Everyone’s social life revs up in the summer. You want to look and feel your best, and that includes wearing a fragrance that’s perfect for the heat and fun — light and flirty, with a summery feel.

Go fresh and natural — natural scents, that is

Your best summer fragrance bet: something fresh and natural. Think sparkling, tart citrus and fresh berries. Think cool ocean waves and shady forest groves. Try a very soft floral note like freesia, magnolia, or honeysuckle. If you like spicy fragrances, you might love a scent that contains ginger or mint.

Save the heavy florals, patchouli, and syrupy vanillas for colder months — heat can actually make perfumes smell stronger, and you don’t want your fragrance to enter the room before you do.

Look for different formulas

Just can’t part with your usual perfume? Designers and retailers sometimes make lighter, limited edition “eau” versions of popular scents for summer. These fragrances have more of the fresh “top notes” and fewer of the heavier scents that develop last as you wear the fragrance.

Make it last with layers

Now’s the time to use beauty products — body washes, body lotions, and even shampoos — scented with your favorite perfume. These can help layer the fragrance and work with the way your body heat rises and falls to lessen the need to reapply your perfume during the day or evening.

Be aware of the fragrances of all your beauty products, though, and look for unscented products or versions so your perfume smells its best and isn’t competing with other scents.

Be ready to reapply

Summer’s light scents contain lighter and more volatile molecules, which means the scents will wear off faster. Alcohol- and water-based fragrances also don’t last long in high temperatures. Be sure to carry a supply of your fragrance in your purse for touch ups.

Try it in different places

Fragrance doesn’t work just on your skin. Spritz some on an inner hem (keep it away from the outside of your clothing; some perfumes can stain) or mist it on your hair for a longer-lasting scent.

A touch of scent works at your pulse points — behind your knees and inside your elbows — or in your cleavage, where perspiration can release the fragrance.

Help! I’ve used too much

If you’ve overdone the scent on your skin, use an alcohol-based sanitizer or individually wrapped alcohol wipes to remove it. Witch hazel can work, too, and so can a cotton ball dipped in unflavored vodka. These work best if used as quickly as possible after you’ve applied the scent.