The Prettiest Summer Perfumes – Our Summer Fragrance Picks

London Calling

Base notes of leather, sandalwood and patchouli rock out in a bouquet of cucumber and rose de mai absolute.

“It’s about East End Boys and West End Girls, and new and old, and just enough floral and a lot of plain, old sexy for a hot summer night,” says Simon Tooley, fragrance guru and owner of Etiket boutique.

To get the most out of a summer scent he recommends applying perfume to clean, freshly hydrated skin.

“If your skin is dry the fragrance will not last as long. Applying an unscented moisturizer and allowing it to penetrate skin before applying your scent is best,” he says.

Gallivant London EDP, $130 at etiket.ca.

Juicy Fruit

If it’s a refreshing scent you seek, this citrus-focused juice will hit the spot. Grapefruit, mandarin and orange blossom sparkle next to bergamot and blackcurrant, while base notes of musk and myrrh provide a sense of depth to this sun-kissed concoction.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Pomelo Fizz Eau de Toilette, 30 ml, $53 at Sephora stores.

Secret Garden

Inspired by the duality of forces found in traditional Asian gardens, this blend proves that opposites attract and smell lovely together, too. A heady mix of lush roses (yes, more than one type of rose), fresh mandarin blossom, pink pepper and musk, this green floral will whisk you away.

Aerin Bamboo Rose Eau de Cologne, $215, esteelauder.ca.

Beach Baby

Sun-drenched, sweet-kissed and a whole lot refreshing, this spritz is like wrapping yourself up in the irresistible scent of summer. Try this mood-altering mix of citrus fruit, rose, jasmine and amber – even if your final destination is work-related.

Clean Ultimate Beach Day Eau de Toilette, 60 ml, $74, sephora.com.

Mad Science

Want to turn up the heat on a hot summer date? Consider wearing this subconscious love potion. Operating on a pheromone-like level, it’s a subtle take on sandalwood and cedar designed to appeal to men and women.

“When you wear it you just don’t know what is going to happen, and isn’t summer about that?” says Tooley.

Cover your bases by applying fragrance to pulse points such as inner wrists, collarbones and backs of knees.

“Don’t be shy with your fragrance, put enough on,” says Tooley, “especially on your neck so when someone goes to kiss you they won’t forget you.” Leaving six inches between bottle and the body is the ideal distance, he says. You don’t want the skin to be wet with perfume.

Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette Spray, $195, etiket.ca.

Super, Girl

Already obsessed with everything Gal Godot-related? Good, so are we! Allow the joint forces of lemon sorbet, vanilla and jasmine tea to kick olfactory butt (in a good way), bringing you one step closer to modern day super hero status.

Jean Paul Gaulthier Classique Wonder Woman Eau Fraîche, 100 ml, $108, at thebay.com and beautyboutique.ca.

Summer Lovin’

There’s more than one way to keep your cool this summer. Opt into the aromatic benefits of lime, cucumber, a trio of hot peppers and creamy musk and let the energetic veil follow you everywhere you roam. Did you know that lighter scents require a little maintenance? “A citrus fragrance won’t last as long as an oriental,” says Tooley, “you may want to re-apply during the day.”

CK One Summer eau de toilette, 100 ml, $80, at thebay.com.

Rose Re-dux

In the hands of the envelope-pushing fashion house Prada, the classic rose fragrance gets wonderfully re-imagined. At turns airy, spicy and sweet, you’ll discover African neroli and Italian mandarin working magic on base notes of Bulgarian and Turkish roses.

Les Infusions de Prada Rose Eau de Parfum, 100 ml, $175, available at select Hudson’s Bay, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue locations.

Love Wins

Who knew freesia, ginger, French rose, amber and musk would make such good bedfellows? This fresh romantic scent is tailor-made for special occasions, like heading to the chapel – the aquatic bottle certainly qualifies as something blue.

Michel Germain Séxual Paris Tendre, 125 ml, $94 at thebay.com.

Heart of Darkness

Something edgy this way comes! Plum, vetiver, patchouli, wood and cinnamon create a bold aroma, housed in a smoky black filigree-encased bottle designed by the ink star herself, Kat Von D. Put on this warm and spicy fragrance when you need to command the room.

Kat Von D Sinner Eau de Parfum, 50 ml, $88 at sephora.com.

Blush Hour

If summer is all about the good times than this fragrance really knows how to let its hair down. A blend of orange blossom, praline, pink pepper and cherry notes are ideally-suited to kicking back from now through to September.

“Part of why we wear fragrance is for the effect on our mood, and with everything going on in the world I think we will be seeing people going to fragrances that make us feel good,” says Tooley.

Valentino Valentina Blush Eau de Parfum, 80 ml, $132 at thebay.com.

The French Connection

A chic matte white bottle, topped with a navy grosgrain ribbon, is just the beginning here. Inside awaits a blend of musky rose spiked with crisp pear, sweet peach and fresh grass. Plus 50 per cent of profits will be donated to La Châne de l’Espoir (The Chain of Hope), a charity dedicated to educational access that supports 11,000 children a year in places such as Togo, Nepal, Thailand and Haiti. Pretty sweet, right?

Claudie Pierlot x Annick Goutal Petite Chérie Eau de Parfum, 100 ml, $209 at thebay.com.