Time to Get Scents: 3 Hottest Fragrances of the Summer

Jo Malone London Launch 'Mimosa & Cardamom'
Jo Malone London have a new fragrance on the horizon and it's a good 'un. With top notes of cardamom, a heart of mimosa and a base of tonka bean, it's one for lazy, hazy summer days.
There is a spice to the scent that makes it unisex in my eyes nose and it settles to a warm, vanilla and cinnamon on the skin.
You'll also find sweet powder and honey in the mix, and to be honest, it's best worn with a kaftan and a chilled drink in hand.

Get Your Exotic On
This new range hits shelves in September and includes a cologne (€52 for 30ml/€105 for 100ml), body & hand wash (€35 for 250ml), body crème (€65 for 175ml) and candle (€52 for 200g).
Marie Salamange, Master Perfumer at the fragrance house, says inspiration came from exotic Marrakesh and the result was to channel modern bohemia.
And it does make me want to don a pair of gold flip flops and sip a cocktail by a Moroccan swimming pool. But I'll probably settle for a glass of wine by a large Irish puddle.
 
 

Layering Love
If you're looking for a signature scent, you could always layer scents to create a personalised fragrance.
Jo Malone London recommend layering this scent over English Pear and Freesia to add a little spice  or over Tuberose Angelica to add some depth and warmth.
Do you create your own personalised fragrance? What type of notes do you like to mix?

Maison Martin Margiela 'Untitled' Fragrance
If you're a fragrance aficionado and love clean, green scents then spritz a tester of this one on your wrists next time that you're in Brown Thomas.
This is the cool kid of the perfume posse. The packaging is sleek, the name is 'untitled' and most importantly of all, it smells great and settles well. It follows what the designer calls a 'green trail' (similar to B. Balenciaga in some ways) in that it's a fresh, clean, woody green floral.
If you've a friend who loves a real beauty of a fragrance as a gift, then earn buddy brownie points with this one.

Transport your senses with Maison Martin Margiela's Replica range
And if you are new to this brand, check out Maison Martin Margiela's Replica range which is a reproduction of familiar and inspired-by scents.
We love the sound of Flower Market and Beach Walk (€95 for 100ml) and the gentlemen in our office are currently loving the leather, neroli and citrus notes of Jazz Club.
We'll be putting on of these on our birthday list.

Why change up your fragrance for summer?
For me, summer means lighter fragrances. I tend to go for floral, citrus or green-based scents and leave the muskier, heavier scents until the clocks have gone back again.
And switching from an Eau de Parfum (EDP) to an Eau de Toilette (EDT) is a good option for the summer months.
An EDT has up to 10% aromatic essence, with the top notes being dominant. This means it refreshes when applied but it can evaporated and fade away relatively quickly.
An EDP has up to 15% aromatic essence, with the middle notes coming to the fore after those top notes have faded away. It lasts longer than an EDP and so generally comes at a higher price point.

YSL's Black Opium Eau de Toilette
YSL Beauté have plans to launch Black Opium as an EDT (as well as the currently available EDP) from August 19th.
It'll set you back €48 for 30ml (€62 for 50ml, €92 for 90ml) but if you are a fan of its distinctive warm, spicy, coffee and floral scent, this is worth have a scented gander at.

What's your summer fragrance?
Or you a floral, rose or musk girl? And what are you wearing right now? Give us a virtual sniff there, g'wan.