Citrus perfumes have been steadily growing in popularity as aromatherapy recognises this group of scents as natural mood boosters. Fragrance fans will agree, there’s nothing quite like a citrus perfume to put a pep in your step! Whether it’s the sweetness of bergamot, the sourness of lemon or the intensity of lime, citrus notes make for an intoxicating scent journey from start to finish. So, whether you’re on the hunt for a citrus perfume that’s light enough for a sun-soaked picnic in the park, or a fruity fragrance with enough longevity for an evening affair, we’ve got you covered!
Before we begin our citrus perfume guide, here are a few fun facts. In perfumery, citrus notes are also known as ‘hesperidic’, which is an allusion to classical mythology. The Hesperides were the three daughters of Atlas and Hesperis, who guarded a garden full of apple, lemon and orange trees believed to confer immortality.
The oldest fragrance known to use the Hesperidic facet is 4711 by Mühlens, which dates to around 1799 and had lemon as it’s principle ingredient. The house of Hermès used the Hesperidic facet in Eau d’Orange Vert, which launched in 1979 and featured orange as a principle ingredient. Some slightly more familiar fragrances you may recognise that use this mythological perfume note are Big Pony 1 by Ralph Lauren, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana, Play by Givenchy, and Boss Woman by Hugo Boss.
Note: Orange Blossom
One of the most popular citrus scents is orange blossom, with ‘orange blossom perfume‘ being one of the most searched perfumes worldwide. If you don’t know what all the buzz is about for this trending citrus scent, we’ll tell you as we kick off our guide with the oh so popular orange blossom note!
Extracted from the white flowers on the bitter orange tree, orange blossom is not your average citrus note. Orange blossom perfumes can have rich, sweet and floral qualities to them. To further enhance the note, keep an eye out for orange blossom perfumes that feature floral and aromatic notes such as My Way, by Armani. These scents are powerfully feminine, flirty, and intoxicating!
Top orange blossom perfumes
My Way by Armani
For those in the market for a contemporary citrus perfume, allow us to introduce you to the scent you’ve been searching for.My Way by Armaniawakens the senses with top notes of orange blossom and bergamot before the bright bouquet of tuberose and jasmine begins to take hold. This multi-faceted citrus perfume then floats through to a dreamy dry down that fuses Madagascan vanilla and white musk. Delicious!
After a citrus perfume that’s equal parts powerful and playful? Listen up! Guilty Pour Homme creates a party for the senses with lemon and lavender top notes, coupled with a rich and robust orange blossom heart. Oh, and the patchouli base note dials up the intensity on the dry down, making this fresh fragrance day and night-time appropriate.
The smell of lemon transports the senses straight to summer. The reason? It’s fresh, sparkling and oh-so cheerful. For a beachy breeze-like aroma, lemon top notes work well with aquatic accords like sea salt. Or, to increase the longevity of the note, lemon perfumes with peppery or woody notes are a great choice.
Top lemon perfumes
Dylan Turquoise by Versace
Forget the plane ticket to Sicily, one spritz of Dylan Turquoise by Versacewill be all the escapism you need. Expect top notes of zesty lemon and juicy mandarin essence to lead the way before an unexpected hit of pink pepper. And speaking of unexpected, the exotic escapism reaches new heights when the sweet guava heart begins to set in.
Opening with the freshness of lemon, melting into elegant jasmine, oregano, and sparkling lemon sorbet, Toy 2 Pearl encapsulates the very meaning of mood-boosting perfume. By analysing 2.5 million measurements in the brain and using scientific data and AI, Moschino has created a fragrance that activates brain networks that control emotions! Not only will it make you smell good, it’ll make you feel good, too!
If sunny scents are your bag, you’ll love the sweet and juicy scent profile of the orange note. Not only does it add life and energy to a scent, but it also brings a comforting element that takes you right back to blissful, balmy summer nights. As a versatile note, orange pairs well with other citrus fruits, as well as warm and spicy notes such as lavender and musk.
Top orange perfumes
Montblanc Legend Red by Montblanc
Orange perfume lovers, you may want to take a seat for this one. Montblanc Legend Red by Montblanc infuses energy, sensuality and boldness in a way that’s anything but ordinary. To begin with, this head-turning scent wows with a magnetic blend of blood orange, grapefruit and clary sage. But it’s the creamy tonka bean base that gives this orange perfume a push into evening fragrance territory.
Curious as to how Givenchy’s Irresistible Fraiche might smell? Well, the clue lies in the name! This intensely uplifting scent is not your classic orange perfume. Yes, you’ve got sparkling orange top notes, but the addition of rose and musk notes helps to create a bold and beautiful aroma that’s perfect for year-round wear.
Similar to lemon, lime has the same vibrancy and freshness, but with sharper and sweeter qualities. Lime compliments other citrus notes to form a sparkling top note, as well as bringing freshness to floral notes such as ylang-ylang.
Top lime perfumes
Be Delicious Lime Mojito
This energising and invigorating lime perfume definitely ticks the zesty citrus fragrance box! An addictive mix of musk, honeysuckle, and blonde woods swirl together to create this cocktail-inspired DKNY scent that will leave you refreshed with every spritz.
No.7 offers a wave of freshness from the very first spritz. With top notes of lime and bergamot tickling the senses, you’ll be transported straight to holiday mode. On the dry down, this summer scent transitions through to a saffron heart before melting into a warm patchouli base. What’s not to love?
Subtle, light and refreshing, bergamot is a small citrus fruit that leans on the sweeter side compared to other notes within the citrus family. Not only this, but the complex scent profile also brings herbal and fruity qualities that blend beautifully with aromatic notes.
Top bergamot perfumes
Good Girl Blush by Carolina Herrera
If the bottle is anything to go by, you’re in for a treat with Good Girl Blush by Carolina Herrera. Featuring powerful top notes of bergamot and mandarin, this citrus perfume starts as it means to go on. Expect a full-bodied heart that’s packed full of floral fervour (think rose oil and ylang-ylang) and a deliciously creamy vanilla base.
It doesn’t get much more classic than CK One by Calvin Klein. Adored since its heyday in the ‘90s, CK One is a unisex citrus perfume with a fruity freshness that’s hard to beat. With bergamot as the star of the show, you’ll be whisked off on a sensual journey through citrus, aromatic, floral and musky notes. Warning: one spritz of CK One and you’ll be receiving compliments left, right and centre!
Rosa is a creative copywriter who has been writing about luxury beauty, fragrance and her personal interest, sustainable fashion, for over two years. When she’s not hunting in her local charity shops for vintage homeware, she’s testing out the latest beauty trends. Her favourite perfume? Chance by CHANEL.
A Guide to Citrus Perfumes
Citrus perfumes have been steadily growing in popularity as aromatherapy recognises this group of scents as natural mood boosters. Fragrance fans will agree, there’s nothing quite like a citrus perfume to put a pep in your step! Whether it’s the sweetness of bergamot, the sourness of lemon or the intensity of lime, citrus notes make for an intoxicating scent journey from start to finish. So, whether you’re on the hunt for a citrus perfume that’s light enough for a sun-soaked picnic in the park, or a fruity fragrance with enough longevity for an evening affair, we’ve got you covered!
Before we begin our citrus perfume guide, here are a few fun facts. In perfumery, citrus notes are also known as ‘hesperidic’, which is an allusion to classical mythology. The Hesperides were the three daughters of Atlas and Hesperis, who guarded a garden full of apple, lemon and orange trees believed to confer immortality.
The oldest fragrance known to use the Hesperidic facet is 4711 by Mühlens, which dates to around 1799 and had lemon as it’s principle ingredient. The house of Hermès used the Hesperidic facet in Eau d’Orange Vert, which launched in 1979 and featured orange as a principle ingredient. Some slightly more familiar fragrances you may recognise that use this mythological perfume note are Big Pony 1 by Ralph Lauren, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana, Play by Givenchy, and Boss Woman by Hugo Boss.
Note: Orange Blossom
One of the most popular citrus scents is orange blossom, with ‘orange blossom perfume‘ being one of the most searched perfumes worldwide. If you don’t know what all the buzz is about for this trending citrus scent, we’ll tell you as we kick off our guide with the oh so popular orange blossom note!
Extracted from the white flowers on the bitter orange tree, orange blossom is not your average citrus note. Orange blossom perfumes can have rich, sweet and floral qualities to them. To further enhance the note, keep an eye out for orange blossom perfumes that feature floral and aromatic notes such as My Way, by Armani. These scents are powerfully feminine, flirty, and intoxicating!
Top orange blossom perfumes
My Way by Armani
For those in the market for a contemporary citrus perfume, allow us to introduce you to the scent you’ve been searching for. My Way by Armani awakens the senses with top notes of orange blossom and bergamot before the bright bouquet of tuberose and jasmine begins to take hold. This multi-faceted citrus perfume then floats through to a dreamy dry down that fuses Madagascan vanilla and white musk. Delicious!
Armani
My Way
Eau de Parfum Refillable Spray
50ML – £95.00
Guilty Pour Homme by Gucci
After a citrus perfume that’s equal parts powerful and playful? Listen up! Guilty Pour Homme creates a party for the senses with lemon and lavender top notes, coupled with a rich and robust orange blossom heart. Oh, and the patchouli base note dials up the intensity on the dry down, making this fresh fragrance day and night-time appropriate.
Gucci
Guilty Pour Homme
Eau de Toilette Spray
90ML – £95.00
Note: Lemon
The smell of lemon transports the senses straight to summer. The reason? It’s fresh, sparkling and oh-so cheerful. For a beachy breeze-like aroma, lemon top notes work well with aquatic accords like sea salt. Or, to increase the longevity of the note, lemon perfumes with peppery or woody notes are a great choice.
Top lemon perfumes
Dylan Turquoise by Versace
Forget the plane ticket to Sicily, one spritz of Dylan Turquoise by Versace will be all the escapism you need. Expect top notes of zesty lemon and juicy mandarin essence to lead the way before an unexpected hit of pink pepper. And speaking of unexpected, the exotic escapism reaches new heights when the sweet guava heart begins to set in.
Versace
Dylan Turquoise
Eau de Toilette Spray
30ML – £55.00
Toy 2 Pearl by Moschino
Opening with the freshness of lemon, melting into elegant jasmine, oregano, and sparkling lemon sorbet, Toy 2 Pearl encapsulates the very meaning of mood-boosting perfume. By analysing 2.5 million measurements in the brain and using scientific data and AI, Moschino has created a fragrance that activates brain networks that control emotions! Not only will it make you smell good, it’ll make you feel good, too!
Moschino
Toy 2 Pearl
Eau de Parfum Spray
30ML – £46.00
Note Orange
If sunny scents are your bag, you’ll love the sweet and juicy scent profile of the orange note. Not only does it add life and energy to a scent, but it also brings a comforting element that takes you right back to blissful, balmy summer nights. As a versatile note, orange pairs well with other citrus fruits, as well as warm and spicy notes such as lavender and musk.
Top orange perfumes
Montblanc Legend Red by Montblanc
Orange perfume lovers, you may want to take a seat for this one. Montblanc Legend Red by Montblanc infuses energy, sensuality and boldness in a way that’s anything but ordinary. To begin with, this head-turning scent wows with a magnetic blend of blood orange, grapefruit and clary sage. But it’s the creamy tonka bean base that gives this orange perfume a push into evening fragrance territory.
Montblanc
Legend Red
Eau de Parfum Spray
100ML – £64.00
Irresistible Fraiche by Givenchy
Curious as to how Givenchy’s Irresistible Fraiche might smell? Well, the clue lies in the name! This intensely uplifting scent is not your classic orange perfume. Yes, you’ve got sparkling orange top notes, but the addition of rose and musk notes helps to create a bold and beautiful aroma that’s perfect for year-round wear.
Givenchy
Irresistible Fraiche
Eau de Toilette Spray
80ML – £76.00
Note: Lime
Similar to lemon, lime has the same vibrancy and freshness, but with sharper and sweeter qualities. Lime compliments other citrus notes to form a sparkling top note, as well as bringing freshness to floral notes such as ylang-ylang.
Top lime perfumes
Be Delicious Lime Mojito
This energising and invigorating lime perfume definitely ticks the zesty citrus fragrance box! An addictive mix of musk, honeysuckle, and blonde woods swirl together to create this cocktail-inspired DKNY scent that will leave you refreshed with every spritz.
DKNY
Be Delicious Lime Mojito
Eau de Toilette Spray
50ML – £27.50
No.7 by ©lone
No.7 offers a wave of freshness from the very first spritz. With top notes of lime and bergamot tickling the senses, you’ll be transported straight to holiday mode. On the dry down, this summer scent transitions through to a saffron heart before melting into a warm patchouli base. What’s not to love?
Lone
No.7 Amber/Floral
Eau de Parfum Spray
100ML – £49.99
Note: Bergamot
Subtle, light and refreshing, bergamot is a small citrus fruit that leans on the sweeter side compared to other notes within the citrus family. Not only this, but the complex scent profile also brings herbal and fruity qualities that blend beautifully with aromatic notes.
Top bergamot perfumes
Good Girl Blush by Carolina Herrera
If the bottle is anything to go by, you’re in for a treat with Good Girl Blush by Carolina Herrera. Featuring powerful top notes of bergamot and mandarin, this citrus perfume starts as it means to go on. Expect a full-bodied heart that’s packed full of floral fervour (think rose oil and ylang-ylang) and a deliciously creamy vanilla base.
Carolina Herrera
Good Girl Blush
Eau de Parfum Spray
30ML – £57.60
CK One by Calvin Klein
It doesn’t get much more classic than CK One by Calvin Klein. Adored since its heyday in the ‘90s, CK One is a unisex citrus perfume with a fruity freshness that’s hard to beat. With bergamot as the star of the show, you’ll be whisked off on a sensual journey through citrus, aromatic, floral and musky notes. Warning: one spritz of CK One and you’ll be receiving compliments left, right and centre!
Calvin Klein
CK ONE
Eau de Toilette Spray
100ML – £24.99
Get your fruity fragrance fix!
Discover the fruity perfumes available at The Perfume Shop.
About Rosa Morell
Copywriter
Rosa is a creative copywriter who has been writing about luxury beauty, fragrance and her personal interest, sustainable fashion, for over two years. When she’s not hunting in her local charity shops for vintage homeware, she’s testing out the latest beauty trends. Her favourite perfume? Chance by CHANEL.
Read next
The story behind pheromone perfumes
How to build your fragrance wardrobe
The perfect interview perfumes to win that job