With summer in full swing (and while we’re all busy perfecting our golden hour glow), let’s not forget one of the most powerful, yet invisible accessories that ties it all together- your scent. Let’s be real, we all would like to smell amazing without worrying if we smell exactly like everyone else’s poolside spritz. That’s why we’ve done the work for you, diving into smaller, indie brands that bottle up the essence of summer, without copy-pasting everyone’s strangely similar ‘signature scent’. These aren’t just perfumes, they’re a subtle secret weapon in externalising your most memorable moments, from sun-drenched mornings to those lovely balmy nights. You’re welcome.
If there were ever a fragrance to encapsulate that exact, uniquely ‘stepped off the yacht’ vibe, it’s this. Kayali delivers and is growing steadily in popularity due to its work. One of their latest, Maldives in a Bottle, is like smelling pure tropical escapism. With notes of ylang-ylang, coconut milk, and hints of banana, that equates to an undeniably vacation-coded perfume. This is for your most glamorous summer moments- think beachfront dinners, sunset cruises, or if you simply want to mentally transfer to your best island life (even if it means just running errands). It’s the ultimate summer accessory that’ll guarantee turned heads and strong whiffs.
Next up, we have Phlur Beach Skin. They have perfected the ‘your skin but better’ trope, and Beach Skin truly captures that elusive post-beach feeling: warm, slightly sun-kissed, but still incredibly clean. With top notes of bergamot and pink pepper, accompanied by heart notes of coconut milk and lily of the valley, that’ll leave, as said by Phlur themselves, “remnants of creamy warmth that are airy and sensual”. It’s perfect for casual daytime wear, post-swim freshness, or if you ever want to embody a mermaid-like vibe, Beach Skin is your girl.
Alternating from the traditional tropical direction, we move on to Dedcool’s Taunt. It is a modern take on a classic scent. Dedcool is all about gender neutral, and non-toxic fragrances that feel like an extension of your skin. Taunt is a subtly sweet, warm, and inviting blend of vanilla, amber, and fresh dew. It’s sophisticated without trying too hard, making it ideal for those breezy summer evenings when you want to feel chic and intriguing. Settling beautifully, it becomes part of your aura rather than announcing your arrival.
Michelle Pfeiffer’s clean beauty brand, Windows Down by Henry Rose, perfectly encapsulates the exhilaration of summer. The freedom you feel driving on an open road, windows down, and music blasting, is the perfect encapsulation of what this fragrance entails. It’s incredibly uplifting notes of bergamot, grapefruit, and a hint of jasmine are perfect companions for bright mornings and active days. It’s clean, joyful scent feels like pure sunshine, and if you need invigorating freshness, Windows Down is the perfect go-to.
We know of Lake and Skye from their 11:11 Eau De Parfum, so let me introduce you to its cooler older sister, Santal Gray. This scent, although different from its bestselling counterpart, has an equally compelling dimension for summer. Think cosy, yet fresh, blending the warmth of incomparable sandalwood and musk, with an unexpected lightness. Perfect for those cooler, breezier summer evenings, complementing you when you’re around the bonfire, or even the most lax of outdoor get-togethers. This is a wonderful choice for when you crave a subtly alluring, grounding fragrance that offers sophistication and comfort without dragging you down.
Craving a classic fruity fragrance? Ellis Brooklyn’s Sun Fruit is utterly delicious, vibrant, and nostalgic of your youthful summers. This playful explosion of fig, jasmine, and a whisper of vanilla evokes the feeling of biting into a ripe, sun-warmed fruit. It’s undeniably fun and guilt-free flirtatious vibe makes this scent ideal for festival-filled nights, daytime parties, or just a burst of flavorful energy to your routine. Its joyful and optimistic notes will have you reminiscing about your favourite teenage summers.
Fragrance has been known to weave threads of invisible memory and mood into everyday life, and by exploring these brands, you’re discovering artistry that enhances your summer narrative.
Images: Brands respectively
