Summer is my favorite time of year for all things beauty. From the endless vacation manicure options to a sun-kissed makeup routine, there’s just something about my summer regimen that makes me feel exponentially happier before I even step out the door and into the sun. And the same goes for summer scents and the uplift they provide with just one spritz.
If you’re on the hunt for a cologne to wear (or gift to your partner) that’s perfect for summertime, there are endless airy scents that are far more wearable than those classic masculine and overly deep fragrances you might typically reach for. So, team Cosmo rounded up the best summer colognes for every warm-weather occasion, from fresh scents our editors love to the fragrances their partners can’t stop wearing.
Ahead, shop the best summer colognes for all your upcoming beach days, vacations, and everything in between.
Glossier You Soie Eau de Parfum
Glossier You Soie Eau de Parfum
| Key notes | Rice milk, tiare water, ambrox, jasmine |
One Cosmo editor says: “This scent takes beachy in a different direction, something more airy and subdued. The milk and rice notes add a softness that’s not sweet, combined with the O.G. DNA of Glossier You (aka ambroxan), adds a muskiness that completely pulls this out of gourmand perfume territory. The florals here are creamy and solar, with absolutely zero dustiness. In fact, it smells a bit like clean laundry to me.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Tom Ford Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum
Tom Ford Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum
| Key notes | Sicilian blood orange, green mandarin, bitter orange, Mediterranean floral notes, patchouli, oakmoss |
One Cosmo editor says: “Tom Ford makes tons of fruit-forward scents, but Taormina Orange just might be our favorite for summer. While I’ve never been to Sicily, I imagine this fragrance is exactly what the citrusy cliffside smells like. Just one spray is a blend of fresh and zesty notes that embody exactly what Euro summer should be about—hand-picked fruit, green landscapes, and fizzy cocktails. If I was headed to Italy this summer, this is the only perfume I’d need to pack for a long-lasting bright and earthy scent.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
| Key notes | Bergamot, lemon, ylang-ylang, coconut milk, benzoin, musk |
One Cosmo editor says: “If you want to smell like a breezy day on the coast, this fragrance lives up to its name. This is a true genderless scent—it’s beachy without feeling overly sweet or tropical. It opens with bright bergamot and lemon, then creamy coconut milk adds warmth and soft musk and benzoin give it a clean, skin-like finish”—BG
Vacanza Cap Ferrat Eau de Parfum
| Key notes | Orange rind, fig, coconut, pine needle, jasmine, ambrox, patchouli |
One Cosmo editor says: “Named after the picturesque French beach town Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, this fresh fragrance smells like the first whiff of a luxe hotel. It opens with fruity and juicy notes, then settles into an earthy and floral heart, and ends with a skin-like finish. Not only will this bottle look so gorgeous atop any vanity (each unique rock is sourced from Spain), but if you want to pack it in your bag for a trip, it also comes with a small metal cap that makes it easy to throw into any dopp kit. This scent embodies exactly how I want to feel after spending a day at the beach and taking that post-sun shower. ”—JH
Prada Paradigme Le Parfum with Amber & Leather
| Key notes | Ambery woods, vanilla, geranium |
One Cosmo editor says: “Although an 'intense' cologne might seem better suited to fall and winter, Paradigme Le Parfum has a fresh opening with geranium and bergamot that still makes this feel appropriate for warm weather. It's what I imagine spraying on a sexy summer night—the benzoin, vanilla, and amber are warm and luscious, while guaiac wood is grounding and dry.”—BG
Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman
| Key notes | Ginger, mandarin, pear, bergamot, orange blossom |
One Cosmo editor says: “As soon as I found out Travis Kelce wears this cologne, I had to get a whiff of it and cosplay as Taylor Swift. It's the perfect citrusy cologne but with 'masculine' woody musks in the base. Ginger, mandarin, pear, bergamot, orange blossom—it's so bright and sparkly, but not juicy or sweet at all if you're not a fan of gourmands.”—BG
Harlem Perfume Co. Sensual Muse Eau de Parfum
Harlem Perfume Co. Sensual Muse Eau de Parfum
| Key notes | Mandarin, gardenia, apricot, vanilla |
One Cosmo editor says: “I’m really into this juice for summer. It opens fresh and a little fruity, then melts into soft flowers, creamy woods, and just enough vanilla to keep it warm without feeling heavy. It has that clean, sun-kissed vibe that works on hot days but still feels a little flirty. I love that it’s noticeable without taking over the room, and it somehow gets even better as the day goes on. It’s the kind of scent I can throw on with a sundress, jeans and a tank, or even after a day at the beach and still feel put together.”—JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things fragrance—from the biggest note trends to the newest perfume launches. For this story, she and team Cosmo tested and rounded up their favorite summer-ready colognes based on notes, longevity, price, and more.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
