The best summer perfumes for 2025 to bring a little sunshine

Aurner might just be our favourite Aesop fragrance to date. It opens with a hit of pink pepper and cardamom that feels crisp and clean, but it’s the magnolia leaf at the heart – green, floral, a little wild – that really draws you in. There’s warmth too, thanks to sandalwood and cedar, giving it a soft, grounded finish that lingers beautifully on the skin.

The perfect summer scent for a city girl heading to the French Riviera. Created by the same nose behind Baccarat Rouge, this addictive number blends crisp green fig and delicate rose. Cool and confident, yet effortlessly relaxed, it’s like pairing a linen shirt with a silky slip dress.

Soft, sweet and utterly addictive, Cocoa Sunset is like a cosy hug for your senses. It’s rich but not overwhelming, with creamy milk chocolate and vanilla that feel warm and comforting. It’s a gourmand lover’s dream and at £17.99, it's an absolute steal.

If flimsy citruses are not your bag, Byredo’s boozy vanilla has guts. If you’re more of an oud gal, but fancy a summer switch-up, this is perfect. It’s warm, pretty and confident without feeling overpowering.

A love letter to Madrid’s lush Casa de Campo Park, this scent feels like a serene stroll through sun-dappled woods. Violet, sandalwood and musk meet bright citrus and herbs to create this earthy yet elegant fragrance that instantly soothes the senses.

This creamy, pistachio-packed scent leans full-on dessert (in the best way). Rum adds a boozy swirl, while whipped cream, marshmallow, hazelnut and candyfloss bring serious ice cream sundae energy. It’s indulgent, playful and impossible to forget.

This has the creamy coconut suntan lotion notes that we know and love from the OG, but it’s a little sexier – like the end of beach day when your suncream is fading and you smell salty and sultry. It’s breezy, beachy and perfect for holidays.

Phlur’s Tangerine Boy is citrus with a pulse – zesty lemon and tangerine meet spicy black pepper and ginger for a hit of bold, sunlit energy. Jasmine softens the edges, while amber and moss add warmth and depth. It’s playful, sexy and guaranteed to turn heads.

A tribute to Parisian mornings spent sipping coffee on a café terrace, this fragrance isn’t flashy – it’s effortlessly chic. Simple, elegant and wearable, it opens with bright lemon and mandarin, before damask rose takes centre stage. Pink pepper and patchouli lend a subtle, sensual allure.

This is a bohemian scent for free-spirits with an old soul. It has a vintage feel to it with a halcyon mix of citrus and long grass with a simmering warm heat bringing up the base. This is a lazing in the sunshine on an old picnic blanket kind of number. Wholesome hedonism bottled.

Tom Ford’s Rose Exposed is a bold reinvention of the classic rose. Smoky, rich, and unapologetically punchy, this fragrance demands attention. A striking blend of deep rose notes entices even the most reluctant rose fans, leaving a lasting, undeniably luxe impression.

An ode to night-time Los Angeles, this number pairs lemon and blood orange with bergamot and lime. As the evening wears on, sandalwood, and powdery musk settle across the skin to welcome in the dawn.

Molton Brown’s Bluebell & Wild Strawberry captures the essence of spring in full bloom. Fruity strawberry blends with delicate bluebell, earthy violet leaf, and a warm amber base. It’s an energising scent that will have you coming back for more.

Who knew ginger could smell so summery. In this Iso E Super Infusion, it’s zingy, zesty and a total mood-boost. Like an iced ginger tea with a squeeze of citrus.

Save when you shop for summer perfumes with these Cult Beauty discount codes at checkout.

This is the rose fragrance we’ve all been waiting for – fresh, woody, and completely addictive. With a beautiful balance of crisp bergamot, lychee, and rich rose, it avoids the typical powdery or overly sweet notes. Long-lasting and comforting, this will be our summer everyday go-to.

This scent is not for the faint of heart, and it has some serious staying power. The opening offers sticky-pudding sweetness, with a baklava honey scent. Citrusy mandarin and bergamot come and go quick, before the scent warms down into a haze of toasted sugar.

Narciso Rodriguez’s All Of Me Eau de Parfum Intense takes the brand’s signature musky floral to a whole new level. It opens with the freshness of iris and jasmine sambac, before a rich tuberose heart adds depth. The warm base of vanilla, sandalwood, and musc creates a scent that feels intimate and feminine – like second skin, but bolder, more self-assured.

If you love sunny, tropical scents, Solar Essay is made for you. With fresh coconut and zesty lemon at the forefront, it’s warm and uplifting – like the perfect summer day. Soft florals of cyclamen, mimosa, and tiare add a breezy elegance, making it a fresh, effortless fragrance that will transport your senses straight to the beach.

If you’re not a sweet, fruity perfume girl, Miller Harris’ Hydra Figue is a gorgeous departure. It opens with lush, fresh fig before being joined by a salty marine note that eventually dries down into a warm woody haze. It’s delicate but a little alternative.

Sunny ylang ylang is blended alongside citrusy bergamot, then spiced up with a pinch of cardamom and warm sandalwood. It’s a sun cream scent with a little extra sexiness in the base.