The scent of summer
7:00am Saturday 19th July 2008
SPRITZ your way through the summer with this season's fresh new fragrances.
By Lisa Haynes
WE can't always rely on the sunshine to get us in the mood for summer. But with one quick spritz of a summery scent we can be transported into holiday heaven.
Though some perfume aficionados religiously stick to their signature scent, during the summer it's a good idea to freshen up with a lighter fragrance.
"With the change in temperature, the heavy warm scent you wore in winter will now be cloying and far too strong," says Laurent Delafon, managing director of United Perfumes.
"We recommend changing your scent like you would eating seasonal food. In summer go for lighter citrus or floral scents to help you feel refreshed and 'just showered'."
So spritz your way through the summer with this season's fresh new fragrances.
CITRUS BLAST
Get fruity this summer with a citrusy scent. Instant five-a-day freshness in a bottle.
PERFECT FOR: "Anyone whose style is relaxed and informal," Delafon says. "Citrus scents are great for casual everyday wear."
TRY: Missoni Arancia 75ml EDT, £45 (65 Euros), Marc Jacobs Grapefruit Splash Sorbet 300ml, £39, Givenchy Very Irresistible Summer Cocktail 75ml EDT, £32.50 (48.50 Euros), Paul Smith Sunshine Edition EDT 100ml, £29.
SULTRY SUMMER NIGHTS
These fragrances should carry a health warning for serious sex appeal. Ideal for summer evening soirees.
PERFECT FOR: "Confident and vivacious personalities," says Delafon. "Sultry scent fans are not afraid of being a little louder and dominant. You always know they are in the room."
TRY: DKNY Delicious Night 30ml EDP, £27, Kenzo Armour Indian Holi EDP 50ml, £43, YSL Cinema Limited Edition Summer 90ml, £40.50.
OCEAN FRESH
If you love the fresh waft of sea air but you're too far away from the beach, then get it in a bottle.
PERFECT FOR: "The classic Los Angeles-style personality, if you prefer Juicy Couture to Chanel couture," advises Delafon.
TRY: Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Summer 100ml EDT, £34.50, Davidoff Cool Water Woman Freeze Me Summer 100ml EDT, £29.50, CK1 Summer 100ml EDT, £25.
HOLIDAY HEAVEN
In love with the smell of tropical aromas? Recreate that vacation feeling every day with one spritz of a reminiscent holiday fragrance.
PERFECT FOR: "Anyone who needs a holiday," Delafon says. "When you want to forget you are living in the city doing a 9-to-5 job and need to be instantly transported to somewhere with palm trees."
TRY: Michael Kors Island Capri, EDP 50ml £40, Bobbi Brown Beach EDT 50ml, £35, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche 100ml, £36.00 (58 Euros).
BRIGHT AND BREEZY CLASSICS
Can't bear to be parted from your favourite fragrance? Head for the lighter, brighter, summertime version.
PERFECT FOR: "Those who simply want a more subtle version of their normal signature scent," says Delafon.
TRY: Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Summer EDT 100ml, £34.50, Dior Addict 2 Summer Litchi 50ml EDT, £26, DKNY Summer 100ml EDT, £29, Dior J'Adore Le Jasmin EDT 100ml, £37.50.
FRAGRANCE FINDING MISSION
Seeking out your ideal summer fragrance isn't quite as easy as relying on a quick spritz of the wrists. To find the one that suits, take some time, use your nose to full effect and follow these fragrant tips from perfume expert Delafon.
In summer, try using a roll-on oil, which is more intimate and stays closer to the skin. Try Apothia IF pure perfume oil roll-on 9ml, £32 (0207 201 8588).
Always try scent on the skin and make sure you leave it to settle for at least 10 minutes. For the first few minutes it is usually just evaporating alcohol and top notes, which are only made to last the first 15 minutes maximum.
The real personality of a scent comes from the heart and base notes - the smell that comes after an hour of wear.
Overall, opt for a scent that makes you smile. The fragrance is right if you get a compliment!
For a true summer vibe, go with whatever scent makes you feel fresh and calm.
NATIONWIDE FRAGRANCE STOCKISTS
Boots: www.boots.com
Debenhams: 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com
House of Fraser: 0870 160 7270/www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Selfridges: 0870 837 7377/www.selfridges.co.uk
Superdrug: www.superdrug.co.uk
The Perfume Shop: www.theperfumeshop.com
TRIED AND TESTED
The Vitality MOT at Neal's Yard Remedies, from £35 for one-hour consultation (01747 834 634/www.nealsyardremedies.com).
If you've found your energy levels flagging or felt jaded of late, the new Vitality MOT is designed to get you back on track. After an insightful consultation with a practitioner, you're classed in one of four plant vitality types - Flowers, Shoots, Seeds or Roots. Rather accurately, I was described as a Shoots person with a bit of a non-stop lifestyle. Taking into account my on-the-go world and beauty preferences, the practitioner then created a four-week Personal Vitality Programme for me to follow to achieve more “unwind time”.
You can then either choose individual products with the help of the practitioner or pick up a gift box, £25, catered towards your plant type. My box of tricks, including tea, essential oils and luxurious body creams, has really helped me to switch off and relax when I need to and after four weeks, I'm feeling far more refreshed. Discover your personal Vitality type at www.vitality.nealsyardremedies.com.
BUY IT NOW
Remington's new Shine Therapy Dryer, £49.99, should give you dry and glossy locks in one blast. Cancel that blow dry! Available now at Argos and Boots.
BEAUTY BULLETIN
STAR SMELL
Celebrity scents are big business in the beauty industry but which fragrances have the most appeal to the opposite sex? Seems the guys love the smell of Christina Aguilera's EDP, according to new research by Lloydspharmacy. Women, on the other hand, found J-Lo's Glow scent most alluring. On hearing the news Christina said: "I always said British men had great taste - or in this case, sense of smell!"
GREEN TAN
No, don't worry this isn't a wacky new trend for your skin! Organic beauty brigade Green People have developed the first- ever, certified, organic Self-Tan Lotion, £14.99. And forget that tell-tale fake tan biscuit smell - the Green People lotion leaves a very bearable scent of rose geranium and sandalwood essential oils. Available at selected Waitrose and John Lewis (01403 740350/www.greenpeople.co.uk).