Refreshing Spritzes Made For Sunny Shores

Treat your loved one with a unique olfactory journey this year. We’ve sniffed out the best luxury scents for 2024.

This glamourous-looking bottle is as vibrant as a Christmas bauble with its red and gold colouring. Conceived by designer Pierre Balmain and creative director Olivier Rousteing, Balmain Rouge is one of the most glamorous scents to find under the tree this year. It was inspired by the duo’s deep connection to the allure of stardom and success. In a passion-red bottle, the fragrance is inspired by the magic of LA: “where the sky is not even the limit”. It’s a floral-fruity scent with a heart of radiant woods—perfect for evoking the possibilities of travel.

£195 for 50ml, balmainbeauty.com

With its citrus notes of mandarin and salty notes of immortelle, this water-based fragrance conjurs up salt water swept up by the winds. The fresh-mineral elegance is perfect for travel-lovers who are yearning to be by the shore. The complex scent—a collaboration between artistic director Marc-Antoine Barrois and perfumer Quentin Bisch—tries to capture the scent of ‘divine skin’, inspired by the world of Greek gods. Sweet apricot, powdery violet and velvety suede are blended with tawny leather and spice for a unique perfume journey.

€115 for 30ml, marcantoinebarrois.com

The fifth fragrance for men by Italian brand Brioni, Suave is inspired by the refined ambiance of the end of the day’s golden hour, a precious moment where time stands still. Created by master perfumer, Michel Almairac, it aims to offer a contemporary yet timeless appeal with its notes of citrus and spice giving way to a rich, leathery heart before amber and wood lingers on the skin. All fragrances in the Eaux de Parfum Collection are housed in the same bottle, made of heavy Italian glass with a thick, curvy base. The square-shouldered, bevelled bottle is adorned with a satin label, inspired by the ones sewn inside Brioni bespoke suits.

£125 for 100ml, brioni.com

Beautifully packaged in a regal, purple glass bottle, this latest sophisticated scent from Parfums de Marly, the high-end perfumery house, revolves around a modern floral bouquet enhanced with fresh, fruity and powdery notes. Perfect for sun-fuelled days, it opens with mandarin, bergamot and pear notes, leading to a contemporary violet petal. The perfume has a velvety sensation, with a musk and creamy sandalwood base. The scent is from a collection by Parfums de Marly which is inspired by the lavish 18th-century perfumery traditions of King Louis XV’s court. Each scent is crafted using the finest ingredients, resulting in aromas that embody sophistication and refinement.

£245 for 75ml, uk.parfums-de-marly.com

As light as air, and addictive with its sumptuous, white floral notes, is this water-based perfume from Parisian heritage brand Officine Universelle Buly. Eau Triple Peruvian Heliotrope also uses tonka bean and violet notes for a hedonistic, velvety spritz that remains subtle on the skin and not overbearing. Its unique water-based formula was crafted in the Officine’s laboratory vials. The process was technically challenging, taking two years to craft the formula, before it reached perfection. The beguiling perfume is soft and powdery and intrinsically romantic. Heliotrope, also called ‘Herbe de Saint Fiacre’ in French, is always turned towards the sun and symbolizes the onset of spring.

€150 for 75ml, buly1803.com

Presented in a dazzling bottle, to represent the colours of the sun, this latest perfume from Lalique is ideal for heat-lovers and sun-seekers. Capturing the beautiful chiaroscuro of light and shadows, the scent is a powdery floral with mineral notes to represent the glow of the midnight sun. Created by perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Alexandra Monet, it has top notes of mandarin essence, pink pepper and magnolia; mid notes of lady of the night, heliotrope and ambrette and a base of crystal moss, grey amber accord and musk. It is inspired by the changing movements of the sun and the moon.

£53 for 30ml, Lalique.com

Beija Flor Body Oasis Gift Set by Sol de Janeiro

Perfect for travelistas, there is only one brand that captures the rhythm and energy of Brazil: Sol de Janeiro. Known for its cult products, such as its famous Bum Bum cream, this set includes the refreshing Cheirosa 64 Mist and two body-toning products: the Beija Flor Elasti Cream and the Elasti Body Wash. The Cheirosa 68 scent conjurs up a bright, summer’s day and is instantly refreshing with fragrant notes of Pink Dragonfruit and Brazillian Jasmine. The body cream and wash both boost elasticity and supports cellular turnover—ideal for when travelling to hot climes and heloing you to look good in a bikini.

The Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 Body Mist can also be purchased separately as the ideal stocking filler and fills the senses with its floral bursts.

£49 for the gift set and £24 for the Body Mist, Sephora.com

The French artisan perfumery house, Maison Louis Marie, originates from a multi-generational family history with scent, that begins with Louis Marie Aubert du Petit Thouars: a pioneer in French botanical history. Vallée de Farney is a nature preserve located in the untouched forests of Mauritius—where the founder’s ancestor was exiled during the French Revolution. The forest is home to over 100 plant species and numerous animals and the place where Louis Marie discovered many new plant specimens. Inspired by the wild forest, this scent is a woody, mineral fragrance. The top note is a citrus accord of grapefruit, orange and black pepper enhanced by cedarwood and patchouli. It is the ideal gift for intrepid explorers.

£87 for 50ml, maisonlouismarie.com

Bringing a different dimension to scent are Anatome’s new wellbeing fragrances—a collection of scents that have been designed to empower, give balance and help the wearer feel energised. Curated by the label’s founder Brendan Murdock and aromachologist Anastaisa Brozler, the fragrances contain natural botanical essences to support wellbeing. “Science has revealed the profound impact of scent on our brains,” says the brand. “Scent molecules bind to olfactory receptors, igniting neural signals to our emotional centre. Fragrances can stir memories, evoke comfort and ground our moods when formulated for wellbeing.” The Energy Eau de Parfum has been created to work like a pick-me-up tonic, making it ideal for travelers on the road. It is an elegant citrus-and-blossom scent inspired by the tenacity of sportsmanship and movement, and works to energise, stimulate and revitalise the mind and body.

£125 for 100ml, anatome.co

New from Bentley Fragrances, Become is a fresh, vibrant scent, ideal for your loved one to take on their next holiday. Spritz it on and you will have a hit of sweet orange and bergamot, followed by the invigorating aroma of black pepper. The fragrance then unfolds with green, zesty notes of juniper berry intertwined with the warm, woody embrace of resinous myrrh absolute. The earthy richness of cedarwood and santal album is enhanced with the grounding essence of vetiver and patchouli, creating a scent that is both enduring and daring. The brand has partnered with Symrise, renowned supplier of recycled and renewable ingredients, and Bentley Become’s composition uses artisanally-sourced plants and flowers. Meanwhile, its classic and refined bottle takes inspiration from Bentley;s luxury car design principles.

£80 for 100ml, BentleyMotors.com

This gender-neutral scent is a collaboration between RMS Beauty and LA-based, clean fragrance experts Heretic Parfum—known for its naturally-derived and non-gendered fine fragrances. Scarlet Moon is a luxury plant-based eau de parfum inspired by the midnight walks that RMS founder takes in her favorite city of Savannah, Georgia. Think: strolls under canopies of Spanish Moss trees illuminated by a voluptuous scarlet moon. It has notes of vibrant blood orange, lush violet leaf, and woodsy Japanese Hinoki. Created with 100% naturally derived botanical ingredients, it acts as a functional fragrance with aromatherapeutic benefits naturally found in the raw extracts that are used in its formula.

£145 for 50ml, rmsbeauty.com

The perfect gift for a travel couple is the new launch of two matching fragrances from Superdry. The feminine and masculine versions of the same scent have been conceived to mirror each other and have been designed as twin olfactory scents. Both have the same starting point—a salty accord with the essence of Ambrox Super, a biotech molecule that brings an ‘otherworldly depth’. The inspiration behind the concept are the aromas of sea spray and salt.

The masculine scent has salty-mineral wood notes, blended with citrus and Hinoki, a Japanese cypress. The feminine version has fresh floral notes of pear, white peony and magnolia.

£25 for 30ml, thefragranceshop.co.uk

Not exactly a fragrance, but this spritz smells good anyway, and it will also keep your loved one cool, calm and collected when temperatures rise or when on a long journey. The botanical face mist is crafted from pure, distilled rose water and infused with hormone-balancing essential oils, such as clary sage and geranium. It also contains cedarwood to promote a relaxed state; while lime, lemon and lemongrass give the mist a zesty note to enliven spirits on a hot and stressful day. Not only does it soothe and cool down the skin, but the formula’s herby-floral scent has been designed to calm and help with anxiety and stress.

£24.99, foragebotanicals.co.uk

Isola Sol Parfum by ROJA London

Perfect for travel lovers, Isola Sol, by premium perfumery house ROJA London, is like an olfactive postcard sent from an island voyage. The perfume aims to capture a blissful, golden beach day. The evocative fragrance is inspired by the magical moment when the sun reaches its peak, transforming the setting into a watercolour of orange and blues. Jasmine and fresh lemon are blended with a sandalwood base, evoking the sensation of warm, sunkissed skin. Notes of creamy coconut, pink pepper and salt air create a heady fragrance of succulent fruits and tropical flowers.

£385 for 50ml, rojaparfums.com

This unisex fragrance, from Ghawali, the luxury, artisan brand based in the UAE, has been created from exotic pettigrain, mandarin and saffron. Floral notes have been extracted from frangipani, sourced from Dubai, jasmine and French lavender blended with musk, vanilla and praline for a sweet heart. As its name suggests, the perfume has been inspired by the pulsating vibrations of the Middle East—think: hypnotic poetry, chants and instruments. Spritz it on and be transported.

£175 for 75ml, ae.ghawali.com

Celebrating the lauded, heritage brand’s 150^th anniversary, Timeless is a modern interpretation of a classic Victorian cologne. The refreshing perfume, with 25% perfume concentration, contains some 187 ingredients, including ginger, sparkling lime and classic French lavender, with a warm base of musk, amber and leather. Celebrating the hallmarks of both Clive Christian and The Crown Perfumery Company, the perfume celebrates creativity, craftsmanship and a dedication to using only the finest ingredients. The bottle is in the signature green of the original historic Crown Perfumery Company, which perfumer Clive Christian resurrected in 1999, with an ornate silver decoration that pays tribute to the hand-crafted silver cages of the brand’s famous Lavender Salts.

£400 for 50ml, clivechristian.com