A great long-lasting perfume needs to pass several tests – the most important being how well it sticks throughout the day. However, you'll also want to consider how it works with your unique body chemistry, as well as how it changes as it dries down, to find the perfect scent for you.
The best perfume for women can be one of the priciest purchases on your makeup table, so you want to ensure you're investing in a product that will cling to you all day long. Even the most alluring of perfumes can more or less vanish after a couple of hours, so it pays to know which fragrances can be trusted to stand the test of time. However, testing a perfume for a full day before purchasing it is not always feasible, especially when shopping online. To try and scout out a long-lasting scent, there are a few things to look out for.
Think of perfume as a pyramid, consisting of top, heart, and base notes. The top notes are the first impression and disperse quickly, giving way to others. “Typically, middle notes last longer than top notes, however, it’s the base notes that form the foundation of the fragrance,” explains Karen Harris, Head of Marketing at The Perfume Shop. “They come into force around 30 minutes after integrating with the middle notes, and typically last six hours.” Our beauty team have rounded up their tried and tested favourite long-lasting perfumes that you can count on. Whether you prefer summery perfume with jasmine or something more comforting, like the best vanilla perfume, there is a long-lasting scent for you.
30 long lasting-perfumes for women, chosen by our beauty team
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A small selection of the perfumes we tried for this guide
Best fresh long-lasting perfume
Issey Miyake is our forever go-to brand for fresh, crisp and modern fragrances. The kind you can spray on for any occasion as liberally as you like, without making too much of an impression on your morning commute. This is splashy, fresh and floral with citrussy bergamot, pretty magnolia and a subtle woody base. It's the fragrance equivalent of a light, neutral-toned cashmere scarf – chuck it on whatever the weather and you'll give off an impression of quiet luxury.
While this brand has plenty of scents to choose from, the great thing about this particular one is its unique eau de toilette intense strength. This makes it both fresh on the nose but long-lasting on the skin, with a lower concentration of perfume oils than pure parfum, but a cocktail of notes that are known to last very well. Truly, it's the best of both worlds.
Guerlain has created so many beautiful fragrances, but this has to be one of our favourites. It perfectly blends a tangy, citrussy top note of neroli with a warm and mouthwatering fig middle for an effect not unlike walking through an Italian garden in full bloom.
Don't be fooled into thinking the citrus-focused initial scent means this won't go the distance. This perfume has an amazing dry down on the skin, which shapeshifted into fruity, sticky fig and sweet, nutty tonka bean as we wore it throughout the day. As well as smelling gorgeous, this bottle also looks beautiful with its honeycomb top. Plus it's refillable, recyclable and made with partially recycled materials, in line with Guerlain's commendable sustainable ethos. Top marks!
The best thing about this perfume is that it features notes from all the key fragrance families: floral, fresh, fruity, and spicy. Though Dior classifies it as a mainly floral perfume, we think it fits best under fresh due to the range of ingredients it offers, and the light, clean scent it leaves on the skin.
When we tested Joy, we immediately found it to be a mature scent - perfect for those who want a perfume that is light yet sophisticated. The smell is certainly noticeable and lingers all day, so be prepared for a flurry of compliments. However, it doesn't boast that typical powdery rose perfume scent, which is part of why we love it so much. It is intense without being overwhelming, as all the best long-lasting fragrances should be. The floral middle and base notes make up the bulk of the fragrance, whilst the citrus top notes cut through to give a sparkling finish.
Inspired by the shape of a jewel, the premium glass-cut bottle will look beautiful on display in your collection. Though one of the pricier long-lasting perfumes we have tested, it is certainly a worthwhile investment for a timeless fragrance that works just as well as a scent for summer as it does for frosty evenings.
Something a bit different. This cult perfume contains a special molecule called Iso E Super that binds to and reacts with your personal body chemistry to create a unique, lasting fragrance. All perfumes do this to some degree, but this one does it like no other. Mist it on and you may not get much back at first, but believe us, others will be asking what you are wearing all day long.
For this reason, it's tricky to describe exactly how Molecule 01 smells. It certainly isn't overly fruity or floral, many users experience musky animalic notes, or you might find it lightly woody. But then again others say it doesn't register much with their noses at all, or comes and goes throughout the day. The one thing guaranteed is that if you wear this, other people will smell it and compliment you. Even better, you can tell them exactly what it is without worrying about giving away your 'secret', because it won't smell the same on them anyway.
Trust Glossier's first foray into fragrance to be super modern and effortlessly cool. Simple bottle, simple name, simple composition. The fragrance actually contains very few notes - a carefully crafted blend of iris root and pink pepper top notes and smooth, salty, skin-like base notes. It's this dry-down that matters. The fragrance prioritises the base notes, hence why it manages simultaneously to be both clean and fresh, as well as impressively long-lasting. It also means that the fragrance stays fairly faithful to its first impression, and doesn't change much as it dries down.
The website calls this more of a "skin-smell enhancer", designed to enhance your own skin's scent and also comes in a refillable waxy compact as one of the best solid perfumes we've seen. The fragrance changes on everyone, and it is one of the scent we get the most compliments on. It's a little bit like an olfactory mood ring - it smells a little different depending on the day, where you spray it, and who is wearing it. On us, the overall effect is clean, fresh, and addictive.
Best floral long-lasting perfume
The clue is in the name with this fragrance. Expect to smell like a fresh-cut bunch of bright and beautiful blooms, all day long. But despite the vivid floral smell, this perfume is for those who like a subtle, lingering scent that doesn't overwhelm you. We were slightly torn as to whether this perfume would fall under the 'floral' or 'fresh' category, as it is a perfectly harmonious balance of the two.
We would best describe it as fresh with a hint of floral sweetness, making it a very adaptable smell for all ages and occasions. This is the type of fragrance that you will almost forget you are wearing after a few hours until you get a sudden waft of the vivid jasmine notes that hang around all day. When we tested Bloom, we were struck by how quickly it settled into the skin, offering a natural yet noticeable clean scent. We also love the sleek, luxe pink packaging that will stand out amongst your other perfume bottles and gives a sophisticated look to your collection. Long-lasting credentials aside, it's easily one of the best floral perfumes.
Libre has been a firm favourite of ours for a while, and that is because it is such a distinct fragrance. Warm and sophisticated, it is the perfect finishing touch to any day. To us, Libre is a distinctly winter and evening scent. That fresh mossiness that's typical of the best lavender perfumes combines with musky vanilla base notes to add evening-ready depth, but that's not to say it can't make a beautiful statement during the day.
Despite being a floral fragrance, the hearty base notes are what really make this perfume what it is. The floral notes add a light touch of sparkle, so Libre is an ideal option if you like your florals with a bit of edge. For a perfume that smells mature, slightly sweet, but overarchingly grand and timeless, Libre is it. When we tested this perfume, we were immediately sold. Like many of the other long-lasting perfumes in this guide, a little bit of Libre goes a long way. A couple of sprays will last you all day, if not into the next, and it clings to our clothes like no other perfume we've tested. It has been on the radar of fragrance lovers for a few years now and shows no signs of losing popularity, so it is a great investment that you can be sure you won't lose the taste for.
This amazing fragrance was five years in the making, which is a testament to how complex it is and how much mastery and craftsmanship has gone into every detail of its creation. The bottle has been made from hand-blown glass and, as with all Creed fragrances, the brand’s heritage Fleur de Lis is engraved into the bottle.
The juice is a phenomenal mix of a little bit floral, a little bit of amber, and a little bit fresh and fruity. That combination makes this the sort of scent that, at any given moment, there’s something for everybody to love. It’s not too much of one thing but a lot of so many others. The reason it lasts so long? Well, that’s all down to the musky, woody base notes. And the smallest of spritzes will ensure that they keep wafting over you all day long.
Dot is everything we love about fruity-floral perfume. Light, yet punchy and sweet, it is the perfect smell for who those want everyone to ask what scent they are wearing. Daisy (Marc Jacobs' signature scent) is extremely well known and loved by fragrance fanatics and novices alike, but Dot is a welcome alternative that has slightly more edge and interest. Similar to Gucci bloom, it settles beautifully on the skin to give a crisp finish. However, we think Dot is slightly more youthful and summer-inspired.
When we tested Dot, we were struck by how much it sticks to hair and clothes. This is something we look for in long-lasting perfumes, as this ensures that the smell follows you around - even into the next day. The fruity top notes definitely stick out, however, they are mellowed out by the mid-floral notes plus musky driftwood, and vanilla base notes. This combination ensures that it's never too sickly or overwhelming, which is what makes this such an adaptable and timeless perfume. If you are on the hunt for a reliable yet unique scent that will stand out amongst the crowd, you can't go wrong with Dot.
Trust us when we say, this fragrance is a game-changer. This is predominantly down to the amazing combination of over 90% naturally derived ingredients, but also because so many of the top notes included in this are traditionally used as base notes. What this means is it not only has amazing staying power, but it falls into the woody perfume category – a heavier type of scent – yet there still manages to be a freshness to it that prevents it from being too heavy and over-powering.
Its warm and spicy personality won’t feel out of place on a warm day because the floral notes of rose and patchouli lift it up and add extra lightness. And because Liz Earle is not a brand you would naturally associate with high-end perfume, the biggest problem you’ll have when you’re wearing it is the volume of people stopping you that want to know what scent it is. The secret is out we're afraid.
There's a reason Chanel Chance is one of the all-time classic beauty gift ideas and one of the best Chanel perfumes of all time - it's hard to imagine anyone smelling this and not loving it. The pink pepper is immediately discernible, with an uplifting and enlivening effect on the senses. This spicy note does hang around for an impressive amount of time before the floral heart accords take hold - the perfect balance of sweet and powdery.
But it's the patchouli, and later the creamy musk, that really come to the fore in this chypre floral and give the perfume its warm, enduring depth. It's this combination you will smell on your skin hours later, traceable even after a shower.
Taking the fragrance world by storm, Baccarat Rouge has become a cult classic that is loved the world over. Instantly recognisable, the long-lasting fragrance boasts a unique blend of breezy jasmine, spicy saffron, warm amber and freshly cut cedar. And while this combination may not sound sweet, the overriding scent reminds us of sugary candy floss (in the best way possible). Once the sweetness subsides slightly, expect to be hit with a warming, amber base that really sticks to the skin.
After spritzing this on mid-morning, we were shocked to find that the scent still lingered the following day. It’s staying power is truly unrivalled. The downside, however, is that you can guarantee several other people will be wearing this fragrance, too. Our top tip? Buy a sample bottle and save it for special occasions like weddings or holidays.
Best fruity long-lasting perfume
If you like intense, woody scents, you’ll love this rich ambery fragrance, bursting with bold florals like ylang-ylang and tuberose and a long-lasting perfume of patchouli with a vanilla undercurrent. It’s dark, creamy, and extremely enduring.
There's something reminiscent of Tom Ford Black Orchid here - ylang-ylang and patchouli are present in both scents. Think of Gucci Guilty Intense as its slightly less intense, more upbeat cousin. But less intense does not mean that this perfume's staying power is any less impressive. One spritz will see you through the day and beyond.
For the ultimate long-lasting fragrance, look no further. This beautifully feminine perfume is not just one of our favourites in terms of smell, but also how long it lingers. Out of all the long-lasting perfumes we tested for this guide, Si was by far one of the standouts for incredibly impressive lasting power. For a true indication of how good this perfume is, we could still smell it on our wrists after showering. If that doesn't sell it, we don't know what will.
The blackcurrant top notes initially made us think it would be an overly-sweet scent that perhaps only a select few would enjoy, however it is actually a surprisingly mature smell that will suit a wide range of tastes. The more muted base notes balance out the sweet berry tops, making for a delightfully fruity yet warm perfume. Imagine your typical blackcurrant smell, but adult-ified. One of the main things we noticed, and loved, when testing this perfume is that the smell hardly alters as it dries down. Where most perfumes mellow out, Si keeps its vivid scent for day-long wear. If you only invest in one long-lasting scent, make it this one.
This is everything that you want a long-lasting perfume to be: slightly light and fruity on the first spray then drying down to be sexy, woody, and lingering. It is a classic Chloé scent, in that it's understated but also the sort of scent that will have everyone asking what you’re wearing. The perfume also comes with a side of eco-credentials that are worth knowing about.
Firstly, the main ingredient, which is jasmine, has been harvested in Egypt specifically with farmers that have a commitment to environmental management. They have also been chosen because they have implemented various initiatives to improve the living conditions of local communities such as actively supporting girls’ education and female employment. Then there is the packaging. The bottle (which has been inspired by the design of Chloé's best-selling handbag) has been made with 15% recycled materials, whilst the box contains 40% recycled materials. One could argue there is still a way to go, which there is, but these small steps can make huge differences.
Proving that not all long-lasting perfume has to cost upwards of a tonne, this lovely, crowd-pleasing blend is one of the best cheap perfumes we've found for staying power in ages. If you think about what the overall Michael Kors aesthetic is about - polished but comfortable with a hint of Californian sunshine thrown in - that is exactly what this perfume is all about too. It starts with quite a fruity hit thanks to the notes of orange and bergamot but quickly dries down to become more sultry, but not overpowering, rich, and comforting.
It’s due to the decadent amber, woody and tobacco notes that this perfume will linger on your skin and your clothes all day long. But we’re betting you’ll love it so much that you won’t be able to resist a top-up if you have nighttime plans, and the people you’re spending your evening with will thank you for it.
We know you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, or in this case a perfume by its bottle, but it’s hard not to when it looks this good. Thankfully what’s inside doesn’t disappoint either. And that is probably what Hugo Boss fragrances are known for. They are exceptionally reliable, making them the perfect go-to brand for gifting whether you’re looking for something your grandmother, mother, or daughter would love. This works and suits all.
Some may see that as a negative, but when there is so much confusion and loud noise on the perfume stands, some straightforwardness is a much-needed relief. This is a powerful perfume but thanks to the gentle notes of peach and the delicious dry down of the cacao, it becomes a scent that works for everyone in every situation, and for that, we are truly thankful.
If you’re familiar with Frédéric Malle, then it’s likely you’ve heard of Portrait of a Lady. The brand’s most iconic fragrance, this perfume is described as “elegance, personified”. A totally unique scent, we found it exceptionally hard to put this perfume into words. It’s opulent, lavish, and decadent. One sniff and you can imagine the type of woman who may wear this - confident and sophisticated. In fact, it’s the type of fragrance that you would love to be associated with which is why we’ve labelled it ‘the best long-lasting signature scent’.
Our advice? If your friends are not yet familiar with this scent, we recommend purchasing it pronto and making it your new signature. The beautiful blend features rose essence and patchouli laced with fresh ripe berries. As it dries down, cinnamon and sandalwood steal the show - adding warmth and spice to this addictive concoction.
Best gourmand long-lasting perfume
If you adore Baccarat Rouge but can’t justify spending hundreds on a perfume, give this fragrance from Zara a whirl. A fraction of the price point, this warm and sweet scent reminds us of both Baccarat Rouge and Ariana Grande Cloud. It has the same jammy sweetness and warming amber base. And as you can see from the notes, they have several in common—saffron, jasmine and amber. The difference being that Red Temptation is lighter and brighter.
We found that this fragrance lingered for around five hours before mellowing, which considering the price point isn’t too bad. At first, you’ll notice the fresh jasmine before praline and amber make an appearance. Once it warms on the skin, you’re left with a salted caramel aroma. To boost the staying power, we recommend layering this perfume with a scented body cream or another floral fragrance.
Black Opium is a modern classic that has amassed a sizeable fragrance fan base. This floral gourmand perfume is sensual, dark, and mysterious with an ingredients list that sounds a lot like a Starbucks order, with black coffee, almond, and vanilla.
The traditional top, heart then base note composition isn't as markedly defined or staggered in this fragrance. We got the creaminess of vanilla and almond coming through almost immediately and didn't experience much in the way of the sparkling pink pepper and fruity opening notes. However, this all points towards the sensuality and depth this perfume possesses, and it's this cozy, earthy dry down that ensures you will still be smelling it for hours into the day.
Should you update an iconic scent? If you are Lancome and said scent is probably the world's best-loved gourmand (as in, delicious) perfume, La Vie Est Belle, the answer is oui! So we get this joyful, sparkly, slightly richer version, which mixes the original's famous vanilla and praline accord with tart fruit top notes, a powdery iris base and a hit of patchouli funk.
It's still definitely sweet, and definitely floral, so on the first sniff you'll get a joyful, mouthwatering effect to match that bon-bon-hued juice and firework-adorned bottle. But, this being eau de parfum concentration, the base notes are what linger, and those are a bit more complex. After an hour or so of wear, we could detect a musky, elegant earthiness that kept on trailing out for hours. If you prefer your perfume ultra smoky or as crisp as a freshly-pressed shirt then this won't be for you, otherwise, it's a perfect long-lasting, smile-inducing summer scent.
If you like vanilla perfumes, you’ll love Huda Beauty’s Kayali Vanilla | 28 Eau de Parfum. A far cry from those sickly-sweet vanilla scents that conjure up the smell of freshly baked cookies—this gourmand perfume is far more ‘grown-up’ in its nuances. Alongside Madagascan vanilla, you’ll find breezy jasmine, sweet Brazilian tonka, warming amber, and fresh patchouli.
We’ll admit that on first impressions, it does smell sweet. But once you let it linger on the skin, it calms to a warming, caramelized vanilla scent that will keep you coming back for more. If, however, vanilla isn’t your thing, we’d recommend steering clear. But for anyone with a sweet tooth, give this fragrance a spritz. You’ll be hooked!
Angel is one of the best-selling scents around the world, and yet it remains a disruptive and divisive perfume with some fragrance aficionados lauding its honey-sweetness and others labeling it far too saccharine. There's no denying Angel is sweet but it is also layered, complex, and sexy.
This fragrance has really got some kick to it and projects really well so go easy on the spritzing. The chocolate and patchouli notes stand out for me, and the longevity is next level. Even after a shower and eight hours of sleep, we could still smell this the next morning. Even better, there are often great perfume deals to be found on this iconic fragrance.
Best spicy long-lasting perfume
This fragrance starts off light and powdery, but quickly becomes woody and richer as it dries on the skin. When we tested it, we found it to be a clean smell that becomes more complex the longer you wear it. The sandalwood base notes slowly creep out throughout the day, balancing with the vanilla for the ideal adaptable scent. We also found that the first spritz of This Is Us! is fairly subtle, but after a few minutes, you will notice the strength of the fragrance increase to become distinguishable and long-lasting.
Unisex fragrances usually tend to lean more towards typically masculine scents, but we find This Is Us! to be the perfect balance of both masculine and feminine ingredients. If the majority of perfumes are too fragrant for you, or you are looking for an everyday scent that is subtle but still long-lasting, this could be the one. For something similar, but slightly more fragrant, the brand also offers a This Is Her! perfume, with floral and pear notes.
Goutal Paris is a brand so beloved by those in the know (ourselves included) that some fans are keen to keep it to themselves, lest the whole world starts wearing it. Here at woman&home, though, we know sharing is caring. So we couldn't not tell you about this spicy and sexy yet also chic and long-lasting perfume.
Aside from the brand's trademark pom-pom-adorned bottle, there is so much to love about this. It's perfectly balanced, with layers of soft and smoky spices mingling with fleshy Turkish rose and an unexpected sweet little kick of cocoa. This lasts beautifully on the skin, without disappearing off into the ether as fresher, zipper styles tend to do. What is most surprising of all is that, reading the list of notes, you would expect this to be a full-on spice bomb, but it isn't at all. There is prettiness here along with enduring sexy, smokiness. Truly, we can't really say anything bad about this scent, except that it might force you to tell a fib when a friend asks what it is.
There's no point in sugarcoating it: this is a fragrance for the few, not the many. But such is the case for many oud perfumes - and there was no chance we could have left it out of this guide because, a) it is a divine, supremely long-lasting collector's item if you can afford it. And b) even if you can't, you might be curious to read what a 300-buck fragrance is like anyway, no?
You can probably get a sense of what makes this so special simply by looking at the bottle, which is limited-edition and intricately designed with a Moucharaby damask, inspired by the Cartier brothers' Eastern travels. What's inside is transportative too, a deliciously sexy, heady, sticky composition of precious oud, sandalwood, and confit plum. That this unfussy trio can create such a nuanced, distinctive fragrance is a testament to the quality of the ingredients, and a light morning misting will stick with you all day and then some. Because of this, the bottle will last you all year, and then even when it's finished, you'll probably end up keeping it on display all decade. A statement decoration and a signature scent in one. That's pure luxury.
Winter, dusk, a little black dress—these are the things that come to mind whenever we smell Black Orchid. It is a bold, confident scent, with a touch of the gothic about it. This cult chypre has top notes of black truffle and jasmine with a hint of citrus.
When we fist smelt this we found the first impression super intense—this is no shy and retiring juice. As the perfume dries down into an amber, vanilla, and woodsy base it becomes sensual and cocooning. Basically, if you want to smell glamorous and opulent (and why wouldn't you?) this is the MVP of the EDPs. And as you would hope from a fragrance with such impressive projection, its performance as a long-lasting perfume is great too.
When composing Mumbai Noise, Byredo Founder Ben Gorham set out to create a scent that would convey the overwhelming and raucous effect the city of Mumbai has on the senses. Woody, spicy, and a little bit smokey, with potent oud and bitter coffee, this is certainly a powerful olfactory experience.
With that being said, this is a fragrance that lives on the skin forever, and it has an earthy, woody, leathery aroma that will appeal to both men and women. If you're looking for a scent to make a statement, this is just the ticket.
