Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editors Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Nothing is as refreshing as splashing on one of the best citrus perfumes on a hot, sticky summer day . The crisp, zingy burst of citrus feels like an instant reset for your senses: energizing, invigorating, and enlivening. On the flip side, wearing a citrus scent in the depths of winter is a reminder of sunnier days to come and can be just the optimistic boost you need when you’re deep in the doldrums.
TL;DR: If you’re looking for a transportive, refreshing orange scent, we love Tom Ford's Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum . For something unique, with notes of mandarin, rose, and leather, try Tory Burch’s Sublime Eau de Parfum . And if you’re craving a spicy, cozy citrus fragrance, you’ll be obsessed with By Rosie Jane’s cardamom-infused Remi Eau de Parfum .
The best citrus perfumes often feature notes like mandarin, orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and bergamot as their “hero” notes, so to speak, but it’s very common to find citrus notes in all kinds of perfumes, from florals to gourmands . Bergamot, in particular, is a popular way for perfumers to add lift and brightness to the opening notes of a fragrance, and neroli, which is derived from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, is a gentler, sweeter floral note.
What is the difference between citrus and fruity fragrances? Why do citrus scents typically fade faster than other fragrances? How would you recommend making a citrus scent last longer? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers We believe that everyone should have at least one citrus scent in their perfume wardrobe; they're so varied (and so much fun!) that their sparkling, spirited personality becomes almost addictive to wear. And what better time to round them all up than at the peak of summertime? Ahead, find an orange, lemon, grapefruit, or bergamot perfume that sparks joy for you.
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Allure content director Sophia Panych applying the Tom Ford Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum
Why we love it: Orange scents are just as refreshing and sweet as a glass of freshly squeezed juice, and Tom Ford’s version of orange is unsurprisingly chic and sophisticated. Taormina Orange, which was inspired by the sweeping views of a Sicilian summer near the blood orange groves, opens with tart blood orange and mandarin notes, with spicy cardamom and earthy patchouli and oakmoss at the base to ground you in the (theoretical) scenic setting.
Tester feedback from content director Sophia Panych
“Tom Ford Taormina Orange is an unapologetically citrus fragrance—it leans into the brightest, most tart citrus ingredients like blood orange, lime, green mandarin, and bitter orange—and doesn’t try to soften the sharpness of those notes. What the woody-mossy base does so well is add depth, making it more interesting and complex (and longer-lasting) than many options in this category. Throughout this summer’s heatwaves, it’s the fragrance I've been gravitating towards the most because a few spritzes leave me feeling fresh, pretty, and mentally on a beach in Sicily versus my sweaty underground commute.” —Sophia Panych, content director
Key notes: blood orange, cardamom oil, orange flower absolute, orange bigarade oil, patchouli oil, oakmoss absolute Sizes: 0.3 oz, 1 oz, 1.7 oz Best Lemon: Granado Bossa Eau de Toilette Save to wishlist Save to wishlist G…