Your Most Refreshing Perfume

Strawberry
What is your most refreshing perfume? What fragrance makes you feel cool and uplifted?

As this summer has been alternating between rainy and infernally hot, I nevertheless have been relying more on my effervescent and refreshing fragrances. They brightened up the dull, grey days and made the hot and humid ones feel much more bearable.  So, here they are, my most refreshing perfumes, the ones that evoke a delicious sensation of ice cubes melting on skin: Prada Infusion de Vétiver, Hermès Eau de Gentiane Blanche, and Frédéric MalleAngéliques Sous la Pluie.

Photo: Frozen Strawberry by Carl Smith via flickr, some rights reserved.

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57 Comments

  • RMF: Hermès D’Orange Vert. Too bad it has almost zero staying power. July 29, 2011 at 1:41pm Reply

  • Elizabeth: Eau de Guerlain, without a doubt. I love it because its herbal, oakmoss, and floral notes make it more interesting than the average eau de cologne. I love splashing it on, just to feel a boost! July 29, 2011 at 1:43pm Reply

  • Alnysie: I used up most of my Un Jardin sur le Nil decant this summer, as it was the first one I bought in June. Now I find it a little difficult to wear, it is so grapefruity, but it *is* refreshing, feels like a glass of lemonade. Now I switched to Frédéric Malle En Passant when it’s really hot. And when my decants of Annick Goutal Eau du Sud and Ninféo Mio finally arrive, I’ll put them on the list too! July 29, 2011 at 1:44pm Reply

  • MK: Angéliques Sous la Pluie (with a nice cold gin and tonic!) and I’m really enjoying Eau de Cartier this summer as well. July 29, 2011 at 1:47pm Reply

  • kurt: Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine or if I’m feeling cheap; Roger & Gallet: Bois d’orange 😉 July 29, 2011 at 2:17pm Reply

  • behemot: Bulgari Green Tea, Caron Pour Un Homme and Clarins Eau Dynamissante July 29, 2011 at 2:35pm Reply

  • Carla: Eau de guerlain, and concentree d’orange verte is very energizing… July 29, 2011 at 2:47pm Reply

  • Dragaa: Elisa ITA, Oyedo has so much mint you can feel it on your skin! I also love Arancia in the summertime. July 29, 2011 at 2:54pm Reply

  • minette: sl vetiver oriental always feels shady and cooling to me. eau d’italie’s paestum rose is all cold stone, incense and rose – very cooling. the new balenciaga is also crisp and cool, as is chanel 31 rue cambon. that newish goutal, ninfeo mio is also crisp and green and fresh, which i find cooling. dior’s eau sauvage is also refreshing. July 29, 2011 at 3:17pm Reply

  • Caro: Cristalle, Diorella, Rose Ikebana, Eau d’Hadrien. Sometimes I also wear vintage Guerlain Vetiver. July 29, 2011 at 3:36pm Reply

  • Emma: It was a 100 degrees last week in New York, the only perfume I can wear by such conditions is Serge Lutens Nuit de Cellophane. July 29, 2011 at 4:14pm Reply

  • Elisa: Perfumes I find very refreshing include Diptyque Oyedo (which actually makes my skin cold and tingly when I spray it on!) and Philosykos (fig notes remind me of the smell of a freezer or air conditioner), and Sonoma Scent Studio Voile de Violette, whose sweet, fruity green violet note smells almost *drinkable* somehow, and fills me with contentment. July 29, 2011 at 1:37pm Reply

  • Victoria: Voile de Violette is so lovely! I am very much enjoying it this summer. July 29, 2011 at 2:11pm Reply

  • Victoria: Ah, so true! It hardly lasts on me too, but I still love it. July 29, 2011 at 2:12pm Reply

  • Victoria: I think that it is one of the best colognes, hands down! I sometimes even keep a small decant in the fridge for an extra boost on very hot days. July 29, 2011 at 2:13pm Reply

  • Victoria: Most of the non-floral Goutals are very refreshing. I love Eau du Sud. March of Perfume Posse turned me onto it. July 29, 2011 at 2:13pm Reply

  • Victoria: Eau de Cartier is very much like gin & tonic itself with its bitter herbal and leafy notes. Now, I am tempted to wear it today. July 29, 2011 at 2:14pm Reply

  • kjanicki: Right now, in sticky hot Toronto, my cooling perfumes are:
    Santa Maria Novella – Acqua di Colonia
    Penhaligon’s – Orange Blossom
    Diptyque – Philosykos
    Bvlgari – Femme
    Bvlgari – Eau Fraiche
    L’Artisan Parfumeur – Ananas Fizz
    Eau d’Italie Jardin du Poete

    And I just got a sample of Lubin Gin Fizz that is very nice. Not as gin-y as Angeliques sous le pluie but more like lemonade and gin. July 29, 2011 at 3:40pm Reply

  • Ines: I asked a similar question some time ago. 🙂
    For me it’s Guerlain Vetiver, Charmes et Feuilles, AA Pamplelune and Jardin du Poete. I’m sure there would be more if I gave it more thought, but these come to mind first. July 29, 2011 at 4:37pm Reply

  • Andy: In the really hot weather, I need something very simple and light; so I fall back on my inexpensive Pacifica standbys; Mediterranean Fig has been great, along with the Sandalwood (which in any other situation, I would hate for its very sweet citrus and too light touch of sandalwood) Avalon Juniper has a very chilly winter edge with the smell of juniper berries, but it works perfectly for summer, despite it being a ‘winter equinox’ fragrance (supposedly it was blended just for the winter equinox!). These fragrances work really well because they wear lightly. I think my favorite would have to be the fig. July 29, 2011 at 10:04pm Reply

  • Stephen: Jo Malone has actually been very comforting to me in this heatwave.. ive been alternating the assam and grapefruit (refreshing and malty skin scent) and i’ve also been layering the white jasmine and mint with the orange blossom (so intoxicating)… July 30, 2011 at 12:21am Reply

  • Perfumista8: LIke Stephen, I’ve also been using more Jo Malone than usual this summer:Assam & Grapefruit, Early Grey & Cucumber and the Sweet Lemon with either — or alone — I really love this one although I’m not sure I’d call it a “perfume” but its nice on really hot days. I can’t get enough of Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino this Summer either. Hmm – I’m seeing a pattern of linear fragrances in this heat. July 30, 2011 at 1:10am Reply

  • Musette: My faves are Guerlain Imperiale (or its kissin’ cousin 4711), also the beautiful Cartier Brillante which is spray-on gin and tonic to me.

    Agraria Bitter Orange. Smells very urban, Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market/brunch-y.

    xoxoA July 29, 2011 at 11:38pm Reply

  • Furriner: For me, Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte and L’Artisan’s L’Eau de Jatamansi are the most refreshing in summer. July 30, 2011 at 6:52am Reply

  • Lily: Another vote for Jardin sur le Nil, just adore it.
    Also Rosine’s Zeste de Rose, Mugler cologne and aqua di Parma Colonia. Ooh – almost forgot eau de Camille 🙂 July 30, 2011 at 8:32am Reply

  • bellydancer: It has been 100 degrees or more every day for 27 days now where I live. I’ve found myself reaching for Metal (cool, silvery, like water droplets on a silver mug) and my new Crystalle eau Verte (sharp, but mellowing into magnolia blossom on my skin). July 30, 2011 at 8:36am Reply

  • Tracy: i love many of the pacifica bc they are easy to wear. I carry the sprays with me everywhere I go. i spray my finger tips before I teach, and Lemon Blossom my whole self to refresh! July 30, 2011 at 8:36am Reply

  • jtd: Lauder’s Aliage stays cool throught the worst of the heat for me. July 30, 2011 at 8:48am Reply

  • Alexandra: Apres L’Ondee
    Petit Cherie
    Eau de Lierre
    Tocade July 30, 2011 at 8:59am Reply

  • allison: De Bachmakov by The different Company is my new favorite. Angéliques Sous la Pluie is a summer standby, as is Andree Puttman Preparation Parfumee. July 30, 2011 at 9:01am Reply

  • Andy: I love the idea of spraying one’s finger tips! I move my hands around a lot, so I feel like I’d be better able to enjoy some of the Pacifica fragrances in that manner. I feel like it would help the fragrance to reach my nose somehow. And I really love the Pacifica fragrances in the roll on size. July 30, 2011 at 9:49am Reply

  • Tracy: I teach Pilates, and sometimes (in this heat!) freshening between classes is a witch hazel soaked washcloth with ice water sponge bath, followed by light lemon blossom all over. Exciting also – I JUST ordered my first Jo Malone fragrance red roses! Tho I was looking for tea rose? And they are sending 3 free sample with my purchase – love those free samples! July 30, 2011 at 10:01am Reply

  • Tracy: I JUST ordered my first Jo Malone fragrance red roses! Tho I was looking for tea rose – didn’t she used to have a tea rose?And they are sending 3 free sample with my purchase – love those free samples! July 30, 2011 at 10:09am Reply

  • Tracy: I love the idea of her tea scents, but haven’t tried them – you obviously like them. how do the tea scents compare to other non-tea scents? July 30, 2011 at 10:47am Reply

  • Irina: Hermes L’Orange Vert. I really like its dry orange-y smell. July 30, 2011 at 8:49am Reply

  • Natalia: Angeliques Sous la Pluie is my most reached for scent, as it went wonderfully with Seattle’s coold and grey summer.. until about last week, when the sun came out and my favorites are Lancome O de l’Orangerie, AG Neroli, PdN Balle de Match (love hesperides!), a couple of figs – Phylosikos and AG Ninfeo Mio, some Artisans – Extrait de Songes and Verte Violette, and some tuberose at night – Beyond love and Vamp a NY.

    seriosuly though, i do wear all these regularly! 🙂 July 30, 2011 at 4:00pm Reply

  • Jennifer: These days I’m reaching for Dune, Balenciaga Paris, Chanel 19 and Un Jardin en Mediterranee July 30, 2011 at 4:58pm Reply

  • Sandra Levine: No status points, but D & G Light Blue is cooling like no other. July 30, 2011 at 5:09pm Reply

  • Yelena: At the Beach 1966 is my summer standby vacation in a bottle. Also Nanadebary Green and in the past vintage Kenzo Eau d’Ete when it was not vintage. And L’Artisan Jatamansi, although I prefer the body lotion. July 30, 2011 at 6:02pm Reply

  • maggiecat: I love Chanel’s Eau de Cologne in hot weather (which we’ve had plenty of in Dallas lately!), as well as Korres jasmine shower gel and body butter. And I just tracked down a sample of Cartier’s Baiser Vole today – not my usual style but I am enjoying it and it seems to wear well in the heat. July 30, 2011 at 7:11pm Reply

  • Elisa: Ah, is that what it is! I don’t really smell the mint, but it tingles like menthol! How brilliant for a summer cologne. July 30, 2011 at 3:32pm Reply

  • Julie: In the high heat & humidity, I like 4711, Eau de Rochas, and Pacifica Blood Orange. July 30, 2011 at 8:12pm Reply

  • OperaFan: For me – Jicky edt and Un Air de Samsara. The latter, which was grossly underappreciated and now discontinued, but the mint, herbs, and light florals over a sheer sandalwood base is absolutely cooling and refreshing on a hot summer’s day. July 30, 2011 at 10:32pm Reply

  • darcy: I like a cologne I can afford to “splash” in this weather. I live in the deep south and it is HOT. My favorite splash is def 4711 = it’s inexpensive enough to do that with = and it is so refeshing! July 31, 2011 at 2:28am Reply

  • columbine: i liked Jardin sur le Nil at first but now i don’t know why, it gets on my nerves…i will give it away to someone who really likes it…
    i like En passant when it’s spring, not so much when it’s hot as it evaporates so quickly July 31, 2011 at 4:49am Reply

  • columbine: i just discovered the perfumer “l’eau de cassis” and their “printemps à Cassis” is a very refreshing white flower perfume for hot weather. July 31, 2011 at 4:53am Reply

  • Andy: Wow, the samples! That’s good customer service if you ask me. Strangely, I’ve never even smelled the Malibu lemon blossom. I feel like, knowing the Pacifica style, it would have a lemon (as in lemon peel) smell to accent the heady lemon blossom. Very freshening I’m sure. I often find myself refreshing with witch hazel too. July 31, 2011 at 12:02pm Reply

  • Andy: The blood orange is perfect! Sweet and juicy! July 31, 2011 at 12:35pm Reply

  • Panna: Nenuco, a Spanish baby cologne which I’ve been using since childhood and now use on my kids. A friend sent me a sample of Neroli Portofino and it reminded me of Nenuco. Other warm weather favorites of mine are Cristalle Eau Verte and Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange. July 31, 2011 at 3:00pm Reply

  • Cybele: Outrageous, Fr. Malle
    Envy, Gucci
    L’Eau Neuve, Lubin July 31, 2011 at 7:05pm Reply

  • sisty: For me, it is Eau Sauvage and, surprisingly, Borsari Violetta di Parma. August 1, 2011 at 12:44am Reply

  • Joan: I’m more of a warm skin scent kind of gal, but Delices de Cartier has a nice cool veneer. July 31, 2011 at 9:50pm Reply

  • Suzanna: Cristalle EdT, and I only wear it in the summer. It is cooling like none other and summer brings out the whole bouquet of it, from the start when it is crisp as cologne through the white bouquet with traces of a more formal composition. August 1, 2011 at 9:32am Reply

  • Gina: Mandragore and Jardin Sur le Nil August 1, 2011 at 4:21pm Reply

  • astrorainfall @ beauty box: It has to be Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes….I see that this is a hot fave with your readers! August 3, 2011 at 10:26am Reply

  • Flora: Vintage Vent Vert has to be my top choice, along with Un Jardin sur le Nil and Silences. DSH Pamplemousse is the best grapefuit perfume I have ever smelled and it really wakes me up! August 3, 2011 at 4:18pm Reply

  • Vasilisa: If I want to feel refreshingly frozen, I reach for Comme des Garcons Series 5: Peppermint (and sometimes Rhubarb) Diptyque’s Eau de Tarocco is another favourite. August 5, 2011 at 3:48am Reply

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