Scents through the seasons

Your favourite fragrance can smell completely different depending on the time of year, says Hannah Britt. Here, she explains how to find the perfect perfume for summer and beyond

Summer is here, and with it comes long, balmy evenings and scorching hot days. But did you know that a rise in temperature can cause your perfume to change?

“All aromatic molecules need heat to work. The temperature of your skin and the air dramatically alter the rate at which the molecules evaporate, and this changes the way the perfume smells – to you, and others around you,” says Hollie Race, olfactory expert for The Fragrance Shop.

“Most fragrances contain top notes, heart notes and base notes. The top notes are the first thing you smell, and these initial hits of scent dry down to reveal the heart notes. Once they’ve evaporated, the base notes remain.”

The speed at which this happens changes with the seasons.

“In summer, fragrances typically develop quickly, while in the winter you may find they don’t project much scent at all,” says Hollie. “In simple terms, the fragrance stays the same, but the weather changes the way it smells on your skin.

“What’s more, the same fragrance will take on a new scent depending on the time of year you wear it.”

Here Hollie explains how to get the best from your scent through the seasons.

SUMMER

“Hot weather intensifies fragrance notes and makes them bloom on the skin more quickly. The warmer it is, the more quickly fragrance molecules heat up, and the quicker they evaporate,” says Hollie.

“Even though we may reach for brighter, citrus scents in the summer, these molecules are lighter, so will evaporate even more rapidly in high temperatures.”

Go for an eau de parfum or an intense version of your favourite fragrance as the concentration of fragrance oils is higher and will last that bit longer.

When it comes to summery notes, you can break from the norm, suggests Hollie.

“Try vetiver, which offers a different summer experience,” she says.

Traditionally seen as autumnal, vetiver is reminiscent of dry grass on a warm day, earthy soil, and a subtle smokiness.

“Think long hazy days of summer in the city.” ■ TRY: Hugo Boss Boss Le Scent Le Parfum, £49.30 (escentual.com), is long-lasting, containing notes of pink peppercorn, orange blossom and vetiver.

AUTUMN

When temperatures cool, it’s time for heart notes to shine.

“When we move into autumn, you want to feel a tangible warmth as the weather cools,” says Hollie.

“You can create this illusion with fragrances containing moss, leather, wood and amber notes. They are heady and comforting, warm and cosy and envelope you in a big, welcoming embrace.”

■ TRY: Avon Far Away Splendoria Eau de Parfum,

£10 (avon.uk.com), is an amber vanilla fragrance with notes of white oud, plum and bourbon vanilla.

WINTER

Perfume is very sensitive to climate. In colder temperatures, the evaporation rate slows down so top and heart notes last much longer.

“You might find that your scent doesn’t project as much in winter,” says Hollie. “This is because the perfume molecules move at a much slower pace in the cool air.”

As well as this, skin changes throughout the seasons.

“Skin becomes drier in the cold, which can make it difficult for scent to ‘stick’ as scent molecules are attracted to oils,” explains Hollie.

The solution? Go for a winter fragrance that has strong, musky, heavy base notes that will last and be noticed. Look for tonka beans, patchouli and cinnamon.

■ TRY: Lancome La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum, £56.60 (thefragranceshop.co.uk), is a fruity floral with top notes of blackcurrant and pear, heart notes of iris and jasmine, and base notes of tonka bean.

SPRING

“Spring is a time of year associated with happiness and new beginnings,” says Hollie.

“Match your mood by choosing scents that have a freshness to them, like the smell of a garden just after the rain.”

You should look for fragrances containing jasmine.

“It’s floral, but not as overt as something like rose. Jasmine has complex floral, tea and creamy notes, which gives it a fresher payoff,” says Hollie.

When it comes to the weather, spring can be a mixed bag. Temperatures are warmer than winter yet cooler than summer. As mild temperatures mean fragrances evaporate relatively slowly, this means it’s time for their heart notes to thrive.

■ TRY: Clarins Eau Extraordinaire, £38 (Boots), is a zesty scent with top notes of citrus, ginger, jasmine, rose, cedarwood and patchouli.