WISHLIST | 10 CRUELTY FREE FRAGRANCES

My current all-time favourite summer perfume is Lust, by Lush. Its described as a "powerful, unadulterated and sexy jasmine perfume" and contains notes of jasmine, ylang ylang, rose, vanilla and sandalwood. The gorgeous intensely sweet and floral fragrance is perfect for hot, humid days. I like to layer it with a bit of solid Vanillary (which has notes of vanilla, tonka and jasmine) too, for some added depth, and could literally sniff myself all day while wearing this.

I’m sure it isn’t just me who likes to match scents to the seasons? I have particular scents I like to wear at different times of the year, and I can’t really deviate from this as it just doesn't feel right! (I’ve tried wearing summer scents in winter, and vice versa, and just felt ‘wrong’ somehow). Anyone else like this?? Anyway, to me, summer scents are sweet and floral – ranging from the heady sensual jasmine, to light and sweet vanilla, or the innocence of milk and honey - with hints of sun ripened citrus and warming spices. They should transport you to humid blooming gardens, teaparties in the sunshine, or warm summer nights camping. Here I’ve compiled a list of ten fragrances (from companies that do not test on animals!) that I feel would be perfect for summertime. These are definitely on my wishlist!

HONEYSUCKLE, THE LIBRARY OF FRAGRANCE 

Honeysuckle. They say: “Whilst there are almost 100 different species of the honeysuckle plant, they all have their distinctive, heady and addictive aroma in common. Our Honeysuckle fragrance ‘bottles’ the scent of early blooms, dancing in the air on a warm, sunny day in late spring.” // £15 for 30ml.

CRUSH’D, A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Vanilla, tonka bean, blood orange, ylang ylang, sandalwood. They say: “This perfume by natural beauty label A Beautiful Life is a spicy and seductive scent with notes of vanilla, tonka bean, blood orange, ylang ylang and Sandalwood.” // £40 for 60ml.

HONEYMANIA, THE BODY SHOP

Honey. They say: “Spritz on this light eau de toilette for deliciously floral-scented skin. Each bottle contains Community Fair Trade honey made from the nectar of wildflowers.” Some reviewers call it a true honey scent, others a sweet floral. // £8.50 for 30ml.

ALICE, BLACK PHEONIX ALCHEMY LAB

Milk, honey, rose. They say: “Curiouser and curiouser. Milk and honey with rose, carnation and bergamot.” Reviewers call it flowery yet spicy, akin to milky tea, and soft and warm. // $17.50 for 5ml full size, $4 for ‘imp’sample size.

SNAKE OIL, BLACK PEHEONIX ALCHEMY LAB

Vanilla. They say: “By far, our most popular scent! Magnetic, mysterious, and exceedingly sexual in nature. A blend of exotic Indonesian oils sugared with vanilla.” Reviewers say that it is sweet, smoky, warm and sensual, and ages beautifully. // $17.50 for 5ml full size, $4 for ‘imp’ sample size.

NEW ORLEANS, BLACK PHOENIX ALCHEMY LAB

Honeysuckle, jasmine, lemon, spice. They say: “Reminiscent of hothouse blooms on a humid night, ripe, but touched with decay. Sweet honeysuckle and jasmine with a hint of lemon and spice.” Reviewers call it a strong jasmine scent with honey-ish character, and a humid feel to it. // $17.50 for 5ml full size, $4 for ‘imp’sample size.

WILD IN THE WOODS, LVNEA

Wild herbs, beesewax, honey, spice. They say: “A luxuriant natural perfume oil with beeswax, wildflowers, honey and spice that may induce urges to strip and run wild through the uninhabited woods. It smells rich, dark, animalic and delicious. The true essence of heavenly beeswax with it's intimate ambience and sweet pheromones. Along side a marriage of honey and intoxicating spices and wildflowers it lends an essence of musk reminiscent of sweet hay and cured tobacco.“ Reviewers call it a wonderful lingering sweet fragrance. // £24.77 for 10ml.

THE WOODS, SOAPYLAYNE

Rose, geranium rose, rosewood, cedarwood, sandalwood. They say: “This wonderful woodsy yet romantic botanical perfume is infused with some of the finest essential oils that create a delightfully unique essence. Rosewood has a fantastic warm and woody aroma with floral undertones. This particular essential oil is also known to be a natural aphrodisiac.” // £9.37 for roll-on vial.

DESERT NIGHT, LVNEA

Smoke, jasmine, vertiver, cedarwood, cedar leaf. They say: “A cool yet dry night in the desert. The darkness has closed in, the fire is roaring, the stars are blazing above, you’re alone, and you smell the fragrant emptiness. An all natural and botanical perfume oil with notes of smoke, exotic burnt woods, leather, cedar, and jasmine. Very sexy scent.” Reviewers call it a beautiful, strong, darkly rich scent. // £24.77 for 10ml.

ALICE, RAVENSCOURT APOTHECARY CO.

Neroli, jasmine, mandarin. They say: “Creating this botanical perfume, I blended together the delicate notes of flowers and citrus: bitter-sweet neroli, intoxicating jasmine and zesty mandarin. I wanted to make a light and pure white floral scent that would keep the lively spirit of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, loved by generations of children and adults alike.” Reviewers say that it smells foral, warms to your body and is a generally wonderful scent. // £25 for 10ml.

Shop my Lush favourites here: Lust (£12 for 10ml) and Vanillary (£14 for 10ml). Do you have a signature summertime scent? Like the sound of any of these (or already own them)? Let me know! Xx Sarah

PS | For information about the animal testing policies of each of these companies, click: here (The Library of Fragrance), here (Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab), here (A Beautiful Life), here (The Body Shop), here (LVNEA), here (SoapyLayne), and here (Ravencourt Apothecary Co.) As a lot of these fragrances contain honey, they are not suitable for vegans. Image Credits: First row; The Library of Fragrance / Urban Outfitter / the Body Shop. Second row; Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs. Third row: LVNEA on etsy / SoapyLayne on etsy.