STYLE NEWS / BEAUTY: SIX SCENTS

Featured in   Date 24th July 2008

Finding a great signature scent for the summer months is as essential as packing your suitcase and booking your flight to some far-flung destination. Getting the fragrance right can be a little tricky, as you want something light and fresh instead of a heavy winter aroma. But fear not – as ever Style Birmingham picks the best of the bunch.

1: MISSONI AQUA, £28 FOR 50ml: My particular favourite this season – this really is the scent of summer holidays in a bottle, inspired by the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Sexy, fresh and exuberant, it's an explosion of fresh and fruity scents and, like picnics in the park and a sparkling G&T, it's as summery as you can get. Available from Boots, Debenhams, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and Selfridges, it costs £38 for 50ml.

2: INDIA HICKS ISLAND LIVING SPIDER LILY, £28 FOR 100ml: A delicious blend of the delicate perfume of the spider lily with tropical citruses, orange blossom, night blooming jasmine, palm leaves and a touch of sea spray. Beautifully packaged, you'll find it at Crabtree & Evelyn, The Mailbox.

3: MICHAEL KORS ISLAND CAPRI, £40 FOR 50ml: It's the island renowned as a jet-setters paradise, the beautiful holiday hot-spot famous for crystal waters, lush green flora and a sublime freshness. But you don't need to travel there, instead stock up on this latest fragrance for the couture guru. It's packed with sparkling orange, Italian basil and bergamot to capture the essence of Capri. Just gorgeous. From Debenhams, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and Selfridges.

4: PARIS – SPRINGTIME, £39.50 FOR 124ml: It may have been around for many years – I wore it in my teens, so that shows how old it is – but this fragrance has remained a true classic. It gets brought bang up to date with a new name – Pont Des Amour – and a new bottle, while the fragrance is more contemporary with rose, violet and orange blossom. Gorgeous for spring, and available from YSL counters at House of Fraser and Debenhams.

5: PURE WHITE LINEN LIGHT BREEZE, FROM £28 FOR 30ml: Another classic – this time from the 60s – that is given a modern make-over. Unveiled last month, this updated fragrance is a sparkling citrus take on the timeless green floral favourite. You can still pick out the tell-tale white floral elements but they have been mixed with grapefruit and orange zest for a sexier scent. Available from Estee Lauder counters at Selfridges, House of Fraser, Debenhams and larger Boots stores.

6: ALMOST BARE – BOBBI BROWN, £45 FOR 50ml: Newly launched this summer, this fresh floral fragrance features a delicate balance of Italian bergamot blended with violet leaves to relax and soothe the senses. It is enhanced by a note of soft muguet and gentle jasmine petals, with a soft cedar and warm amber background for a delicate but very now scent. From House of Fraser and Selfridges.