Spotlight On: Citrus
A wearable staple that belongs in every perfume lovers collection, a great citrus fragrance feels like wearing a spritz of bottled sunshine.
Versatile, androgynous, and infinitely layerable, they're the little black dresses of a fragrance wardrobe. The extracts of citrus oils are known in the world of perfumery as a hesperidic notes, named for the blissful garden of Greek mythology, where golden fruit hung from lush trees.
Since the very earliest days of perfume making, the oils of bergamot, lemon, orange and grapefruit have been used to add lift and sparkle to a fragrances, tempering sweetness and capturing the attention. The airy freshness blends beautifully with vibrant green notes and white florals, while spicy oriental fragrances use topnotes of citrus to lift and brighten a heavier, spicier base. With the power to uplift and invigorate, citrus notes leave a clean, whisper of scent on the skin, and wear beautifully in every season, refreshing hot summer nights and brightening dark winter days.
Below are four of our favorite fragrances that showcase dynamic, dominant citrus notes...
Annick Goutal"s Eau d"Hadrien
An undisputed masterpiece among citrus fragrances, a spray of Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien evokes a cool breeze over an Italian hillside. The Eau d'Hadrien perfume features notes of bright, tangy Sicilian lemon intertwine with herbaceous cyprus and basil, with a touch of creamy ylang-ylang adding a touch of femininity to a fragrance as crisp and bright as winter sunshine.
Hermes Eau Merveilles
The salty warmth of ambergris blends beautifully with a note of bitter orange zest in the stunning Hermes Eau des Merveilles. Reminiscent of sea spray and sun-soaked driftwood, the the Eau des Merveilles perfume is fresh, uplifting citrus note settles into skin with a peppery, dry radiance, creating a feeling of ocean breezes on warm skin.
Acqua di Parma Cologne
A classic since its creation in 1916, Acqua di Parma cologne opens with a rush of sparkling citrus. Tart bergamot and zesty lemon mingle with herbaceous lavender, rosemary and vetiver, drying down delicately on skin to reveal hints of rose and jasmine at the heart. The favorite fragrance of timeless stars like Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, it's the epitome of easy, Riviera glamour.
Bond No. 9 Little Italy
Unabashedly bright and cheerful, Bond No. 9 Little Italy fragrance erupts into a celebration of sugary orange citrus. Bond No. 9 Little Italy's top notes of clementine, mandarin and tangerine sparkle with the tangy tartness of a cold orange soda, while touches of jasmine and musk blend with the citrus to create a smooth, soft sweetness on skin.