Photo: Elizaveta Porodina Shades of White in German Madame Magazine

When we think of “white ” fragrance, chances are the first thing that comes to mind are big, blowsy florals, but flowers aren't the only summer whites. If you're seeking simplicity, here are some favorite summer scents that play on the theme and keep you cool without drowning you in indoles:

Lumière Blanche Frangrance/Lumiere Blanche Photo by Massimo Vitali

Lumière Blanche by Olfactive Studio (2012) is inspired by the pure white light in Massimo Vitali’s photo of the Italian coastline. It’s a time of day when heat bleaches your quotidian cares away and you are able to practice complete mindfulness and experience the sun and surf with your entire being. Perfumer Sidonie Lancesseur interprets this timeless moment with cool, spicy top notes of star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom (the latter makes my mouth water and if there were an ice pop made in this flavor, I’d buy the whole truck). Heart notes of iris, almond milk and cashmere wood provide the smooth feel of fine white sand beneath your feet. Base notes of cedar, sandalwood, tonka and white musk keep the fragrance airy; the loveliest thing about Lumière Blanche is that it stays fresh without cliches like calone and truly evokes the sea without any “blue” notes.

Interior of Sheikh Zayed Mosque/Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 2022 Generation White Fragrance

If summer makes you yearn more for the sands of the desert and One Thousand and One Nights than the beach, Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777’s new 2022 Generation White Fragrance will take you on a magic carpet ride. This fragrance fit for a sheikh has top notes of imperial almonds, neroli, and nectarine that will make you feel like your most trusted servant is feeding and fanning you. As the fragrance deepens, heliotrope and black jasmine add a genie’s magic and mystery, while base notes of precious Mysore sandalwood and tonka underscore the exquisite quality of the scent.

 Man In White Shirt/LM Parfums Logo

Summer in the city can be a beautiful thing if you think of the marbled interior of museums and chic boutiques with air conditioning. Chemise Blanche (2013), a limited edition fragrance from LM Parfums (the phrase means “white shirt” in English), has the vibe of a starched dress shirt fresh from the cleaners worn in such an urbane environment. Top notes of aldehydes, mandarin and bergamot feel like a slice of fresh fruit on the cocktail of the moment. Heart notes of iris, lily and rose make a perfect boutonniere for a black tie event, and base notes of benzoin, amber, musk and tonka (on me, the musk was most prominent) might get some lipstick on your collar.

 Blake Lively/Leighton Meister, Rolling Stone Cover, April 2009/Costamor Dulcess

No sunny day would be complete without a trip to the ice cream shop, and vanilla is the most popular flavor for adults. Costamor Dulcess  (2009) is a sweet, frothy vanilla mixed with florals to keep the sophistication level steady. Top notes of almond blossom, mandarin, and a pear so true you can taste the graininess in it bring to mind an orchard in Costa Rica (the fragrance is inspired by the sugar cane plantations there). A heart of vanilla bean and coconut is freshened with muguet and cyclamen, while base notes of musk and sandalwood prevent Dulcess from being cloying and bring it solidly into unisex territory.

Disclosure: Samples of 2022 Generation White Fragrance and LM Parfums Chemise Blanche were provided by Osswald NYC for promotional consideration. Lumière Blanche  and Costamor Dulcess from writer’s personal collection.

— Nancy Knows, Sr. Editor and Beauty Editor

Thanks to the great generosity of Creative Director Celine Verleure of Olfactive Studio and  our friends at OsswaldNYC, we have a draw for two readers: a 50 ml bottle of Lumière Blanche for any reader WORLDWIDE, and a  spray sample set of Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777 2022 Generation White  and LM Parfums Chemise Blanche for one U.S. reader. To enter, please leave a comment which fragrances appeal to you (your choice of prize as well) and where you live. Draw closes July 10, 2014.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.