8 Perfumes to Heat Up and Cool Down Your Endless Summer

There are two schools of thought for coping with sweltering summer temperatures—embracing the heat or fighting it with cooldown tactics, especially when it comes to choosing your signature fragrance. Whether heading out for Saturday brunch or a seaside picnic, the right perfume sets the tone for the hours that follow. “The seasons have a profound effect on us,” says British perfumer Roja Dove, who has found that a few simple principles will guide you toward a scent that suits your humidity goals.

To relax into a warm weather mindset, “white florals work beautifully [because] this is [the climate in which] the blooms release their most intoxicating scent,” Dove says, pointing to the island origins of ylang-ylang and jasmine. He suggests stepping into a cloud of Tom Ford’s citrus-infused Neroli Portofino, while Terry de Gunzburg’s Parti Pris smells of blooms “nestled on a bed of woody balsamic notes”—a combination he finds evocative of “skin warmed in the sun on the beach.”

For those who never loose their cool—and don’t plan on starting now—notes of zesty citrus, clean florals (including hyacinth, freesia, rose, and lily of the valley), and garden herbs are the most refreshing. Like a long swim in the sea, crisp scents like Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Universalis relieve temperature-induced fatigue, but Dove also suggests finding sanctuary in Atelier Flou’s orange-infused Eau d’Aviateur and Chanel’s green and powdery No. 19. Better yet, both fragrances will continue to channel the spirit of summer well after Labor Day. With that in mind, we’ve asked Dove for his take on the best perfumes for navigating a heat wave and beyond.

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