Suddenly, the Only Perfume That Matters to Me This Summer Is Drake’s Unexpected New Scent
Honestly, I expected Drake’s first perfume under his latest venture Better World Fragrance House to be something woody, traditionally masculine-leaning, and, well, moody AF. But what I got instead was something completely unexpected. As a gal who is ride-or-die for her sweeter notes—lychee, apple blossom, and vanilla—I couldn’t believe how quickly I fell in love with the offering that is Summer Mink ($148). It just oozes cool-girl energy—a sense of unapologetic indulgence that’s hard to ignore.
Its amber-rich profile paired with vibrant, sparkling, and creamy musk notes gives it something unique, and I know it’s going to be my obsession all season long. For all my thoughts on this new summer bombshell, keep scrolling. I’m sharing them all ahead.
BETTER WORLD FRAGRANCE HOUSE
Summer Mink Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Top: Italian citrus, clary sage oil, petitgrain oil, rose oil, jasmine sambac, spices, patchouli oil, ambrofix, musk
I genuinely didn’t expect to love this fragrance as much as I do. I tend to go for scents that heavily lean gourmand, but this was such a pleasant surprise for me. First, I love how musky-sweet it is with notes of citrus, rose oil, jasmine, and patchouli. For me, patchouli can sometimes be a bit of an overpowering note, overwhelming the whole fragrance if it isn’t balanced correctly. This one, however, is a dream in its composition. All the notes blend beautifully and it never leans too sweet, too musky, or too ambery.
While this fragrance is designed to be season-less, as the name would aptly suggest, it’s undeniably a summer fragrance to me with how airy, fresh, sweet, and crisp it is upon first spritz. Maybe it’s the prominent notes of citrus at the top, but it just screams summer vacation in Italy to me—sunning yourself on the Amalfi Coast with the breeze running through your hair and cool sparkling waters you could dive into for hours.
But then, the dry-down is what makes it even more interesting. It settles into something warm, sensual, and downright delicious. I’ve never found a better scent for transitioning from day to night. It’s beautiful to wear out on a sunny day, but you could just as easily wear it to dinner or on a night out with friends. It works so beautifully for many an occasion, and I know I’m going to be spritzing this long into fall, too.
If you like scents that are creamy, sweet, musky, with a hint of sparkle, then this one is definitely for you. Like I said, I didn’t know what to expect from this one. TBH, I thought it would lean more woody or aquatic, but that’s not the case here. It’s just a really beautiful and unique fragrance that lasts on the skin.
More Fragrances I’m Wearing This Summer
NOYZ
Detour Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Spanish mandarin, pink pepper, apple blossom, jasmine, gardenia, tiare blossom, musk, Indian papyrus, vanilla
We’ve waxed poetic about this summer-ready scent since its release. The notes are so crisp and clean. Plus it has a juicy quality to it that I’m totally obsessed with.
Key notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, orange blossom, lavender, verbena, jasmine, patchouli, vetiver, sage, amber
This is another recent favorite of mine that has some fresh, sparkling notes that are perfect for the season.
Ellis Brooklyn
Guava Granita Eau De Parfum With Vanilla and Banana
Key notes: Guava juice, banana, vanilla
This one has so much projection and longevity—I’m completely in love. I’d never owned a guava perfume before, but it’s such a beautiful note on the skin, adding a layer of something sweet, juicy, and tangy. It’s fruity and floral in all the best ways.
KAYALI
Eden Sparkling Lychee | 39 Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Sparkling lychee, rose damascena, vanilla absolute
I haven’t tried this offering from Kayali just yet, but best believe it’s on my wish list. Lychee is one of my all-time favorite fragrance notes, and it’s such a pretty one for summer. The addition of rose and vanilla notes here make it such a classic and sweet fragrance perfect for your seasonal rotation.
Parfums de Marly
Delina Exclusif Parfum
Key notes: Pear, lychee, grapefruit, rosa damascena, incense, vetiver, vanilla, musk
Ah, my most-worn and -complimented perfume to date. I’m often changing up my scent rotation, but if I had a signature scent, it would be this one, hands down. It’s just so beautiful, and without fail, someone asks me what I’m wearing every time I wear it.
Paris Hilton Fragrances
Iconic Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Pear blossom, raspberry, peach nectar, lily of the valley, magnolia, sandalwood, amber, musk
Paris Hilton’s newest addition to the fragrance family is the fruity floral fragrance of my dreams. The notes of peach nectar and raspberry really stand out. It’s just perfect for anyone who loves a fruit-heavy scent, but it’s really light and airy at the same time so its magic is a bit subtler.
