I’m a Beauty Editor—These Are The 10 Best Summer Perfumes Of All Time

I might not be summering at the Arev St. Tropez, but I can pretend with the help of this perfume. Cap Ferrat is my clear winner—it opens with bright bergamot that mingles with fresh violet leaf before settling into a warm, skin-like aroma that smells like a summer on the French Riviera.The design is also a stunning statement piece that I proudly display on my nightstand. Its cap is crafted from Spanish stone that’s hand-selected, shaped, and fitted, so each bottle is truly one of a kind. There’s also a traditional perfume cap that makes the bottle easier to pack for summer adventures.Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant ReviewI typically find that unisex fragrances lean a little too masculine for my olfactory preferences, but Summer Mink from Drake’s Better World Fragrance House is the exception. If you also shy away from unisex scents for the same reason, this one strikes the right balance.Top notes of Italian citrus, clary sage, and petitgrain remind me of growing up in Florida. Meanwhile, the middle notes of jasmine sambac, rose oil, and spices add a dark femininity I didn’t realize I crave in a fragrance. I can’t stop sniffing my wrists. As it dries down to base notes of vetiver, ambrofix, and musk, Summer Mink becomes warm and sensual without losing the edge that drew me in.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowInfluxious sold out the same day it debuted at Sephora. Thankfully, this new release is back in stock–and my nose couldn’t be happier. Magic Hour captures that dreamy moment at a rooftop bar on a Summer Friday, when the sky become peachy and golden light starts to fade below the horizon. Watermelon, mango, and dragon fruit keep things fresh and tropical while unexpected notes of chilli pepper and ginger add a spicy kick. The fruity, spicy opening gives way to creamy coconut milk and jasmine, before settling into an amber-meets-musk base.Three sprays are all it takes for A Tahaa Affair Devotion to help transport me to my favorite shore thanks to top notes of coconut water, sea salt, and sugar cane. Lush, tropical notes of Polynesian hibiscus, Tahitian foliage, jasmine sambac, and vanilla orchid elevate the scent into a sun-soaked floral. As this parfum settles, the aroma turns into the sweet, but not cloying smell of caramel butterscotch. A mix of black amber, driftwood, and cedarwood keep it from smelling basic—it’s like the perfect beach day in a bottle.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowThis sophisticated scent captures the true essence of citrus. It's juicy, unexpectedly woody yet light and refreshing. Sicilian blood orange, orange flower absolute, orange bigarade oil make me feel like I should be vacationing at The White Lotus—aka the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina.The unexpected inclusion of oakmoss absolute and cardamom and patchouli oil adds depth and keeps the citrus from smelling one-note. Together these smells embody a scent I want to wear all day into the night while making fun memories.BDK is a game changer. I had already completed this story, but when 312 Saint Honore Eau de Parfum landed on my desk at the lastminute, I was genuinely floored. I was so enamored with this scent that I immediately fired away invites to five staffers to try it out because 312 is truly that good.The spicy pink peppercorn instantly hooked me, but the real stars are iris and tonka, aka vanilla’s cooler, edgier sister who has her life together. Ambery musk, Thai oud wood, and ambroxan are a major olfactory delight that gets better as the hours pass. 312 is just as compatible with the warm weather in New York as it is watching polo games in Wellington, Florida. It’s definitely a scent I’ll be wearing as we transition into the fall, and can honestly envision myself sporting throughout the year for almost any adventure.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you're on the hunt for a conversation-starting fragrance, this one's worth the higher price tag. Frédéric Malle and Acne Studios teamed up for a dazzling scent that captivated me from the first sniff. It smells like clean, warm skin without veering soapy or grassy. This collab is like wearing a soft, comforting cloud of peach, rose, violet, and orange blossom. I’ve been reaching for this perfume when I want to wear something unexpected unpredictable. It’s effortlessly cool and soft with just the right touch of mystery. This is definitely a scent I’ll continue wearing throughout pre-fall.Floral perfumes can start to blend together, but Coveted Duchess Rose stands out. The feminine mix of mandarin and rose centifolia gives way to vanilla and wood for a balanced, inviting scent. It’s flirty and approachable rather than matronly. Duchess Rose stays close to my skin, so it’s easy to wear during the day or night. I recommend it to anyone who typically finds rose perfumes too powdery. Plus, the eau de parfum lasts for more than a few hours on my body before I need to reapply.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowPeople have stopped me on the street asking what fragrance I’m wearing with just three sprays. Guidance sparks curiosity by exuding both sophistication and sensuality thanks to its floral and amber notes. It’s rich and resinous with a subtle fruity opening that immediately caught my attention. It transitions into a more opulent blend of rose, jasmine, and saffron paired with the edgy touch of spices and leather. The warm amber-woody dry down is musky, spicy, and a little smoky on my skin.Villa Bordighera 20 takes my senses on a trip to lush Italian garden filled with lemon trees, Sicilian bergamot, grapefruit blossom, rose bushes, and jasmine. The bright and zesty citrus notes pair beautifully with kashmir wood giving Krigler a subtle, almost spicy depth that’s incredibly elegant. I feel like I inherited an Italian villa whenever I spritz this perfume on my wrists and neck.The beauty of Krigler is that all of their perfumes work beautifully for special occasions or daily wear. The notes last from day until my night shower. I even catch a faint aroma on my cardigan the following day. No wonder the brand has been long favorite of European royalty and American icons like JFK and Grace Kelly.Krigler is the epitome of luxury. From the thoughtful design and enticing, long-lasting aromas to the thoughtful packaging that’s almost too elegant to open, it’s truly a one of one luxurious brand.Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site. Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.