Indie Fragrances for Summer 2025+ 3 You Should Be Wearing Giveaways

Best Indie Fragrances for 2025 

Three Indie Fragrances for Summer 2025

Video Content creator Steven Gavrielatos and I want to highlight three indie fragrances for Summer 2025 with very different scent profiles: sweet/ fruity, refreshing/ beachy, and polished/citrus with sillage, that we think are perfect for warm weather. They are unique and original. I asked each perfumer to share their creative process and inspiration. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Gallagher and Mindy Ruiz from Gallagher Fragrances and Pearlescent Perfumes

Daniel Gallagher of Gallagher Fragrances and his wife Mindy Ruiz Pearlescent Parfums  

“Gallagher Fragrances Pearlescent Parfum Glowberry was designed to be the ultimate juicy-sweet summer staple—a fragrance that’s easy to wear and impossible to ignore. Inspired by backyard BBQs, sunny brunches, and all the warm-weather fun in between, it’s a scent that sparks compliments wherever it goes. With bright notes of Raspberry, Strawberry Tart, and juicy Apricot over a soft base of Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood, and creamy Magnolia, Glowberry is playful yet polished. We wanted something that felt uplifting and carefree, but still had that “what are you wearing?” factor. Glowberry delivers all that—and then some.” – Daniel Gallagher and Mindy Ruiz

Featured Notes: Mandarin, Apricot, Raspberry, Strawberry Tart, Blackcurrant, Raw Sugar, Magnolia, Spring Leaves, Sandalwood, Cashmere, Vanilla, Patchouli, Musk

Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza

Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza

“‘A salty hit of wind off the water, Beach Geeza Sea Spritz captures that moment just after you dive into the ocean and come up for air. It’s fresh, alive, and wide open. With bright bergamot, crisp citrus peel, and a whisper of driftwood and neroli, it’s a unisex invitation to feel weightless, sun kissed, and maybe even a little daring. I created this fueled by memories of surfing where afternoons stretched into evenings as salt clings to sun-warmed skin. Sea Spritz was made for the freedom you feel just off the shoreline, where there’s nothing but water, wind, and the possibility of escape.’-Ryan Hunts

Notes: Cucumber, Bergamot, Sea Salt, Driftwood, Ambergris, White Musk

Darren Alan of Darren Alan Perfumes

Darren Alan of Darren Alan Perfumes

“ Acqua di Colonia is a refreshing and elegant unisex fragrance that brings a modern twist to a classic style. Inspired by the original Eau De Cologne created by Giovanni Maria Farina over 300 years ago, this scent combines bright citrus notes with fragrant herbs and transparent white florals. While traditional colognes often fade away quickly, I’ve worked to make this one last longer, especially during the warm summer days, by adding a mix of modern woods, ambergris and musks.” –Darren Alan of Darren Alan Perfumes (Darren is a ÇaFleureBon contributor, for Ingredients check out Cinnamon here and Benzoin here)

Top Notes: Neroli, Bergamot, Amalfi Lemon, Lavender, Blood Orange; Heart Notes: Egyptian Jasmine, Bay Leaf, Moroccan Orange Blossom; Base Notes: Egyptian Musk, Ambergris, Sandalwood

Steven Gavrielatos reviews our co-curated three indie fragrances for summer 2025

Disclosure: Steven was gifted for this review of the three indie fragrances for summer 2025; opinions are his own

Glowberry Gallagher Fragrances Pearlescent Collection

Daniel Gallagher and Mindy Ruiz are graciously offering 60 ml of Pearlescent Parfums Glowberry for a registered user in the US only

Beach Geeza Sea Spritz

Thanks to Ryan Hunts of Beach Geeza, we have a draw for a registered user in the US only for 50 ml Beach Geeza Sea Spritz

Darren Alan Perfumes Acqua di Colonia

Darren Alan of Darren Alan Perfumes is kindly offering 50 ml of Acqua di Colonia for a registered user in the US only.

YOU MUST BE A CaFleureBon registered reader and Redolessence Subscriber. Register here. Please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest based on Steven’s reviews, the perfumers and the three indie fragrances for summer 2025 we chose and which you would like to win. Draw closes 8/4/2025 and the winners will be announced within 10 days after

Note: Over 14 years ago on July 11, 1011, we introduced our CaFleureBon Profiles In American Perfumery series. Each of the perfumers for the 3 indie fragrances for summer have been featured-Michelyn

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @darren_alan_perfumes @beachgeeza @gallagherfragrances @redolessence

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43 comments

  • Brad Woolslayer says:

    I like how Steven mentioned how polished and professional Acqua di Colonia smells. It seems like a slightly more modernized version of a classic colonia fragrance. I would love to try it and win a bottle of Darren Alan Acqua di Colonia. I live in Maryland USA.

  • rahernandez001 says:

    Acqua di Colonia – Steven got me at ‘Juicy sweetness’. I am excited to get my hands on this.

  • Sybelle16 says:

    Glowberry is playful–a well-executed, juicy fruit scent that showcases summery fruits of raspberry, strawberry, sugar and a great floral magnolia that is effervescent as well.
    A salty Cucumber is the highlight note of Sea Spritz that combined with driftwood and a mystery “aquatic” accord, adds to the beachy essence of the scent. Sea Spritz is done in a way that is unorthodox and unapologetic, it is a refreshing and unique olfactic experience for the wearer.
    Acqua di Colonia is Steve’s go-to for a professional vibe. Reminiscent of other summer classic scents like Neroli Portofino, Acqua di Colonia is a classy, clean, elegant, put together scent that doesn’t present as “vintage”… It is citrus and lemon forward, but with a strong orange blossom note that differentiates it from similar scents. Of the three, Glowberry strikes by interest the most.
    USA

  • sas928 says:

    Anything to prolong the essence of summer and I’m in. Steven always does such a beautiful job of giving personality to each fragrance and these are no exception. I hope to be able to own them all.

  • LATONYA GIPSON-BOWMAN says:

    Steven, described Glowberry,and I immediately knew it is something I would like..then I read the article Michelyn wrote , describing the BBQ, and the notes of Strawberry, Raspberry, and Apricot…I need this one in my collection. I live in Orlando Florida, USA and would love to win Glowberry. Thank you for the opportunity

  • jennapark says:

    Steven’s reviews are always so thorough. I like how he gives a feel for fragrances by explaining where and it what situations he would wear a fragrance. In this review he says Pearlescent Parfums Glowberry is more fun while Sea Spritz is more of a vacation casual scent and Acqua di Colonia is a more polished and good for the office. I would love to win Pearlescent Parfuns Glowberry. The perfumer states he had backyard Bbq and summer fun in mind when creating this. I love that inspiration and the notes of strawberry, raspberry, vanilla musk sound beautiful and something I would enjoy. Steven and the perfumer used the word fun in their description and that really piques my interest because that’s what summer is to me. The perfumer also noted it sparks compliments and who doesn’t love that. For those reasons Pearlescent Parfums Glowberry would be my choice for a perfect summer scent. I am in the USA

  • Ramses Perez says:

    Love the variety and how each one goes in a different way. Glowberry seems to be on the fruity side and in the most beautiful white bottle too. Sea Spritz is exactly that, a spritz of sea air into your skin to reminisce of being by the shoreline. Acqua Di Colonia is a freshly with a twist to add much needed longevity with notes like benzoin and ambergris. Thanks to Steven for manifesting a win for 3 of us and to each brand for the generous giveaway. I’d love to win Glowberry as it’s what I gravitate towards the most. I’m located in the USA,

  • Laurel Braswell says:

    I am a redolessence subscriber and all summer I have been intrigued with berry fragrances, especially strawberry scents. I would love to try Glowberry. Love the way it was described and the feeling it evokes .Please enter my name in the drawing and I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thank you

  • Ashley says:

    Sea breeze definitely is one that intrigue me. Its not often you see aquatic fragrances being talked about much. And with me being a women who enjoys unique and out of the box fragrances sea breeze would definitely be the one I would purchase first..the description of cucumber..sea salt was intriguing enough but when Steven said he gets notes of algae..that sealed the deal for me. Definitely will need to get my hand on this one for sure.

  • Carmen Lee says:

    I love Indie fragrances. The true creative process is really great. So many are just copying others DNA’s. These all sound like amazing creations!

  • Patricia Douglass says:

    The reviews made me curious in the best way. Each fragrance felt like it had its own little mood, like a slice of summer—but not the loud, flashy kind. More like warm skin, soft shadows, and a breeze you barely catch.

    The way he described them was calm but confident, and that made me lean in. Nothing felt overdone. It was all about the feeling—the shimmer, the lightness, that little unexpected twist in each scent. I found myself wanting to smell every single one just to see what they’d do on my skin. It gave me ideas, honestly.

    The reviews weren’t just helpful—they gave me a vibe.

  • EPTrail says:

    I’m already a fan of the Texas Hill Country Gallaghers.

    My partner loves their Wicked Good. It is impressively realistic and really captures the richness of chocolate with uncanny precision, down to the slight bitterness and cocoa powder dustiness. But as someone who’s not into chocolate scents, it’s just not my thing. It feels like I’m wearing a tiramisu I never ordered., but I can really appreciate the craft behind it.

    My favourite is Skydive which feels made for a white T-shirt on a midwestern summer day. Think Field of Dreams if you’re a Gen Xer or Boomer. The opening has an ozone kind of freshness that will cut through the July and August heat and humidity. The green and aquatic notes make it feel clean without veering into Unilever laundry detergent territory.

    I would love to sample Glowberry.

  • dakota says:

    Steven’s reviews left me most interested in Sea Spritz! Sounds like a really nice, naturalistic ocean scent (something I’m always craving when I’m not able to get out of the city)
    – USA

  • Stephanie Turro says:

    I think I’d love to try the Beach Geeza…. The way Steven describe the fragrance makes it seem absolutely perfect for me! I am just starting my fragrance collection and have mostly dupes and Lattafa fragrances right now. One of my favorite dupes is a coastal Driftwood that I found for cheap at Marshalls. I live in Florida and the feels like temperatures the last couple of weeks have been well over 100°. Steven’s description makes the Sea Spritz sound like something that I could wear to work in the classroom (I’m a teacher) without choking everyone out in this heat! LOL I’m a woman, but I tend to like unisex fragrances. This sounds fabulous! Thanks for the opportunity

  • Ellen Oliver says:

    Love Steven’s videos and the article made it hard to choose the first two both sound amazing but I feel like Beach Geeza would be the one I would love to win since I love beachy scents ! It sounds like it would smell like a dream !

  • Wendy Moravec says:

    These are all scents I wish I could pick and choose including cucumber which surprised me. I love that Perfumer’s look at Crisp yummy summertime smells.

  • Eris.can.swatch.kaos says:

    I really love learning more about indie brands and perfumers. As someone who is already a huge fan and supporter of small, indie brands in various fields, following this logic going into perfume just makes sense. Buying from small businesses to me is the smart thing to do. As for my pick of the three here, there is something absolutely magical about Glowberry that has me wanting to wear this fully without even testing it first. Steven always does a beautiful job describing fragrances in a way that is colorful and effortless. Though I do want to try all three, Glowberry seems to fit my mood the most. I am a Redolessence subscriber. I live in Oregon.

  • Steven A says:

    The description and notes sparked my interest from Ryan Hunts. The video emphasized the cucumber of this perfume. Beach Gaza Sea Spritz is my pick for the draw. US

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Such beautiful offerings for summer. All seem to have a different approach to a summer fragrance. I do know that Acqua di Colonia is beautiful. A total update/upgrade for a more vintage scent. Steven had the right word “classic”. I’ve smelled some Gallagher fragrances, but not from the Pearlescent collection. I’d love to win the playful Glowberry. I love that Steven matched the fragrance to a mood and/or event. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • opalbear says:

    These all sound intriguing! I’m a huge fan of Darren Alan so I’ll go with Acqua di Colonia if I’m the lucky one. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
    I am in the U.S.

  • DeniseB says:

    I love the Beach Geeza brand, and Sea Spritz sounds like vacation in a bottle. Darren Alan’s Acqua de Colonia had me at ambergris (and added longevity). But given a choice among the three, I’m most interested in Gallagher Fragrances Pearlescent Parfum Glowberry. I love the idea of such a fruity, gourmand perfume being juicy-sweet yet polished; perfect for grown-ups. Thanks to each and every perfumer for making these available! I live in the Metro Detroit area of Michigan, USA.

  • Annika says:

    Excellent summer picks and love that they’re all from independent US based perfumers. I am most interested in Acqua di Colonia because while I do love the scent of a traditional cologne, I do not love the lack of longevity. Darren Alan seems to have solved this with the addison woods, ambergris and musk. Steven’s description of the polished presence of the fragrance was a plus. MD, USA

  • BRAN J says:

    These all touch on different facets of summer. Glowverry the juicy sweet BBQ munching fruit. The summer days where relaxation family time and joy linger in the air. Sea spritz is reminder of my favorite place the ocean. Sun salt and sea breeze you cannot beat that. And Acqua just seems so refined classic clean and versatile. These notes described by Steven always turns on the descriptors painting the scents vividly in your mind. I would love to win Sea spritz as never ending beach summer time is my favorite place to be. NY, USA.

  • mmerline says:

    “Sweet/fruity, refreshing/beachy, and polished/citrus” are all great combinations for this muggy summer weather. Glowberry sounds a little sweet for me, but also quite fun. I’ve tried both the pre-renaming Sea Spritz and Acqua di Colonia; the latter is fantastic, and one of my favorites of his lineup, capturing everything that works about a classic splash-on and improving the wear time. In his video, Steven called it “professional”, which captures the classic structure and clean, invigorating wear. “Classic smelling without smelling vintage.” Best time of year for a refreshing, citrus-heavy fragrance.

    I’m in the USA. If I were to win, I’d choose Acqua di Colonia. Thanks!

  • Die says:

    Sea Breeze has completely captured my attention! Aquatic fragrances don’t often get much spotlight, but as someone who loves unique and unconventional scents, this one feels like a must-try. The cucumber and sea salt notes already sounded fascinating, but when Steven mentioned the hint of algae—that was the clincher. I can’t wait to get my hands on this.

  • Diwakar says:

    Sea Breeze has completely captured my attention! Aquatic fragrances don’t often get much spotlight, but as someone who loves unique and unconventional scents, this one feels like a must-try. The cucumber and sea salt notes already sounded fascinating, but when Steven mentioned the hint of algae—that was the clincher. I can’t wait to get my hands on this.

  • Pancake says:

    As usual Steven does an amazing job getting across not just the notes themselves, but the vibe and character of the perfumes. I think out of the three, Gallaghers Glowberry sounds the most interesting to me. USA

  • aditu says:

    Steven’s description of the playful and flirty fruitiness of Glowberry by Gallagher Fragrances appealed to me, and this the one I would choose if I was lucky enough to win. But it is hard to decide! His description of the bold and unique profile of the refreshing Sea Spritz by Beach Geeza also piques my curiosity. And the classic and refined DNA of the Acqua di Colonia, polished yet relaxed, and formulated Darren Allen to have better longevity than traditional colognes also sounds intriguing. I am not familiar with fragrances from any of these indy brands. I live in USA.

  • Teresa C says:

    All of these perfumers are so amazingly creative and have such varied and intriguing offerings, that reviews like this send me wanting to try more. I adore Darren Alan best from among these listed, but have to admit that Sea Spritz is much more in my line and Steven’s reaction to the spritz in the air made me grin; that sells this fragrance as PERFECT for summer so that would be my choice should I be selected. I have and love some of the colognia style scents, and might have to seek out Darren Alan’s offering just to see how he spun it. Fruity florals aren’t really my thing, so Glowberry wouldn’t be my kind of thing. But Beach Geeza’s sensibility always makes me smile. Such a fun vibe!

  • zibbyz says:

    I love Steven’s reviews aks when he collaborates on these draws. Threes all sounds fun for summer. I’m most interested in sea spritz as Steven noted that he likes if when he’s feeling playful, ands I’m very interested in the cucumber not. Aqua di Colonia also is a scent i would love to try add it like this style and Steven mentions it has orange blossom. Thank you for the lovely reviews and generous draw, from the US.

  • Courtnee Felton says:

    I’ve recently developed an affinity for fruity perfumes. Glowberry’s strawberry tart accord caught my eye even though I have heretofore avoided foody gourmands. The juiciness ascribed to this perfume gives me confidence that it will feel a bit natural and not too heavy. It’s reassuring that it’s also described as “uplifting” and “effervescent.” I also think it’s cool that a married couple created this fragrance. Of course, this is the fragrance I would like to win.

  • Ben A says:

    I love modern twists on classic eau de cologne structure, so I was immediately drawn to Darren Allen’s Acqua di Colonia. Steven’s description of it as professional drew me in, too, as I’m always looking for office-appropriate, hot-weather fragrances. I’m a Redolessence subscriber and I live in Oklahoma, USA.

  • trblcmn says:

    I have a couple Gallagher Pearlescents fragrances, love them. Cannot wait to try the other two, sounds lovely for summer. Thanks.

  • Moonhaven says:

    This video and blog are fantastic. Cannot wait to experience these brands. I love the scent profiles. I love to support indies, thank you!

  • luna55 says:

    I adore summer and citrusy scents. Cannot wait to get my nose on these beauties. Thanks for showcasing these indie brands. Happy to support them and their creations.

  • foreverscents says:

    Each of the fragrances sounds wonderful for summer. I have tried a few of Darren Alan’s creations, so I know Acqua de Colonia would be a superb fragrance. But for this giveaway, I would choose Glowberry. I like the way Steven said the fragrance was effervescent. I also love the smell of raspberries, so I know this would be a fragrance that I would love to wear in the summer and all year long.
    I live in the USA.

  • Brandy says:

    Gallagher Fragrances and Pearlescent are such a great perfume house . Glowberry has been on my list to try this summer. Glowberry an uplifting playful sweet scent of tart juicy fruit and berries on a soft base of vanilla, sandalwood,and magnolia make the perfect summer fragrance . I’m looking forward to trying this soon.

  • brentm says:

    Love Steven’s reviews. Always so descriptive! 3 very good fragrances to wear during the hottest part of the year. Really would love to try one of Darren’s fragrances. My pick would be Acqua di Colonia. USA

  • LightOfJoy says:

    I’ve tested Glowberry and it’s a beautiful fragrance, and effervescent as Steven said. I would love to win this one! Thank you for offering this generous giveaway. I am in the USA.

  • carrie_earle says:

    I have yet to try a Pearlescent fragrance (but have sampled many Gallagher fragrances) but Steven’s review has me looking forward to trying Glowberry. His description of it being fruity, playful and carefree is just what I need in my overworked life right now. Beach Geeza sounds really appealing too because I love the beach and aquatic scents. Darren Alan sound very classy and refreshing. All three sound amazing but my choice would be Glowberry. I am a Redolessence subscriber and I live in the US.

  • wallygator88 says:

    I’ve always wanted to try Darren Allen’s work since it’s such a wonderful ode to older fragrances. Acqua Di Colonia would be a great one to sample for the summer.

    Cheers from WI, USA