Something Smells Good: The Best Perfumes for Summer 2026
- Anabella Montclair
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 23
There’s no better feeling than hearing “something smells good, is that you?” and then proudly telling that person about your new scent. At The Collective Edit, we’ve been experimenting with some new scents for the last few months. We’ve been searching for that wow factor, that head-turning, complement-inducing “you smell really good” factor. But we also want a scent that lasts, that projects, that wears down into the skin beautifully. Scents that transition from day to night, from home to tube to dinner.
After months of careful testing, constant wearing, compliment receiving, here are our favourites for Summer 2026 (and all year round, really, THAT'S how good these are).
Scent Profile: A floral gourmand woody fragrance that opens with juicy mandarin and soft velvet peach, unfolding into a luminous heart of red spider lily and jasmine sambac. It settles into a warm, addictive base of vanilla and benzoin, leaving a smooth, slightly sweet trail with a soft woody depth.
The first time I owned this perfume was after being given a bottle. I opened the box, removed the perfume, spraying it on my wrists. I was struck instantly by the beauty of the scent, its indescribable. The Helen of Troy of perfumes. I sprayed it across my pulse points and stepped out of the house. The first person I came across, a cashier at the local corner shop, immediately told me she had never smelt a perfume as nice, asking me the name and brand. This was an experience that has been repeated in many forms since.
The scent wears down gently into a warm but lightly floral, unique vanilla scent. It’s gentle, feminine and youthful, yet deeply elegant.
Scent Profile: A fruity floral gourmand fragrance that opens with bright lemon, pink berries, and juicy guava, giving an immediate sparkling sweetness. The heart softens into violet, peony, and raspberry flowers for a delicate, airy floral feel. It settles into a creamy base of vanilla bean and pink cotton candy, grounded with soft cedarwood and vetiver for a subtle woody edge.
This is a scent perfect for Summer. I've owned numerous bottles over the years now. I've found it pairs beautifully with a simple and light vanilla perfume oil when rolled over the pulse points, finishing off with a handful of generous sprays of Wonderland Peony. This is a truly delicate, dainty and gorgeous scent.
Scent Profile: A woody fragrance with a bold, spiced opening of piment rouge that feels immediately warm and striking. It moves into a clean aromatic heart of lavandin absolute, adding a crisp herbal lift. The scent settles into smooth sandalwood, creating a dry, creamy woody base that lingers with understated intensity.
This scent is unforgettable.
The first time I smelt it, I fell in love instantly. I didn't hesitate for a second; I needed to buy my own bottle.
The scent is mouth-wateringly good, I have truly never smelt anything quite like it. This perfume spread across my friends as contagiously as the flu. Once someone smelt it, they couldn't get enough and almost immediately bought their own.
Strangers will stop you, be warned. Cashiers will question you. Friends will beg you for a spritz.
People simply can't get enough of this scent, myself being one of them. It's long-lasting, wears down impeccably, and clings to skin, hair, and clothes. I truly cannot recommend this scent enough.
The scent is wonderfully unisex; it has such intense richness and depth, but still works beautifully on men as it does on women.
Give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
Scent Profile: An amber fragrance with a fresh opening of aromatic lavender that gives way to a rich, golden amber heart. As it dries down, creamy Madagascar vanilla emerges, wrapping the scent in a smooth, warm sweetness that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
I have been using this scent for the last 7 months. It's beautiful, intense, creamy even.
It almost reminds me of a glass of whiskey late at night. It's the type of scent that leaves you smelling your own clothing or wrists, just to get another inhale of the deep vanillary, ambery goodness.
This is another scent that works beautifully for any gender. It's versatile, great for layering and long-lasting.
PS. Try a spritz of this over the top of Maison Margiela's Jazz Club, my personal favourite combination.
Scent Profile: A warm, spicy woody fragrance built around aromatic cardamom that opens with a soft, invigorating heat. It settles into earthy patchouli that adds depth and character, before drying down into smooth, creamy sandalwood for a calm, grounded finish with a gentle warmth throughout.
If you want to smell sophisticated, expensive, irresistible this is the scent for you. It's warm, woody, deep and rich yet not overpowering. It's perfect for dinner or late night escapades.
Again, another scent that works especially well for men or for women.
Scent Profile: A warm gourmand floral fragrance that opens with soft caramel, heliotrope, lily, and subtle oriental tones, giving an immediate creamy sweetness with a light floral lift. It develops into a rich heart of brown sugar, rose, and Brazilian rosewood, adding depth and a slightly woody sweetness. The base settles into smooth vanilla bean, tonka bean, and amber, creating a long-lasting, cosy warmth with a soft, unisex finish.
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