Shiny, happy citrus perfumes

Thanks to their sunny association with June Cleaver values, Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses and a Stepford wife mentality, it’s easy to see why deep, dark and overtly sensual spritzes have recently upstaged light, happiness-inducing perfumes such as Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarin, The Body Shop Satsuma and Clinique Happy. But given today’s socio-economic and political rollercoasters—and ever-bleaker newspaper headlines— feel-good fragrances are returning to put a smile on our fragrance-loving faces. Especially for the long, hot days of summer.

Bursting with bright, warm and uplifting citrus notes—from essential neroli, orange, mandarin, bergamot and tangerine oils—these scents are perfume Prozac. From Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia to Heidi Klum Summer Shine, a whole host of happy-go-lucky toilettes are making fragrant impressions this season.

“There’s definitely an emotional connection with these kinds of fragrances,” affirms Ruth Sutcliffe, the senior marketing director and fragrance designer for Coty Beauty. “They’re like sunlight and easy to wear, which is probably why younger people gravitate towards them,” she says. But be prepared: Spritzing these orange-infused concoctions could induce spontaneous grinning and an overwhelmingly optimism. Ready yourself for the attitude shift.
—Adriana Ermter

PHOTO: ADRIAN ARMSTRONG

GET HAPPY: TRY THESE CITRUS NOTED PERFUMES

Orange blossom with pink pepper and Tonka bean: Roberto Cavalli EDP, $80 (50 ml), www.coty.com, www.holtrenfrew.com, www.thebay.com, www.sears.ca, www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

Mandarin with pear, pink peppercorn, mimosa, lily-of-the-valley, vanilla, Tonka bean and musk: Heidi Klum Summer Shine EDT, $35 (30 ml), www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

Tangerine, black currant and pear, jasmine, tuberose, rose, leather and patchouli: Fan di Fendi EDP, $88 (50 ml), www.fendi.com

Mandarin and pink pepper, orange flower, sambac jasmine, nutmeg, amber wood and vanilla: Opium Vapeurs de Parfum Yves Saint Laurent EDT Light, $60 (50 ml), www.ysl.com, www.thebay.com

NOT SHOWN, BUT DEFINITELY WORTH A SPRITZ:

Mandarin, frangipani, driftwood and musk: Diane von Furstenberg Sunny Diane, EDT, $65 (100 ml), www.prestilux.com, www.holtrenfrew.com, www.sephora.ca, www.murale.ca

Bergamot and lemon, lily, ylang-ylang, tuberose, vanilla and musk: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia, EDT, $62 (75 ml), www.guerlain.com, www.thebay.com