Lemon, grapefruit, citron, bergamot, yuzu… Citrus fruits are used in the composition of many hesperidic fragrances. They generally bring a good dose of freshness to these fragrances, as well as a certain dynamism.
Very present in summer waters, these ingredients also know how to reveal more subtle and sometimes indulgent facets. So here is a selection of fragrances for men that showcase citrus… but not only that!
Perfume Water 004, Bon Parfumeur
It was upon returning from a trip to Colombia that Ludovic Bonneton launched his brand Bon Parfumeur in 2017. First an timeless cologne, then new creations with rare ingredients in collaboration with renowned perfumers. The common point between all these fragrances: a simple number as a name, like a marker in the creation timeline, 3 representative ingredients and a specific color for each olfactory family.
With this 004 eau de parfum, created with Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, Bon Parfumeur makes us the promise of “a Parisian café at aperitif time”. Like a gin cocktail, this fragrance pulses to the rhythm of juniper berries, preceded by a bright trio of citrus (lemon, bergamot and mandarin). Darker and damp, the base combines tobacco, patchouli and musks for a blend that provides a beautiful evolution throughout the day.
Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum, Prada
The Luna Rossa fragrance is a classic from the Prada brand, which it reinterprets almost every season. After the eau de parfum unveiled in 2023, the Italian house goes even further with Luna Rossa Ocean Le Parfum, created by master perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm.If its name obviously evokes the maritime world, this new creation designed for “the adventurers of modern times” offers a beautiful intensity. Prada evokes “an explosion of invigorating and sparkling citrus” with lemon essence to open the ball. A saffron accord enhanced by lavandin and sage adds greater depth to this fragrance, before a more enveloping base associating patchouli, vetiver, oak, and tobacco. Ingredients that seem quite distant from the ocean, but allow to completely rediscover the emblematic Luna Rossa.
Eros Perfume, Versace
The god of love has his perfume! The face of Eros is proudly displayed on the bottle of this fragrance, which is now a classic from the house of Versace.
Power and sensuality are on the menu for this new eau de parfum, which relies on a certain sophistication. This is expressed through a composition where the Italian lemon, green apple and mint essence let their freshness speak, before a gourmand and contrasting heart between tonka, ambroxan and geranium. The base follows the same logic, with a subtle association of Madagascar vanilla, vetiver, moss and cedar.
Neroli Portofino, Tom Ford
Citrus scents often evoke the Riviera and this is the case with this new creation from Tom Ford. With its turquoise bottle and its name, this fragrance immediately transports us to the shores of the Italian Liguria.
Inspired by “the fresh breezes, sparkling clear water and lush foliage of the Riviera” in the brand’s own words, Neroli Portofino naturally opens with notes of Neroli (from Tunisia). The journey continues in Italy with lemon, bergamot and mandarin, before a final stop that’s equally fresh and aromatic combining orange blossom, lavender and rosemary.
The bottle, however, maintains the usual lines of the Tom Ford collection, with its sleek architectural look reminiscent of a chess piece, but this time draped in a turquoise dress that makes you want to dive into the water!
Citrus Riviera, BDK Perfumes
We stay on the shores of the Mediterranean, but this time we cross the border for an olfactory journey in the south of France. David Benedek enlisted Ralf Schwieger to create this Citrus Riviera inspired by the flowers and citrus fruits of the French Riviera.
The opening is fresh and classic with this clever blend of neroli, mandarin, and Italian lemon. But, as is often the case with BDK, the heart of the fragrance has multiple facets to reveal, the perfumer evoking here the absolute of orange blossom as well as jasmine, the absolute of immortelle, eucalyptus or even strawberry! The final touch becomes more sensible, thanks to the notes of white musks, patchouli, vetiver and tonka bean.
Blu Mediterraneo Mandarino di Sicilia, Acqua di Parma
The holidays are prolonged with Acqua di Parma unveiling its new fragrance Blu Mediterraneo Mandarino di Sicilia. From the first notes, the green mandarin seizes you with its invigorating freshness, accompanied by a sparkling cocktail of bergamot, lemon and juicy blood orange. This sunny blend immediately evokes the brightness and warmth of a Sicilian summer.
At its heart, the freshness of petitgrain and green mint create a prolonged and refreshing harmony, before a more wooded base, where cedar brings a lasting touch of greenery, while musk adds its typical touch.
The iconic Acqua di Parma bottle, with its Art Deco influences, is a design object in its own right. Luxurious and thick, the deep blue glass plays with light to evoke the transparency of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Tygar Gem, Bvlgari
The Gemme of Bvlgari always allows us to discover precious, refined, sophisticated fragrances. We still remember the exceptional oriental duo Astrea / Azaran discovered in 2021, but with Tygar, the Italian brand unveils another facet, more sparkling but above all very contrasting.
The meeting of grapefruit, citrus zest and amber notes give a unique character to this perfume that always draws its inspiration from the state of Kerala, a region nicknamed “the spice garden of India”. The ambrox that closes the trail of this Tygar Gem also evokes the tiger’s eye, a golden precious stone that is also found in this region.
Woody and tangy, this luxurious Bvlgari perfume will not leave you indifferent.
For those who always want more, this list of citrus fragrances could welcome many other beautiful references. We think for example of Perseus by Parfums de Marly, Toy 2 Pearl by Moschino (which also showcases the jasmine), not to mention the great classics of the kind such as Cerruti 1881, Azzaro Chrome or the various variations of Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani.