• About
  • Login to comment
    • Facebook
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Perfumers
  • Perfume Houses
  • Shop for perfume
  • Resources

5 perfumes: incense fragrances for summer

Posted by Robin on 30 July 2014 74 Comments

Incense sticks

It's almost August...for many of us, the really hot summer weather is just around the corner. Citrus fragrances often carry me much of the way through the humid late summers typical of the East Coast of the US, but last month I looked at some spicy fragrances suitable for summer wear, and today I've got five incense fragrances that work well on steamy days when anything too heavy will make you wilt before lunch. Do add your own picks in the comments!

L'Artisan Passage d'Enfer ~ arguably the quintessential summer incense, and a long time favorite of mine. It was developed by perfumer Olivia Giacobetti and reflects her quiet, almost-transparent style. There's a hint of flowers, a whoosh of cold, clear incense, and a lovely pencil-shavings dry down, all of it perfectly clean without smelling like laundry detergent. I haven't smelled a new bottle in some time and hope it has not been reformulated...my own bottle is almost empty.

Comme des Garçons Black Play ~ lighter than the more recent (and confusingly named) Comme des Garçons incense outing, Black. When I reviewed the latter, I said Black Play could be "the Eau Légère / office-friendly flanker or something", except that Black Play pre-dated Black. Anyway, Black Play is spicy and peppery, with hints of black tea and birch tar, but it's lighter than it sounds and works just fine in hot weather.

Comme des Garçons Ouarzazate ~ one of my favorites of the extensive incense offerings from Comme des Garçons, Ouarzazate manages to be both mild and invigorating, and smells just like what the name implies — a hot summer day in the desert. The very chilly Zagorsk (both scents are from the Incense series) would work fine in summer as well.

Aftelier Ancient Resins ~ a scented body oil that works just fine in any weather. When it's hot, I like just a squirt or two mixed in with my regular unscented body lotion. The result, once it settles, is a very light, close-to-the-skin layer of airy, outdoorsy incense, fine on its own or perfect as a base for whatever other fragrance strikes your fancy (it adds some depth to light citrus fragrances, for instance).

Annick Goutal Encens Flamboyant ~ the brand description emphasizes the "olfactory journey amid the Orient and its mysteries", but the persistent fir notes give it the feel of a cold night in a pine forest. Applied lightly, it's a great antidote for a too-hot day, and it's a calming scent in nearly any weather.

Your picks?

Note: top image is Colorful incense [cropped] by BizanceNCo at flickr; some rights reserved.

Related...

5 perfumes: incense fragrances for winter
5 perfumes: incense fragrances for fall

You may also like...

Phaedon Rouge Avignon ~ fragrance review
Blackbird Incense ~ home fragrance review

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: 5 perfumes, incense

Advertisement


74 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Jamie K. says:
    30 July 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Very nice list. I’d also add Chanel No. 22 (incense and aldehydes) and Serge Lutens L’Eau Froide (mint, incense and sea water).

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 2:17 pm

      Nice picks. Admit I do not love the Serge but it’s a perfect summer incense.

      Log in to Reply
  2. Erin says:
    30 July 2014 at 2:33 pm

    Hard to say: I’d probably pick Etro Shaal Nur for warmer weather, but I wear that one in the fall, too. I admit that I don’t think of wearing incense fragrances during our short Canadian summer. I’m such a citrus-head that I stay boring and wear colognes all through the heat. (I like this series, though – really enjoyed the spicy-for-summer picks.)

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 2:44 pm

      And to me, Shaal Nur is spring! It’s funny how differently we all categorize. May just do this post again 3 times and have a year of incense scents…

      Log in to Reply
    • Tara says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Shaal Nur!!! It’s perfect for summer.

      Log in to Reply
    • AnnS says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:33 pm

      I love Shal Nuur all year round. Different aspects of it come out in different weather. I do always get a lot of rose and vetiver though.

      Log in to Reply
    • Laurels says:
      31 July 2014 at 1:11 am

      I love Shaal Nur in hot weather.

      Log in to Reply
    • trixiesweet says:
      31 July 2014 at 10:55 am

      I love Shaal Nur for summer but I get more of the spices rather than the incense. Too bad I slept on my sample (thus breaking it and having a Shaal Nur-scented mattress for several days later).

      Log in to Reply
  3. Frederik says:
    30 July 2014 at 2:59 pm

    I love Encens Flamboyant. I guess that would be my desert island pick.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:42 pm

      Ah, that’s a bold statement! I’d have a hard time narrowing down to a single desert island incense.

      Log in to Reply
    • hajusuuri says:
      30 July 2014 at 7:37 pm

      I will have a decant of this coming my way in two short weeks :-)

      Log in to Reply
  4. Tara says:
    30 July 2014 at 3:15 pm

    How about Bois d’Encens? I almost wore that today, but it’s only in the high 70s today.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:43 pm

      Very cool here today, for late July…yes, that would work, although I tend to think of churchy incense scents for winter myself. But either way, I do think if I could have just one of the Armani Prives, I’d pick Bois d’Encens.

      Log in to Reply
  5. sweetgrass says:
    30 July 2014 at 3:33 pm

    I’d add CdG Kyoto to the list too. Also L’Artisan Timbuktu.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:45 pm

      And I think Timbuktu came up in the summer spice post too :-)

      Log in to Reply
    • bastet says:
      30 July 2014 at 4:01 pm

      I also wear Timbuktu in the summer (and all other times of the year, actually).

      Log in to Reply
    • MikasMinion says:
      30 July 2014 at 7:06 pm

      I second Kyoto.

      Log in to Reply
  6. morgana says:
    30 July 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Here are two that I would like wearing in summer (unfortunately have only samples):

    Nu_Be Oxygen
    Cinq Mondes Eau Egyptienne

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:47 pm

      I always forget about Eau Egyptienne…great scent, and another Olivia Giacobetti.

      Log in to Reply
  7. Elisa says:
    30 July 2014 at 3:53 pm

    I like both YSL Nu and LADDM in summer — they have that hot desert wind vibe.

    Log in to Reply
    • Frederik says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:56 pm

      YSL Nu is really good. Do you have the reissue? I haven’t tested that one.

      Log in to Reply
      • Elisa says:
        30 July 2014 at 7:11 pm

        I have the older, weird round bottle. I wonder how it has changed?

        Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 3:56 pm

      Took me a minute to get L’Air du Desert Marocain — so am spelling it out for anyone else who needs it!

      Log in to Reply
      • Elisa says:
        30 July 2014 at 7:10 pm

        Sorry, I rarely use acronyms on first mention but I HATE typing this one out!

        Log in to Reply
        • Robin says:
          30 July 2014 at 7:13 pm

          I sympathize! And I used to be quicker to recognize acronyms, there are just so darned many now.

          Log in to Reply
    • rendangboy says:
      1 August 2014 at 4:49 am

      The Tauer I would pick is Incense Extreme. There’s something about it I find very cooling :)

      Log in to Reply
  8. aimiliona says:
    30 July 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I wore Parfum Sacre yesterday.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 4:20 pm

      Nice pick!

      Log in to Reply
  9. akimon says:
    30 July 2014 at 4:06 pm

    I love Passage D’Enfer and I actually wore it recently for several days during a trip, but my go to scent during the scorching days of summer is Holy Water by La Via del Profumo. I am wearing it today. Perfect incense with rose and real Mysore sandalwood. Although I was initially planning to use it on special occasions only, given its price tag, it’s becoming more of a Holy Grail to me, since I have just finished my fourth bottle…

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 4:20 pm

      Wow, 4 bottles! I don’t think I’ve replaced any fragrance as much as that.

      Log in to Reply
      • akimon says:
        30 July 2014 at 4:28 pm

        I know, this is crazy – I only have a few others where I am even as far as second bottle, but that’s how great this scent is..
        I do have three bottles of another perfect incense scent, L’Artisan Eau de Jatamansi, but that’s because I panicked when I found out they have discounted it, and bought extra bottles, including one tester from nearby perfume store. However, these are HUGE bottles and it will take me a while to go through them – or so I hope..

        Log in to Reply
  10. AnnieA says:
    30 July 2014 at 4:06 pm

    I tried some Amouage Interlude on a sunny day recently and really liked it. Probably not going run out and get it.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 4:33 pm

      Because of the price?

      Log in to Reply
      • AnnieA says:
        30 July 2014 at 7:40 pm

        Mai oui.

        Log in to Reply
  11. Janice says:
    30 July 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Barbara Bui (long discontinued, I think) was a very light, almost powdery incense that worked well in the summer.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 4:46 pm

      Oh, that was a great scent! Always hoped they’d bring it back.

      Log in to Reply
  12. des esseintes says:
    30 July 2014 at 4:46 pm

    I’m very much in love with Passage d’Enfer. Just used up a
    100 ml. bottle. We’ll se if I can afford a new one. Next month I think. Get lots of compliments on this one.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 6:26 pm

      Wow, you guys are all draining more bottles than I do!

      Log in to Reply
  13. SuddenlyInexplicably says:
    30 July 2014 at 5:08 pm

    Great idea for a post! Actually my go-to fragrance this summer has been an incense fragrance: Sideris by Maria Candida Gentile. It’s very sheer and cooling while at the same time having enough “spice” to be stimulating and uplifting. I think frankincense is actually a very cooling note, while also being calming. Top notes are french labdanum, saffron, incense, myrhh and pepper; middle note is sideritis, mountain tea; base notes are sandalwood, benzoin, woodsy notes and beeswax.

    Another cooling incense fragrance is Serge Lutens Encens et Lavande.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 6:25 pm

      I like Sideris although only tried once so far…will try to review it soon!

      Log in to Reply
    • nozknoz says:
      30 July 2014 at 6:50 pm

      Love Sideris! Glad you reminded me of it. I need to wear it this week while it’s a bit cooler.

      Log in to Reply
    • Elisa says:
      30 July 2014 at 7:12 pm

      I just got a sample of this a couple weeks ago! Going to wear it soon. Also planning to wear my Passage d’Enfer this week :)

      Log in to Reply
    • Laurels says:
      31 July 2014 at 1:17 am

      I’ll have to dig out my sample and try it again.

      Log in to Reply
  14. Merlin says:
    30 July 2014 at 5:13 pm

    I don’t own it (unfortunately) but I do think Dzongkha would be great in summer.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 7:14 pm

      It surely qualifies but for whatever reason I think of it as an iris scent. Great fragrance in any case!

      Log in to Reply
    • bluepinegrove says:
      31 July 2014 at 1:07 am

      I drained the last of my Dzonkha sample the other day and was totally amazed at how perfect it was in the heat. Must have it.

      Log in to Reply
    • perthgirl says:
      31 July 2014 at 10:15 pm

      Dzongkha is a summer staple for me. It’s fantastic on hot humid days

      Log in to Reply
  15. Cybele says:
    30 July 2014 at 5:45 pm

    Timbuktu and Avignon

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 8:03 pm

      Solid picks :-)

      Log in to Reply
    • sarcon says:
      31 July 2014 at 10:58 am

      yep, I love both of those as well. and in solid agreement on Passage d’Enfer – LOVE that one in summer. Smell Bent had a nice dry incense – “Tibet…” something “Tibet your life”? I don’t know, it’s no longer available but may have become one of the “Vocabulary” scents with a different name. very light and crisp.

      Log in to Reply
      • Rictor07 says:
        31 July 2014 at 1:22 pm

        You are thinking of Tibet Your Bottom Dollar

        Log in to Reply
        • odonata9 says:
          31 July 2014 at 1:41 pm

          You beat me to it! That was a really nice simply incense, and I generally don’t like incense scents.

          Log in to Reply
        • sarcon says:
          1 August 2014 at 9:04 am

          yes, that’s it! thanks!

          Log in to Reply
  16. Safran says:
    30 July 2014 at 5:55 pm

    Incenso Viola from Sinfonia di Note is another nice summery incense scent, the incense is paired with violet and lily of the valley, very unusual. I could also imagine, one of my favourites from last winter, La Fumee Ottoman from Miller Harris could work very well in summer. To me it’s an airy, spice and fluffy incense shawl.
    Cheers
    Safran

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      30 July 2014 at 8:03 pm

      Do not know Incenso Viola, sounds lovely!

      Log in to Reply
  17. Aparatchick says:
    30 July 2014 at 7:01 pm

    PdE Wazamba. Perfect for hot weather. I wear it all summer here in Florida.

    Log in to Reply
    • Elisa says:
      30 July 2014 at 7:14 pm

      Good call, I love Wazamba in the heat … used up a decant the summer I moved across the country.

      Log in to Reply
    • perthgirl says:
      31 July 2014 at 10:17 pm

      Yes! Damn that’s been on my to-buy list for an age now..

      Log in to Reply
  18. Glannys says:
    30 July 2014 at 7:16 pm

    L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer
    Serge Lutens L’Eau Froide
    Maria Candida Gentile Exultat

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      31 July 2014 at 11:11 am

      I need to try the Exultant…

      Log in to Reply
  19. hajusuuri says:
    30 July 2014 at 7:53 pm

    I would add L’AP Seville a l’Aube although most people would probably associate it more with orange blossom.

    Another one that may be good for summer is Memoire Liquide Ensens Liquide

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      31 July 2014 at 11:11 am

      Quite so, I think of it as ob…but great scent!

      Log in to Reply
  20. ringthing says:
    30 July 2014 at 8:57 pm

    Incense is one of my favorite categories and I like your choices. Ouarzazate is so overlooked. I would add Messe di Minuit as it’s like standing in an old stone building and Wazamba just because I think it’s cooling and ashy, and it’s fun to say :)

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      31 July 2014 at 11:12 am

      So true, Ouarzazate is almost never mentioned! And Wazamba is just a great name.

      Log in to Reply
  21. Jonas says:
    30 July 2014 at 9:42 pm

    I’m on a bit of an incense tear lately. First I ordered a bottle of Diptyque L’Eau Trois unsniffed then I ordered a bunch of samples including Kyoto, Avignon, Passage d’Enfer and Timbuktu. I wore Kyoto today and loved it. I think the heat really brought the smokiness out of it.

    For incense lovers I highly recommend Nesti Dante Borghi e Monsasteri soap.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      31 July 2014 at 11:13 am

      Oh, will look for that soap, thanks!

      Log in to Reply
  22. Connie says:
    30 July 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Incense Pure is my favorite incense and I actually discovered it in the summer- just a bit over a year ago now. I can see how some might find it a tad heavy in the heat, but the resin-y sappiness really comes out and is strangely and miraculously refreshing. Fantastic.

    Log in to Reply
    • Robin says:
      31 July 2014 at 11:13 am

      That’s Sonoma Scent Studio for anyone who was wondering, and yes, great scent!

      Log in to Reply
  23. KLMNOP says:
    30 July 2014 at 11:42 pm

    On my skin, Comme des Garçons’ Blue Encens is definitely a summer fragrance. So wonderfully chilly. I see on Fragrantica that most people view it as a winter fragrance, which I don’t get, personally. Although I can definitely see wanting to wear it year-round.

    Also, I live in the tropics (the Philippines), but the scents that get me the most compliments are almost always winter scents. Spicy, ambery, woody vanillas and the like.

    Log in to Reply
  24. Nile Goddess says:
    31 July 2014 at 3:26 am

    I go for Messe de Minuit.

    Prague has been under heavy rain clouds for the past week but it’s warm, so we need something to counteract the glasshouse feel.

    Am wearing Herba Fresca today, a no-brainer LOL

    Loove Un Jardin En Mediterannee too, and Vetiver Pour Elle.

    Log in to Reply
    • platinum14 says:
      31 July 2014 at 11:00 am

      I second the Messe de Minuit.
      I sampled it YEARS ago, in Venice of all places, and found it too gothic. But I bought a bottle last winter (I just couldn’t get that name out of my head) and this time was surprised by how not-gothic it is. Reformulation…?

      I am also a great fan of Jaisalmer from the CdG serie with its fruity/spicy/amber combo.
      This week I also tried Carbone de Balmain for the first time in the summer. I always love it in the fall, but it also works on a not too humid summer day.

      Log in to Reply
      • Nile Goddess says:
        31 July 2014 at 11:09 am

        Which one would you call gothic?

        For me it’s Voleur de Roses – every time I wear it – which is not often – I get told I “smell like a church” …

        Log in to Reply
        • platinum14 says:
          31 July 2014 at 2:48 pm

          I haven’t tried VdR yet.
          The first time I tried MdM I called it: Fatal interview with the Grand Inquisitor. Lol so I’m glad that I feel differently about it now.
          Avignon also seems to rub me the wrong way. I find it very gothic, not bad just a bit too much for my taste. Whi knows, I might love it in another 20 years… If it’s still around!

          Log in to Reply
  25. Jaisalmer says:
    31 July 2014 at 6:48 pm

    I own all of the fragrances you read about..I prefer Play though is heavier than Play Black..and Jaisalmer is perfect for these days…Passage d’enfer is fantastic too..and i would add Crystalle de roques by Olivier durbano…well I have to admit the only incense fragrance I wouldn’t wear these days is Casbah by Piguet…

    Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

From NST at Twitter

  • "Cult Shop: the perfumer drawing on her Māori heritage" (financial times) https://t.co/9HmkvBfcvm, 4 hours ago
  • Imaginary Authors' limited edition Decisions, Decisions from 2020 is available again for a limited time… https://t.co/CL55QrsyTB, 4 hours ago
  • "Scent-a Fe: New Mexico could be first state with official aroma" (guardian) https://t.co/zt7NB3n20L, 7 hours ago
  • "The Smell of Magic: A new crop of scents reference long-held beliefs about the connection between perfume and the… https://t.co/6OeiuFOYtf, 7 hours ago
  • "Can 'perfume regression' solve your stress problem? I put it to the test" (cosmopolitan via yahoo) https://t.co/SRtzlLLFd4, 7 hours ago

Browse by...

Topic

Perfume talk New fragrances
Shopping Books :: News
Body products Home fragrance
Polls Another subject

Date

January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022

Prior months

Author

Robin Jessica
Angela Kevin
Erin Guest Author

Tag

Celebrity perfumes
Cheap thrills
Collector bottles
Perfumista tip series
Video
The complete tag index

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

4 January ~ damage poll
4 February ~ winter reading poll

TBA April ~ swap meet

Back to Top

Home
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy

Shop for Perfume Online
Perfume Shopping in New York
Perfume Shopping in London
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Links
Perfume Books
Fragrance Awards

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2023 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.