Summer has come to the UAE. There’s no denying that! School is almost out and it’s time for you to start planning that trip back home for summer break.
I know you’re probably stressing about how many outfits to take, what shoes match which outfit, and many other things that you need to pack. I go through the same when packing, but one of the most important things I personally stress about is the perfumes that I should pack with me. Surely, I can’t just pack one and call it a day, for the perfume I’m going to wear for a night out won’t be to my grandmother’s liking. Therefore, I ensure that I pack more than one perfume whenever I’m traveling back home (or otherwise) so that I have different perfumes to wear for different situations and vibes.
You don’t even have to worry about doing any research on what perfumes you’ll need for this trip because I did the research for you and put together this list, which you can use as a reference as you pack.
For Her:
1. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense EDP
When visiting family members for the summer, I look for a fragrance that is both fun and sophisticated. I want to send a message that says: I’m a grown woman that can be serious at times, and loosen up when need be.
For that, I always go for Coco Mademoiselle Intense by Chanel. This perfume is elegant and refreshing, but it is also long-lasting and has strong projection. This means it will last you all day during family visits, and you will receive compliments from everyone at the family function.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Chanel |
| Best for | Women |
| Notes | Top Notes: Sicilian Orange, Calabrian Bergamot, and Lemon Middle Notes: Rose, Fruity Notes, and Jasmine Base Notes: Patchouli, Madagascar Vanilla, Tonka Bean, White Musk, and Labdanum |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Longevity | 9 hours |
| Projection | Strong |
| Perfumer | Olivier Polge |
2. Azza De Lillis EDP
An essential part of our trips back home includes a visit to the local market to shop for our favorite childhood snacks and meals and other trinkets to take back with us to the UAE. Some we give as souvenirs to our foreign friends, and some we hold close to our hearts when we’re feeling homesick. For such a trip, a cool, light fragrance that will endure the heat and sweat is what is needed.
Azza De Lillis by Lillis fits this description. In addition to that, it is an exclusive brand that you can’t find anywhere else other than at V Perfumes, so take this opportunity to really stand out with this summer perfume.
Lillis is a UAE-based brand. For a list of more local perfume brands, check out our list of perfume brands made in the UAE.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lillis |
| Best for | Women |
| Notes | Top Notes: Sicilian Cedar, Apple, and Bluebell Middle Notes: Bamboo, Jasmine, and White Rose Base Notes: Citron wood, Amber, and Musk |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Longevity | 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Faizal CP |
3. Carolina Herrera Good Girl EDP
One can’t miss out on a party in the streets of Beirut, Colombo, Cairo, Yangon, Haifa, or whichever city is renowned for its nightlife in your country.
For these nights, you would want a long-lasting, sensual fragrance that would cling to you as you cling to your senses. Dance away, and don’t worry about your scent fading because Good Girl by Carolina Herrera will be your best friend as you rip that dance floor to shreds.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Carolina Herrera |
| Best for | Women |
| Notes | Top Notes: Almond, Coffee, Bergamot, and Lemon Middle Notes: Tuberose, Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom, Orris, and Bulgarian Rose Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Cacao, Vanilla, Praline, Sandalwood, Musk, Amber, Cashmere Wood, Cinnamon, Patchouli, and Cedar |
| Release year | 2016 |
| Longevity | 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Louise Turner and Quentin Bisch |
For Him:
1. Armani Acqua Di Gio Profondo EDP
As for the gents who want to spend most of their summer back home at the beach building up that tan, I’ve got you covered.
Acqua Di Gio by Armani is ideal for a day by the pool. With its light notes that react well to heat, it will last on you all day as you chill under the sun gaining your vacation tan. You’ll be getting compliments on your scent while you’re tanning, and compliments on your tan once you return to the UAE.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Giorgio Armani |
| Best for | Men |
| Notes | Top Notes: Marine notes and Green Mandarin Middle Notes: Mimosa Base Notes: Patchouli and Labdanum |
| Release year | 2024 |
| Longevity | 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Giorgio Armani |
2. Mark Des Vince Aqua Man EDP
If you’re looking for a perfume similar to the one previously mentioned but would like something more intense, Aqua Man by Mark Des Vince is the scent for you.
Imagine this scene: You’re walking into your hometown for the first time in a long time (probably a year). You have everyone’s attention (they’re curious if you came with gifts), and then they take a whiff of your perfume. It is summery, it is light, it is intense, and everyone loves it.
⚠️Caution: On your next visit, everyone will ask you to get them this perfume as a gift.
Mark Des Vince is an exclusive brand from V Perfumes. Check out more of their products, and you will find a scent for every occasion in our collection of the best Mark Des Vince Perfumes.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Mark Des Vince |
| Best for | Men |
| Notes | Top Notes: Petitgrain, Cardamom, Lemon, Orange, Fir, and Sea Middle Notes: Jasmine, Rosemary, Rose, Lily-of-the-valley, and Sage Base Notes: Vetiver, Musk, Oakmoss, Brazilian Rosewood, and Sandalwood |
| Release year | 2010 |
| Longevity | 9 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Faizal CP |
3. Versace Eros EDP
I am aware that the men reading this would also want to visit the party cities in their home countries to regain those memories from their youth. Nothing beats the feeling of visiting those places that we are so familiar with as adults and reliving those experiences in a different light.
Eros by Versace carries notes of citrus that we associate with summer nights, accompanied by the sweetness of its base that gives us so much warmth and comfort. This is the ideal perfume to wear on your nights out when you visit your hometown. You will also start associating this perfume with these places every time you wear it when you’re back to your everyday life in the UAE, and I think that’s beautiful.
Re-live the good old days with these nostalgic perfumes that bring back the old vibes.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Versace |
| Best for | Men |
| Notes | Top Notes: Mint, Candy Apple, Lemon, and Mandarin Orange Middle Notes: Ambroxan, Geranium, and Clary Sage Base Notes: Vanilla, Cedar, Sandalwood, Bitter Orange, Patchouli, and Leather |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Longevity | 9 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Aurélien Guichard |
For Unisex
1. Tom Ford Soleil Blanc EDT
Ladies and gentlemen, you might want to go on vacation for pure enjoyment, without fussing about family gatherings and market visits, and that’s completely okay (don’t worry, we won’t tell Grandma). For these kinds of trips, Tom Ford is the way to go.
If I’m being honest, Tom Ford is the way to go in most situations, But for a vacation perfume that will transport you to paradise, you need to pick up Soleil Blanc. This perfume specifically smells like a tropical cocktail that you are likely to be sipping on as you enjoy cool waters somewhere far away this summer.
If you are a lover of luxury brands like Tom Ford, browse the list of luxury perfumes that you can buy right now.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Tom Ford |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Notes | Top Notes: Pistachio, Bergamot, Cardamom, and Pink Pepper Middle Notes: Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, and Jasmine Base Notes: Coconut, Amber, Tonka Bean, and Benzoin |
| Release year | 2016 |
| Longevity | 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Natalie Gracia-Cetto |
2) Leon Hector Divine EDP
For those of you in a long-distance relationship who are going home to reunite with your lover, you’ll need something soft, breathy, and sensual. You will need something “Divine”.
Divine by Leon Hector makes a lovely summer date night perfume that you can wear for that first reunion with your lover. This perfume is comprised of soft and refreshing summer notes, but what makes it romantic is the patchouli in the base. Patchouli is a calming and sensual note that will give your partner that sense of comfort that they’ve been longing for.
Patchouli is a highly sought-after sensual note. Consider this list of patchouli-based fragrances for your next date night perfume.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Leon Hector |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Notes | Top Notes: Sea Notes, Bergamot, and Green Mandarin Middle Notes: Rosemary, Lavender, Cypress, and Mastic Base Notes: Mineral Notes, Musk, Patchouli, and Amber |
| Release year | – |
| Longevity | 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Leon Hector |
3) Manzana Amour Sans Espoir EDP
Last but not least, we have Amour Sans Espoir by Manzana, another winner that will get you a lot of compliments when you go back home this summer vacation.
A sweet, fruity fragrance that isn’t too overpowering is ideal for big gatherings and crowded places. With Manzana Amour Sans Espoir, you will smell good while wearing something appropriate for a visit back home as all your cousins and aunties are gathered together, waiting to greet you.
For more unique fragrances by Manzana, browse the list of the best Manzana perfumes, and you might find a new favorite fragrance.
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Manzana |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Notes | Top Notes: Bergamot, Blackcurrant Leaves, Apple, and Pineapple Middle Notes: Pink Berries, Birch, Patchouli, and Jasmine Base Notes: Musk, Oakmoss, Ambergris, and Vanilla |
| Release year | – |
| Longevity | 8 hours |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | – |
As I previously stated, vacation packing isn’t complete without perfumes. You can find all these fragrances and more at V Perfumes, online and in-store. Don’t leave for the airport without making sure you have your three travel essentials: your passport, your luggage, and your perfumes.
