These Tropical-Scented Perfumes Smell Like Vacation in a Bottle

Elle

3 days ago

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You'd be forgiven for assuming that August signals the beginning of the end of summer. Chances are, your TikTok feed is already becoming inundated with #BackToSchool content and Gilmore Girls edits, while supermarket shelves are starting to get sprinkled with a sugary dose of pumpkin-spice paraphernalia. In reality, though, we're still very much in summer's sticky, sweltering grasp—if the current heatwave didn't give it away.
So, now is as good a time as ever to inject your perfume wardrobe with a refreshing and uplifting spritz of the summer's trending scents—one thing's for sure, a singular sniff of one of these fragrances will be enough to transport you from the sweaty, sauna-like setting of the London Underground to distant tropical climes.
Three scent categories are dominating the summer-fragrance landscape as of late, and all of them are (surprisingly, perhaps) gourmand in nature. While gourmands are typically pigeonholed into the autumn/winter perfume category (think creamy caramels and spicy cinnamons), three foodie fragrances are proving to be this summer's staples—banana (yes, you read that right), coconut, and orange.
Tynan Sinks of the Smell Ya Later podcast explains why these fragrances work so well in the heat. 'Scents with notes like banana, coconut, and orange are all ideal for hot weather because they're juicy, refreshing, and delightful,' he says. 'They scratch the itch of longing to be sipping a tropical drink on an island surrounded by bright-blue waters, even if you're stuck in the middle of a sweltering city or an office building with the AC blasting. They're transportive.'
According to Sinks, all three scents have one thing in common: they elude straightforward categorization. 'They cover the bases of being fruity, fresh, and even gourmand, often without committing to one convention. They're hard not to love.'
First up, we have what is, arguably, summer's most divisive perfume trend. PerfumeTok has been split down the middle when it comes to this unconventional scent category, with some fragrance aficionados recommending their favorite banana-infused perfumes, and others defiantly steering clear altogether.
It's easy to see why some may be quick to dismiss banana perfumes—most of us don't want to smell like a syrupy, cloying banoffee pie, especially not in sweltering heat. But, when it's artfully incorporated into an elevated and complex fragrance profile, it can be a masterstroke.
'Banana in fragrance can run the gamut of super artificial,' explains Sinks. However, a perfume such as Kayali's Maui in a Bottle encapsulates the creaminess and sweetness of banana, without veering into sickly territory. 'It really shows you the power of a masterfully blended scent,' he says. 'This is an extremely elevated banana that's creamy, hypnotic, and irresistible.' Basically, it's like an ice-cream sundae on a hot day.
One banana scent that has TikTok in a chokehold right now is Borntostandout's Nanatopia—a grown-up and sophisticated banana-bread-esque fragrance that blends nutmeg and tonka bean with banana to create an indulgent ode to the humble fruit.
The newly released Hakuna Matata from 27 87 is an ambrosia-like concoction that marries banana with honey; there is a sprinkle of uplifting floral lightness, thanks to notes of bergamot, orange blossom, and jasmine. It's no wonder that everyone is going bananas over this one.
Can any scent capture the essence of summer quite like coconut? We think not. The distinctively sweet, nutty, and creamy smell evokes hazy, sun-dappled images of lapping waves on white-sand beaches—it can lean nostalgic, reminding you of your favorite sunscreen from childhood summer holidays, or fruity, like a piña colada in perfume form.
Coconut perfumes are dominating this summer season. Posts landing under the 'coconut perfumes' search on TikTok are approaching the 15 million mark, with countless users sharing their recommendations.
A failsafe, fan-favorite option has to be Maison Margiela's Beach Walk—launched in 2012, this milky coconut scent is grounded by its base notes of musk and cedar. It's incredibly fresh and light, and it exudes pure summer-holiday vibes.
Another more recent release that the internet is going nuts over is Sol de Janeiro's Rio Radiance Mist, a laid-back solar fragrance infused with notes of ylang ylang and warm sand. Creamy coconut melds with light and fruity mango, rendering it a mouth-wateringly refreshing option. The spray format also makes it a more light and wearable option for warmer days.
Whether you want to smell as delectably sweet as freshly squeezed orange juice, or like a sophisticated, bitter-leaning Aperol Spritz, you're in luck—this summer, orange perfumes are all the rage.
If you're after a more literal interpretation, look no further than NEST New York's Seville Orange Perfume. As its name suggests, this scent contains the essence of oranges painstakingly harvested and hand-picked by farmers in Seville. Thirst-quenching mandarin takes center stage in this perfume, married with baobab oil to bolster its lasting power on your skin—perfect for hot weather.
Sable Yong of the Smell Ya Later podcast prefers a tarter, less obvious take on an orange fragrance—her standout pick is Prada's Infusion de Rhubarbe. 'It's neon pink and electric upon first spray and dries down to a lovely musky sparkling citrus,' she explains. 'The wear is really playful and sophisticated—like a chunky beaded necklace worn with an evening gown.'