There is nothing more pleasing than to feel the sun on your skin. A feeling of warmth and comfort like the universe nourishing you, body and soul.

Greetings fragrant readers!  As Summer is here, I thought we should take a journey and explore a fairly new olfactive group; the so called solar perfumes. What is a solar perfume you may ask?  Well, it is basically a perfume with a sunny disposition. Warm and uplifting like you are taking in the sun anywhere for ex: the beach, the park, on vacation etc.

Solar perfumes are usually a blend of notes from other olfactive groups; mainly aquatics, florals and citruses which create the effect of sun kissed skin. I love to wear them for the easy going, laissez-faire attributes they project. So let’s pull out a lounge chair and put on our sunglasses to begin our trip inspired by earth’s closest and brightest star; The Sun.

Let’s start with a perfume that evokes the sun just by its name; Solaris by Penhaligon. Solaris is a slightly citrusy tropical leaning perfume with a warm woody base. Right from the start, the citrus and blackcurrant shine bright like the sun’s rays. Then, come forth the florals like tiare, ylang ylang and jasmine which are warm but don’t overwhelm as they are anchored by the woods in the base. Luminous is how I would describe this scent.

Next on the list is a fragrance from a perfume house whose creations embody the spirit of different cities around the world. I am talking about Gallivant  and the scent of Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv is a beautiful solar floral with a fresh zestiness and a smooth sandalwood base. Not to mention, a touch of salt and a hint of spice for some chutzpah. It’s airy, floral and a little warm. This is the feeling of meeting friends in open air cafes, or bars near the sea after a long hot day. The city’s nightlife comes alive with different people and sounds. A feeling of a relaxed summer night out.

Speaking of cities, my next pick also has a geographical reference. California Reverie by Van Cleef and Arpels. California Reverie is a summer citrus floral. Picture yourself walking through citrus groves wearing a floral crown made of jasmine and frangipani while the sun is beaming down on you. There is a slight breeze that perfumes the air with all the greenery and even a hint of coolness from a body of water nearby.  This is California dreamin!

Moving on, what is a solar perfume without some beach vibes? In today’s market there is an abundance you can pick from. My first go to beachy scent is Arquiste’s Sydney Rock Pool. Imagine a day at the beach on the Australian coast. Exotic palm trees and plants in the background while you swim in the salty waters of the ocean taking in the sun after applying the most luxurious sunscreen. Coconut, salt and solar notes; Beach vacation in a bottle. My other go to is Profumum Roma’s Aqua di Sale. This is more a day at sea on board a sailing ship. Less coconut/sunscreen and more marine freshness. You get the feeling of emerging from the sea, breathing in the air and aromas that surround you off the Italian coast. Salty, woody and aromatic with some zest. La Dolce vita by the sea!

If you like your solar perfumes more cool, classy and clean, with a sprinkle of summer sun, look no further than Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae Cologne Forte. This is a sparkling clean mandarin scent with solar florals and a sensual musky base. The citrus radiates throughout the whole body of the perfume to give it freshness, while the musky base surrounds you with a cloud of warmth but no heat. A unique take on solar perfumes.

On the other hand, fizzy, mineral and warm is Imaginary Author’s Sundrunk. The image I conjure up, when I smell this, is sitting on the hood of a car, close to the beach, watching the sunset while drinking an orange soda. The effervescence of the soda note refreshes and counters the perfume’s metallic and mineral aspects. A very retro 60’s Florida vibe.

To conclude, there are so many other perfumes that come to mind when I think of this category that I would be remiss if I didn’t have some honorary mentions for you to check out like; Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess, Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc and Nuxe Prodigieux Edp. 

So dear readers, there you have it, my list of scents that can put you in the sunniest disposition wherever you are. Farewell for now and may our Summer shine as bright as the sun!

                                              Your Perfume cognoscente

                                                                                     Y.Z