Salty, fresh and incredibly luxurious? Marine perfumes have all the makings of an expensive coastal getaway. Whenever I find myself dreaming of a summer in The Hamptons, these are the scents I reach for. Ask me to name some of the best perfumes of all time, and I guarantee that there will be multiple marine perfumes on the list.
A far cry from gourmand scents, these fragrances don’t have a vanilla note in sight. Instead, they are dominated by sparkling citruses, sea salt accords and woody undertones that smell so expensive, you’d think I spend my weekends sunning it up with views of Malibu Pier. My budget might only stretch to Brighton, but thanks to my perfume collection, you’d never know the difference.
Possibly the perfect summer scent of all time, a marine perfume is a worthwhile investment for the upcoming months. As a beauty editor who has tested hundreds of fragrances over the years, I’ve rounded up my top seaside scents below, from luxury favourites to affordable staples. Whether you’re off on a coastal getaway or simply want a little bit of escapism while sitting at your desk, these are the marine perfumes to know about.
The Best Marine Perfumes, Chosen by a Beauty Editor
1. Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Best marine perfume overall
Jo Malone London
Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
Key notes: Ambrette seeds, sea salt and sage
Starting with an absolute classic (and a staple in my summer perfume rotation), let me introduce you to Jo Malone London’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt. As the name suggests, this fragrance contains notes of sea salt alongside ambrette seeds and earthy sage. To me, this scent evokes memories of weekends spent at the Cornish coast with the breeze in my hair. It’s fresh, revitalising and feels like that first intake of sea air on the skin.
2. Orebella Salted Muse
Best new marine perfume
OREBELLA
Salted Muse Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Sea salt accord, pink pepper, olive tree accord, fig, lavender, cedarwood, sandalwood and amber
Next comes this captivating new perfume from Bella Hadid’s perfume line, Orebella. Salted Muse is one of the most unique summer fragrances I have come across in the last few months, with this wonderfully woody, aquatic aroma that pulls you in on first spritz. While it does have the makings of a classic marine scent, thanks to notes of sea salt accord and sandalwood, hints of fig and lavender give it this unexpected depth that makes it feel so luxurious.
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ’97
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Portofino ‘97 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Sea notes, vetiver, amber and bergamot
Speaking of luxurious, I couldn’t do this roundup and not include Victoria Beckham Beauty Portofino ‘97. If a chic summer getaway on the Italian Riviera is your thing, then this might be your next scent of choice. It’s an incredibly sexy fragrance, with citrusy undertones and added spice thanks to notes of black pepper. Whenever I wear this, I envision myself whizzing down the Italian coast in a cute little convertible with a pair of designer sunnies perched on my head.
4. Sol de Janeiro Agua Mistica Perfume Mist
Best affordable marine perfume
Sol De Janeiro
Limited Edition Agua Mistica Perfume Mist
Key notes: Neroli, tangerine, salty accord, peony, jasmine and cedarwood
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable marine perfume, you can’t go wrong with Sol De Janeiro. This limited edition body mist is the ultimate coastal scent with notes of neroli, tangerine and a salty accord. One spritz of this and I can practically hear the waves crashing on the shore.
Best luxury marine perfume
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN
Aqua Media Cologne Forte Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Verbena accord, Italian bergamot, sweet fennel and musk
Imagine that first sip from a crisp glass of water with a fresh squeeze of lemon after a long day on the beach. This is exactly what Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s fragrance smells like. It’s light and fresh yet totally luxurious, and I want to bathe in it like sunlight every single summer.
6. Maison Margiela Replica Sailing Day
Best fresh marine perfume
Maison Margiela Replica
Sailing Day Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Aquatic accord, aldehydes, iris absolute, red seaweed essence and amber wood
No brand captures a specific moment in time within a fragrance quite like Maison Margiela. Sailing Day is the ultimate seaside scent that takes me back to the ocean whenever I wear it. This fresh perfume feels like jumping off a cliff straight into the salty water. If I had to sum it up in three words, I’d say it’s fresh, crisp and invigorating.
7. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Summer Vibes
Dolce & Gabbana
Light Blue Summer Vibes Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Bergamot, peach and cedarwood
My friend loves citrus scents, so I gifted her this fragrance as soon as I smelled it. Like biting straight into a lime, notes of zesty bergamot cut through this perfume and steal your senses for just a moment, before notes of earthy cedarwood break through the surface. It’s everything you’d want from a summer seaside scent, and the bottle is just as beautiful as the fragrance itself.
8. Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel
Molton Brown
Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Fig, ginger, cypress, jasmine, leather and musk
Slightly less sweet but undeniably intoxicating is Molton Brown’s Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel perfume. I like to think of this as my mature marine scent, and I tend to reach for it during those balmy summer evenings. It perfectly captures the essence of a brisk coastal walk, with a slightly warmer, richer base compared to other scents in this roundup, thanks to notes of leather and musk.
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