore on the edge; awash your senses with a sea-soaked quest. Coastal. Bracing. Intrepid.

Gary’s Thoughts:

Bottle aesthetics: 5/5

Scent longevity & Projection: 5/5

OVERALL SCORE: 14

COMMODITY MILK+

100ml Eau De Parfum rrp £130

Also available in 30ml x2 rrp £105 & 10ml travel size rrp £24 www.commodityfragrances.co.uk

Top notes: Marshmallow, Milk. Mid notes: White Cedar, Musk. Base notes: Wood notes, Amber.

What Commodity Says:

I really loved the green and leafy scent of this fragrance. It reminded me of my grandfather’s herb garden in the summer. At first, the combination of notes was quite strong, almost overpowering. However, as the scent settled, I found myself enjoying it throughout the day. The fragrance lasted nearly the whole day, and I even received compliments from friends and colleagues asking me what I was wearing. The bottle looks similar to the sunlit fragrance, with the only difference being the colour of the ball lid, which has a dark turquoise marble effect.

Fragrance combination: 4/5

We started with Milk Expressive: a warm woody, marshmallow fragrance cooled by fresh milk. We then made this creamy composition lustrous with Skin Musk and White Cedar. For the richer Bold rendition, we infused notes of smoky firewood and sweet amber.

A smoky, sweet, and inviting scent to be worn with confidence.

Garys Thoughts:

Upon the first spray, the scent is a very sweet marshmallow vanilla. However, as time passed, I noticed the smoky amber notes becoming more prominent, with the sweetness blending into the background, reminiscent of the scent when melting marshmallows around a campfire. The fragrance lasted quite well, although I found myself needing to reapply it in the afternoon and again later in the evening. The black bottle with gold lettering exudes a touch of masculine elegance.

Fragrance Combination: 4/5

Bottle Aesthetics: 4/5

Scent Longevity & Projection: 3/5 OVERALL SCORE: 11

THURSDAY FRAGRANCE ABOUT THYME

100ml Eau De Parfum rrp £130

Also available in 50ml Eau De Parfum rrp £80 www.thursdayfragrance.co.uk

Top notes: Thyme, Bergamot. Mid notes: Vetiver Sandalwood. Base notes: Tonka.

What Thursday Fragrances Says: Herby, sparkling and fresh, drying down to something smooth and elegant. The smell of heat and sunshine.

Gary’s Thoughts: sunshine, and the combination of the notes is absolutely perfect. The bottle is perfect to slip into even the smallest of handbags and seems to last forever in terms of the amount inside due to its projection when I have sprayed it on my various pulse points.

This fragrance is exactly the type of scent I love to wear in the spring and summer. It is leafy, green, and wild-herby. It reminds me of my many visits to the Greek Islands, where this smell is abundant in the warmth of the sun, with the various plants and herbs they grow both in their gardens and in the wild, and use in their cooking and honey-making. The scent itself lasted most of my working day and only needed reapplication when I was going out for dinner later that evening. The bottle is very minimalist, with a linen-type paper label and the fragrance’s branding of green.

Fragrance Combination: 5/5

Bottle Aesthetics: 4/5

Scent Longevity & Projection: 4/5

OVERALL SCORE: 13

TULPA CLUB FIRST DATE

50ml Eau De Parfum rrp £51

Also available in 15ml Eau De Parfum rrp £19 www.tulpclub.com

Top notes: Lightly-Spiced Berries, Dried Citrus.

Mid notes: Powdery Musk, Fresh Rose Petals.

Base notes: Vintage Leather, Exotic Woods.

What Tupla Club Says: a blend of palpable excitement and electric intrigue as you get ready for the evening. You’ve got butterflies. Isn’t fruit meant to calm the nerves? Your old wooden from day into evening or even through a night out right to your taxi home. I prefer unique fragrances that stand out, and I can see this becoming a go-to for me in the future. The bottle exudes a boudoir vibe with its black glass, seductive red sphere lid, and floral label.

Fragrance Combination: 5/5

Bottle Aesthetics: 4/5

Scent Longevity & Projection: 5/5

OVERALL SCORE: 14

ATELIER MATERI SANTAL BLOND

100ml Eau De Parfum rrp £193

Also available in 10ml Eau De Parfum rrp £41 www.atelier-materi.com

Top notes: Bergamot, Cardamom

Mid notes: Jasmine, Sandalwood

Base notes: Hinoki Bourbon, Tonka Bean

What Atelier Materi Says:

Sacred tree, sandalwood is a peculiar exotic wood. Once distilled, powerful velvety, creamy notes with smoky undertones are unleashed. After a fresh and spicy opening carried by the cardamom, the perfumer pairs the sandalwood with rich floral jasmine notes and warm Tonka bean accents.

Gary’s Thoughts:

I adore fragrances that are based on tonka bean, and I also have a soft spot for bergamot and cardamom, so this scent really resonated with me. The blend of cardamom and bergamot creates a comforting warmth, and the woody notes become more prominent as the scent develops. It doesn’t have as strong a projection as some other fragrances I’ve tried, but I don’t mind that at all. There’s nothing worse than someone wearing an overwhelming fragrance at dinner. This would be perfect for those long summer evenings, paired with shorts, a shirt, and a light sweater.

Fragrance Combination: 4/5

Bottle Aesthetics: 3/5

Scent Longevity & Projection: 4/5

OVERALL SCORE: 11

SHAY & BLUE BLACK TULIP

10ml Travel Size Fragrance rrp £25

Also available in 30ml rrp £35 & 100ml travel size £65 www.shayandblue.com

Top notes: Snowdrops. Cyclamen. Mid notes: Black Tulip, Plum. Base notes: White Chocolate, Soft Woods.

What Shay & Blue Says:

Decadent as is deadly. Oriental plum flirts with creamy white chocolate and wood. Contrasts of fresh cyclamen with sensual undertones. A day-to-night fragrance. Pleasure and Perfection.

Anna’s Thoughts: It smells like a sweet floral meadow in the summer dressing table is soaked in a lifetime of perfumes. You’ve tried on everything you own, but the leather jacket is the only constant. You’re almost ready for the first date. Spicy, leathery and fruity for day or night wear. Excellent longevity & great projection.

Anna’s Thoughts:

This fragrance has a spicy yet fruity scent that lasts

Fragrance Combination: 5/5

Bottle Aesthetics: 4/5

Scent Longevity & Projection: 3/5

OVERALL SCORE: 12