Each spray a moment of pure summer sunshine. Citrus is the brightest, most immediately uplifting corner of the fresh family – and the largest. Here's what makes a citrus fragrance, and how to find the one that's yours.
What do citrus fragrances smell like?
Invigorating freshness, essentially bottled. Enriched with the sparkling sweetness of notes like mandarin and grapefruit, or a delicious hit of bitter orange, citrus fragrances feel like sunlight on skin. They're the most instantly recognisable of all fragrance styles – you know a citrus opening the moment it hits.
Citrus notes are extracted from the rinds, leaves and sometimes the flowers of citrus fruits, and each carries a distinct character. Lemon is sharp and clean; mandarin sweeter and rounder; grapefruit has a bittersweet, almost sulphurous edge that makes it addictive; and bergamot – the most important citrus in perfumery – is floral, faintly bitter, and the backbone of countless classic fragrances.
Do citrus fragrances last?
Honestly, citrus is the most fleeting note in perfumery – the molecules are light and evaporate quickly, which is exactly why a citrus opening feels so bright. Modern perfumery works around this by anchoring citrus over woods, musks or aromatic notes so the freshness lingers rather than vanishing.
To get the most from one, apply it to pulse points straight after showering, while skin is still slightly damp. And don't be afraid to reapply — with citrus, that's not a failing of the fragrance, it's simply the nature of the material.
When should I wear a citrus fragrance?
Spring and summer are the obvious answer, and daytime the obvious slot – citrus is the ultimate morning fragrance, the one that makes you feel instantly put-together and awake. But they're also a gift in hot weather, when heavier styles turn cloying, and a bright citrus can be a welcome lift on a grey winter morning too.
How does citrus differ from the other fresh scents?
The fresh family divides by where its freshness comes from. Citrus draws on fruit, for brightness and zest. Green draws on leaves and stems, for a crisp, dewy character. Aromatic draws on herbs, for something warmer and more daring. And aquatic draws on sea air and water accords, for cool, open freshness.
Discover our citrus fragrances, or explore the full fresh family.