BRB, Obsessing Over All These Citrus Perfumes for Summer

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Full disclosure: I don't really believe in limiting fragrances to one or two seasons. But I have to admit that, as the weather gets warmer, I find myself reaching less for gourmand perfumes and indulging in more citrus perfumes. Even my beloved sandalwood perfumes have taken a backseat as I spritz myself in citrus-filled spring fragrances.

Citrus perfumes are known for being bright and zesty, but they don't all smell the same. The best part about finding the right citrus scent, though? One spritz and you'll feel like you just teleported to orange groves or a garden full of lemon trees. And is there anything better for the spring and summer months? I think not. But no matter which perfume trend you're into right now, whether you prefer a light and sweet scent or a woody floral, I can guarantee there's a citrus perfume that's right for you. To help you find your perfect scent, I tested and reviewed countless citrus perfumes, got the recs of my fellow Cosmopolitan editors, and read tester reviews to bring you a definitive list of the very, very best citrus perfumes.

Pro tip: I've found that citrus scents tend not to be the most long-lasting perfumes, so I like to prep my skin with Vaseline to give the perfume something to grab onto. Trust me, this easy trick will keep you smelling that zest all day long.

West Eau De Parfum

Ellis Brooklyn's West is a true shapeshifter—or scentshifter—which is what makes it so unique. (Trust me, wear this, and you will be stopped by people asking what you're wearing.) On the initial spray, the blood orange and clementine top notes come through strongly, but as it dries down, the vetiver and amber dry notes kick in to add a fresh, herby base.

• Top notes: Blood orange, clementine, lemon, basil

• Heart notes: Pear blossom, waterlily, ginger

• Base notes: Vetiver, amber, oakmoss

Glowing Customer Review: "I love this perfume for summer and even early fall. It has such a fresh, light scent that's long lasting. I find the citrus notes are balanced nicely with the dry down notes of vetiver, amber, and oakmoss, which gives it some unexpected warmth," writes one reviewer. "The overall scent is very unique compared to other perfumes I've tried and it has a very luxurious feel to it. Highly recommend!"

Vanilla Grapefruit Perfume

I'll admit, I was skeptical that I would like this vanilla grapefruit perfume. I've never worn a vanilla perfume and thought, "I wish I could add some citrus to this." And yet, this blend of scents totally did it for me. Something about the velvety richness of the vanilla paired with the sparkling notes of grapefruit just works. Plus, it lasts all day long on my skin.

• Notes: Pink grapefruit, fresh lime, warm cedarwood, Madagascar vanilla

Glowing Customer Review: "This exceeds my expectations. I will say that this scent is predominantly vanilla and less grapefruit upon dry down, but delicious all the same. I immediately tried it as soon as I opened the package, and I could still smell it the next day! I'm in love."

Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum

Cosmo's Assistant Shopping Editor Hannah Oh declared Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle her favorite fragrance, noting that it's her "special occasion perfume." The scent combines citrus and floral notes for a fresh, but powdery scent.

• Notes: Orange, rose, jasmine, iris

Glowing Customer Review: "This is the best smelling perfume I have ever owned," writes a tester. "The scent lasts all day. I will save up to buy this again when it runs out. A little goes a long way though. I just need a spray on my neck and wrists and I'm smelling great all day long."

Tuscan Blood Orange Perfume Spray

As a whole, citrus fruits are known for their zest, not their sweetness. And the same could be said about citrus perfumes. This scent from Pacifica adds some sugary notes to a blood orange perfume by incorporating notes of strawberry and raspberry. The result is a semi-sweet scent that's easy to wear no matter the occasion.

• Notes: Blood orange, mandarin orange, orange, strawberry, raspberry

Glowing Customer Review: "After about 15 minutes, the strawberry becomes more mild, and it holds at a sweet, juicy orange smell with deep, musky undertones. It fades pleasantly, always holding onto the orange smell even as it becomes more mature and less bright and sweet. I'd say it lasts 6 hours on me before becoming muted."

Tangerine Boy Eau de Parfum

Tangerines are the best citrus fruit, IMO, which is probably why I'm obsessed with Tangerine Boy from Phlur. I don't know how they did it, but this perfume is tangerine juice and zest in a bottle. Need I really say more?

• Top notes: Lemon, ginger, black pepper

• Heart notes: Apple, tangerine, jasmine petal

• Base notes: Amber, moss
  
  Glowing Customer Review: "So juicy and fresh, with enough musk to keep it smelling like an adult should be wearing it. A great everyday, inoffensive scent that works in every season."

Hesperides Grapefruit Eau de Parfum

This fragrance features a blend of different citrus notes—lemon, grapefruit, mandarin—but, as the name suggests, grapefruit is the dominating scent. It's about as close as you can get to a pure grapefruit scent without squeezing actual grapefruit juice directly onto your pulse points, and it's perfect for hot summer days when you need something light and clean.

• Top notes: Grapefruit, Italian lemon, mandarin

• Heart notes: Bergamot, transparent jasmine, lotus flower

• Base notes: Rhubarb, peach, musk

Glowing Customer Review: "A truly authentic grapefruit fragrance. Smells like you've just halved a perfectly ripened grapefruit and you're sipping fresh seltzer while looking out at the beautifully colored landscape of the ocean side resort that you will call home for the next few days."

Fleur d'Oranger 27 Eau de Parfum

This Le Labo scent is more subtle than my other fragrances from the brand, but it's every bit as good. The perfume features notes of lemon and petigrain, adding a bit of zest and sharpness to the sweet orange scent.

• Notes: Orange blossom, petigrain, bergamot, lemon

My Review: I love how fresh this perfume smells without being too sweet or overpowering, so it won't leave you smelling like a glass of orange juice. (Not that there's anything wrong with that if it's your vibe!) I only wish it was a little more long-lasting.

L'Etrog Acqua Eau de Parfum

This one's for the lemon lovers. Arquiste describes this scent as "Italian Citron," which is pretty much exactly what it is. It literally smells like fresh lemon zest. That said, the notes of lemon aren't too overpowering, as the scent is grounded by notes of vetiver, cedar wood, and patchouli oil.

• Top notes: Cedrat oil, Italian mandarin, Sicilian lemon, petitgrain citronnier, bergamot

• Heart notes: Myrtle leaf, cardamom absolute, Egyptian jasmine absolute, French lavender

• Base notes: Florentine orris, patchouli oil, labdanum, vetiver, cedar wood

My Review: This perfume isn't a quiet scent that sneaks up on you. One spritz and you'l feel like you're breathing in a sparkling, unsweetened lemonade. As someone who enjoys the fresh biting scent of lemon zest, I'm a fan.

Missy Eau de Parfum

Missy is the kind of fragrance that'll make you feel like you're on a beach, sipping a sweet daiquiri, even if you're struggling on your hot, sweaty city commute. The scent features notes of green mandarin, coconut, and pineapple, all of which combine to make a gourmand, tropical fragrance.

• Notes: Green mandarin, coconut, pineapple, frangipani

Glowing Customer Review: "I love this scent! Missy by Rosie June smells like your best day at the beach! The perfect summer scent with refreshing notes of coconut and pineapple! Highly recommend!"

Happy Eau de Parfum Spray

Every millennial knows at least one person who wore Clinique Happy in the early aughts. The fresh scent was the perfect first perfume because it's fruity without being too sweet and flowery without being too powdery. In other words, it's the perfect middle ground.

• Notes: Ruby red grapefruit, bergamot, Hawaiian wedding flower, spring mimosa

Glowing Customer Review: "This is a fresh smelling floral that I layer with other body care products. It smells amazing with any lotion or body cream that I pair it with. I have received many compliments on how good I smell while wearing this fragrance. I highly recommend it."

Solar Power Eau de Parfum

Many citrus perfumes lean more light and fresh, but Solar Power by Phlur is definitely more of a musky, hot scent. Notes of mandarin, bergamot, and orange flower give it a decidedly citrus scent, but base notes of driftwood, solar musk, and sea salt immediately give it a woodsy depth. I like wearing it on days when I want a little citrus kick, but don't want to smell like I just got out of the shower.

• Top notes: Italian red mandarin, bergamot, jasmine absolute

• Heart notes: Neroli, orange flower

• Base notes: Driftwood, solar musk, sea salt
  
  Glowing Customer Review: "I love this scent. I use it when I want to smell fresh and clean. It's so addicting, it lasts all day and I'll catch a wiff of it and just want more. Best scent I have smelled from Phlur so far."

n,144

I am a sucker for vanilla perfumes, so it's no surprise that I immediately fell for Noteworthy's n, 144. The vanilla and musk base notes are sweet, but not sugary, which compliments the brightness of notes of lemon blossom and Italian citrus. It's the perfect middle-of-the-road citrus perfume: Not too sweet, nor too bitter.

• Top notes: Italian citrus

• Heart notes: Lemon blossom

• Base notes: Vanilla, musk
  
  Glowing Customer Review: "Idk how they did it but this is EVERTHING I look for in a perfume. I like smelling fresh and sweet, but not like a 12 year old that shops at Claire's... This perfume, this heavenly pot of warm Vanilla with hints of fresh Citrus with every movement I make. Literally has me feeling like that TikTok phrase 'booty naked on a beach getting fed grapes by men with family money'....or something like that, you get the point," writes one reviewer. "This sticks around for days in my clothes and with one spray, you will feel like a seductive queen of freshness all day! Starts out with a sharp citrus and smoothes into warm vanilla that reminds me of those candles you light for hot time. 11/10, this a scent for a boss babe!"

Poppy Roll-On

Oils are typically better at clinging to the skin than regular old perfume, so the fragrance will last longer. Plus, oils can extend the life of whatever fragrance you spritz on top of it. Cosmo's Senior Astrology Editor Erika W. Smith loves this citrus perfume oil by Riddle. "It's small, but it lasts forever," she says, adding that she loves to travel with it because of its carry-on-friendly size. "Poppy is a very bright scent that just puts me in a good mood!"

• Notes: Orange blossom, lemon, rose, ylang ylang

Glowing Customer Review: "Poppy hit all the bells and whistles for me... clean, bright, lasts all day, and definitely a head-turner! I love the convenience of the roll-on and the 8ml size was perfect for my recent travels."

Blu Mediterraneo Fico di Amalfi Eau de Toilette

There's something about this fresh, lemony scent that makes you feel like you're on vacation. Blu Mediterraneo Fico di Amalfi has fig nectar and fig wood notes to add depth to top notes of Italian lemon, so it doesn't smell like straight up lemonade. Instead, this scent develops into a woodsy, herby delight.

• Top notes: Italian lemon, Italian bergamot, grapefruit

• Heart notes: Fig nectar, pink pepper, jasmine petals

• Base notes: Fig wood, cedarwood, benzoin

Glowing Customer Review: Hearst's Associate Director of Sales and Cosmo contributor Dana Parra loves this scent, saying, "I bought this soon after traveling to the Amalfi Coast last summer, and it literally brings me back to my mornings in Praiano Italy, walking around the charming neighborhoods where you would literally catch whiffs of home grown lemon groves."

Dylan Purple Eau de Parfum

If this bottle of perfume looks like candy to you, that's because it basically is. Senior Astrology Editor Erika W. Smith calls this fruity floral scent "unapologetically girly." The scent combines notes of bitter orange with freesia, which Erika says "feels like walking into a humid butterfly garden, which is a vibe I need every once in a while."

• Top notes: Bitter orange, pear juice accord, bergamot

• Heart notes: Purple freesia, pomarose, mohanial

• Base notes: Iso e super, cedarwood, abrofix, belambre, sylkolide

Glowing Customer Review: "I personally LOVE this scent! Goes on fruity floral, dries down woodsy floral. I can't compare it to any other fragrance, which I love."

Why trust Cosmo?

Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan with over 10 years of experience writing about culture and beauty. She is a makeup lover who can be found writing about everything from the best sandalwood perfumes to UV nail lamps. She loves trying out new fragrances and is currently dabbling in layering different perfumes to find her signature scent.

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