It Makes Scents to Smell Good this Summer with Clarins, Chanel, Kiehl's and Benefit

Scents of each season instil such strong memories for us; the first smell of log fires burning represents the advent of autumn; cinnamon, the smell of Christmas turkey and pines are all comforting signals of winter at its best; the exciting fresh scent of flowers in bloom marks the start of life beginning in spring and, the best of all, summer is filled with the beautiful aroma of freshly cut grass, barbeques and fresh fruit at its best. During this season fragrances are so important and your essential summer scent can remind you of like summer all year round.

Different fragrances are designed to create different impacts; whether it be attraction, nostalgia, or just simply to make yourself smell exactly how you you want to. Much like aromatherapy, scents are extremely important for providing a sense of calm on a long, hard day at work or just a stressful situation generally. Personally, Chance by Chanel has been my go-to scent for many years. One squirt and I always feel calmer and happier... It works!

As most people know, different perfumes suit people different. Most people who wear perfume have their own signature scent all year round, but from season to season I always find that a spritz of something new almost makes you feel new again, and the lighter fragrances are great go-tos for day to day use.
Here, I have compiled a list of my favourite summer fragrances, all different in their own way but each one smells unmistakably of summer.

1. Crescent Row: Laugh With Me Lee Lee by Benefit

Benefit describes Laugh With Me Lee Lee as a "flirty and feminine, woody floral" and, as you can see in the photo, the presentation of these scents, like most Benefit products, would sell the product even if it smelled like an old sock! But, thankfully, it smells of no such thing. Each fragrance in the Crescent Row line is presented in its own house! Picking between any of these scents is difficult but what I love about this collection is that, having the choice of 8 different perfumes in the Crescent Row range, all tastes (or should I say smells) are catered for and, since I am now on my third bottle, these scents, although they would seem limited edition (I still mourn the loss of one of their now defunct fragrances B-Spot) losing Laugh With Me Lee Lee will be devastating, especially in the spring to summer months when you need a light, day time into evening scent. It doesn't pack the same punch perhaps as Chanel's Chance, which really is more of an evening to night time fragrance with it's musky, dusky, butterflies in the belly affect. But Laugh With Me Lee Lee is a heady, floral aroma, which reminds me of my favourite flower the lily, but it also has a citrus quality which makes it feel like a fresh and attractive scent.

Avaible at Benefit's store on South William Street, Dublin 2 and from selected department stores with Benefit counters.
Price: €44.00

2. Aromatic Blends: Orange Flower and Lychee Aromatic Mist by Kiehl's

As with most Kiehl's products I was reeled in to this particular scent via a deluxe sample and, out of all of the perfumes on this list, this one has exceptional aromatherapy qualities. I've had it in my bag constantly throughout the summer and regularly spray it on my wrist and breathe in deep the deliciously fruity aroma. Overall the perfume is quite sweet, perhaps too sweet for some, but  Orange Flower and Lychee is one of the ultimate day time fragrances I have ever come across. You'll smell good enough to eat! The range also include matching body lotions and shower gels to compliment each scent so, for the ultimate treat, the whole line will make for some very happy shower time and a scent that will last all day. On a final note, the fragrance is light so it doesn't overpower you or anyone in your general dance space. Kiehl's have once again nailed it in the scent category.

I would also like to give props to another fragrance from the same collection Nashi Blossom and Pink Grapefruit Aromatic Mist, another beautifully light aroma that is the perfect mixture of citrus and flowers.

Available at Dublin's three Kiehl's store at Wicklow Street, Arnotts and Dundrum Town Centre.
Price: €29.50 - €59.00

3. Chance by Chanel

An all time classic, Chance is a scent that stays with you all day and all night long and is my own personal signature scent for many years. Perhaps more of a summer evening fragrance, Chance is the type of perfume you walk by someone and the beautiful, sweet  and slightly musky aroma lingers in the air after the person has walked past. Like all of the Chanel classic fragrances like Mademoiselle and Chanel No.5 it is a scent you will be remembered by and it works particularly well on warm summer evenings. It lasts much longer on you than most fragrances so there's less need for re-spraying so a little bottle lasts a long time. An all time classic that needs little promotion; like all things Chanel, the product always speaks for itself and with Chance you are assured a fragrance that will really turn heads and you will be both recognised and remembered by in the best possible way. A Chanel perfume is one item every girl should have at one stage in their life and, when you do, you cherish every drop.

Available at most department stores and pharmacies nationwide.
Price: €59.00 - €117.00

4. Eau des Jardins by Clarins 

Eau des Jardins is quite simply the mother of all summer scents, in my opinion anyway, and such a clever scent at that. Clarins rarely - if never - disappoint. Being slightly more expensive than some skincare brands can make one hesitant about spending that bit extra but, from experience, it's always worth it with Clarins, with products being of such high quality and so luxurious! I was reeled in by their skincare, particlarly their Multi-Active range and my first experience of Eau des Jardins was receiving the moat generous sample I have ever seen when just picking up their skincare range. But a company that is so generous with samples - Kiehl's being a brand renowned for this - I have always found those brands are realistically confident in the quality and effectiveness of their product. And Eau des Jardins was no exception. I literally open the bottle all year round to cheer myself up and it always reminds me of the best bits of summer. When I wear it the scent lasts for hours and I have never been complimented more on my fragrance than when I'm wearing this, particularly this summer with this glorious heatwave, the beautiful floral scent lingers in the air as you go and as well as being refreshing it adds a real oomph to your general surroundings.

The true beauty of this perfume is that buying it as your summer scent is ideal and once you get hooked you will wear it all summer long but, when the temperatures drop, the leaves fall from the trees and winter approaches, just one whiff of Eau des Jardins transports you right back to the balmy summer days and all your summer adventures. As summer fragrances go, I couldn't recommend this more and it will forever be a summer scent stable for me.

Available at Clarins counters nationwide.
Price: €41.50