If you’re like us, you’ve been counting down the days until summer since it last ended. As summer approaches, we’re bringing out those sundresses, tank tops and shorts as well as updating our perfume collection seeing as we’re changing our entire look. These new fragrances are transformative and put heady, daze-y and sunlight vibes front and centre. Travel plans might be on hold, but these fresh, floral and fruity scents will transport you anywhere. Plus, they won’t break the bank like an actual vacay would! 

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Neon 

A dark, delicious fragrance for lovers of warm aromas 

Few perfumes capture the essence of amour as well as Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium. In the new limited-edition Neon version, the contrast between adrenaline-rich coffee, soft orange blossom and mesmerising dragon fruit makes for a compelling journey. An indulgent and vibrant twist on the classic, it starts off deep and warm – like a decadent dessert – and leaves a gorgeous scent on the skin. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and warm notes, and we love the bottle which features a new elongated shape and the iconic round window lit up by flashy neon pink. As it brims with energy, for an added thrill we recommend pairing this perfume with a sick pair of heels and a whole heaping of date-night attitude. 

R1,750 for 50ml for 75ml from Edgars 

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Dew 

An olfactory bomb of fresh flowers for lovers of floriental musky perfumes 

We don’t know about you, but we could never tire of Flowerbomb. This new perfume in the family is the epitome of summertime; like a blooming garden and a tall glass of lemonade. A fun take on the floral classic, the base of dewy rose accord adds hints of pear and bergamot to balance out the scent for a refreshing and cleaner twist that doesn’t feel outdated. Paired nicely with comforting musk and sensual iris to make this floral sensory experience really lovely, it’s what we’d imagine jumping into a pile of expensive flower petals would smell like. The pearlised white bottle is just as sensational as the scent inside, with a pink tinted silver name plaque on the front and a matching lid in the same colour. 

R1,870 for 50 or R2,590 for 100ml from Edgars 

Jo Malone Fig & Lotus Flower Cologne 

A fresh yet fantastical fragrance for lovers of lightweight colognes 

An easy entry route into Jo Malone’s majestic new Lost in Wonder collection, this unequivocally delicious scent truly offers something new. It sees plump, juicy and luscious figs layered over lotus flower and crystalline for a light floral fragrance that’s water-splashed and graceful. Inspired by the Hanging Gardens, it’s crisp and herbaceous with a hint of sweetness, which makes for a compelling escape. Jo Malone has brought out a long list of crowd-pleasing scents of late, but this one is worth stocking up on. We love layering on its sister scent, Wood Sage & Sea Salt – a lively, spirited and totally joyful treat with red algae and grapefruit – that complements Fig & Lotus Flower perfectly. 

R995 for 30ml or R2,100 from Jo Malone boutiques and Woolworths 

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Hair Mist 

Sweet as praline pie for lovers of the scent of a fresh blowout 

There’s one product that’s on practically everyone’s lips this season: Hair perfume. Beyond this one’s luxurious packaging, it does much more than just smell nice. Instantly feminine, the powder-laced scent adds another dimension to happiness by giving hair a sweetly happy fragrance. Based around a heart of iris with orange blossom and blackcurrant completing the gourmand trail, the specialised formula has a light texture that contains oils and softening agents to give hair a shiny, silky touch. This fragrance is fabulous for covering up any lingering dry shampoo powdery-ness and, best of all, it’s a relatively inexpensive luxury. We suggest layering it with the eau de parfum for an even longer lasting fragrance. 

R680 for 30ml from Lancôme boutiques, Woolworths and Truworths