Summer Fragrance Favourites

We may have seen the last of our British summer, now that grey skies and downpours are a regular occurrence, but I'm refusing to give up on the dream of sunny picnics in the park, Mr Whippy ice creams and being able to leave the house sans umbrella. One thing that I can always rely on to bring back that contented, summer feeling is fragrance. Even a raging storm couldn't dampen my spirits after spritzing one of my four favourites.

Everyone loves Jo Malone and for very good reason. Not only are the iconic bottles and packaging just so chic, but the colognes combine unusual blends of ingredients, making them stand out from the crowd. One of my favourites for the warmer months is Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia Cologne. The mix of ripe, juicy pear and fresh freesia, creates a crisp and clean fragrance that reminds me of an early morning in a summer garden. 

Initially, this cologne has more of a fruity element to it, but once it hits the skin and dries down, the floral notes become stronger. Although it does have a touch of sweetness about it, the hint of rose especially gives it a much more grown-up, sophisticated feel. As you may expect, this is definitely not a sexy fragrance and it could lean slightly granny-esque for those who dislike floral scents, but I love it during the daytime. Compared to my other Jo Malone fragrances, this one isn't the longest lasting, but it usually wears for around six hours or so, before fading.

Usually, when sales staff approach me armed with a bottle of new fragrance, I rarely rate it. The only time I've had a sniff, rushed to a counter and bought a bottle straight away, was when I tried Dolce & Gabbana L'Impertrice Eau De Toilette. Since then, it's made a constant appearance in my collection and has become one of my holy-grail fragrances. 

Instantly invigorating, this scent is vibrant and packs a punch from the first spray. Bursting with fruity notes, including rhubarb, peach, watermelon and red currants, it has a zingy, slightly sour edge which makes my mouth water every time I spray it. Even though it's strong and has amazing longevity, it smells natural and not at all artificially pumped full of chemical fillers. For me, this is definitely a confidence-boosting scent that's appropriate for both day and night and will last on the skin until I next shower. Impressive, right?

One of my favourites for when I'm in a sweet mood, is the Givenchy Ange Ou Demon Le Secret Eau De Parfum. Despite the name, this eau de parfum is all angel, with no demon in sight smell. See what I did there?

Very pretty and feminine, this is a sugary scent that has a whimsical feel to it, without being cloying. Lemon gives it a citrus twist when first applied, but it eventually dissipates, leaving a combination of white flowers and woody notes to take over, once dry. Perfect for a first date, it screams flirty and girly, without being too over-the-top or obviously sexy. I just wish that it had a stronger sillage and would remain on the skin for longer than a few hours, without the need to douse myself in about one hundred sprays. The gorgeous, teardrop-shaped bottle does look great on my dressing table, though.

Chanel fragrances are always a winner in my book, but Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau De Toilette is my number one and could be classed as my signature scent, as I wear it so often and always repurchase. If I had a pound for every time I received a compliment on it, I'd be rich.

Thanks to notes of grapefruit and quince, Eau Tendre has quite a tangy kick to begin with, before the floral notes shine through. That classic, smooth base of iris and white musk, which is typical of Chanel fragrances, gives the scent a sensual element. Although it isn't spicy as such, the inclusion of amber adds a warm, comforting touch. By far, this is one of the strongest scents in my collection, in terms of longevity and it will linger on my scarf or jacket for days after wearing it. 

What are the fragrances you gravitate towards during Summer?

AGB X