5 summer fragrances that will transport you around the globe through your nose

Smell and memory have always been closely intertwined.

In just a whiff, they can evoke a feeling or even a place, much like a deja vu. That’s why fragrances have always been the ideal vessel to transport your imagination to far-off places.

With many holiday plans stymied this year given flight bans, local lockdowns and other worries, here are some recently-launched perfumes that will whisk you away to exotic locales — no plane ticket necessary.

Road tripping down the California coast: California Dream by Louis Vuitton

Part of Louis Vuitton’s West Coast-themed series, this new scent opens with a rush of mandarin orange, pear and bezoin, and settles into an evening-friendly muskiness. The light, warm fragrance is intended to evoke the feeling of the LA sky. The sherbet-pink sunsets of California are also mimicked in the bottle, designed by LA artist Alex Israel.

An afternoon in Phuket: Mango Thai Lime by Jo Loves

Inspired by a trip to Thailand’s luxury Amanpuri resort, this vegan and cruelty-free reissue from ace nose Jo Malone is a plunge into a bustling Thai market in her classic fruity style. Zesty and tropical, it blends ripe golden mango, kaffir lime, black pepper and mint leaves with freesia and a base of white thyme and crisp vetiver.

Mediterranean beach parties: Paula’s Ibiza by Loewe

This balmy eau de toilette is part of Loewe’s collaboration with the iconic Ibiza shop famous for its must-have hippie prints. Housed in a rainbow ombré bottle, it layers coconut water, zingy galbanum and Madagascan mandarin oils on wood, frangipani and vanilla. A base of ambergris and patchouli gives it some of that authentic Ibiza spirit. It’ll take you back to sultry summer evenings on the beach — minus the hangover.

La vie en rose in Paris: Eau Capitale by Diptyque

For those missing their summer fix of rosé and romance by the Seine, Diptyque has bottled the spirit of the French capital in a unisex floral chypre scent, drawing inspiration from Parisian architecture and Art Nouveau buildings — including Sarah Bernhardt’s bathroom. Eau Capitale is an elegant fragrance dominated by rose, with bergamot and Madagascar pink peppercorn, over woody, spicy base notes.

A Caribbean sea breeze: Gardénia Antigua by Armani Privé

Island getaways may be off the cards for now, but Giorgio Armani’s got you covered. This floral musk scent is inspired by his holiday home on the coral reef-ringed island of Antigua. A core of lush, powdery gardenia is set off by breezy mandarin, orange-blossom water, pink peppercorn, ylang-ylang and neroli, on a base of ambroxan and white musk, sure to remind you of azure waters and endless vistas of sand.

https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/beauty-grooming/grooming/summer-fragrances-around-globe/