New takes on classic scents turn summer fresh, breezy

Tired of your trademark cologne? Try a cooling summer version. The latest cologne offerings include fresh takes on classic scents and some hip packaging. Just remember, when spritzing, keep it subtle.

Just in time for summer, Issey Miyake has created a summer duo, Souffle d’Issey. Both the perfume and cologne are alcohol-free with moisturizing elements. The fresh scent draws on summer moments ― morning dew and a passing shadow. The cologne, L’Eau d’Issey pour Homme Summer Eau de Toilette, is 52,000 won ($42) for a 125-milliliter bottle. The perfume, L’Eau d'Issey Alcohol-free Summer Fragrance, is 64,000 won for a 100-milliliter bottle.

Tommy Summer Cologne and Tommy Girl, a seasonal limited edition, puts a fun twist on the classic Tommy Hilfiger fragrances. The cologne was inspired by the sun, breeze, sand and beach. The overall scent is one of fresh wood. The 100-milliliter bottle is 50,000 won.

Just in time for summer, Aramis Cool reinterprets the classic Aramis cologne. The summer version has top notes of citrus and cognac, middle notes of juniper and rum, and base notes of sandalwood and patchouli. The 100-milliliter bottle is 51,000 won.

First there was Miracle. Then there was Miracle Homme. And now, there’s Miracle L’AquaTonic, Lancome’s offering for the summer. L’AquaTonic is an energizing scent composed of bitter orange leaf, rhubarb leaf and waterfall ferns. The notes are woody and musky, but with a fresh citrus top note. The 125-milliliter bottle is 67,000 won.

Calvin Klein and Fabien Baron teamed up with three graffiti artists, Espo, Futura and Delta, to introduce three collector’s bottles in the CK One line. The scent is the same: a citrus-based cologne with a signature green-tea note that travels from the top to the bottom. But, the packaging is edgy, which fits the cologne’s profile. Since the launch of CK One nine years ago, it has been an edgy scent. The artists are three of today’s top urban voices, expressing themselves with humor and wit. The 100-milliliter bottle is 64,000 won.

Polo Ralph Lauren’s new fragrance, Polo Ralph Lauren Blue, has the casually elegant man in mind. The scent draws on images of the blue sky, the energy of open waters and an invigorating blast of fresh air. The scent has a smooth spice tone. The 75-milliliter bottle is 58,000 won; the 125-milliliter bottle is 78,000 won.

Biotherm’s Homme line includes a fresh, but long-lasting cologne. Aqua-Fitness Eau de Toilette Pour Homme embodies the power and strength of water. The initial scents are mint citrata, lemon and mandarin top notes, followed by honeysuckle and cedar middle notes. Amber, musk and sandalwood bottom notes linger as base notes. The 100-milliliter bottle is 60,000 won.

by Joe Yong-hee