My Top 5 Summer Fragrances ☀️

Y’all know I love a pleasing fragrance, and summer is quickly approaching, so grab a few while you can. I’ll preface this by saying you may see a pattern here. I love gourmand fragrances - ones that smell edible and sweet! 

Sidenote, are you following my fragrance page, if not you should be — @selfcarewnat

Here are my top 5 fragrances that you’ll catch me wearing:

The 7 Virtues -  Coconut Sun

Coconut Sun is one of the newest in my collection, but it’s exactly what I needed. It has a creamy, water-like scent to it. Fresh without coming off too clean but sweet without being overpowering. It’s summer in a bottle!

Fragrance Family: Fresh

Scent Type: Fresh Solar

Key Notes: Coconut, Frangipani, Vanilla

Fragrance Description: This irresistibly delicious perfume is a dreamy holiday in a bottle with enticing notes of coconut water, frangipani, fresh citrus, crisp sea salt, and gourmand vanilla. Infused with sustainably sourced jasmine from Egypt and upcycled rose, it supports the building of a water project in Ethiopia.

Tom Ford - Soleil Blanc 

She’s pricey but worth it; I highly recommend smelling it before you blind buy. When I wear this fragrance, I feel like I’m wearing nothing with a lot of something! It’s powerful but understated. You’ll get a whiff but want more. It’s a head-turner for sure, and it gives “I belong on a yacht somewhere.”

Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy

Scent Type: Warm & Sweet Gourmands

Key Notes: Coco de Mer, Ylang Ylang Comores Islands, Cardamom

Fragrance Description: The Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum is an addictive solar, floral amber, and coco-de-mer-infused perfume. It is alive with seductive cardamom and refreshingly rich ylang-ylang and unapologetically exudes the endless pursuit of sun and luxury.

Ellis Brooklyn - Sun Fruit

Sun Fruit is my girl! When I’m headed out for the day, I put this on to feel pretty and flirty. It’s the perfect sundress fragrance or catch me on the beach. You’ll get all the feels wearing this.

Fragrance Family: Floral

Scent Type: Fruity Floral

Key Notes: Fresh Fig, Handpicked Jasmine, Vanilla Planifolia

Fragrance Description: Inspired by tan lines, ripe fruit, and bare skin, this fragrance is a creamy and unapologetic blend of fresh fig, bergamot, handpicked jasmine, cyclamen, coconut, and vanilla. Addictive and aspirational, it's the kind of scent that inspires vacation daydreams.

Kayali - Pistachio Gelato 33
After seeing so many mixed reviews, I waited to purchase this fragrance, but I know what I like and wish I had pulled the plug sooner. Kayali’s Pistachio Gelato is Sherbert ice cream that’s slowly melting. It’s insanely delicious and has a beautiful dry down. It sits on the skin and leaves a gorgeous lingering scent.

Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy

Scent Type: Warm & Sweet Gourmands

Key Notes: Pistachio Gelato, Cotton Candy, Whipped Cream

Fragrance Description: YUM PISTACHIO GELATO | 33 EDP INTENSE is a delicious combination of rich, nutty pistachio and hazelnut, blended with rum that wraps you in warmth and sweetness—while delectable and fluffy whipped cream, marshmallow, and cotton candy intertwine to sugary indulgence. A truly yummy fragrance that charms with an unforgettable gourmand scent trail that will have you smelling good enough to eat.

Valentino Born in Roma - Coral Fantasy 

Coral Fantasy was a summer staple last year, and I still love it. It’s a bright, fruity floral! My nose is instantly hit with orange and kiwi and settles into a creamy jasmine note. It’s a must-try!

Fragrance Family: Floral

Scent Type: Fruity Floral

Key Notes: Orange, Jasmine, Rose

Fragrance Description: The coral sky of Rome inspires a floral, fruity perfume twisted by a bright and juicy orange accord, heightened by rose fragrance, and infused with jasmine to create Donna Born in Roma Coral Fantasy Eau de Parfum.

And because you guys are my people, I’m throwing in a bonus fragrance! It’s not as sweet as others, but it reminds me of summer, sipping Pina Coladas poolside!

Bonus:

Mugler Alien Goddess 

Alien Goddess is bold at the first spray, you’re hit with coconut and vanilla, but it quickly settles into a beautiful tropical scent that lingers for hours. 

Fragrance Family: Florals

Scent Type: Warm Florals

Key Notes: Bergamot Essence, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Bourbon Vanilla

Fragrance Description: This warm floral women's scent pairs a divine base of vanilla perfume with jasmine from India overlaid by a burst of fresh Italian bergamot, creating a radiant floral bouquet of notes fit for a goddess.

The Best Zara Perfume Dupes

I purchased all of these fragrances online via the Zara website. Occasionally they update their fragrances so I did not link them.

I have become obsessed with perfumes lately -  but I’m okay with it. I’ve heard all of the Tiktok girlies talking about Zara perfumes, and at that price point of under $30 for 3.4 oz, I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about. So far, I’ve bought eight perfumes - yikes and have another pending stock!

So what’s a dupe perfume? A dupe perfume is a fragrance for half the price of the designer or name brand fragrance. Sometimes, you’ll hear them called inspired fragrances, and the brand will list which perfume they took inspiration from. It’s honestly a hit or miss sometimes, but you have to decide what’s important to you, i.e., price, longevity, or brand name.

Apple Juice - Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

Apple Juice is a light and refreshing scent, perfect for the springtime! The fragrance quickly turns into a skin scent after 1-2 hours but with layering and reapplying, you can enjoy this fragrance all day. 

*I have never smelled Chanel Chance Eau Tendre to know if it’s 100% dupe, but it gets a lot of love in the fragrance community.

Gardenia - YSL Black Opium 

At first, I did not think this was a dupe at all. I was upset when I bought it because I wanted to smell the coffee and vanilla notes in this fragrance, and I just didn’t smell them. I had to revisit this fragrance after a few weeks, and my nose changed completely, it doesn’t smell like Black Opium at first spray, but the dry down is the same. I would recommend purchasing a travel size of YSL Black Opium to have the best of both worlds and use them together. 

Femme - Dior Hypnotic Poison 

Femme is very soft, feminine, and sweet with hints of vanilla; while it lacks longevity, you can easily decant this fragrance and carry a travel atomizer for touch-ups! 

Orchid - Victoria's Secret Bombshell 

Light and floral, this fragrance is beautiful but lacks longevity and, on my skin, quickly faded.

Red Vanilla - Lancome La Vie Est Belle

Red Vanilla is a great dupe - at initial spray, you wouldn’t think these fragrances smell anything alike, but the dry down is spot on but a tad lighter. On the skin, it lasts about 4 hours, one of the best I’ve tried so far. 

Tropical Boost - Marc Jacobs Perfect 

Save your money and buy the dupe - Tropical Boost is spot on for Perfect. They smell exactly alike and even last for similarly. I couldn’t tell the difference in longevity for either, I highly recommend saving your money unless you want the pretty bottle. 

Which perfume would you purchase? If you enjoy this type of content join me over on Instagram.

Selfcare Moment With Brown Girl Jane

Life has been hitting me hard, I’ve put myself on the back burner, and finding time for self-care has been nonexistent but in 2022 I’ve decided things have got to change. Taking care of myself physically and mentally needs to be a priority. In 2021, I decided to get back into therapy and that’s been a godsend. I’ve also challenged myself with learning how to take better care of myself and being intentional with self-care moments.

This month I’ve been really into candles. I enjoy candles that offer great projection and provide me with a mood boost! I decided to splurge for my birthday (hello, 31) and purchased a few items from Brown Girl Jane. Brown Girl Jane has branded itself as a Mood-Boosting Fragrance company that offers products for your well-being; anti-stress fragrances rooted in science! 

Casablanca Eau de Parfum

I’ve seen this fragrance everywhere and figured it would be a safe blind buy out of their Wanderlust Collection and indeed it was!  I’m a huge gourmand fragrance lover and the notes of marshmallow, vanilla orchid, and glowing amber intrigued me. On the first spray, it reminded me of something very familiar. I knew I had smelled similar notes before but not the same. It sits on top of the skin for the first hour or two and nicely dries down to become a skin scent. Naturally, I would be opposed to skin scents but this one works. I get whiffs of this fragrance throughout the day and it’s beautiful! It reminds me to slow down and take a deep breath! 

Top Notes: Cardamom, Marshmallow, Incense

Mid Notes: Saffron, Soft Suede, Vanilla Orchid

Base notes: Glowing Amber, Soft Musks, Sandalwood

Warm Cashmere Perfumed Candle 

65 Hour Burn Time

Coconut & Soy Wax Blend

8oz

This candle screams luxury! The packaging is so beautiful and the candle has a matte finish that gives it a sophisticated look. The scent is fresh, calming, and relaxing - perfect for creating a romantic mood!

NOTES

Top: Mandarin, Grapefruit, Clary Sage

Mid: Rose Buds, Musk, Freesia

Dry: Amber, Oakmoss, Orris

​Velvet Moon Perfumed Candle 

65 Hour Burn Time

Coconut & Soy Wax Blend

8oz

I could smell this candle before I open the box! It’s insanely yummy and uniquely infused with Italian Bergamot and Orange Blossom. This candle reminds me of a cool morning enjoying a cup of coffee on your balcony or a nice evening with your favorite wine and snacks! 

NOTES

Top: Italian Bergamot, Orange Essence, Sandalwood

Mid: Musk, Orange Blossom, Freesia

Dry: Amber, Cedarwood, Vanilla Bean

​I am very happy with my purchases from Brown Girl Jane, I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!