How to Wear Fragrance in Summer

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 22, 2020 References

Because heat amplifies scents, you want to choose a fragrance that is light and crisp for the summer months. Fragrances that contain citrusy, earthy, and white floral notes are great for the summer. When applying fragrance in the summer, remember less is more. Apply a small amount of the fragrance to your pulse points throughout the day. You can also spritz your wet hair and clothes to obtain a more subtle scent. Additionally, layering fragrances is a great strategy for the summer. When layering your fragrances, choose a theme, like peonies, to bring the scents together.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Fragrances

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Try crisp, citrusy scents. Citrusy scents that are light and crisp are great for the summer months. Choose from lemon, pomegranate, bergamot, and grapefruit, to name a few.^{[1]
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- Crisp earthy scents, like freshly cut grass, are also great for the summer months.
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Choose light floral scents. Light floral scents are also great for the summer months, particularly white floral scents. White floral scents, like jasmine, frangipani, and tuberose, blossom in the heat.^{[2]
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- Other great floral scents to choose from are gardenia and peony, as well as green tea.
- Try to avoid heavy floral scents that are sweet like vanilla, plum, rose, and woody scents. These scents can attract insects, like mosquitoes, during the summer.
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Avoid heavy scents. Scents like musk and amber are generally too heavy for the summer months. If you like these scents, then substitute them with medium scents like vanilla, coconut or sandalwood.^{[3]
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- Green, earthy scents are also a great substitution for heavier scents.
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Use eau de toilette. If you have a favorite fragrance that you do not want to let go of, then try the eau de toilette (or eau de cologne) version of the fragrance. Eau de toilette fragrances are diluted with water, so they are not as strong as their parfum counterparts. Therefore, they are great for the summer months.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying Fragrances

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Use smaller doses, but apply frequently. Instead of dousing yourself with fragrance in the morning, spritz one or two sprays on your pulse points. Carry a refresher bottle with you in your bag or purse. Re-apply small doses of the fragrance to your pulse points three to five times a day, or whenever the fragrance fades.^{[5]
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- Your pulse points are the insides of your wrists and elbows, behind your ears and knees, and the front and back of your neck. These spots generate the most heat, which helps to release the fragrance.
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Spritz your wet hair. Freshly washed hair holds scents very well. After you have combed your wet hair, apply the perfume to the tips of your hair.^{[6]
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- If you do not want to apply the perfume directly to your hair, then spray your comb or brush with the perfume. Proceed to comb your hair with the scented brush.
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Scent your clothes. Instead of spraying your body, spray the inside seams of your clothes. As your body temperature rises, the heat will release the fragrance.^{[7]
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- Alternatively, try dousing a washcloth with your favorite fragrance. Place the washcloth with your clothes, hats, scarves, and other accessories for a day or two. When you wear your clothes, they will have a lovely, but light scent.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Layering Fragrances

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Start with a body wash. Instead of using plain soap to wash your body, use a scented body wash. Choose a body wash with scents that are similar or complementary to the ones in your favorite fragrance.^{[8]
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- For example, if your fragrance contains jasmine, bergamot, and vanilla, then choose a body wash that contains bergamot.
- Many perfumes have matching body washes and lotions. If your favorite perfume does, then use these to layer instead.
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Apply a lotion. After your shower, apply a scented lotion that matches your body wash and perfume. Since the lotion is the “connector” between your body wash and fragrance, choose a simple lotion that contains only one or two scents.^{[9]
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- For example, choose a vanilla or jasmine scented lotion.
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Finish with your favorite fragrance. Once the lotion has settled in, spritz your pulse points one or two times with your favorite fragrance. Try not to apply too much fragrance. Remember you can re-apply the fragrance throughout the day as it fades.^{[10]
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