Summer – the most popular season of the year is a time when school is over, days are longer, and vacation is on our minds. We can almost smell the salty sea breeze even if we aren’t there yet. Choosing the best summer fragrances for men that will actually work through the summer heat, and keep you fresh the whole day shouldn’t be a tough choice.
Elyse from Lifesavvy mentions that while there’s nothing wrong with using the same fragrance year-round switching things up with the weather can add some welcome variety to your routine. And since scent is closely linked to memory and emotion, picking a summer-friendly one can put you in the mood for summertime fun.
While not the issue per se, summer perfumes tend to not last that long due to their composition of highly volatile citrus/floral notes.
As someone who lives in a continental European climate, I know what heat can do to your summer scents when it’s hot outside.
That’s why I have created a list of summer fragrances that will push through even when it’s above 35 Celsius/95 degrees.
What I also wanted to do with this article is make it a wholesome experience, and give readers more than just a list of 10 perfumes you could easily find elsewhere.
By doing this, not only you’ll get the best summer fragrances for men that smell and perform fantastically, you will also learn about the following topics based on the compact versions of my other informative articles:
- What defines a summer fragrance
- Fragrance families
- Fragrance strengths & perfume concentrations
- How to wear perfume
- Perfume shopping tips
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Professional perfume tips
In this section of the best summer fragrances for men article, you’ll find that perfumes are more than just scented alcohol water and that there are more facets to this.
The inclusion of related sub-topics will explain why and how our olfactory memory can associate us with certain events, places, and people in our lives.
The powerful thing about summer is that we associate this season with carefree time, relaxation, and travel experiences and environments not found during the other times of the year.
According to Fifth Sense – “The sense of smell is closely linked with memory, probably more so than any of our other senses. Those with full olfactory function may be able to think of smells that evoke particular memories; the scent of an orchard in blossom conjuring up recollections of a childhood picnic, for example. This can often happen spontaneously, with a smell acting as a trigger in recalling a long-forgotten event or experience.”
Now, come and join me as we explore the latest Scent Grail olfactive experience.
What defines a summer fragrance
When we think about summer, what kind of association comes to your mind first? Sea, vacation, suntan lotion, sand, juicy fruits, cocktails, and more. Right?
So, in terms of scent, it’s not strange to see summer perfumes made of similar vibrant notes such as the following:
- bergamot
- lemon
- orange
- mint
- vetiver
- light woods
- musks
- sea notes
- ambroxan
- neroli
- clary sage
- pineapple
- pepper
These easy-going notes, which uplift our mood, set the tone for the following topic.
Fragrance families
Fragrance families are a classification system used by the perfume industry in order to place different scents into olfactive groups.
Besides olfactive groups, in the perfume world, we also have two other terms:
- Notes
- Accords
Notes are commonly known as perfume indigents, and accords are “fantasy” notes made from several other notes to get one distinct accord(note).
Notes and accords are separated into three different classes known as the perfume pyramid:
- Top Notes
- Middle Notes
- Base Notes
Each of the separate note stages is carefully created by perfumes to evaporate accordingly.
For example, top notes such as citruses evaporate faster than for instance, Cedarwood and Vetiver found in the middle or base stage of the perfume.
In modern perfumery, accords are a vital part of creating a harmonious blend of two or more notes into a distinctive smell.
The fragrance wheel is a great tool to determine what kind of scents you may like. As you can see, colors blend into each other, and opposite colors clash.
The groups bordering one another tend to share common scent characteristics, similarities, and differences in their odor profile.
The main groups of Oriental, Floral, Woody, and Fresh and also divided into sub-groups and it is a great place to start for perfume beginners.
For example, woody and oriental families share the common warm and dry theme, while fresh and florals are sparkly, powdery, and airy.
Read more about fragrance families and fragrance wheel here.
Fragrance strengths & perfume concentrations
Fragrance strengths and perfume concentrations refer to raw material oil concentration and affect sillage and projection.
All perfume products fall into these main categories:
- Eau Fraiche 1-3%
- After Shave/Mist/Splash 1-3%
- Eau de Cologne 2-4%
- Eau de Toilette 5-15%
- Eau de Parfum 15-20%
- Pure Parfum/Extrait de Parfum 20-40%
For an easy way to visual guide to see the concentration differences, check out the infographic below.
Read more about this topic here.
How to wear perfume
If you have ever wondered why your perfume may only last about an hour or two, the reason may be that you are not wearing your perfume the best way.
Here are five top tips on how should you wear perfume:
- Find your favorite perfume – it’s important to test potential perfume many times before purchasing. Always spray the perfume on the skin when testing.
- Choose the scent for the right occasion/season – The daytime fragrance is usually lighter, citrusy, effervescent, and lasts less while nighttime fragrances are stronger and denser with “heavier” notes. That’s why it’s important to consider what kind of perfume you want before buying and choosing the right perfume for particular occasions and seasons. This also applies to your job and your lifestyle.
- Spray perfume on the skin – The ideal way of wearing the perfume is by applying it directly to the skin. Perfume products are made to best interact with our skin and our body heat.
- Don’t rub your skin – Instead of rubbing the perfume into the wrists, after spraying the perfume, you can gently dab the wrists a couple of times, and keep this habit without affecting the perfume.
- Spraying less is often more – Many people overspray their perfume, and block their scent receptors. To avoid this happening to you, do not spray more than 2 to 4 sprays maximum.
Read more about wearing perfume here.
Perfume shopping tips
No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced lad in the perfume game, there are always a good couple of perfume shopping rules you should follow:
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Thankfully, we are living in a digital age where almost everything and anything is just a few clicks away. Besides Scent Grail, there are many fantastic websites about perfume to do proper research before ever going into a perfume shop or buying online.
These ones I recommend:
- Fragrantica – best for checking out new perfume releases.
- Basenotes – knowledgeable perfume community
- Parfumo – the best mix of both
Those who like are more into watching videos, there is a huge fragrance community on YouTube that provides great information about perfume reviews, tips & tricks, and interviews with perfumers.
Read more about which Fragrance Reviewers that I still watch.
The third great option for doing perfume research is by joining some of the many fragrance groups found on Facebook such as:
Last, but not least, before buying any perfume, don’t forget to check out my S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide. It is the easiest and the most relevant fragrance-buying guide on the web.
SAMPLE RETAIL, BUY ONLINE
Perfumes are not cheap. Especially, if you are buying more than one perfume per month. Personally, I shop retail only in cases when I cannot get a hold of perfume online, or the price is similar to those found via fragrance discounters.
Sampling a perfume at least five times before a purchase is a golden rule, and that’s where retailers are your best friends.
I have created a whole article based on the best fragrance discounters so that you can get safe and affordable perfume deals.
TEST UP TO 3 DIFFERENT PERFUMES
While it may get tempting to test everything in sight, now that you came to the perfume shop, pick three, spray one on the neck and the wrists, and let it rest for about 15 seconds before smelling them.
Olfactory fatigue is a real thing, especially if you are sampling stronger stuff like 1 Million or Mugler Angel.
Spraying the perfume on the skin is a must, even though I suspect you already know that by testing the perfume via paper blotter, it’s not the same deal since the fragrance doesn’t get to develop as it would on your skin.
I understand if some of you may be a little shy to talk to sales associates or know more from them which is much more common than you may think, but it’s nice to talk about perfume with someone knowledgeable, and hey, you may even learn something new.
Since you are going to do this the right way, there’s no need to “reset” your olfactive palette and smell the coffee beans.
Before your rush and purchase the fragrance straight away, step outside the shop and enjoy the experience.
Read more about perfume shopping tips here.
The best summer fragrances for men: The List
What you’ll find here is that I gave love to some old favorites, included a couple of hidden gems no one is talking about, and focused on the quality.
There is something for everyone here. Affordable and expensive perfumes, mix and match of quality, and even colognes with extreme longevity and projection.
Thus, I invite you to see my best summer fragrances for men list for 2022 and find something new for yourself.
1. Hermes Concentre D’Orange Verte
Why have I picked Concentre D’Orange Verte: I have already mentioned a couple of times in my other article how I think how Concentre D’Orange Verte’s composition kicks well above its price range.
A unisex perfume working equally well on a man or a woman is ideal for those lazy early summer mornings. I get natural zesty oranges mixed with basil and patchouli in the base notes.
It’s refreshing and works best while it’s not too hot outside on occasions such as local market shopping, morning walks, or going with your friends to get some coffee.
Concentre D’Orange Verte is the best citrus-based fragrance on the market that blows every other citrus fragrance out of water. What I like the most about it is that it delivers what it says on the bottle – green oranges.
Read the full review here.
- Perfumer: Jean Guichard
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Aromatic
- Release Date: 2004
- Most dominant notes: Orange, Basil, and Cedarwood
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Occasions: Any occasion
- Longevity and Sillage: 3 – 5 hours with light projection
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Yellow, Green, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A
2. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Sun Pour Homme
Why have I picked Light Blue Sun: I have discovered Light Blue Sun which I blind bought along with the feminine version of Light Blue Sun, and didn’t expect much. What I realized is that Sun delivers more than praised Light Blue Eau Intense version.
Like many others, I wanted praised the Eau Intense version, but that high dose of saltiness from the original is still present there and doesn’t suit my taste. So, what are you getting from this underrated hidden gem?
The fragrance opens up with a complex mix of grapefruit and ozonic notes that announce another great relaxed day just like the orange liquid color of this perfume.
The coconut nectar found in the heart notes contrasted with a slightly salty/musky base gives the fragrance a unique but not overbearing sweetness.
Each time I wear Light Blue Sun, I’m reminded of sitting on the beach, drinking cocktails, and having the time of my life. Lastly, Light Blue Sun is a limited edition release, and now is the time to get it before it’s too late.
- Perfumer: Alberto Morillas
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Woody
- Release Date: 2019
- Most dominant notes: Grapefruit, Ozonic Notes, Coconut
- Age Group: 18+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Any occasion
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with very good projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Yellow, Green, Blue
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
3. Acqua di Parma Colonia Essenza
Why have I picked Colonia Essenza: I can’t get enough of Colonia Essenza, and that feeling “darn, you smell” each time I wear it.
Neroli, citruses, light woods, and musk are done in the Italian way. Nothing about Colonia Essenza smells synthetic nor does it feel like an Eau de Cologne concentration.
Each time I wear it, I get 8 – 10 hours of longevity with moderate sillage, and an occasional compliment as well, which is strange for such a fragrance type.
A perfect fragrance for a classy gentleman with a sense of style. Fresh and clean, smelling like an expensive soap that will leave you feeling refreshed in the high heat.
Read the full review here.
- Perfumer: Michel Almairac
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Cologne
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Floral
- Release Date: 2010
- Most dominant notes: Bergamot, Neroli, and Musk
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours of longevity with moderate sillage
- Uniqueness: 5/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: White, Green, Yellow
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
4. Guerlain Homme Eau De Parfum
Why have I picked Homme Eau de Parfum: I love how the creators of this perfume thoughtfully created something that resembles summer in a nutshell but still kept it classy.
The combination of mint, lime, and white rum will remind you of drinking mojito cocktails by the beach, while gentlemanly notes of vetiver, cedar, patchouli, and hints of florals will keep it from going too wild.
Guerlain is Guerlain, and Guerlain never makes bad perfumes, even when it’s not a straight masterpiece. The mint essence here smells like mint leaves if you ever got the opportunity to crush them between your fingers and smell the natural mint aroma.
Also, the alcohol vibe from rum fades away quickly, so there are no worries you’ll smell like “weekend vibes” if you choose to wear it to work.
Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum is a fragrance that’s easy to love and one of those that are easy to recommend.
With its affordable price, it should be a no-brainer if you want to stand out from the crowd. Somewhat of a hidden gem among the masses and ignored since L’Homme’s Ideal line came out.
Read the full review here.
- Perfumer: Thierry Wasser and Sylvaine Delacourte
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Woody Aromatic
- Release Date: 2016
- Most dominant notes: Lime, Rum, and Vetiver
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring, and Summer
- Occasions: Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 5 – 7 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 8/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Green, Yellow, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
5. Hermes Terre d’Hermes
Why have I picked Terre d’Hermes: On the surface, Terre looks like a basic citrus/woody fragrance, but when you dig deeper, the complex composition shows all of its facets.
The perfume opens up with a sharp, and mineral grapefruit note which smells out of this world. The grapefruit is backed up with a recognizable “Hermès Orange” note which is reminiscent of their other creation also found on this list – Concentre d’Orange Verte.
Terre’s dry down is earthy, mineral, and citrusy. The balsamic qualities of benzoin keep it from going full dry and the fruits from the opening are still faintly detectable. Works perfectly in an office environment, and presents you as a confident and reliable person.
It took some time, but thanks to Terre, we can see that the Iso E Super molecule overdose found in this perfume is starting to get more popular by each day, and more designer brands use it as the main ingredient in their pillar releases.
Read the full review here.
- Perfumer: Jean-Claude Ellena
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Toilette
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Woody
- Release Date: 2006
- Most dominant notes: Grapefruit, Mineral notes, and Vetiver
- Age Group: 30+
- Seasons: Spring and Fall
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Yellow, Green, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
6. Amouage Reflection Man
Why have I picked Reflection Man: Is this the best spring/summer fragrance ever released? It may be. Depending on how you like the idea of man smelling fresh, and clean with a pinch of floral rounding up the superb blend.
To my nose, white florals and sandalwood dominate the composition, and the quality is out of this world. A warm and sophisticated classy fragrance that leans more on the masculine side.
Will you like Reflection Man? If you like the idea of Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male and Fleur du Mâle being mixed up together and done interestingly and intelligently, this one is for you. It is not a cheap perfume, but some things are well worth their price point. Certainly, Reflection Man is one of those.
Class in the bottle.
- Perfumer: Lucas Sieuzac
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Floral Woody
- Release Date: 2007
- Most dominant notes: Neroli, Jasmine, and Sandalwood
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 10 – 12 hours with good projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: White, Brown, Light Green
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
7. Montblanc Explorer
Why have I picked Explorer: Of all perfumes mentioned on this best summer fragrances for men list, Explorer comes as the easiest recommendation. I love everything about it. The blend, the performance, and the scent bubble it projects around me.
The scent smells more natural than someone would believe it would be achievable at this price point, and it captures the best aspects of Creed Aventus and Dior Sauvage.
From the citrusy/peppery opening to the musky base, Explorer captures everything that is popular now in modern perfumery. One should not overthink if this should be in your collection. Released just in 2019, it’s already on its way to becoming the Acqua di Gio of this generation.
On my skin, it lasts the whole day and projects well enough for me. Office, beach, clubs…you name it. Explorer works everywhere and anywhere.
Read the full review here
- Perfumer: Jordi Fernandez, Antoine Maisondieu and Olivier Pescheux
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Fruity Aromatic
- Release Date: 2019
- Most dominant notes: Bergamot, Pink Pepper, and Ambroxan
- Age Group: Any age
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Any occasion
- Longevity and Sillage: 20 – 24 hours of longevity with moderate sillage
- Uniqueness: 3/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Brown, Yellow, Orange
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A
8. L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu
Why have I picked Timbuktu: Master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour was inspired by his travels to this old African city and the ancestral magical fragrance ritual “Wusulan,” and created Timbuktu.
This perfume was meant to capture the African temperament and the Wusulan ritual that is traditionally passed on from mother to daughter, as a magical fragrant spell for seduction and securing true love.
The fragrance itself is a magical and multi-layered composition of tart spicy fruits mixed with resins and woods that work best in the summer heat. The most dominant note here is vetiver which strongly reminds me of the same molecule used in another masterpiece – Lalique Encre Noire.
Bertrand is a master of “smoke”, and knows how to make perfume with so much depth yet also wearable for almost anyone. Once you get a taste of Timbuktu, there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love instantly.
- Perfumer: Bertrand Duchaufour
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Woody Spicy
- Release Date: 2004
- Most dominant notes: Mango, Vetiver, Incense
- Age Group: 30+
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Business and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 8 – 10 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 10/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Orange, Red, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: A+
9. Tom Ford Costa Azzurra
Why have I picked Costa Azzurra: The unique and intense opening starts with a mix of seaweed, pine, and oud which is here just at the beginning of the fragrance which is not unusual to find bold compositions in Tom Ford perfumes.
As the fragrance dries down about an hour later, it becomes very pleasing with salt playing around driftwood and ripe lemons found on the Mediterranean coast that capture the essence of what the ocean smells like.
A beautiful high-quality fresh-smelling perfume with superb depth.
Costa Azzura is still overshadowed by Tom Ford’s more popular release, Neroli Portofino, yet it is the best summer cologne type of scent from the brand in my opinion.
- Perfumer: Yann Vasnier
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance Type: Citrus Woody
- Release Date: 2014
- Most dominant notes: Lemon, Driftwood, and Seaweed
- Age Group: 25+
- Seasons: Spring and Summer
- Occasions: Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 4 – 6 hours with moderate projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 9/10
- Perfume Color Palette: Green, Blue, Brown
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
10. Paco Rabanne 1 Million Parfum
Why have I picked 1 Million Parfum: The Extrait version of one of the most popular fragrances ever released is a long-awaited refresher we have been waiting for.
No one believed that it would be possible to make 1 Million a summer-friendly perfume, but it works much better than expected. Infused with sunscreen-like notes such as tuberose, salt, and monoi oil, you will feel like you are chilling on the beach with the sun kissing your warm skin.
The popular 1 Million DNA is still present and gets more prominent with each passing hour. Parfum flanker makes the first real shift in the 1 Million series, and I’m pleased to say that they also managed to make the formula smells more mature, which is perfect for the original 1 Million crowd. In my opinion, this is the best flanker so far.
- Perfumer: Quentin Bisch and Christophe Raynaud
- Perfume Oil Concentration: Parfum Extrait
- Fragrance Type: Sweet Floral
- Release Date: 2020
- Most dominant notes: Tuberose, Ambergris, and Leather
- Age Group: 20+
- Seasons: Any season
- Occasions: Clubbing and Leisure
- Longevity and Sillage: 12+ hours with great projection
- Uniqueness: 4/5
- Value for money: 9/10
- Perfume Color Palette: White, Orange
- Holy Grail Scent Rating: B
Conclusion
I hope you have a great summer vacation this year, and that you have found something new and interesting for yourself in this best summer fragrances for men list.
What do you think about the best summer fragrances for men list? Am I missing something, or should I add some other interesting perfumes? Let me know in the comment section below.
If you have enjoyed this post, find out more Scent Grail articles about perfumery, check out top lists, and other helpful reviews via links below:
REVIEWS
- Guerlain Shalimar
- Chanel No. 5
- Molinard Musc
- Bentley For Men Intense
- Zaharoff Signature Pour Homme
- Yves Saint Laurent Kouros
TOP LISTS
- Best Classic Women’s Perfumes
- Best Classic Men’s Perfumes
- Best Spring Fragrances For Women
- Best Spring Fragrances For Men
- Best Perfumes For Women Of All Time
- Sexiest Men’s Fragrances
SCENT GRAIL LEARNING CENTER
- My Holy Grail Perfumes
- Hyped Fragrances I Won’t Be Buying Again
- Most Important Fragrances
- Fragrance Addiction
- How To Buy Vintage Perfume
- History Of Perfume
Until next time, have a great time and keep smelling like a million bucks!
Best, Marin!
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– Marin Kristic
Great choices. It’s almost summer here in Latin America, and I’ve bought Acqua di Gio Profondo and Terre D’Hèrmes Eau Très Fraîche.
Looking forward to try some items on the list, is getting hot here in Taiwan. Overall, nice article. I like wearing Gypsy water in summer, problem is it doesn’t last at all
Hi Alex. Gypsy Water from Byredo is a nice choice to wear on hotter days for sure. I just wished it had a better performance, but overall, you can’t go wrong with that one. Marin 🙂
PDM Percival has been a fragrance that is wonderful for summer although it could be a signature scent used year around . It’s a citrus Aramaic that had lavender in the top notes with the citrus notes . It also ambery and warm while being fresh and bright . It also has great longevity and performance.
Hi Ziggy! Percival is a wonderful fragrance option for the spring and summer seasons, thanks to its refreshing notes. It remains an underrated gem from Parfums de Marly. If you’ve had the chance to experience Fierce from A&F, I’d love to hear your thoughts as Percival draws inspiration from it. Cheers, Marin.