EDT
Unisex
Giorgio Armani Privé
Citrus
About Citrus perfumes
Citrus perfumes are sparkling and fresh, led by bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, orange and mandarin. They smell clean and energising from the first spray. Perfume World lists 5 fragrances in this collection. Every page shows the notes, how long it lasts, how far it projects and where to buy.
Releases range from 1992 to 2020. Our reviewers have rated 5 of them so far, and the average comes out at 8.1 out of 10. Bvlgari, Elizabeth Arden and Giorgio Armani Privé are the best represented houses on this page. Typical prices run from $25 to $380, depending on bottle size and where you buy. The notes that come up most often are bergamot, amber, green tea and jasmine.
They are perfect for hot weather, mornings, the gym and the office. The trade-off is that citrus evaporates fast, so plan to reapply during the day. For better staying power, choose a citrus perfume with musk, woods or amber underneath, and spray your clothes as well as your skin.
- Perfumes
- 5
- Average rating
- 8.1/10
- Price range
- From $25 to $380
- Average longevity
- 5.4/10
- Top house
- Bvlgari
- Released
- 1992 to 2020
Top rated citrus perfumes
How to choose citrus perfumes
When you compare citrus perfumes, look past the name and check the notes, the longevity score and the concentration. Two bottles in the same style can wear very differently.
Do not judge a perfume by the first spray alone. Give it an hour on your skin, then check it again at the end of the day, because the drydown is what people around you will smell most.
How citrus perfumes perform
In our wear tests, citrus perfumes score 5.4 out of 10 for longevity on average, which means moderate staying power, so a midday refresh helps.
Sillage, the trail a perfume leaves behind you, averages 4.6 out of 10, which points to a soft, skin close projection.
In hot and humid conditions, the same perfumes average 4.8 out of 10 for longevity. Heat speeds up evaporation, so expect scents to feel stronger at first and fade sooner than in cool, dry air.
If staying power is your priority, start with Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (8/10), Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly (7/10) and Giorgio Armani Privé Thé Yulong Perfume (6/10).
Where to start with citrus perfumes
Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum has the best overall rating here at 8.7 out of 10, and it comes as Parfum. On a tight budget, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume is the most affordable, starting around $25. At the top end, Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum is the priciest, reaching about $380. For staying power, look at Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly, which scores 7 out of 10 for longevity. Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume gets noticed the most, with a compliments score of 8.9 out of 10. The newest release here is Giorgio Armani Privé Thé Yulong Perfume, from 2020. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume is the one to try for value, with a value score of 8 out of 10.
Buying tips for citrus perfumes
Set a budget before you browse. Citrus perfumes here run from $25 to $380, so decide your ceiling early and compare the value score as well as the price tag.
Moisturise before you spray. Perfume holds far better on hydrated skin, and an unscented lotion can add hours to a scent that otherwise fades quickly.
Consider a decant or a travel size if the full bottle is expensive. It lets you live with the scent for a week before spending real money.
Frequently asked questions
What do citrus perfumes smell like?
Citrus perfumes are sparkling and fresh, led by bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, orange and mandarin. They smell clean and energising from the first spray.
Which notes are common in citrus perfumes?
The notes we see most in citrus perfumes are bergamot, amber, green tea, jasmine and mandarin orange. Open a perfume page for the full opening, heart and base.
When should I wear citrus perfumes?
They are perfect for hot weather, mornings, the gym and the office. The trade-off is that citrus evaporates fast, so plan to reapply during the day.
Are citrus perfumes a good choice for beginners?
For better staying power, choose a citrus perfume with musk, woods or amber underneath, and spray your clothes as well as your skin.
Are citrus perfumes good for hot and humid weather?
It depends on the perfume, but on average citrus perfumes score 4.8 out of 10 for longevity in hot and humid conditions. Check the hot and humid score on each page, and use a lighter hand with sweet or heavy styles.
Which citrus perfumes last the longest?
Based on our longevity scores, the longest lasting are Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (8/10), Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly (7/10) and Giorgio Armani Privé Thé Yulong Perfume (6/10). Longevity also depends on skin type, weather and how you apply, so use these as a guide.
Are citrus perfumes expensive?
Prices for citrus perfumes on our list run from $25 to $380. The final price depends on bottle size, concentration and the retailer, so compare the sellers listed on each perfume page.
Which brands make the best citrus perfumes?
The houses with the most citrus perfumes here are Bvlgari, Elizabeth Arden, Giorgio Armani Privé and Nishane. Browse each one to compare styles and prices.
How do I choose between different citrus perfumes?
Compare three things: the notes, the performance scores and the price. If two perfumes tie, pick the one whose drydown you enjoy most, because that is the part that stays with you. The Perfume Finder can also build a shortlist for you.
Which citrus perfumes get the most compliments?
Our compliments score points to Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Green Tea Eau de Toilette Perfume (8.9/10), Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (7.5/10) and Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly (7.5/10). Compliments depend on setting and company, but these are the ones people notice most often.
Which citrus perfumes are worth buying?
Going by our overall ratings, the top citrus perfumes are Nishane Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum (8.7/10), Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly (8.3/10) and Giorgio Armani Privé Thé Yulong Perfume (8.2/10). Ratings come from hands on wear tests, so they reflect real performance and not just marketing.
What helps citrus perfumes last all day?
Layering helps. Use a matching or unscented body lotion, spray after a shower while skin is still slightly warm, and keep the bottle in a cool, dark place so the formula stays stable.
Not sure which one fits you? Answer a few questions and get matched, or browse our buying guides.