As I have already mentioned, summer in Berlin treats us very shabbily this year. So, I hope I didn’t choose too many beachy scents, but I am dreaming of the ocean these days more than ever. Have fun, here are my favorite summer scents in no specific order, some new releases, some old companions… treat my friends well.
Parfumerie Générale: PG 25 Indochine
The autobiographical novel The Lover by Marguerite Duras is one of my favorite books, Indochine with Catherine Deneuve is one of my favorite movies. I love the atmosphere in this magic country with the mixture of Asian and French culture and I was very delighted when I heard that Pierre will introduce a perfume about Indochine. He was inspired by some sepia pictures of the 1920s and Indochine pays homage to the wonderful landscapes around the river Mekong with this special humidity and light. Benzoin is the central element of this scent, sweet and resinous. In combination with vanilla, pepper, cardamom, Tanakha wood and honey, he created an amazing – and let’s say typical Pierre Guillaume – scent. Soft, seductive, warm and spicy. Insanely good! This one must be gorgeous on a man’s skin, but of course it is unisex. I recommend it for warm summer nights after the rain with the smell of warm earth. Then, the weather is perfect for wearing Indochine. You definitely need some humidity to really feel the soul of this perfume. And maybe you should watch one of the movies before you try it out – either The Lover or Indochine.
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire: Precious Oud
The inflationary use of oud during the last years has bored me to death. But: in the jungle of new oud scents Precious Oud is a pearl. The moments when I smell a new release and I am really impressed are rare. Precious Oud is a floral oud, which reminds me a little bit of Tom Ford’s Black Orchid without coconut, chocolate and all this stuff, which was discussed around the blogosphere as ‘a man’s crotch’ note. The combination of oud with bergamot, jasmine, tuberose and pink petter is the amazing strike of Amandine Marie. Precious Oud is very intriguing and very feminine. Other notes are pink pepper, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, amber and incense. For hot summer nights and sunny summer mornings. Makes me feel absolutely fabulous. A must-try.
Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine
What would summer be without the perfect citrus scent? I love the tingly feeling that seems to put a little blush in your cheeks and makes you smile. Yay!! Orange Sanguine, the French term for blood orange, is my favorite of the Atelier Cologne line. Smelling it, I can feel the sun kissing my skin, the heat, the ocean, sweet idleness, cafe con leche, fresh fruits, an outdoor breakfast. Orange Sanguine is bitter-sweet with a geranium kick and a surprisingly oriental base. Want, want, want it… The perfumer behind this wonderful elixir is no other than Ralf Schwieger, who has also composed the legendary Lipstick Rose for Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, one of my favorite rose perfumes.
L’Erbolario: Citrus
Another citrus scent, this time around is pink grapefruit. I found this little Italian brand in a small store in Berlin and I adore the whole line which is very well-priced and based on natural ingredients. Citrus is wonderfully refreshing and lasts very well. It is the kind of scent you can always use when it’s hot outside. The kind of scent you should always wear in your handbag. A summer elixir with pink grapefruit, tangerine, neroli, lemon, yuzu and rose wood – just to name a few of the many ingredients. I cherish it and just can’t get enough!
Meo Fusciuni: Shukran
During Berlin Fashion Week, I met the Italian perfumer Giuseppe Imprezzabile from Meo Fusciuni. Together with Daria Stuefer he has created three perfumes with natural ingredients that are inspired by travel memories: Istanbul, Sicily and Morocco. Shukran is my dearest although I love all of them. It smells like Moroccan mint tea mixed with notes of tobacco. It reflects the idea of tea being fresh and warm at the same time. A subtle oriental scent for summer time, best for evenings. Not too heavy, not too fresh, very mild and calming. And one of the best Moroccan mint tea interpretations I know – you know there are many!
Heeley: Hippie Rose
It seems as if there are more festivals than ever this year. It’s a trend, also in fashion. The magazines are full of festival fashion and there is no better scent for this look, I am addicted to it. James Heeley shows us a new facet. Very laid-back, very cool, very Rock’n’Roll and at the same time sophisticated and gorgeous. I have already written about Hippie Rose, so no need to say more than that it’s the perfect combination of rose and patchouli. I get a lot of compliments for this perfume – best proof. There are many scents featuring rose and patchouli, but this one is unique.
Jacques Zolty: Lily Beach
Lilies smell intoxicating and seductive, but sometimes too strong. Lily Beach presents lilies in a light version: beautiful girls at the beach, shimmering sand, sparkling champagne, a breeze of the ocean – but without the typical marine accord – mixed with suntan lotion on warm skin. Perfect for the holidays, island feeling. A little bit musky in the drydown, delicious and fresh!
Parfums d’Orsay: Tilleul
My sister has recommended this scent to me. She went to university in Paris and loves everything about French style and savoir vivre. Tilleul is very French if you like. I don’t know how to explain, but it triggers something from my childhood memories. Tilleul is tart, a little bit soapy, a little bit creamy, very clean and cool with a soft honey note – it smells like real linden blossoms. Beautiful, kind of old-school, outstanding. I like to wear this one for myself. It is very peaceful. Now, I have already two wonderful linden perfumes, no wonder am I living close to the famous boulevard Unter den Linden (under the linden trees) in Berlin. My other favorite is Lindenblossom by April Aromatics, which I have already reviewed.
Smell Bent: St. Tropez Dispenser
Have you ever been to St. Tropez? I spent a lot of summers at the Côte d’Azur and I have always admired the sophisticated French girls looking so beautiful at the beach. St. Tropez Dispenser catches this attitude with jasmine, coconut, aloe vera and vintage musk. I like Smell Bent very much, which is a funny take on perfume. And I love St. Tropez Dispenser, which is a really good jasmine scent. No cliché beach flavor and the name says it all: St. Tropez in a dispenser.
Comptoir Sud Pacifique: Aqua Motu
Last but not least, something quite ordinary I found years ago at Galeries Lafayette: Aqua Motu by Comptoir Sud Pacifique. I don’t like the current bottle, they have changed the package design. But I love what’s inside this ugly flacon: summer, ocean, salt water, warm sand and a hint of vanilla. I do not lie, this perfume is the one I have gotten the most compliments for ever! Aqua Motu makes you feel so fresh due to the ozone note. Somebody compared it to Fire Island by Bond No. 9, but I would never wear Fire Island because it smells heavy like suntan lotion. Aqua Motu is light and clean, a little bit artificial but I adore it. Now you know my summer secret.
