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8 long-lasting summer perfumes that are fresh, uplifting and get the most compliments
Heat and sweat? They've got nothing on these delicious fragrances!
There's no better feeling than booking a summer holiday. No, correction: boarding the plane to said summer holiday – emotionally shedding your inbox somewhere around Gate 24. Actually, wrong again. The real best feeling is finally arriving poolside, skin still warm from the transfer bus, a slightly crushed bag of Lay's and an aggressively cold Fanta Lemon in hand, with absolutely nowhere urgent to be for the next seven days. It's almost... orgasmic.
Which is exactly why summer perfumes hit differently. Fragrance clings to memory; one spritz can transport you back to the salt-stiffened hair, suncream-slick shoulders and the vague delusion that maybe your life could permanently consist of eating grilled fish by the sea at 2pm on a Tuesday.
A sneak peek at some of our faves
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The right summer scent becomes less a perfume and more a souvenir. And frankly, when it's raining horizontally in Britain, and your annual leave feels cosmically far away, who wouldn't want hope sitting one spray away on the bedside table.
Convinced? I thought as much. Here are eight of our favourite perfumes that encapsulate summer in all its sun-drenched glory. OOO on, UV index up!
Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day Eau de Toilette
Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day Eau de Toilette
You're on the edge of a quiet harbour town just before dusk – the air thick with salt and the mineral scent of seaweed left tangled along the shore. Seagulls circle overhead, crying into the wind, while tiny crabs dart sideways between slick rocks and weathered wooden posts. Nearby, people climb aboard a small sailboat, linen shirts billowing as the breeze catches loose strands of hair and leaves skin feeling lightly parched with salt. That, my friends, is summer encapsulated, and exactly what this perfume smells like.
Fugazzi Orange Crush Eau de Parfum 50ml
Fugazzi Orange Crush Eau de Parfum 50ml
On first sniff, my mouth parted in a near religious fervour: I had found fresh orange juice housed in a perfume – all the bright, pulpy freshness, but totally wearable (AKA, no reaping the consequences of a sticky aftermath). It's absolutely timeless and totally delicious, balancing earthiness, sweetness, zinginess, and soft woods in perfect harmony. So much so, if orange juice – or fragrance, for that matter – could acquire a Michelin star, this would have five.
Saltair Pink Beach Body Mist
Saltair Pink Beach Body Mist
The second this body mist hit my skin, I was transported to a sunburnt plastic lounger beside a hotel pool somewhere vaguely Mediterranean – the air thick with chlorine, coconut suncream and the sweetness of overripe peach cocktails sweating in the heat. Bottle that first day of holiday into a £15 vial, and you've got Pink Beach Body Mist. Oh, to have absolutely nowhere urgent to be... what a glorious feeling.
Juliette Has A Gun Miami Shake Eau de Parfum
Juliette Has A Gun Miami Shake Eau de Parfum
Want to smell good enough to eat? Or rather... drink? Well, look no further than Juliette Has A Gun's Miami Shake, which smells *exactly* like a sweet strawberry milkshake with hints of daiquiri cocktail... minus the alcohol scent, obvi.
The creamy gourmand fragrance is made up of a blend of wild strawberries, whipped cream, and a touch of vanilla, which, together, make for an indulgent experience! But not a sickly one – don't get it twisted.
GLOSSIER You Fleur Eau de Parfum 50ml
GLOSSIER You Fleur Eau de Parfum 50ml
While, first and foremost, Glossier specialise in A1 makeup and skincare, the brand's perfumes are some of their best-sellers – and for good reason.
Ealier this year, they expanded their infamous You fragrance into a line of four different scents. The OG You, Rêve, Doux and my favourite, Fleur.
As you can probably guess, Fleur has more of a floral base but has an airy opening and a warm, musky finish. Above all, the main takeaway is that this fragrance is a skin-scent enhancer; It's never overpowering and is unique to you.
Diptyque Ilio Limited Edition Eau de Toilette 100ml
Diptyque Ilio Limited Edition Eau de Toilette 100ml
Summer calls for a beach holiday, natch. And preferably, one in an exotic, hot country. But with the pros of said territory come some cons, the main being bugs and mosquitoes. Enter: Diptyque's Ilio.
Described as a fruity floral, the notes of prickly pear, iris, jasmine and bergamot are a European bug's nightmare; essentially, the scent is so powdery, soft and slightly earthy (delicious to a human nose, FYI) that it almost acts as a repellent.
Soft, intimate and perfect for high summer occasions.
Parfums de Marly Valaya Exclusif Eau de Parfum 75ml
Parfums de Marly Valaya Exclusif Eau de Parfum 75ml
At almost £300, this perfume is no drive-by purchase. Instead, think of it as a summer splurge or a birthday gift for the Cancers and Leos in your life (it's me, hi, I'm the Leo, it's me).
What makes it one of our favourite summer perfumes is its bright, airy and crowd-pleasing scent. The almond floral notes are the main attraction, not to mention its longevity. Basically, you're guaranteed compliments all day and night – even without a re-spritz.
The Body Shop Tender Tonka Eau De Toilette
The Body Shop Tender Tonka Eau De Toilette
Vanilla, being sweet, creamy and delicious, is the perfect day-to-night crowd-pleasing perfume. This one from The Body Shop, however, has a lot more warmth and depth, making it ideal for evening wear.
It opens with incense and pepper, making for a warm spice, but settles with middle and base notes of vanilla, rose and tonka bean. It smells like toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate with vanilla syrup; very sweet and a little smoky, hence being ideal for a romantic date night for two.
Oh, and did I mention the price?! It's the most inexpensive in this lineup, but boy, does it pack a punch!
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
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