Scents can really transport you to a faraway place, which comes in handy when you just need an escape from your daily life but can't take some PTO right now. Personally, I gravitate toward the scents that lift my mood while also taking my mind somewhere else—fresh and citrus scents for my day-to-day so I feel energized and ready to take on anything and spicier or earthier scents for nights out when I want to turn up the drama in the best way possible. You can really use your fragrance choices to set the scene for you, and it just might give you that boost of confidence you need at the moment.
One scent that is guaranteed to send you to a relaxing and refreshing place? Aquatic scents. Now, when you hear the word "aquatic," you might think of something ultra briny or fishy, but that's 100% not the case. I'm talking about scents that have a whiff of sea salt. These fragrances smell like a breath of fresh air—like you're at the beach or on a yacht soaking up the sun and taking it all in. They're inspired by the ocean, of course, so fresh, airy, and clean. Not too fussy.
Sounds like something you'd be into? Take a look at some options below.
1. Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia
With key notes of jasmine, gardenia, and warm woods, this fragrance is inspired by Italy's Mediterranean coast.
2. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Aqua Celestia Cologne Forte Eau de Parfum
This light fragrance is just so dreamy—it's refreshing and clean, with notes of bergamot, blackcurrant, jasmine, and mimosa. It takes its cue from both the sea and the sky.
3. Henry Rose Jake's House
Okay, yes, a fragrance named Jake's House doesn't really evoke intoxicating seaside vibes, but don't judge a fragrance by its name. (Is that how the saying goes?) It's described as "watery clean freshness" mixed with "honeyed neroli" for a "light and clean musky finish."
4. Le Labo Baie 19 Eau de Parfum
If you love the smell of the air after a heavy rain, you're going to love this fragrance. The fresh and woody scent has notes of dry juniper berry, patchouli, and green leaves.
5. Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk
All you have to do is spritz on this fragrance to capture those carefree-summer-day vibes—even when it's not the right season. Scents include a mix of bergamot, pink pepper, heliotrope, coconut milk, and musk.
6. Dedcool Fragrance 01 Taunt
One of the brand's most popular scents, DedCool's Fragrance 01 Taunt is luxe and fresh, with just a hint of sweetness thanks to vanilla. It has other notes of bergamot, amber, and fresh dew.
7. Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
You'll feel like you're out in the open seas with this fragrance—one of its key notes is sea salt. It's also balanced with earthy notes of sage and ambrette seeds.
8. Clean Reserve Rain
Here's another fragrance that captures that it-just-rained smell that always feels so fresh and lush. Crisp and water cucumber notes are paired with bergamot, white flower, vetiver, patchouli, and an airy musk blend.
9. Phlur S.C. 59 Eau de Parfum
Phlur's genderless perfume is inspired by "the bold and daring surf clubs of the 1950s." It evokes long summer days and fun thanks to scents of mint, lemon zest, orange flower, and amber.
10. Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day
With a name like Sailing Day, you know this one will deliver in the water/aquatic-inspired department. It manages to capture the spirit of the sea with notes of aquatic accord, juniper essence, coriander, red seaweed essence, and rose super essence, iris, and coriander.
11. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
Pretend you're in the Italian Riviera every time you spritz on this fragrance. The fresh scent contains Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, and Sicilian lemon.
12. Frédéric Malle L'Eau D'Hiver Parfum
For a warmer scent, try this one from Frédéric Malle. It has notes of bergamot, hedione, iris, hawthorn, heliotrope, and white musk. It's the perfect balance between warm and fresh.
13. Abbott Crescent Beach Eau de Parfum
Abbott's Crescent Beach is inspired by "summers spent among the flowers and breezes of Long Island, New York." So of course, it's got an intoxicating floral and aquatic scent of peony, lily, and amber musk.
14. Skylar Isle Escape Eau de Parfum
Skylar's fragrance will take you on a beach escape. It has fresh and bright notes of bergamot and orange mist mixed with spicier and earthier notes of cardamom and sandalwood.
15. Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum
This fragrance looks to capture the essence of salty skin after a sunkissed and sultry summer day—it has warm floral notes of ylang-ylang, Tahitian tiare, and ambergris.
16. Creed Virgin Island Water Fragrance
Described as capturing "the tropical splendor carried in the trade winds through Sir Francis Drake Channel in the Caribbean," this fragrance is fruity, fresh, and uplifting. It features top notes of Sicilian white bergamot, Jamaican lime, and Sicilian mandarin; middle notes of hibiscus, ylang-ylang, and Indian jasmine; and base notes of Tonkin musk and tropical wood.
17. By Rosie Jane Madie Eau de Parfum
While this fragrance has the beachy, ocean-inspired scents of sea spray, it's also sweetened with notes of jasmine, vanilla, and coconut.
18. D.S. & Durga Crystal Pistil
Both dewy and floral, this fragrance has top notes of orange flower water, dew-on-petals, and pink pepper; heart notes of crystal flower parts, paradisone, and jasmine water; and base notes of civettone, white musks, and ambrette seeds. You can pair it to enhance another perfume or wear it as a standalone.
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