Happy Friday! Fragrance Friday is a new column on BrownStyle Magazine that explores the world of perfumes, body care, and beyond. Inspired by Emerald Elitou‘s love for fragrance, the series will highlight personal reviews, layering ideas, and expert insights to help you navigate your fragrance journey. Get ready to be inspired—one spritz at a time!
While attending a crowded event, a woman kindly stopped me in my tracks. “You smell like Summer,” she said with a smile. My heart lit up. As a fragrance girly—and a Summer baby—that was the highest compliment I think I can receive, especially since that’s exactly the energy I’ve been trying to channel.
When she asked me what perfume I was wearing, let her in on a secret. It wasn’t just the perfume. It was the whole routine. Ahead, learn my ritual that ensures I smell like “Summer”— even on a rainy day. It’s actually quite simple!
The Summer Scent Routine Starts In The Shower
I don’t leave the house without showering—non-negotiable. To me, smelling incredible isn’t just about fragrance; it’s about the prep.
I always start with a soap bar (a must), followed by a body wash that fits the day’s vibe. If I’m feeling fruity, I reach for Caress’s new Coconut & Jojoba Oil Body Wash. When I’m leaning beachy, it’s Dial’s Exfoliating Cocoa Butter & Orange Extract Body Wash.
Moisturized Skin = Fragrance That Lasts
After the shower, it’s lotion time—immediately. Right now, I’m obsessed with Fenty Skin’s Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream in Citrus Sorbet and Guava Getaway. Think glowy, hydrated skin with a scent so juicy it could practically stand on its own.
Bonus tip: Try layering Ellis Brooklyn’s Guava Granita on top of Guava Getaway for the ultimate fruity girl combo. It’s giving Guava Girl Summer.
If I’m feeling extra (which is often), I’ll top it off with a shimmering body oil for that golden hour glow—even if I’m indoors.
RELATED | Glow Up: 6 Shimmering Body Oils To Shine All Summer!
What I’m Wearing (Here’s the Real Tea)
My fragrance rotation is full of scents that are reminiscent of sunshine in a bottle—fruity, flirty, and Summer-coded. Lately, I’ve been reaching for:
- Ellis Brooklyn Miami Nectar — Pink Pineapple, Coconut, Vanilla
- Kayali Capri in a Bottle Lemon Sugar | 14 — Lemon, Sugar, Vanilla
- Juliette Has A Gun Miami Shake — Strawberry, Vanilla, Orange Blossom
- Ellis Brooklyn Guava Granita — Guava, Banana, Mango Blossom
- Le Monde Gourmand Nectar De Passion — Passion Fruit, Pink Grapefruit, Wild Strawberry
For fragrance mists, I’ve been switching between PHLUR Coconut Skin, PHLUR Vanilla Nectar Skin, Sol de Janeiro’s Cheirosa 39 Perfume Mist, and Ellis Brooklyn’s Lychee Milkshake.
To top it all off, I swipe on Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb Ice Cooling Lip Luminizer in Ice’d Pineapple or the brand’s Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil in Coconut—it’s the final touch in my fruity fragrance fantasy.
RELATED | We Spritzed Every MILKSHAKE Mist From Ellis Brooklyn—Some Scents Surprised Us
Why Compliments Mean So Much
That quick compliment from a stranger? It’s stuck with me. It reminded me that when we put intention into how we show up in the world—how we smell, how we care for ourselves—people feel it.
I am thankful for that woman who started a conversation on something as simple as fragrance. It truly made my day.
So, if someone smells amazing or looks good, tell them. You never know the ripple effect a few kind words can have. Whether it’s a passing comment or a full fragrance breakdown, compliments can be a gateway to connection, a confidence boost, and sometimes, a tiny lifeline on a hard day.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
