6 summer perfumes that celebrate the energy of the season

Summer perfumes can feel more impactful than their seasonal counterparts, probably due to the fact that the sunniest time of the year is also marked by a lack of clothing, makeup and fuss. 

The scent we choose in summer has to emphatically express the unspoken, palpable magic of three months bathed in sunshine. They can be nostalgic echoes of a distinctly Australian experience, but they can also transport us to distant shores abroad.

BEAUTYcrew spoke to Who Is Elijah founder Raquel Bouris about the transformative powers of summer scent, no doubt influenced by her own childhood spent on the beaches of Cronulla. 

"The European summer experience is distinct from the Australian summer," she tells BEAUTYcrew. 

"European summers draw inspiration from a rich tapestry of cultures, leading to a diverse range of fragrance formulations. When you think of European summer, it conjures up a plethora of scents and experiences," she explains. "In contrast, Australian summers have a more singular association, which makes our expression of summer fragrance unique and evocative of our sun-kissed, beach-oriented lifestyle."

Regardless of whether you want your perfume to remind you of home or to take you on a trip to sunny locales yet undiscovered, BEAUTYcrew has found a selection of summer perfumes that perfectly celebrate the season in all its glory. 

2025's top 3 summer perfumes

Who Is Elijah Cherry Fiesta, $135, Who Is Elijah
SSAINT Holiday, $139, The Iconic
AERIN Mediterranean Honeysuckle Tiare, $225, David Jones

Who Is Elijah Cherry Fiesta

from $135 at Who Is Elijah

A bold summer fragrance, Bourris has described this scent as an embodiment of that cheeky, sexy person in your life who always seems to live in summer. "It's unique, playful and sophisticated," the brand founder explained via Instagram. It sold out shortly after it launched in July, to coincide with the everyone's European summer vacations. But with the best-seller back in stock, and Australian summer well and truly here, there's no better time to upgrade your fragrance wardrobe with this delicious addition. 

Key features:

Top notes: Mandarin, pear, and anise
Heart notes: White florals and cherry
Base notes: Vanilla, benzoin, and green patchouli

Available at:

• $135 from Who Is Elijah
• $135 from Adore Beauty
• $135 from Sephora

SSAINT Holiday

from $139 at The Iconic

Transport yourself to a sunny, lush oasis with this sweet and citrus-led scent from Aussie fragrance brand SSAINT. We're talking luxurious, serene and relaxing vibes with every spritz of this bliss in a bottle perfume, which features a blend of vibrant spices, decadent florals, and creamy gourmand notes.

Key features:

Top notes: Pink Pepper, neroli, cardamon, and almond
Heart notes: Tuberose, cananga, and jasmine orchid
Base notes: Vanilla, tonka bean, ambrette, and coconut water

Available at:

• $139 from The Iconic
• $139 from Sephora

AERIN Mediterranean Honeysuckle Tiare

from $225 at David Jones

A soft and gentle tropical scent, this limited edition summer fragrance from Aerin is less coconuts and sunscreen, and more fresh bouquets of Tiare flowers and crisp, luxury resort linens. However, word to the wise, if you're eying up this buttery, solar scent you should add to cart as soon as possible — once this limited edition Aerin flanker is gone, it will be impossible to find.

Key features:

Top notes: Lemon
Heart notes: Gardenia
Base notes: Tiare flower

Available at:

• $225 from David Jones

Maison Louis Marie No. 14 Icila

from $145 at SSENSE

This floral-forward fragrance perfectly blends together all the very best elements of spring and summer into one fresh, light and softly feminine scent. Although the aromatic bouquet of jasmine, rose, cherry blossom and vanilla flower are undeniably beautiful, it's the addition of juicy plum and grapefruit, alongside mandarin leaf that makes this scent really sing. 

Key features:

Top notes: Blood grapefruit, jasmine and mandarin leaf
Heart notes: Bulgarian rose, plum and osmanthus
Base notes: Patchouli, vanilla flower and cherry blossom

Available at:

• $145 from SSENSE
• $155 from Maple Store
• $160 from Sephora

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid

from $194 at Sephora

If you're a lover of vanilla fragrances, but looking for a lighter, fresher take on the typically decadent note, then you need to get better acquainted with the new Gucci Flora flanker. Gorgeous Orchid tangles together the sweetness of a gourmand with creamy florals and the airy brightness of ozonic accords.

Key features:

Top notes: Vanilla
Heart notes: Vanilla orchid
Base notes: Ozonic notes

Available at:

• $194 from Sephora
• $194 from MYER
• $194 from David Jones

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioia Eau De Parfum Intense

from $133 at Adore Beauty

In case you didn't know, Acqua Di Gioia is a perfume celebrities wear, specifically Gigi Hadid. This intensified flanker bears the same aquatic and floral markers that made the original such a hit, but it's just that little bit fresher and sweeter. Formulated to reveal a woody base as it dries down and warms up on the skin throughout the day — this perfume encapsulates the essence of summer with the vibrancy turned all the way up. 

Key features:

Top notes: Bergamot and red fruits accord
Heart notes: Jasmin and rose damascena
Base notes: Cedarwood and musks

Available at:

• $133 from Adore Beauty
• $190 from Sephora
• $190 from David Jones

Prefer a genderless scent? This is how to choose the right unisex summer fragrance for you.

Main image credit: @phoebejtonkin