15 Best Light Perfumes Perfect for Warm Weather

Our fabrics, our moods, and, most importantly, our perfumes lighten up for summer, taking on brighter, airier qualities better suited for warmth and sunshine. Unlike fabrics, however, the best light fragrances aren't always easy to find. Light fragrances are generally fresh or watery, and may include seasonal notes like coconut or rose.

Perfume expert, historian, and author of The Story of Perfume Élisabeth de Feydeau adds that although the elements of any perfume are complex, lighter perfumes often contain notes like citrus, orange blossom, and white musk. "It is necessary to work more on the top notes, which are more volatile, and the heart notes to give this airy impression," she says. "It's very personal because what I consider light, another person will find very heavy."

As a rule of thumb, avoid opulent and dense elements such as tuberose, spicy rose, oud, sandalwood, and animal notes because they densify fragrances, making them heavy regardless of their top notes.

If you're ready to switch your winter perfume to summer-ready fragrances, read on for the lightest, brightest perfumes on the market, each of which has been tested (and loved!) by an expert or editor.

Best Light Perfumes

Essential Parfums Nice Bergamote

I love sustainable beauty, which means I'm always on the lookout for refillable products that minimize waste, such as this fragrance from Essential Parfums. Its elevated scent profile also comes expert-approved, with de Freydeau testifying that it is "a modern, elegant, and distinguished citrus accord; a sunny sparkle of the most beautiful Calabrian bergamot, which leaves in its wake an impression of floral and soft light."

Pros: Expert-approved; Refillable; Made with ethically sourced Tonka Bean; Made of sustainable ylang ylang

Cons: None found

Phlur Missing Person Eau De Parfum

In my conversation with Phlur founder Chriselle Lim, she said she created Missing Person as an ode to intimacy and human touch. I've thought about this since, especially when I'm applying the scent in its fragrance, lotion, or body oil form (I have all three). It's a warm, comforting, yet sensual scent that always puts me in a good mood.

Pros: Editor-approved; Comforting; Clean

Cons: Small bottle

Lake & Skye 11 11 Eau De Parfum

For the spiritual among us, a perfume called 11 11 is the perfect way to start your day. But regardless of your beliefs, this perfume epitomizes lightness, and smells exactly the way I imagine the inside of a cloud would. Its mix of musk and amber is highly comforting, yet its aquatic finish makes it light enough for wear in the warm months or for layering all year round.

Pros: Editor-approved; Complex; Comforting scent; Great for layering

Cons: Small bottle; Not long-lasting

Prada Infusion D'iris Eau De Parfum

Floral perfumes have a mixed reputation. Many users associate this category with overpowering, allergy-inducing scents that remind them of their grandmother. However, the world of floral perfume is vast and complex, and it includes options like this lightweight scent from Prada. De Freydeau highly recommends it, calling it "a beautiful, powdery, delicate, and gender-neutral note."

Pros: Expert-approved; Complex; Fresh/powdery; Unisex; Long-lasting

Cons: Some users find it too mature

Diptyque L'Eau Papier Eau De Toilette

Musks are generally considered heavy elements. However, this perfume from Diptyque combines white musk with rice steam, resulting in a lightweight scent that evokes the smell of paper. It's perfect for any bookworm (like me) who shamelessly adores the smell of books and has even been caught pressing their nose against the pages of their most recent purchase.

Pros: Editor-approved; Complex; Nostalgic; Great for layering

Cons: Some users don't find it strong enough

Also Recommended

Maison Margiela 'Replica' Beach Walk Eau De Toilette

For those who love sweet yet subdued scents, E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla has the perfect option. "This is my ideal summer fragrance. It contains notes of lemon, ylang ylang, and cedarwood, making for a bright option that belongs in my beach bag," she says of Beach Walk. "It's one of those fragrances that is the ideal combination of sweet and floral. Perfectly balanced, it's unassuming and easy to wear. I recommend it as a great first luxury perfume. It's not one that you'll look back on and see as trendy—it's a timeless scent my mom and I both love, and that's saying something."

Pros: Editor-approved; Unisex; Timeless; Perfect for all age groups

Cons: Some users feel it's not long-lasting enough

Christian Dior Eau Sauvage Eau De Toilette

Like many perfume enthusiasts, I believe that fragrance is unisex, so I am undeterred by the fact that Christian Dior's L'Eau Sauvage is marketed towards men—and so is de Freydeau. "L'Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior was created in 1966 by Edmond Roudnitska with the idea of ​​fresh water that stays on the skin," she explains. "The accord is a beautiful, fresh, and distinguished chypre which is also characterized by hedione, a synthetic molecule that is a derivative of jasmine and which gives the perfume a very airy note."

Pros: Expert-approved; Classic/enduring; Long-lasting

Cons: May be too traditionally masculine for some users

Riddle Original 8ml Roll-On

I discovered this perfume while out to dinner with a friend. As we walked to our table, I got a whiff of her perfume and immediately needed to know what it was. She told me that it was Riddle, a pheromone-based lightweight scent that smells different on everyone. Although it's light, it's an oil, which makes it last longer than a spray. It's beautiful on its own or layered with heavier options like musk and sandalwood, and it comes in a convenient rollerball form that allows me to take it on the go.

Pros: Editor-approved; Smells different on everyone; Long-lasting; Convenient; Great for layering

Cons: Small bottle, so less product

Dior Dioriviera

Beauty Editor Samantha Holender stands by this Dior perfume time and time again, explaining, "I've never been one to gravitate towards overpowering blends—light and airy is my preferred scent. That being said, aquatic fresh fragrances don't do it for me. Cut to: Dioriviera, my daily go-to. The fig and rose blend is reminiscent of summer, providing a solar and sweet finish to the skin. I can douse myself in five sprays and still smell subtle."

Pros: Editor-approved; Complex; Subtle; Unisex

Cons: Some users wish it was stronger

Gucci Bloom Eau De Parfum for Her

Freelance Writer Sophia Vilensky gets stopped in her tracks when she wears this light, floral perfume. "Picture this: You're on your first actual "spring" walk following the dregs of winter and early (wet) March/April. A slight breeze comes in, bringing with it the scent of blooming tuberose and jasmine," she writes. "One of my longtime favorite scents, Gucci Bloom is a layerable, classic floral that never goes out of style."

Pros: Buildable; Works well with other scents

Cons: Too floral for some

Davidoff Cool Water

This is another fragrance that's primarily marketed to men, but that works on all genders. De Freydeau notes that it's nostalgic, too, saying that it channels "the new freshness of the '80s" and "has established itself as a classic." She describes it as "a contrasting, fresh, and dynamic accord between aromatic, floral, and woody notes—a perfume with a very sensual radiance."

Pros: Expert-approved; Nostalgic; Unisex; Sensual

Cons: Some users may find it too masculine

Maison Margiela 'Replica' From the Garden Eau De Toilette

I enjoy gardening, and for years I thought I was alone in loving the way it makes me smell. Whenever I come in from planting my favorite herbs and vegetables, the scent of earth, sun, and herbs always lingers on my skin for hours. And, to my delight, Maison Margiela has managed to bottle that smell in their From the Garden fragrance. Green and earthy, it specifically channels the smell of tomato vines, resulting in a nostalgic, springy, and dopamine-inducing scent that never fails to cheer me up, even on the days I'm stuck indoors.

Pros: Editor-approved; Fresh; Unisex; Long-lasting; subtle

Cons: Earthy scents can be polarizing for some

Chanel N°5 Eau De Toilette

Jasmine perfumes are typically associated with the winter months, and many even ding them to be overpowering. It's not often that Chanel No. 5 makes it onto a list of light perfumes, but de Freydeau argues that when it comes to musky florals, this is about as light as you can get. "Chanel No. 5, in its eau de toilette version (1921) contains neroli, which gives a delicious and fresh attack," she explains. "Rose and jasmine sing a delicate melody together before wood and musk come to place a veil on your skin."

Pros: Expert-approved; Complex; Legendary (Marilyn Monroe shot this scent to everlasting fame)

Cons: Some users find it too mature

Chanel N°5 L’Eau

If you think this is a repetition of Chanel No. 5 listed above, de Freydeau urges you to think again. Developed in 2017, this iteration of the classic scent "intensifies the freshness of the alhédydes at the top while retaining the supreme elegance of this legendary perfume." It also incorporates cedar and musk, making it crisper than previous versions of the fan favorite.

Pros: Expert-approved; New take on an old favorite; crisper and more youthful than the original

Cons: Some users find it too powdery.

Issey Miyake L'eau D'issey Eau De Parfum

For many, part of any fragrance's appeal is the beautiful bottle it's housed in. Vilensky agrees, recommending this long, delicate product from Issey Miyake. "Starting off sweetly floral and slightly aquatic, Issey Miyake's L'Eau de Issey mellows out into a 'fallen petal' scent that reminds me of a longstanding neighborhood flower shop where the same staff has worked as long as you can remember," she explains. "Light and refreshing, there's still a little warmth here thanks to the ambrette, cedar, and sandalwood base. And if you're interested in adding some intrigue to your countertop perfume collection, this will do the trick: the sleek, elongated bottle has long been a popular buy based on its design alone."

Pros: Editor-approved; Decorative bottle; Complex scent

Cons: Some users find it too musky

How Long do Light Perfumes Last?

In terms of staying power, de Feydeau admits that light perfumes don't always last as long as heavy options like musk and oud. "They are not made to last and persist," she says. "They have raw materials in their composition that are ethereal and airy, therefore volatile."

Therefore, if you're opting for a light fragrance, stow a travel-sized bottle in your bag so you can reapply throughout the day. You can also spray your hair and clothing, where fragrance will linger longer than it might on your skin.

Meet the Expert

Élisabeth de Feydeau is a French historian and writer who specializes in perfume. A recipient of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award, she is renowned in her field, having taught at the Versailles "School of Fragrances" and worked with the likes of Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Guerlain, and more. She has also written books about fragrance, the most recent of which is The Story of Perfume.

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