I’m a Beauty Editor Who Loves to Travel—These Are the Summer Perfumes I’d Pack for Every Trip

I love heading on vacation and packing a new perfume to wear throughout the trip. Long after I've returned home, one spritz can instantly transport me back to that destination, whether it's a reminder of a salty afternoon by the sea or a sunset dinner with a glass of Sancerre in hand.

So, if you're planning a summer getaway and want a perfume that captures the vibe of your destination, I’m a scent-obsessed beauty editor who loves to travel, so I’ve found all the right notes for your upcoming trip. If you're spending your days on the shores of New England or lounging along the French Riviera, there's a fragrance that will embody all of your vacation memories with everything from salty aquatic notes to fruity coconut ones.

Ahead, the best summer perfumes to pack for any vacation destination on your itinerary.

Key NotesSicilian blood orange, green mandarin, bitter orange, Mediterranean floral notes, patchouli, oakmoss

While I’ve never been to Sicily, I imagine this fragrance is exactly what the citrusy seaside smells like. Just one spritz is a blend of fresh and zesty notes that embody exactly what Euro summer should be about—hand-picked fruit and fizzy cocktails. If I was headed to Italy this summer, this is the only perfume I’d need to pack for a long-lasting bright scent.

Key notesSea salt, desert water, ylang ylang, whipped cream, vanilla Madagascar, musk, blonde woods

Vanilla Salt by Ellis Brooklyn embodies the confectionery wafts of saltwater taffy atop the boardwalk and sandy beaches, perfect for spritzing while you’re DTS this summer. The salt adds a layer to the vanilla that makes you smell like you have skin that’s sweet and rich, without being overly gourmand.

Key notesBergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, vetiver, ambrofix musk

Valaya is the ideal scent for those who unironically use the word summer as a verb, in a chic European way. It smells like a rich Parisian woman who spends her summers villa hopping along the French Riviera, with a glass of Sancerre in hand at all times. It’s bright, clean, fresh, and has a modern powdery finish that lasts all day.

Key notesGolden nectar, passionfruit, lavender, marine salt, amber milk, sandalwood

If a fresh sea breeze had a scent, it would be DedCool’s Mineral Milk. One spritz transports me to a long boat day or an afternoon spent at the beach on rocky shores, watching waves crash against the coast. Instead of a sharp, salty ocean breeze, this leans softer, sweeter, and fruity.

Key notesCoconut nectar, ylang ylang, sea salt, sandalwood

When you head out to the Hamptons and don’t want to smell like everyone walking around Sag Harbor in a designer scent, go for this coconut-inspired scent that smells like a sweet beach day. It’s light, slightly salty, and an amazing day-to-night fragrance for all of your summer escapades out east.

Key notesWhite rose, pink pepper, aldehyde, neroli, blonde woods, sandalwood, musk

Blanche is a true “your-skin-but-summer” fragrance. It’s simple, but has floral notes of white rose and neroli that blend into an aldehyde heart, transforming into a fresh, sunscreen-esque finish (without the chemical-y scent). I’ve been personally wearing this all summer, when I want to smell like that post-beach shower.

Why Trust Cosmopolitan?

Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things fragrance—from trending notes to new perfume launches. For this story, she and Cosmo’s beauty team shared the top fragrances that remind them of their favorite summer destinations.

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Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals. 

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