With Mr Sun making guest appearances between the rain clouds, perhaps summer is lurking in the wings at last? And as we dream of floaty summer frocks and strappy sandals, is it time to think about a fresh new fragrance too?

Of course it is, but what to choose? Did you know you should wear different scents in the warmer weather? Indeed – so thank goodness for Perfume Direct and their expert advice.

Perfume Direct are a UK company with genuine low prices for premium products and, importantly for an on-line perfume company, they provide oodles of useful advice on their website to help you choose. So what does their expert, John Webber tell us about summer fragrances?

Well, summer scents tend to be fruity, lighter and ‘less volatile’, meaning they last longer. A perfume contains aromatic molecules which work with heat, giving off a fragrance as they evaporate, and perfumers measure the volatility of these molecules to control the nature and evolution of the scent. In warm weather, perfumes evaporate quicker. So, citrus and crisp green scents are perfect, as are florals. White flowers in particular – jasmine, tuberose, frangipani ‘bloom’ in hot weather. In contrast, winter perfumes tend to be heavier and can be overwhelming if they evaporate too quickly in the summer warmth.

With this in mind, Perfume Direct have suggestions for various summer activities, for instance a wedding, where your perfume should not be overwhelming, and yet must last all day. And for this they’ve chosen the iconic Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (also available in a mini 20ml bottle for top-ups); Tiffany & Love Eau de Parfum for Her with floral neroli and a woody blend of blue sequoia, vetiver and cedarwood, creating a faceted and feminine scent, and finally Lancome Idole Intense, with notes of bitter orange, rose, jasmine and musk.

My personal choice is  My Way Intense by Giorgio Armani from their Race Days group. Lovely floral fragances merging with sandalwood and vanilla – perfect for summer. Perfume Direct describe My Way Intense as a floral, amber fragrance type, with top notes (initial fragrance) of orange blossom and bitter orange, followed by Indian tuberose and finally the later, longer lasting notes of Madagascar vanilla and sandalwood. It really is summer in a bottle, with the seductive scent of tuberose and the lingering sandalwood providing true depth for those summer evenings. I just love it. The Eau de Parfum is on special offer at the moment from Perfume Direct at £59.99 for 30 ml and is refillable, so you can unscrew and refill the bottle without wasting any of the precious contents, making it a particularly good investment.

And don’t forget their aftershaves range too – check out the Frost Magazine feature on Perfume Direct’s great range of aftershaves.

So leave those heavy scents for the cold dark nights – now’s the time to head to Perfume Direct, to celebrate summer. Treat yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

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Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.