The Best New Scents for Summer

Although August is approaching, if you live in Los Angeles, it’s always summer, and we don’t seriously start thinking about those chilly 60 degree nights until December (laugh if you must). Here are the eight best new scents for summer that we absolutely love and will continue to wear until the weather outside is frightful (like we said, 60 degrees).

CALYPSO ST. BARTH CASABLANCA Casablanca was inspired by sultry Moroccan evenings and smoky souks. It is feminine with a romantic edge thanks to notes of violet, vetiver, Mysore sandalwood and leather accord as well as coconut, oakmoss and labdanum. It’s perfect for the mysterious bohemian who loves a good adventure

$55 for 30 ml, Available at calypsostbarth.com 

DOLCE&GABBANA LIGHT BLUE SUNSET IN SALINA A floral, fresh floral fragrance, Dolce&Gabbana Sunset in Salina is the soft, heady delight of a glass of Malvasia wine sipped at sunset on a freesia lined terrace. The fragrance opens with the aroma of fresh vine leaves fused with the brightness of violet leaves. The heart notes unleash the sweetness and seductive charm of yellow freesia, accompanied by orange flower and jasmine. The dry down of the fragrance is a warm embrace of ambery notes, cedarwood and white musky notes. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Italian Riviera simply by wearing this heady scent.

$78 for 1.6 oz, Available at sephora.com 

FRESH HONEYSUCKLE This multi-layered fragrance was inspired by the medieval town of Penne d’Agenais in the Lot-et-Garonne region of France, and it reminds us of a field full of flowers on a warm summer day. Top notes include ylang ylang, black currant and golden peach, with honeysuckle, jasmin sambac and transparent magnolia bring up the middle and blue cyclamen, dark plum and sunny musk provide a strong, sultry base.

$88 for 3.3. oz, Available at fresh.com

B. BALENCIAGA SKIN B. Balenciaga Skin is both sultry and elegant—think pearls, Manolos and a just tight enough LBD. Base notes of cedarwood heart, vetiver and cashmere wood provide that classy/sexy vibe, while heart notes of peony, orris and ambrette seed provide a little sweetness and top notes of green tea, lily of the valley and green edamame accord add the woody notes.

$82 for 1 oz, Available at Neiman Marcus 

KRIGLER’S CHARMING CALIFORNIA The signature scent of the Four Seasons Beverly Hills perfectly captures the SoCal spirit thanks to iconic perfumer Krigler. The fragrance opens with a celebration of coriander and orange blossom, combining Japanese green tea with captivating Italian bergamot and invigorating Guatemalan cardamom. Blooming with rich Brazilian jasmine, transitioning into a smooth and warm finish of Californian cedar wood, this is the fragrance we can’t resist wearing daily.

$320 for 3.4 oz, Available at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills 

TOM FORD FLEUR DE PORTOFINO The fourth fragrance in Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino collection just simply embodies the spirit of the Amalfi Coast. It explores the hypnotic effect of Mediterranean coastal flowers as their perfume intermingles with the region’s other sensory impressions like honey and orange.The top note is a concoction of crisp, citrus essences. A blend of Sicilian lemon, mandarin from Sorrento, Calabrese bergamot, and juicy tangerine furthered by bigarade (inedible bitter orange) leaf absolute for depth and body. Violet leaf absolute Orpur® wraps the accord with its green vegetal nuances. Syringa also known as mock orange flower—supports the opening notes with a floral impression that is as heady as orange flower, but with fresher nuances of honeysuckle and green gardenia buds.The heart of the fragrance is an accord constructed around the white acacia blossom. Combining notes of cassie tree and mimosa, white acacia is distinguished by its orange flower richness and addictive, spicy trail. This beguiling note is paired with white petaled magnolia, and then wrapped in a bouquet of iconic Mediterranean floral extracts: orange flower Templar, Moroccan rose absolute, and an exceptional quality of jasmine “grandiflorum” concrete, known for its narcotic scent.The base is structured around an acacia honey accord—a honey made exclusively from the nectar of the acacia flower. Cistus absolute lends a golden, resinous touch, while vanilla absolute and Tolu balsam lend their balsamic warmth. Civet and ambrette seed absolute offer a parting animalic muskiness that sensuously supports the floral heart. Wear this scent and you will be noticed.

Eau de Parfum; $220 for 50 ml, Available at Nordstrom 

MARC JACOBS MOD NOIR Quirky designer Marc Jacobs’ latest scent is inspired by the striped fashion prints and interplay of black and white in his Marc Jacobs runway collections. This is the most modern pick (so to speak) of our summer picks, and the most simple. You’ll find creamy musks at the base, gardenia at the heart and greens on top.

$70 for 1 oz, Available exclusively at Sephora