The Best Citrus Perfumes Are More Refreshing Than a Glass of Lemonade

13.08.2026, 02:16 allure.com

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.

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.

Tom Ford

Nordstrom

Sephora

Bluemercury

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

More to know

Granado

Nordstrom

Allure contributor Kara Nesvig applying the Granado Bossa Eau de Toilette

Why we love it: Lemon is a unique citrus note because it plays equally well with sweet scents as it does with earthy, spicy, or floral fragrances; if you’re a lemon dessert fan, you know exactly what I mean. But Granado’s Bossa is definitely more on the light and fresh side of lemon—and that’s exactly what makes it so special. The eau de toilette is crisp and easy to spritz throughout the day thanks to a blend of citrus, solar, and oceanic notes that make you feel like you’re soaking up the sun in Brazil, cocktail in hand.

Tester feedback from contributor Kara Nesvig

“My husband and I are big fans of Granado’s retro-chic packaging and evocative fragrances, and Bossa is definitely one of my go-tos during the dog days of summer. The lemon top notes mingle playfully with mandarin and petitgrain, and marine and tiare notes add a beachy warmth to the base. Since it’s an EDT, you can’t really go overboard with it, which is part of its sunny, breezy charm. I’m already looking forward to wearing this one in the middle of a Minnesota winter.” —Kara Nesvig, contributor

More to know

Dior

Dior

Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum

Why we love it: Just like how citrus notes elevate a cake or pastry, they do the same for a gourmand fragrance. Exhibit A: Dior’s Paradise, a woody gourmand that pairs juicy, cheery mandarin with almond and tonka notes. The scent was inspired by Monsieur Dior’s gardens in the south of France and, despite its gourmand profile, captures a unique, outdoorsy freshness. This sweet balance is exactly why we think even people who might not typically be into citruses will dig this one.

Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin

“Citrus runs in my blood—at least I like to think so (my mom ate lemons and oranges daily when she was pregnant with me, and I came out with an insatiable appetite for all things citrus)—so this feels a bit like a twin flame fragrance for me. It comes on strong with all sorts of citrus notes (mandarin, lime, bergamot), then you get the warmth from almond and maybe some vanilla. This fragrance also has some notable woody threads, which give it an air of mystery rather than a typical gourmand scent, and make it a good unisex option. The combination is equal parts sweet and smooth, like a luxurious and layered summertime cocktail that you'd feel very cool ordering at the bar. I'm so in love with this fragrance that it's one I want to hoard even from myself! Good thing: It lasts so incredibly long on my skin—I'm talking dawn to dusk—which helps justify the price tag.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director

More to know

Tory Burch

Nordstrom

Ulta Beauty

Allure social director Kassidy Silva with the Tory Burch Sublime Eau de Parfum

Why we love it: Tory Burch’s fragrances are the ultimate complement to her unique, preppy-with-a-twist designs, and Sublime is the perfect example. This 2025 Best of Beauty Award winner is an earthy, leathery scent that opens with a cheerful pop of mandarin, which brightens up the richer notes of rose, osmanthus, and vetiver. Burch wanted it to smell like the inside of a handbag, and it does—albeit a very fancy one. If you like the idea of a citrus fragrance but want something with more complexity and depth, give Sublime a sniff. (The bottle is gorgeous, too, and looks like a work of art on your vanity.)

Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva

“If you could bottle up the essence of summer, it would exist as 90 milliliters of Tory Burch's Sublime Eau de Parfum. The bright mandarin note hits you first, followed by a tinge of rose and peach, and ends with a surprising hint of leather. This perfume is consistently my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for a more elevated citrus scent or is looking to test the waters in the category.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director

More to know

Jo Malone London

Nordstrom

Sephora

Bluemercury

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne

Why we love it: Orange blossom and neroli scents toe the line between citrus and floral fragrances, and that’s part of their magic. Orange blossoms come from the orange tree (surprise surprise!) and have a delicately sweet scent with just a hint of citrus freshness. Jo Malone’s perfectly lovely interpretation is a bestseller for a reason; because Orange Flower is a cologne versus an eau de toilette or parfum, it has a lighter concentration of perfume oil—ideal for those days when you’re in the mood for something airy and simple but still elevated.

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee

"As someone who's pretty sensitive to fragrance—and prone to headaches from anything too strong—I've been on a mission to find fresh perfumes that don't overwhelm me. It turns out Jo Malone London has quite a few favorites that fit the bill, with the latest being the Orange Blossom Cologne. The orange note is definitely noticeable, but because it comes from clementine blossom and orange blossom rather than straight citrus peel, it smells softer, airier, and more floral than zesty. I usually do three spritzes—two on my neck and one on my wrists—which gives me plenty to have it last throughout the day!" —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

By Rosie Jane

Amazon

Nordstrom

Sephora

Allure temporary features director Kara McGrath applying the By Rosie Jane Remi Eau de Parfum

Why it's worth it: At first you’d think Remi is an all-citrus, all the time fragrance, but then it surprises you with a generous sprinkle of cardamom. This spicy, cozy take on citrus opens with mandarin and bergamot, then quickly warms up with the addition of cardamom, petitgrain, and a luscious base of amber and cedar. While many citrus fragrances feel extra summery, Remi is one you could easily wear all through fall and winter, especially with your favorite cashmere sweater.

Tester feedback from temporary features director Kara McGrath

“Remi has become one of my go-to travel scents: It's so light, fresh, and universally appealing that I know it'll work well for any variety of activities I have planned for a trip. I love a mandarin-forward scent—it smells a bit sharper (in a good way) to me than other orange citrus—but particularly appreciate the cardamom note in this one. That hint of spice makes it feel a little sexy and, in my opinion, helps it last longer than other zesty scents. Remi dries down to a beautiful amber fragrance by the end of the day, which works well as a base if I want to layer a new evening scent on top.” —Kara McGrath, temporary features director

More to know

The Harmonist

Nordstrom

Bluemercury

Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen holding The Harmonist Sacred Water Eau de Parfum

Why it's worth it: The Harmonist’s Sacred Water is the kind of citrus scent (and Best of Beauty Award winner, mind you) you reach for when you need to recenter yourself. Inspired by the immersive, invi