Light Perfumes Are My Beauty Editor Go-To for Summer Fragrance Layering
Can I interest you in some fruity, citrus scents?
There's a time and place for an intense, heavy perfume like Valentino's Donna Born in Roma or Tom Ford's Fucking Fabulous. They make a statement the second I enter a room and radiate overwhelming power and confidence. But I prefer to wear one of the best light perfumes for the day-to-day, island getaways, or cozy days spent at home.
Light perfumes are generally fresh or watery and may include seasonal notes like coconut or rose; occasionally, there's citrus, orange blossom, and white musk in the mix, too, says perfume expert, historian, and author of The Story of Perfume Élisabeth de Feydeau.
Mostly, I try to avoid opulent and dense elements such as tuberose, spicy rose, oud, sandalwood, and animal notes. But there's always an exception to the rule. Some of the best light fragrances, like Phlur's Missing Person and Diptyque's L'Eau Papier, know how to use these “heavy” ingredients to their advantage.
There's something for everyone in the light perfume world. While fragrance is incredibly personal, I've taken the liberty of rounding up my favorite lightest, brightest perfumes on the market.
Best Light Perfumes
- Best Light Perfume Overall: Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM
- Best Warm Light Perfume: Phlur Missing Person Eau De Parfum
- Best Romantic Light Perfume: Diptyque L'Eau Papier Eau De Toilette
- Best Aquatic Light Perfume: Lake Skye 11 11 Vanilla Eau De Parfum
- Best Musky Light Perfume: Fueguia Muskara Phero J.
A relaunch of sorts, this is a combination of the beloved men and women’s 2009 APOM fragrances. It mixes notes of orange blossom, lavender, and amber for a powdery floral with a warm base for a light scent that will stick with you—both physically and emotionally—the longer you wear it.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange Blossom; Lavender; Ylang Ylang; Vanilla; Amber
Size: 2.4 oz.
What I Love: It’s a very pretty, powdery floral that lasts for hours
What I Don’t: Some might find it too sweet
Review for MC: “APOM smells like the first sleep on newly laundered sheets. It’s sweet, powdery, and clean, making it a familiar scent that just feels like home. It’s comfort in a bottle and a quick favorite of mine this year. ” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best light fragrance overall.
Phlur founder Chriselle Lim said she created Missing Person as an ode to intimacy and human touch. I've thought about this since, especially when I'm applying the scent in its fragrance, lotion, or body oil form (I have all three). It's a warm, comforting, yet sensual scent that always puts me in a good mood.
Fragrance Family: Warm Spicy Musk
Key Notes: Skin Musk; Bergamot Nectar; Blonde Wood
Size: 1.7 oz.
What I Love: It’s a warm and comforting scent that feels clean
What I Don’t: It fades too quickly and comes in a small bottle for the price
Review for MC: "This is one of those perfumes that need to be on the skin for you to really experience its magic. Skin musk is one of the first notes, so it smells cozy and comforting, almost like putting on a loved one's sweater right after they've taken it off. This is one of Phlur's best-selling scents for a reason." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Missing Person perfume.
Musks don’t always have to be heavy. For example, take L’Eau Papier by Diptyque. It combines white musk with rice steam for a lightweight paper-like scent (stay with me) that takes a bookworm like me to that euphoric feeling of opening a vintage book and diving into a new adventure. Romantic and whimsical, this is a scent that just makes me happy.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: White Musk; Steamed Rice Accord; Mimosa
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: It’s a complex that fills us with nostalgia and is great for layering
What I Don’t: Some people claim not to smell it on the skin at all
Review for MC: "While the sillage wouldn't necessarily be considered beast-mode, this perfume is perfect for those who get perfume headaches or who simply prefer more subdued, 'my skin but better' scents. It's a beautiful, romantic scent that feels like how the main character of a sickeningly sweet romance novel would smell." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing L'eau Papier perfume.
The Marie Claire Fragrance Award-winning perfume 11 11 has a sister, and it smells exactly like the inside of a cloud. Its mix of musk, vanilla, and sea salt is fluffy and inviting, yet its aquatic finish makes it light enough for wear all year round. For the spiritual among us, seeing the angel number 11 11 is the perfect way to start your day.
Fragrance Family: Woody Aromatic
Key Notes: Sea Salt; Sheer Amber; Vanilla Créme; Skin Musk
Size: 1.7 oz
What I Love: It’s a complex, yet comforting scent that you can still layer with other fragrances
What I Don’t: It doesn’t last as long as I'd like it to
Review for MC: “I'm a big fan of the original 11 11 formula, so when I saw that there was going to be a vanilla version, I jumped on it immediately. 11 11 Vanilla is the perfect blend of notes that are sweet, aquatic, and a little bit musky, and it's the perfect fragrance to wear to the gym to feel super clean even after a super sweaty workout." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing 11 11 Vanilla Sky perfume.
Do you remember hugging your parents after they came home from work? This perfume perfectly encapsulates that first sniff you get right at the crook of their neck. It's musky, light, and so distinctly human that you'll want to keep a bottle of this on hand just for the nostalgia.
Fragrance Family: Musk
Key Notes: Musk; Desert Herb
Size: 50 ml
What I Love: Nostalgic fragrance; Second-skin scent; Minimal and chic packaging
What I Don’t: Can be hard to find in person, so most people will likely have to blind buy
Review for MC: "This perfume is the epitome of a warm hug in a bottle. It's elegant and sits close to the skin, so it's safe to wear in small spaces, but it still leaves me smelling fresh and clean all day. It also layers beautifully with some of the more traditional gourmands in my collection, so I've been really enjoying playing around with this formula." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Fueguia 1833 Muskara Phero J perfume.
Other Light Fragrances I Love
As far as gourmand scents go, this is brighter and more energizing than most, just like the city it’s named after. It has notes of pink pineapple, coconut water, and amber to give you that tropical feel.
Fragrance Family: Warm Spicy
Key Notes: Pink Pineapple; Coconut Water; Sweet Amber
Size: 1.7 oz.
What I Love: It’s a light gourmand that lasts long
What I Don’t: It might be too sweet for some
Review for MC: “Sweet, fresh, and super fun—this makes me remember all the things I love about Miami. I'm greeted with bright notes of pineapple and coconut before getting a whiff of the warm, creamy amber; it really is a vacation in a bottle. It takes me back to lounging at the beach all day, with my piña colada, sunscreen, and chicken tenders at my side, just thriving. ” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best gourmand light perfume.
This is for you if you ever want to capture how fresh and clean you smell right after you shower. It has notes of grapefruit, hyacinth, and musk for a fresh citrus that smells polished and delightful.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Citron; Jasmine; Teakwood
Size: 1.7 oz.
What I Love: A palate-pleasing fresh citrus for people who may not typically enjoy the category
What I Don’t: Awkwardly-shaped packaging; Low lasting power
Review for MC: “This takes me back to all the decadent hotel stays I’ve had where the bathrooms had my dream rainfall shower situation. It's an aquatic scent with a refreshing citrus and musky undertone. If I could shower in this Chanel perfume, I would.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best fresh light perfume.
A blend of Italian and Asian cultures, this scent is the brainchild of perfumer Alex Lee, who wanted to incorporate Chinese tea with known Italian fragrance notes for a multi-faceted olfactory experience. Lee uses black tea leaves, mandarin, and bergamot to grab your attention with earthy, zesty notes before revealing a creamy cedarwood.
Fragrance Family: Fresh Citrus
Key Notes: Italian Mandarin; Black Tea; Cedarwood
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: It’s a bright citrus scent that’s not overwhelming
What I Don’t: The tea slightly overpowers the citrus, which might turn off some
Review for MC: “Tea scents are hard to pull off, but this harmoniously blends black tea with mandarin and cedarwood for a fresh citrus scent. It’s just lovely all-around.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best citrus light fragrance.
Inspired by legendary flapper Josephine Baker, Sparkling Jo is an ode to 1920s Parisian nightlife. It opens up with bright notes of champagne and pear before evolving into a warm spicy oak and cedar. It’s crisp and bubbly, making me want to party like it’s the roaring ‘20s.
Fragrance Family: Woody Spicy
Key Notes: Champagne; William Pear; Oak; Cedar
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: Bright and sparkling scent profile
What I Don’t: You lose the bright notes the longer you wear the scent
Review for MC: “This is what I imagine Gatsby’s parties smelled like every night. It’s bright and fizzy, like a glass of Veuve that you wouldn’t mind spilling when dancing on a table. Aptly named, this scent just sparkles when you wear it.” — Audrey Noble, Contributing Beauty Writer
Audrey Noble's pick for best wood light perfume.
I appreciate brands that offer refillable products to minimize waste, which is why I love this fragrance from Essential Parfums. Its elevated scent profile also comes expert-approved, with de Freydeau testifying that it is "a modern, elegant, and distinguished citrus accord; a sunny sparkle of the most beautiful Calabrian bergamot, which leaves in its wake an impression of floral and soft light."
Fragrance Family: Citrus
Key Notes: Bergamot; Jasmine; Ylang Ylang; Cedar; Tonka Bean
Size: 100 ml
What I Love: Refillable and made with ethically-sourced tonka bean and sustainable ylang ylang
What I Don’t: Fades very quickly
Customer Review: “A fresh citrus scent with floral undertones. Dries down to a clean, fresh scent. This is great for hot Summer days, but there's minimal projection.” — LuckyScent
Even the most floral-averse will fall in love with Prada Infusion D’Iris. It’s a lovely mix of iris, neroli, and mandarin to balance floral and powdery scents, while simultaneously staying on the skin all day long. De Freydeau also gives it her stamp of approval, calling it "a beautiful, powdery, delicate, and gender-neutral note."
Fragrance Family: Florals
Key Notes: Iris; Neroli; Mandarin
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: It’s a lovely fresh floral with a powdery feel that lasts a long time
What I Don’t: It can feel too mature of a scent for some
Customer Review: “I love this perfume! I use it every day! It smells so good! It smells like spring, flowers, and baby powder. It makes me personally feel good! It also leaves an oily feeling on the skin, so it lasts longer.” — Sephora
Miss being near the beach? Spritz this. It mixes bergamot and coconut milk notes for that airy sea breeze-like scent that’s tinged with salt and instantly calming. So if you can’t drive yourself immediately oceanside after a hard day, this is the next best thing.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Bergamot; Heliotrope; Coconut Milk
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: It’s a light, sweet scent that isn’t overpowering
What I Don’t: Can smell a bit too much like sunscreen for some people
Customer Review: “I absolutely love this perfume! It really does remind me of the beach, in the best way possible. I don’t like overly strong scents because they give me a headache, so I always look for something light and long-lasting. For me, this perfume does exactly that! I’ll probably wear this scent alone for the foreseeable future.” — Sephora
"L'Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior was created in 1966 by Edmond Roudnitska with the idea of fresh water that stays on the skin," says Freydeau. "The accord is a beautiful, fresh, and distinguished chypre which is also characterized by hedione, a synthetic molecule that is a derivative of jasmine and which gives the perfume a very airy note." If you love how fresh your skin smells after a quick dip in the pool, this is for you.
Fragrance Family: Citrus
Key Notes: Lemon; Rosemary; Petit Grain; Basil; Water Jasmine; Vetiver
Size: 3.4 oz.
What We Love: It’s a fresh citrus scent that lasts for hours
What We Don’t: Though unisex, some might not like how masculine it smells
Customer Review: “I have worn this cologne for 40 years and will wear nothing else! It's light and not offensive at all. I definitely go for it for the citrus notes.” — Sephora
Whether you believe that pheromones can actually attract your soulmate or not, there’s no debate that this pheromone-activating scent is divine. Although it's light, it's an oil, which makes it last longer than a spray. It's beautiful on its own or layered with heavier options like musk and sandalwood, and it comes in a convenient rollerball form that allows me to take it on the go. And if it leads me to Mr. Right, that’s just an added bonus.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Amber, Musk
Size: 8 ml
What I Love: It adapts to your body’s chemistry to give each person a unique scent, and it’s long-lasting
What I Don’t: It’s a very small bottle, and you get little product for the price you’re paying
Customer Review: “Such a light, fresh fragrance, I get so many compliments on this and love that I can layer with the body oil and spray lotion a little expensive but worth it!” — Amazon
I’m not one to imagine myself amongst a field of flowers, but Gucci Bloom has me frolicking amongst the tulips in five seconds flat. With its lovely mix of jasmine and tuberose, you get a breezy yet classic floral.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rangoon Creeper; Jasmine Bud; Tuberose
Size: 3.3 oz.
What I Love: It’s a buildable scent that you can pair with others for layering
What I Don’t: It’s a classic floral, and it might be too green for some
Customer Review: “This is my favorite perfume ever- my go-to for all seasons. I get so many compliments on the scent! Floral but not old lady smelling.” — Sephora
If a light fragrance could be an enigma, it would be this. Fresh at the opening notes but with a warm dry down, one spritz offers a lot of depth and emotional layers. De Freydeau also notes that this nostalgic scent channels "the new freshness of the '80s" and "has established itself as a classic." She describes it as "a contrasting, fresh, and dynamic accord between aromatic, floral, and woody notes—a perfume with a very sensual radiance."
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Mint; Lavender; Amber
Size: 6.7 oz.
What I Love: It’s a multifaceted scent that also plays on nostalgia
What I Don’t: Extremely hard to track down, so I have to buy multiples
Customer Review: “This was my second purchase after needing a replacement. Excellent fragrance without being overpowering. Will purchase again.” — Macy’s
Does the aroma of an herbaceous garden make you feel at peace? If you answered yes, try Maison Margiela's green and earthy blend. It specifically channels the smell of tomato vines, resulting in a nostalgic, springy, and dopamine-inducing fragrance.
Fragrance Family: Earthy Woody
Key Notes: Tomato Leaf Accord; Green Mandarin Essence; Patchouli Heart
Size: 3.4 oz.
What I Love: A long-lasting, earthy scent
What I Don’t: It may be too green-smelling for some
Review for MC: “I really didn’t think I would like this scent, but I purchased it as soon as I tried it in the store. It’s so fresh and green and really reminds me of summer days when my vegetable garden is thriving.” — Sephora
"Starting off sweetly floral and slightly aquatic, Issey Miyake's L'Eau de Issey mellows out into a 'fallen petal' scent that reminds me of a longstanding neighborhood flower shop where the same staff has worked as long as you can remember," Contributing Beauty Writer Sophia Vilensky shares. Light and refreshing, there's still a little warmth here thanks to the ambrette, cedar, and sandalwood base.
Fragrance Family: Warm Floral
Key Notes: Cyclamen; Freesia; Rose Water; Peony; Amber; and Musk
Size: 2.5 oz.
What I Love: Stunning packaging; Truly feels lightweight on the skin thanks to the atomizer
What I Don’t: Can be too musky for some
Customer Review: “I love this fragrance. I have been wearing it for years, and I try and save it for special occasions, but it never happens. It's light, but long-lasting. It makes you feel so sexy and fresh. I love the way my clothes smell after I've worn it. I always layer my fragrance, when I can, with body cream or lotion. They last longer that way. You'll absolutely love this fragrance.” — Nordstrom
How Long do Light Perfumes Last?
De Feydeau admits that light perfumes don't always linger as long as heavy options like musk and oud. "They are not made to last and persist," she says. "They have raw materials in their composition that are ethereal and airy, therefore volatile."
That being said, if you're opting for a light fragrance, stow a travel-sized bottle in your bag to reapply throughout the day. You can also spray your hair and clothing, where the fragrance will linger longer than it might on your skin.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
To compile this list of the best light fragrances, we scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market. We also asked the Marie Claire team to share their holy grail picks and asked independent and staff testers to try a mix of cult favorites and new launches.
For each light fragrance we tested, we assessed the fragrance's notes, how long it lasts, and its overall scent as the day went on.
Meet the Expert
Élisabeth de Feydeau is a French historian and writer who specializes in perfume. A recipient of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres award, she is renowned in her field, having taught at the Versailles "School of Fragrances" and worked with the likes of Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Guerlain, and more. She has also written books about fragrance, the most recent of which is The Story of Perfume.
