Using citrus notes in the opening is one of the most common things to do by perfumers. But which citrusy scents are worth to try is the question you find it difficult to answer.
After all we all want a refreshing zesty perfume in our collection for the long awaited summer.
After reading many reviews and testing various perfumes, I have come up with 7 best citrus perfumes of all time.
So, let’s talk about the perfumes which I found in my research. To learn about all the amazing citrus perfumes in detail, please go through the end.
Refresh and energetic are the two common words that come up in your mind when you hear citrus. That is because we are talking about notes like lemon, lime, orange, bergamot etc. These are all natural ingredients which are used in citrus perfumes.
However, it is hard to find unique citrusy perfumes as perfumeries use citruses in almost every perfume out there. Therefore, I can assure you the research I have done will help you to find the most quirky citrus perfumes out of an ocean of them.
Here are the best Citrus perfumes:
Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Bergamotto di Calabria
Top Notes:Calabrian Bergamot, Citron Heart Notes:Cedarwood, Red Ginger Base Notes:Vetiver, Benzoin, Musk. From the name, you could guess that this cologne is an homage to the beautiful Calabria region of southern Italy. This perfume opens with a refreshing mix of citrus fruits found in this region. Basically, you’ll get the feeling of an Italian summer as soon as you open this perfume bottle. The mix of bergamot, Amalfi lemon, neroli, and cedar notes can transport you to the sunny Mediterranean beach. As a niche fragrance house, Acqua Di Parma has created some excellent scents, and this one is just perfect if you’re looking for one of the best bergamot perfumes. What else can be better than a perfume that is originated from the Calabria area, (80% of the world’s bergamot comes from Calabria!) right? The only thing I wish was better in this fragrance was the longevity. It stayed for only 3-5 hours before becoming a skin scent. For the price tag, I really expected it to last longer. But don’t discard Acqua Di Parma yet. I have a better option if you’re looking for something with a more bergamot-heavy opening. Bergamotto di Calabria La Spugnatura is the latest flanker of the original perfume that was released in 2021. It has a more bergamot-filled opening and better longevity, about 8-10 hours. But the sharp citrus opening can be off-putting for some people. Follow our guide Best Smelling Gourmand Perfumes You Must Try WHEN TO WEAR: As I said earlier, this perfume is a perfect summer wear. Be it a vacation on the beach or any casual hangout, Bergamotto di Calabria will create an energetic and sparkling aura around you. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: [/ts_list] Famous for their unique take on perfumes, Le Labo usually focuses on a singular main note for each of their perfumes. And Bergamote 22 is no different. In fact, GQ declared Le Labo Bergamote 22 as the #1 bergamot-based fragrance in the world. And after using it, I can say that the title is worthy indeed. As you can guess from the name, the main note in fragrance is bergamot, an orange fruit found in Italy. It projects a clean and fresh opening. On the first sniff, you’ll get the sharp, bright citrus scent of bergamot and hints of tart grapefruit. After a while, the fruity notes mix with the sweet vanilla and amber notes. And that’s when this fragrance becomes really seductive. Basically, If you’ve ever wondered what “Summer-in-a-bottle” smells like, Bergamote 22 Eau de Parfum is your answer. The best thing about this fragrance is that it’s not just uplifting; the crisp, zesty citrus scent paired with woody/musky base notes is guaranteed to get you compliments from the ladies. WHEN TO WEAR: Bergamote 22 is the perfect fragrance for Summer. If you are someone who loves everything about bright and Sunny Summer days, you need to get your hands on this cologne ASAP. It will be a worthy investment to level up your summer attire. Are you worrying about longevity? Overall, Bergamote 22 EDP is an essential summer fragrance that you can rock on both casual and formal occasions. No matter what type of scent you prefer, you can’t go wrong with a crowd-pleasing cologne like Le Labo Bergamote 22. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY : Jo Malone’s Bergamot perfume is a fresh and alluring journey. It opens with crisp bergamot and orange and contrasts with the headiness of a rare oud wood or resin, which is central to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions. Oud and Bergamot notes are irrevocably masculine and pack a serious punch – thus better suited to evening in my opinion. It’s formulated by celebrated perfumer Christine Nagel and presented in a black glass bottle that looks really premium. While many bergamot fragrances are light and refreshing, Jo Malone’s Oud & Bergamot cologne shows how bergamot can be paired with a heavier scent to reveal new olfactory dimensions. If you have a nose for identifying ingredients you might also detect the dash of cedar and lemon in the dry down. Any fraghead knows that Oud is central to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions, and when teamed with bergamot and orange it becomes even more hypnotic and mysterious. Moreover, you’ll get a solid 6-8 hours of longevity from this. Also related: Best Smelling Gardenia Perfumes You Can Wear WHEN TO WEAR: I would say this is an all-year-round perfume. For the fresh bergamot and other citrus notes, you can easily rock this in summer/spring. And the heavy oud note can bloom properly in the cold fall and winter days. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: Top Notes: Bergamot, Ginger, Black Pepper, Pink Pepper Middle Notes: Gardenia, Ylang-Ylang, Magnolia, Cedar, Pepperwood or Hercules Club Base Notes: Sandalwood, Cashmeran, Tonka Bean, Amber Even those with no nose for fragrance know that Tom Ford colognes are among the sweetest that money can buy, so unsurprisingly the brand’s Venetian Bergamot demonstrates one of the best uses of the ingredient. By taking bergamot’s hallmark freshness and adding peppery, woody, and floral notes, the citrusy essential oil takes on an unexpected richness and depth. To me, this is a spicier, richer take on bergamot. I could detect Sharp black and pink peppercorn along with ginger notes open the fragrance while sandalwood balances it with a warmer, richer smell. This is a smooth and luxurious scent for any mature woman. This perfume talks more of sensual summer nights than picnics on the Amalfi coast. If you can afford it, this has the potential to become a signature scent in your collection. WHEN TO WEAR: Like other bergamot perfumes, Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot is perfect for summer and spring. I would suggest wearing this in office or any formal events to stay classy and elegant. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: Top notes are Sicilian Lemon, Apple, Cedar, and Bellflower. Dolce&Gabbana’s Light Blue is a citrus fragrance for women with fruity-floral elements. The light Blue scent comes in an oceanic blue container that gives off a mild buzz. I enjoy Light Blue, which is the only citrus scent with the combination of fruity-floral notes. When I first tried this fragrance, I was completely captivated with the citrus genre. It seemed as though a whole new genre had opened up for me. It’s the ideal summer perfume, in my opinion. When it’s hot outside, this perfume may be really refreshing. From the first sprinkling on your skin, you’ll detect a fresh lemony flavor. It’s really adaptable and simple to wear. Longevity and sillage are both outstanding. It will linger for about 8 hours on your skin and project beautifully. You may also like to read: Best Smelling Coconut Perfumes WHEN TO WEAR: Light Blue is the most clean and sporty summer fragrance, in my opinion. It is perfect for beach days to be exact. You will get compliments whenever you wear it. The scent will grow into you with time. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: Maison Martin Margiela stepped up its game by naming a fragrance ‘Under The Lemon Tree’ because people would want to know how it smells only for its name. This is what happened to me as well. After all, who does not like a zesty lemon scent, right? The perfume kicks off with a blast of lime and petitgrain. You will get refreshed with the very first sniff. Then the aroma takes a turn to become a little bit spicy for the cardamom and coriander. The blend of this lemony and scipy accords will take you to heaven. The composition does not end here. Green tea can be detected in the middle and you will feel like you are having a green tea with lots of lemon. Don’t worry, the lemon does not go tart, rather it has a touch of sweet tone. The lime goes to the end with a woody note. I was very surprised after seeing that it does not contain lemon as one of its notes. However, with or without lemon, this fragrance is definitely worth it. WHEN TO WEAR: Such a citrusy perfume is made for warmer months. You want something which is cozy and comfortable rather than a sharp tart citrus scent, Under The Tree is definitely for you. However, the longevity and projection are quite moderate. So do spray quite a few while applying this gem. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: I was amazed by how unique Oyedo Edt smells considering it has very common notes used by many perfumes. Diptyque has proved that you may have used the same old notes, but the composition of a perfume is what truly makes it great. If you make a sour-sweet candy which is made up of all natural and organic ingredients, it would smell like Oyedo. All the cirtusy notes come bright and shine instantly when you spray it. Yet, orange is the most prominent one. The citruses are quite powdery. This aroma create a green and zesty effect before the sweet tone comes through. Thyme, in the middle, makes the perfume more herbal and enhance the green tone. Woodsy notes make the perfume connected to the ground and add a natural touch. You will definitely feel recharged and energetic after applying Oyedo. You can blind buy it if you love sour-sweet citrus scents. It a risk free scent as no one would complain about the aroma you are carrying with you and anyone came pull it off. You may also like to read: Best Smelling Coconut Perfumes WHEN TO WEAR: Such a summery and spring scent can be worn at school and work as it is an inoffensive fragrance. You will receive a longevity of to 6 hours. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: Do you want to put on something lively and playful? Yellow Diamond would give you a dazzling and radiant energy. The bottle itself looks very vibrant by being yellow in color as we all know this color represents happiness. There’s no chance you’ll go overlooked if you wear this joyful juice. It has a wild and powerful scent. If you apply this, people would believe that you are a fun-loving person who enjoys life. Amber and lemon take the stoplight. It evolves throughout time, but the citrus is always present in the background, shining brightly. And it’s a perfume with a sweet base. This is the first time I’ve ever smelled anything like that. It’s one-of-a-kind and versatile. This fragrance has incredible sillage. It will sneak up on you when you least expect it. I have experienced longevity of 7 to 8 hours with 2 to 3 sprays. WHEN TO WEAR: This wild perfume is very appropriate for night outs and dates. Your date will love how you smell. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: Let’s start with Chance Eau Fraiche’s uniqueness: it has lemon and cedar in the top notes. We’re used to seeing cedar on the base, but this time it’s not the case. The combination of lemon and cedar in the opening works like magic. It locks and captures the lemon, allowing it to stay fresher for longer. It helps you feel revived and energetic. Jasmine is one of the middle notes, as you can see. It gives the perfume a floral touch. Pink pepper, on the other hand, acts as a glue in this scent. It compacts and solidifies all of the notes that come from various sources. This smell has a fantastic transition. From the savory lemon to the spicy pink pepper, the base notes create warmth. The fragrance is sensuous thanks to these notes. It easily lasts 8 to 10 hours on my skin. I like how all of the components combine together to create a lovely lemon and wood scent. WHEN TO WEAR: How do you feel when you have a cold glass of lemonade in a hot day? In the summer, this fragrance gives you that sense of fulfillment. It gives you a fresh and clean feeling. WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT: All the zesty and spirited perfumes are mention above for all the citrus lovers. These are all from different price range and most importantly the compositions varies each one of them. Even though, it is the most famous note, I have selected the most unique citrusy scents for you. Also, you can check out: Top 7 Irresistible Lavender Perfumes If you have any further queries, please feel free to ask them in the comment section, and I would be happy to answer them.Le Labo Bergamote 22
Middle notes – Petitgrain, Vanilla.
Base notes – Amber, Musk, Vetiver.
I found Bergamote 22 to be a long-lasting fragrance. I got strong bergamot and orange blossom scent for the first 3+ hours, and after that, the lovely mix of floral and woody base notes lasted for 5+ hours.
[/ts_list]Jo Malone London Oud & Bergamot Cologne Intense
[/ts_list]Tom Ford Private Blend Venetian Bergamot
[/ts_list]Dolce&Gabbana’s Light Blue
Middle notes are Bamboo, Jasmine, and White Rose.
Base notes are Cedar, Musk, and Amber.Maison Martin Margiela Under The Lemon Tree
Middle notes are Green Tea, Mate and Coriander;
Base notes are White Musk, Cedar and Rock rose.Diptyque Oyédo Eau de Toilette
Middle note is Thyme;
Base note is Woodsy Notes.Versace Yellow Diamond
Middle notes: Mimosa, Freesia, Water Lily and African Orange flower.
Base notes are Musk, Guaiac Wood and Amber.Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche
Middle notes are Water Hyacinth, Pink Pepper and Jasmine;
Base notes are Patchouli, White Musk, Vetiver, Teak Wood, iris and Amber.Final Thoughts
