Expert perfumer-approved tips for longer-lasting and the best hot weather scents.
Peak summer is upon us and that means long, sweltering days in the sun. The heavy heat can make curating your fragrance wardrobe more difficult than usual. This time of year, it’s not only about choosing scents that complement the easy summer vibe, it’s also about making sure your fragrance won’t disappear into the heat.
The hard truth? Perfumes and summer weather don’t play well together. Heat and humidity increase the evaporation rate of scents on the skin, while sweat and UV rays can degrade perfume at a molecular level. All roads lead to quicker fragrance fade. Luckily, you can outsmart the summer heat (and smell fantastic doing it) by choosing the right notes, using scent longevity tips, and taking good care of your perfumes.
Choosing Heat-Friendly Fragrance Notes
Generally speaking, warm, gourmand, and earthy scents last longer on the skin thanks to their powerful base notes. They’re the perfect pick for sultry summer nights. During the day, you might be tempted to reach for fresh, aquatic, or herbal fragrances. These notes tend to have less staying power due to their dependence on fleeting top notes—but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on them. Instead, you might need to get creative with application techniques.
Extending the Life of Your Perfume
1. Lotion up
Fragrance clings best to well-moisturized skin. Consider applying an unscented lotion (or better yet, sunscreen) to parched summer skin before using perfume. It’s a small ritual that can make a big difference.
2. Reapply Often—and Generously
Reapplying fragrance throughout the day is the best way to ensure it’s wafting to its full potential (this is especially true of those lighter, fresher scents). So throw it in your bag and re-spray as you go about your day.
3. Spritz Beyond Your Skin
Your clothing can hold onto fragrances better than skin, since they don’t heat or sweat the way skin does. Go a little crazy—spritz your tee-shirt, sundress, swim cover-up, your Labubu. We won’t judge. (Important note: Always test on a small, hidden patch of fabric and spray lightly, since some perfumes can stain.)
Storing Perfume Properly
Summer Fragrances You’ll Melt For
Now that you know how to choose, wear, and care for your summer fragrances, here are a few must-haves to add to your seasonal rotation.
Blissfully Beachy
AQUATIC COCONUT
Inspired by Maison Margiela's
Replica Beach Walk
Smells like the caress of a warm sea breeze with a touch of sunscreen and the sensual feeling of sand on skin.
Top: Bergamot | Middle: Ylang Ylang | Base: Musks
POWDERY COCONUT
Inspired by Tom Ford's
Soleil Blanc
Lush, unexpected, and warming, this solar fragrance is as sultry as it is comforting.
Top: Cardamom | Middle: Ylang Ylang Base: Cedarwood
Like a Second Skin
Fresh Greens
Gourmand Delights
Addictive Florals
Whether you go beachy, floral, or select a new go-to scent from another fragrance family, summer is all about choosing the scents that embody the season your way.
As long as it enhances the moment for you, don’t sweat it!
P.S. Layering in the summer is more than ok with Dossier. Create a unique signature scent with our hottest fragrances that’ll still beat the heat. See our expert-approved tips here.
