THE JOURNAL
Building the perfect summer wardrobe is, in itself, a tall order. But have you tried picking out a new fragrance? Not only has the number of options available for men expanded greatly in recent years, but a new generation of boutique brands has entered the fray, offering everything from minty scents to a fragrance inspired by the ancient Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
And that’s before we get to the details of trying to tell the difference between top notes, base notes and everything in between (which, if you’re wondering, are usually referred to as heart or middle notes). Rather than befuddle you with terminology and technicalities, we’ve made your life easier by picking out five spectacularly summery scents to add to your grooming routine as the weather gets warmer.
01. Citrus
19-69’s Orange Crush
It’s pretty well known that citrus fragrances are great for summer – and Orange Kush by 19-69 has got to be one of our favourites. Created in collaboration with Palm Angels, it’s infused with notes of sweet orange, hemp and tangerine blossom, which nod to the laid-back atmosphere of Santa Monica and Venice beach.
02. Herbal
Diptyque’s Eau de Minthe
When the warmer weather hits, few things are better than a crisp, minty scent. Don’t mind if we recommend Diptyque’s – it’s blended with floral accords of geranium and patchouli, so it won’t leave you smelling like a walking tube of toothpaste.
03. Fruity
Czech & Speake’s Neroli Aftershave Splash
Perfumed with neroli, bitter orange blossom and ylang ylang, Czech & Speake’s aftershave is just the thing to round off your daily grooming routine. The fresh scent will awaken and reinvigorate your senses, while the mild antiseptic will help close pores and prevent blemishes. Plus, it comes in a handy frosted-glass bottle with a splash top that’s been specially created to emit measured drops of fragrance at a time.
04. Amber
Jo Malone’s Cypress & Grapevine
The transportive power of scent can help you travel the world or take you back in time – and Jo Malone London’s cologne does just that. Grounded with amber notes and infused with rustic cypress and grapevine, it’s inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the the seven wonders of the ancient world located on the Hilla branch of the Euphrates River in central Iraq. The lush gardens are said to have been constructed by Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II as a gift to his wife, Amytis.
05. Flora
Byredo’s Lil Fleur
Byredo’s Mr Ben Gorham has tasked himself with translating feelings into fragrance. A difficult task, if you ask us, but the Swedish-born perfumer has hit the nail on the head with Lil Fleur – an evocative scent with top notes of cassis and tangerine, a Damascena rose oil heart and a blonde woods and amber base. “I feel that perfume often tries to capture one idea or one emotion; Lil Fleur is about capturing a complex personality, one we can all recognise,” he writes on the brand’s website. “As a brother to a sister and a father to a daughter, in my experience it does not get more beautiful and interesting than the personalities of a young spirit.”