Photo by Hernando of the view from the Central Park Reservoir N.Y.C.
The sun is out, the beach beckons and you finally made the switch from sweaters to sandals. So how did we choose our co-curated top ten summer fragrances 2023? Each are unique takes on the citrus, fruity, fresh, floral and aquatic genres. Summertime is the right time for livelier perfumes with longevity. –Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief
Parfum d’Empire Yuzu Fou (Marc-Antoine Corticchiato: To my nose Yuzu Fou (Crazy Yuzu) is very green and complex: sweet, tart and is as energizing as high voltage vitamin C. I was able to discern mint which wasn’t used often in perfumery back then (2008) and earthy woody green notes (bamboo) and cedar. I reached out to Marc-Antoine Corticchiato about the inspiration for Parfum D’Empire Yuzu Fou: “I was inspired by today’s Japan, with its electro music, manga, high-tech, neon lights, etc. There is also a contradiction between hyper urban Japan, avant-garde, and the strong presence of nature in the middle of the city. It is very inspiring. Yuzu, the citrus fruit, is very fizzy, fusing, for me it evokes this pulsating Japan. I wanted a sparkling, crackling perfume, a freshness like no other” Notes include Japanese Yuzu, Bitter Orange, Mint, Kumquat, Lemon Verbena, Bamboo, Cedar; Neroli and White Musk. –Michelyn Camen
Escentric Molecules 01 M +mandarin (Geza Schoen): When the M+ series debuted in 2021, I gravitated right away to +mandarin. It adds such brightness to Escentric Molecules 01, and the mandarin smells all natural. It’s great to layer, I can smell it on myself and it always gets compliments. Here’s what Geza told me: “M +Mandarin is so alive, the radiation it creates on the skin and its fruity aroma, a stunning ingredient combined with Molecule 01. A top note ingredient like Mandarin and a base note like Iso E Super to dance together naked like this without other notes in between is rare.”-Michelyn
Navitus Aweigh (Jorge Lee): Creative Director is Steven Gavrielatos worked with Jorge Lee in Istanbul on Aweigh, a resolute composition featuring lavender, yuzu, mint, and incense. The meditative base is an exciting conclusion to this otherwise bright and luminous citrus composition inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Sicilian Mandarin, Grapefruit, Indian Ginger; Turkish Rose, Jasmine Sambac, Orchid, Tahitian Ylang Madagascan Vanilla, Tonka, Sandalwood Virginian Cedarwood –Steven Gavrielatos, Video Contributor
Kelly + Jones Notes of Riesling Reserve (Christina Christie Senior Perfumer IFF): One of my favorite movies of the past decade is Sideways. If you haven’t seen this multi-award winning film about two friends in their 40s (Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church), they take a week road trip tour of Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Immediately upon first spray of Kelly and Jones Notes of Riesling Reserve, I try to remember if there was a Riesling winery in the movie (there should have been). It is one of my top ten summer fragrances because it ticks all the boxes of what I want in a warm weather perfume, energetic and easy- to-wear. The zest of lime and soft florals combine with a lusicous lychee note that adds just a hint of honied sweetness. There is elderflower, which adds an aromatic green, slightly musky floralcy. You may cabernet all day in the Fall/Winter, but you will want to waft Riesling in the warmer weather. –Michelyn
Neela Vermeire Creations Bombay Bling! (Bertrand Duchaufour): Indian born Creative Director Neela Vermeire in collaboration with Bertrand Duchaufour brings all the energy and color of a Bollywood extravaganza in this joyful genderless perfume that will make you feel like dancing in the streets. Bombay Bling has the most photorealistic mango note I have ever smelt, green and reminiscent of a mango lassi laced with cardamom. Blackcurrant and lychee join for a bright pop of fruitiness. Kaleidoscopic florals at the heart- rose, ylang-ylang, tuberose, frangipani, and gardenia waft in perfect harmony and fill the air as you are magically transported to a colorful, wet and fragrant flower market in India. The woody mix of sandalwood and cedar sweetened by vanilla adding sensuality and spice. If you are looking for one of the best summer fragrances… you have found it. Bombay Bling! is a celebration in a bottle. Notes include mango, lychee, blackcurrant, cardamom, cumin, cistus; rose accord, turkish rose, jasmine sambac absolute, madagascar ylang-ylang, white floral accord of tuberose, frangipani, gardenia ,patchouli, tobacco, white woods, sandalwood, cedar, vanilla –Michelyn
Disclosure: Steven was gifted by the brands. Michelyn received Yuzu Fou and M +Mandarin a while ago, all else were samples.
Top Ten Summer Fragrances 2023 Part 1 image by Steven
With gratitude to Neela Vermeire Creations for a 60ml bottle of Bombay Bling for a registered CaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber. US, EU and UK. Note: If you live in the USA to test or buy Bombay Bling Luckyscent here.
Thanks to the generosity of Kelly Jones, we have a draw for a bottle of Riesling Reserve Eau de Parfum Spray (1.69 fl oz / 50 ml) for a US ONLY registered CaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber.
Thanks to our friends at Escentric Molecules there is a 100 ml bottle of Escentric M + Mandarin for a US or UK reader. You must be a registered CaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber.
Thanks to the generosity of Marc-Antoine Corticchiato, we have a 50 ml bottle of Parfum d’Empire Yuzu Fou for one registered reader worldwide. You must be a registered CaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber.
From Nativus we have a 100 ml bottle of Aweigh for one registered CaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber in the USA ONLY. You must be a registered CaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber. Sold at Perfumology here
Thanks to each of the, we have a reader’s choice for all FIVE !!! YOU MUST REGISTER and leave a comment on this site with your choice(s) should you win, BOTH MICHELYN’S WRITTEN AND STEVEN’S VIDEO reviews of Top Ten Summer Fragrances 2023 Part 1, and where do you live. COUNTRY RESTRICTIONS APPLY. If you want your comment to count twice, please follow us on our Instagram page @cafleurebonoffical. Draw closes 6/5/2023 but will be announced within 2 weeks after.
Stay tuned for part 2 next week.
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