Getting Juicy for July – covetable citrus scents

Long-lasting, juicy citrus scents are the order of the month, we feel – yes, of course when it’s sunny they feel so appropriate, but even when the weather’s not playing ball it’s time to let those citrus scents sparkle! Wearing juicy-smelling citrus scents brings the feeling of sunshine in a fragrance, no matter the weather.

That’s why we’re declaring July a month long olfactory opportunity to gather your most-beloved citrus scents and – or even better, try some new juicy numbers – because NOW is the time to allow them to shine…

 

 

 

 

LABORATORIO OLFATTIVO Pompelmo

Master of understated simplicity, Jean-Claude Ellena taps into his Italian background here, where – as he explains – ‘several beverages celebrate bitterness.’ Front and centre is grapefruit, considered in Asia to be a sacred fruit which was offered to the gods; Jean-Claude worked on the fruit’s ‘lively and sour freshness’, while stressing its bitter scent.’ Pink pepper, resinous lentisque, patchouli, white musk and vetiver feature in the olfactive chorus line of this fresh, shareable masterpiece.

£90 for 100ml parfum Cologne

libertylondon.com

 

 

ROBERT PIGUET Cravache

Originally launched in 1963, we celebrate the revivification of Piguet’s classics, now under the guardianship of genius nose, Aurelian Guichard. Here, the citrus zing has the sparkle turned up to eleven, with quenching mandarin, bitter orange and bright petitgrain zesting up even the dullest of days. Granted the addition of jasmine, orris, sage and saffron, the clarity of the composition remains, even in the snuggle of tree moss-lined woodiness as it warms.

£205 for 100ml eau de parfum

harrods.com

 

 

 

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Aqua Media Forte

Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Cologne Forte collection is suffused with light and freshness, its philosophy seeking to help us cultivate ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. Thus, we welcome Media Forte, ‘the embodiment of balance and harmony’, a deceptively simple construction that is tangibly fresh and citrus bright, showcasing Italian bergamot, radiant hedione and aromatic sweet fennel, grounded in a green moss facet, patchouli and woody musks. Spray, breathe, chill.

£175 for 70ml Cologne forte

johnlewis.com

 

 

ACQUA DI PARMA Arancia La Spugnatura

In time for summer lunches, vacations and outdoor living (everything crossed), this grab-it-while-you-can limited edition has a fascinating back-story, as well as a sublimely zesty scent. ‘La Spugnatura’ is an ancient and rare technique for extracting aromatic notes from citrus skin – usually limes – but here, AdP switched to Arancia Vaniglia, from ‘the city of Oranges’, Ribera, in Sicily. In a nod to the orange’s name, soft vanilla is added – and it’s so, so moreish.

From £141.30or 100ml eau de parfum

escentual.com

 

 

FRAGRANCE DU BOIS AM

Full of tenderness, this scent tiptoes to the window and throws it open to greet the dawn. Cool air circulates softly, tendrils of woodiness weaving through an intriguingly dry damask rose. Italian orange, aromatic thyme and leathery saffron are drizzled with a vintage patchouli and a touch of tropical vanilla sweetness. A collab between Internet sensation Producer Michael and the sustainable luxury fragrance brand, it sure gets a day off to a fabulous start.

£325 for 100ml extrait de parfum

fragrancedubois.com

 

Looking for even more juice? Get the squeeze on citrus scents (and know your lemon from your citron) in our fragrant ingredients guide

 

Meanwhile, if you’re seeking bottled sunshine and an instant holiday hit (or are actually travelling somewhere lovely for a break, and need to discover your next fragrant fling (maybe even a lifelong romance!) head to our brilliant Find a Fragrance page – have six new scents suggested, tailored to your exact tastes.

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Marvellous mandarin – the citrus scent to cheer

Mandarin somehow seems the most user-friendly of citrus ingredients: not in-your-face fresh as lemon and lime, nor tenaciously zesty as orange, it’s a happy-making scent linked to fortune and good luck in Chinese culture and reminder of happy childhood memories, for others.
Sarah McCartney of 4160 Tuesdays shared her thoughts with us on mandarin:  ‘It’s childhood Christmases for me. I’d use more of it except that citrus fruit essential oils are restricted these days, and I almost always want to get some grapefruit in there too. It has more character than sweet orange; it seems naughtier to me. It’s a special treat and it’s packed with sunshine. Oddly enough, I find that my customers describe certain synthetic fragrances as ‘fresh and natural’. Tangerine is one of the genuine natural fragrances that has the same effect. It’s light and flighty though, so it works as a top note then flits off, leaving an impression but not hanging around to be judged. Mandarin works nicely as long as you don’t mind its lack of commitment!’
And were you one of the original Aqua Manda mandarin fantatics, or a newcomer to the happily revived – by consumer demand – brand? Perhaps the iconic affordable scent of the 60s and 70s, its sweetly zingy fragrance of mandarin infused with ginger, lavender, patchouli, cinnamon, eucalyptus, tarragon and juniper berries spelled grooviness abounding, and a surge of interest in mandarin as a note in perfumery. Sunshine-y in a laid-back way, it’s the perfect note to explore for summer…
 
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Read more about mandarin and other fragrances to explore this ingredient in our dedicated Ingredients section of the website – what are some of your favourite notes – or perhaps it’s time to branch out and try something new…?
Written by Suzy Nightingale