It Might Be Controversial, But This Emerging Fragrance Is Shaping Up to Be Summer's Coolest

Key notes: Green banana, ripe banana, jasmine, honey, labandum

Let’s start with what I’d say is the most interesting banana scent in this edit. 27 87’s Hakuna Matata is described as “playful. Tropical. Unconventional.” and for me that hits it on the head. It opens with an almost powdery banana note, reminiscent of those foamy sweets you probably had as a child. Rather than veering into a sugary sweetness however, in then creeps jasmine, which gives it a softness, and syrupy honey, which lends a richer, almost musky quality. It’s a fragrance you have to smell a few times to wrap your head around, but once it’s drawn you in, you want to keep spritzing it.

Key notes: Rum, banana, caramel, cinnamon, tonka bean

Nanotopia is a banana cocktail that’s strong, heady and smooth. Rather than fresh fruit, it’s reminiscent of a banana that’s been caramelised in dark brown sugar and doused with rich alcohol before being consumed in moody corners of dimly lit rooms. It’s a banana scent that’s indulgent and expensive-smelling and which glides down so easily, you don’t realise you’ve finished your glass until you sadly take your last sip. In my opinion, the perfect scent for late summer nights!

Key notes: Banana flower, jasmine, macadamia, sandalwood

If you’re unsure about banana fragrances or want something that subtly nods to the note, I’d definitely recommend trying Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild. Rather than using the fruit in its literal sense, it instead blends banana flower with notes of jasmine and sandalwood. The result is a light floral scent that’s bright and vibrant yet also easy to wear, especially on warm sunny days. Whether you’re already a fan of Marc Jacob’s cult Daisy line or looking for an introduction to the scents, I promise you this is a great one to start with.

Key notes: Banana, pear, coconut, jasmine, vanilla

If you’re a fan of a holiday scent, that smells like a blend of sun cream, tropical fruit and sunshine, Kayali’s Maui in a Bottle is that girl. Rather than pulling heavily on the coconut, however, as most tropical perfumes do, Kayali’s scent brings sun-ripened banana to the forefront. It’s sweet and comforting and incredibly moreish. I’ve already packed this away to take on my next holiday as I know it’s going to smell even more incredible in the setting that inspired it.

Key notes: Banana, milk, melon, vanilla orchid, ice cream, tonka bean, vanilla

For me, this is a seriously nostalgic take on the banana note, smelling as close to a banana milkshake as you can get without pouring a glass of the real thing. It’s incredibly creamy thanks to layers of sweet vanilla, ice cream and milk which sit alongside the sugary banana note offering the milky, lactonic twist you’d expect. It may not be the most mature-smelling scent but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable, especially for creamy gourmand lovers.

Key notes: Banana flower, jasmine, chypre

Another perfume that contains banana flower as opposed to actual banana, Coty Infiniment’s J’ai Trois Amours is a woody, floral scent that’s sweet and soft. Of all the perfumes on this list, I’d say this is the one that takes the lightest touch with the banana offering, choosing instead to focus on the delicate white florals before adding the slightest tropical twist. For that reason, I’d describe it as a grown-up banana scent, offering a sense of refinement to the gourmand note.

Key notes: Banana, lime, blackcurrant, ginger, sugar, sandalwood, amber

A fruity scent to its core, Jusbox’s Sisters B4 Misters blends together all the most delicious tropical fruits and makes them sing. In the first spritz, you get banana, which is creamy and sweet, however, it’s then joined by punchy blackcurrant and sharp lime. It’s a fun, playful scent that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. Add to that it’s also inspired by the Spice Girls and I see no reason not to love this perfume.