The best aquatic perfumes: fresh, breezy scents that feel like a getaway in a bottle
“The aquatic perfumes are designed to capture the fresh and windy essence of water, whether the ocean, a fresh lake or a misty morning,” explains Nicole Mancini, the main perfume of the International Society of Saveurs and Dsm-Firmenich perfumes.
The concept is simple, and obtaining a puff of an aquatic perfume would make you believe that executing it is simple – these perfumes are often light and crunchy, with an inherent inherence which is not as common in other categories of perfumes. But nothing could be further from the truth: after all, the water itself is not fragrant, so what is exploited here is the idea of a smell. “The perfumers recreate its presence through synthetic molecules which imitate its airy and fluid quality, emphasizing an invigorating freshness that defines the category,” explains Pierre Vouard, consultant in perfume marketing and auxiliary teacher at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
VogueFavorite aquatic perfumes
There is a good chance that the best aquatic perfumes because we know them would not exist today without a Calone. With an ozonic, crunchy and slightly fruity perfume reminiscent of the freshly cut watermelon, this aromachemic has become a darling of perfumers around the world in the 1990s, that is to say at this moment that the category of aquatic perfume was born. “The aquatic perfumes offered a refreshing contrast to the rich and opulent perfumes of the decade before, inaugurating a new era of minimalism in the smell,” explains Vouard.
Unsurprisingly, you will also often find Ambroxan in aquatic perfumes – this aromachemic is a vegan alternative to Ambergris, an ingredient derived from the whale used in the perfume – as well as the aquazone, a note similar to Calone but with a more salty aroma and more iodine type. You will also see more recognizable and derived notes from the factory, which can be used as useful guides that you buy. For example, you may be looking for an aquatic perfume that is like Caribbean holidays in a bottle. “The coconut adds tropical and creamy heat,” explains Mancini. “The aromatic notes, such as herbs and spices, introduce a fresh and plant -based dimension, while lemon and bergamot bring a spicy brightness.” (Super when you are looking for aquatic perfumes that recall wet gardens or Mediterranean holidays, respectively.) Woods, such as sandalwood, cedar and oud, can provide heat and depth.
From 90s to the present day, here are some of the best aquatic market perfumes.
Summer: DS & DURGA ROSE ATLANTIC Eau de Parfum
- Why we love it: Inspired by summers spent in sea in New England, this perfume uses an unexpected form of rose-rather than the powdery or velvety floral notes that you find in many perfumes, it is soft, evoking the delicate beach pink (Rosa Rugosa) which grows along the shore during the hotter months. To really capture coastal vibrations, the Jammy rose is associated with notes of salt and seawater, whose salinity is tempered by the Green Dune grass and effervescent bergamot. Everything meets to create a perfume that is somehow modern but nostalgic.
- Key remarks: Bergamot, pink, seawater, dune grass
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
The salty option: Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day Eau De Toilette
- Why we love it: Although it is certainly a male perfume, whoever likes a clear and light aquatic perfume will appreciate this toilet of the Margiela house. “I love the replica of the day of sailing – it is a fresh and invigorating perfume that gives me the feeling of slipping on open waters,” explains Mancini. The perfume opens on the aromatic coriander, sea notes and sparkling aldehydes. While drying, “the wooded and salty freshness of red algae is associated with the mineral notes of Ambergris, evoking the depth of the ocean”, explains Vouard.
- Key remarks: Coriander, seaweed, cedar
- Size: 1 oz.
The airy button: Henry Rose Jake House, Eau de Parfum
- Why we love it: This airy and unisex perfume of the Clean Fragrance Henry Rose brand is effortlessly chic and sexy; It is the equivalent of perfume of a button in white linen left with casualness. The clever mixture of Neroli and Jasmine with marine notes and musk is well balanced so as not to distort too feminine or male and is sufficiently transparent to superimpose with other perfumes, but no need – it is completely dreamed.
- Key remarks: Marine notes, Nerololi, Ambroxan
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Serene fragrance: The nude co. Relax water therapy fragrance
- Why we love it: Reach this perfume in the busy morning when you want your perfume to act like peaceful background music rather than a dramatic solo. Notes of sandalwood, algae, amber and sea salt get a bit of a male fir edge which is then softened with a feminine rose, which are all very close to the skin. This perfume is actually an aromatherapeutic fragrance inspired by the concept of thalassotherapy – serenity has felt when you are near the water – and it is definitely up to its soothing claims.
- Key remarks: Algae, sea salt, amber
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Sunny day: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
- Why we love it: Perfectly neutral, this successful John Malone perfume reminds us of a hot afternoon spent on a rocky beach. It opens with brilliant and sunny grapefruit, quickly fading with marine notes of algae and salt. The notes of the heart of sage and ambrette combine to create a unique feeling of dry warmth, like driftwood and stones that have absorbed hours of sun on a motionless day.
- Key remarks: Salt, grapefruit, itinerant
- Size: 3.4 fl. Oz.
The classic choice: Giorgio Armani acqua di gió toilet water
- Why we love it: The chances are very high that you have already felt it-according to Vouard, it is one of the most successful aquatic perfumes of all time, winning the title of perfume for men in the United States for 11 consecutive years. It is a masterpiece, mixing the calone and sea notes with an abundance horn of citrus (including lime and bergamot), the value of a lush flower garden (jasmine, hyacinthe and purple, to name only a few), and aromatic herbs to create a shiny, warm and sweet smell.
- Key remarks: Calona, lime, patchouli
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
The ocean floral: Air of salt skylar water perfume
- Why we love it: The name of this unisex fragrance is simple but appropriate, given the mineral and the ozonic that the perfume is really. The sand, driftwood and sandalwood give it somewhat dry quality, while very subtle white floral notes add a hint of “clean laundry” vibrations. The perfume leaves behind a more daring path than many others in this category, which makes it a good choice to mist half-winter when you want a beach getaway.
- Key remarks: Driftwood, sand, sandalwood
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
The upset aroma: Tom Ford Oud Mineral Eau de Parfum
- Why we love it: This one is a real chameleon and the best for someone who revolves towards more daring and more glowing perfumes that lean the masculine. The notes of the sea take some time to reveal themselves – you will first notice the Styrax smoked and the rich oud, which give the scent a terry aroma and almost in the shape of essence. After a few minutes, the air emerges, giving way to a scent that smells salty and grainy, like a rocky coast.
- Key remarks: Sea notes, oud, sea grass
- Size: 1.6 fl. Oz.
Light and green: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte
- Why we love it: While most aquatic scents recall the water of the ocean, Maison Francis Kurkdjian captures the essence of rainwater, making the notes of verbena, bergamot and matcha even greener and cooler. Facked by spicy fennel and velvety musks, this unisex cologne has impressive wear, but is refreshing and light enough to be used by a super humid day.
- Key remarks: Fennel, bergamot, musk
- Size: 1.2 Fl. Oz.
The subtle odor: Liis Lucienne Eau de Parfum
- Why we love it: It is a scent of sophisticated aquatic skin, projecting only enough for those very Close to being able to sniff the mixture of notes of rose, magnolia, citrus and ocean. I like to spray it on bare skin after a shower as well as with situations where I want to feel wonderful without crushing others – it’s subtle, sophisticated and clean.
- Key remarks: Magnolia, Pomelo, sea notes
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Spring shower: Issey Miyake Water Toilet Eau
- Why we love it: This perfume was released in the early 1990s and has been a bestseller since. It is both exhilarating but clear, thanks to a mixture of feminine flowers (like the freesia, the lily of the valley and the tuberose) and the aqueous plants (melon and lotus), creating a “serene, zen and rainfall effect”, explains Vouard. It is perfect for spring – Imagine showers in April in a bottle.
- Key remarks: Calona, rose water, lotus
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Amber mist: Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ’97 Eau de Parfum
- Why we love it: This unisex fragrance leans the masculine, with marine notes of warm and earthy anchored amber, vibrant bergamot and spicy black pepper. Inspired by clandestine Italian holidays that Posh and Becks took in 1997, it is perfect for sharing with your significant other if you both appreciate a more daring perfume. The bottle in the shape of a bottle adds a magnificent touch of color to any collection of perfumes.
- Key remarks: Black pepper, sea notes, patchouli
- Size: 1.7 Fl. Oz.
Everything you need to know
What are the most popular aquatic perfumes?
Aquatic perfumes have started as a minimalist genre that highlights airy and light perfumes, but the category has evolved over the years; Today’s aquatic perfumes can be rich and complex. Whether it is windy or daring, the key to a large aquatic perfume is balance, explains Vouard. “An off-competition aquatic perfume uses the contrast-perhaps associating its windy freshness with woods, flowers or musks for depth and evolution,” he explains.
