Written by Nick Hogan in Fragrance on the 17th May 2022

As I write, the UK is enjoying another beautiful weekend of weather, the sun is out, but my golf is unfortunately still poor. However, the glimpse of the summer ahead is welcomed and embraced. If you’ve got a summer holiday upcoming, planning to spend your days with a cocktail by the pool, perhaps enjoy time with friends and family, or simply get outside and explore the great outdoors, then you want a fragrance to compliment the weather and frame the memory. I’ve put together a list of my favourite fragrances for the upcoming summer months, I hope you have a wonderful summer, and perhaps one of these picks becomes your favourite too. Read on to find your best men's aftershave for summer.

Lalique White 

I’ve recently become reacquainted with Lalique White, a combination of lemon leaf, white pepper, bergamot, tamarind, and cedar. White strikes a balance of citrus and warmth from the woods and spice. Many describe White has having a similarity of pencil shavings, and it does, in the very best of ways. If you’re looking for a fragrance that embodies a warm summers day, then pick up a bottle of Lalique White and spray on summer all year round. 

Creed Aventus Cologne 

Aventus is the ever-popular powerhouse by the house of Creed, adored worldwide, and for good reason. However, the loud and proud Aventus attitude isn’t for everyone, and certainly not in all seasons. Aventus Cologne retains the same DNA as it’s big brother, yet it’s more approachable, easier wearing and perfect for summer. The famous pineapple note has now been replaced by mandarin orange and the often-cloying vanilla note is no more. Aventus Cologne is crisp, refreshing and refined, perfect for your summer wardrobe. 

Hermes Eau de Pamplemousse Rose 

Not all fragrances need to be complex to be wonderful. Eau de Pamplemousse Rose is a combination of grapefruit, orange and rose. Grapefruit is one of my favourite notes, it’s crisp, refreshing and invigorating on a summer’s day. As an Eau de Cologne, the scent remains light on the skin and often performs better than you might imagine, however with the generous 200ml bottle, I enjoy reapplying throughout the day, summer bliss. 

Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine 

Atelier Cologne are a house with a passion for Eau de Cologne yet wanted to give the fragrances greater performance and lasting power. The result is Cologne Absolue, a range of fragrances that celebrate the cologne style yet have the power of pure perfume. My favourite from the line is Orange Sanguine, perhaps the closest you can get to spraying on fresh orange juice, it’s almost too realistic. It’s fresh, invigorating and a delicious way to spend a summers day.

 

John Varvatos Artisan Blu 

Fashion brand John Varvatos is one that often gets overlooked by fragrance fans, however there’s some real gems in the line. Artisan Blu is definitely one to check out for the summer months, it combines notes of basil, bergamot, pine, chayote and lavender. The scent is green and fresh out of the shower rolled into one, with a touch of seaside thrown into the mix. Artisan Blu could be the scent to help you stand out from the crowd this summer. 

Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue Pour Homme Forever 

Some fragrances have nostalgic qualities, and Light Blue is certainly one that brings back memories, including that iconic advert! Forever retains the dna of the original scent whilst offering a more bitter take on the grapefruit note and brings in additions of violet leaf, vetiver, and patchouli. These notes make the scent a little more refined and mature to my nose, a perfect scent to pair with a negroni in Capri. 

Bulgari Eau Parfumée Au The Vert 

Not only does Au The Vert have a great bottle design that would improve any collection, but it’s also a unique scent that will expand your scent horizons. The star of the show is Japanese green tea, a delicate scent that’s being accompanied by bergamot, cardamom, lemon, coriander and musk. This scent is green, floral, fresh, perfectly unisex and ideal to add into your summer fragrance rotation. Anyone for tea? 

Dior Homme Cologne 

Do you ever want to just feel clean, crisp and refreshing? That just out of the shower scent is one we all need in our collection, and Dior Homme Cologne is just that scent. With notes of Calabrian bergamot, Moroccan grapefruit blossom and white musk, it’s the scent of slipping on a fresh white shirt om a bright summers day. Whilst I can’t guarantee you the weather to match, a few sprays and you can armchair travel in style. 

Lalique White, Creed Aventus Cologne, Hermes Eau de Pamplemousse Rose, and Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine are among the Best Men’s Fragrances For Summer 2022.