Anticipating the turn of the season always sparks a bit of fragrance restlessness for us beauty editors. Perhaps it's because we're constantly taking mental notes of the scents our favourite fashion girls are wearing, or perhaps it's just that our gigantic fragrance collections have us on an endless rotation through the chic tonics on our vanities.
Whatever the case may be, long-lasting perfumes that can keep up with our busy schedules are of the utmost importance. With days that sometimes start with breakfast meetings, get punctuated with Zoom calls, and end with happy hour, we need fragrances that will still be going strong for our that second glass of pinot grigio.
Luckily, long-lasting fragrances abound! From pretty florals to enveloping musks and earthy scents that conjure images of nature's most divine creations, there are tons of elixirs to keep our olfactory interest piqued from morning to night. Ahead, check out the 19 best long-lasting perfumes we love most.
Shop the Best Long-Lasting Perfumes:
For everyday wear, try…
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Bergamot, aldehydes, jasmine absolute, sweet pea, mock orange, sandalwood, white musk accordMaison Francis Kurkdjian's latest fragrance is unusual when compared to most other perfumes, but it's totally to die for. It's inspired by urban cities and has a fresh, crystalline scent to it. It feels comforting and familiar, fresh yet musky, and lingers for hours on the skin.
Fragrance Family: Floral, woody
Key Notes: Musk, ambrette, ambrox, iris root, pink pepper This unique scent was formulated to adjust to its wearer to complement their individual body chemistry. Its warm base notes pack a fragrant punch that wears evenly, meaning the scent won't change over the course of the day—nor will its potency. What you spritz is what you get, and it's one of our favourite affordable perfumes.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rose absolute, cumin, vetiver, musksThis soft floral composition smells exactly how you want a rose fragrance to smell: smooth, creamy, and organic. It's lovely from the moment you put it on until you wash it away.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rangoon creeper, tuberose, jasmine budAs you might have imagined while reading the ultra-floral notes present in this bottle, this fashion girl–approved scent is like a bouquet of fresh flowers for your skin. The name really says it all.
Fragrance Family: Warm, spicyKey Notes: Clove oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accordThis warm scent really does smell like you've perched by a fire. It's smoky and sweet at the same time, making it a complex selection fit for fragrance aficionados who can appreciate a bold statement.
Fragrance Family: Citrus, spicy
Key Notes: Lemon, ginger, black pepper, apple, tangerine, jasmine petal, amber, mossYou'll need more than a modest spritz or two to give this tangy, fruit-forward scent the boost it needs to stick around all day, but once you're adequately doused, you'll be a walking orchard. Don't hold back for fear of going overboard.
For special occasions, try…
Fragrance Family: Earthy, woody
Key Notes: Bergamot, amber, vanillaIf you were a fan of Dior's previous iteration of Sauvage, you can expect a similar scent that's even more concentrated and even longer-lasting. Expect a zesty, leathery, sandalwood-infused experience.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, grasse tuberose, ylang-ylangThis fragrance is like date night in a bottle. It's bold and romantic, and while you could easily spritz it every day, we think it's best reserved for those moments when you want to elevate your entire vibe.
Fragrance Family: Warm, spicy
Key Notes: Citrus, violet, coffeeLively, fresh, and juicy are all accurate descriptors for this scent. It's sophisticated, like a tweed suit, but also charming and sensual. It really does deserve a small group setting to get its fair share of attention.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Tuberose, bergamot, melon, eucalyptus, ylang ylang, jasmine, orange blossom, coconut, white musksImagine your most put-together friend. Now, imagine their cool older sister. That's the scent vibe we're talking about here. And it is divine, all day and all night.
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Key Notes: Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, winter yellow mandarin, lavenderNeroli lovers, rejoice. This vacation-worthy fragrance is the only bottle you'll need to pack for that tip to the Italian Riviera. (Even if you're only going there in your imagination.)
Fragrance Family: Chypre
Key Notes: Rose, bergamot, patchouliThis classic chypre presents a citrusy, floral, and woody blend that's at once sophisticated and really cool. It's the ultimate chic Parisian aroma that moves through the day without burning off into oblivion. And if this editor can interject with a personal thought: I want my whole entire life to smell like this.
For lasting impressions, try…
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange blossom, vanilla, luscious marshmallowThis scent seriously smells like candy. How that's possible, I'm not so sure, but just know that Kilian is the Willy Wonka of the perfume game. This is Rihanna's known favourite scent, and we all know our favourite bad gyal would not waste her time re-applying a short-lived scent.
Fragrance family: Floral
Key notes: Turkish rose, blackcurrant, raspberry, clove, patchouli, sandalwood, frankincenseFor a lasting impression, it doesn't get much better than Portrait of a Lady. It's a scent that walks into the room before you do, and will have everyone asking you what you're wearing.
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Chantilly musk, crisp amber, cedarwood, violet, sandalwood, magnolia, ambrette, Jamaican nesberryYou don't need to have spent time exploring the Mojave Desert to appreciate the sweet and woody aromatic throw of this scent. It's not an overpowering fragrance, but it will live on the skin for hours.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rose, tuberose, violet
Florals can read "grandma", and although we're big fans of matriarchs, we're not so into the powdery, potpourri vibe in our fragrance. This flower-forward scent from Guerlain just smells elegant. Oh, and the bottle is really beautiful.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Bergamot, petals, lemon oil, linden, rose accord, dune grass, muscone, saltwater, white mossThis zesty floral is so much more than your typical rose scent. It's clean, spicy, and salty, too. It'll absolutely leave an indelible impression on anyone who gets a whiff.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Rhubarb, lychee, Turkish rose, vanilla, cashmere wood, muskThe only thing better than a bouquet of Turkish rose, lily of the valley and peony is a fragrance that encompasses all of those vibrant florals. Then consider the tangy fruit notes, woods and frankincense and you've got yourself a full-bodied, all day kind of fragrance.
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange flower, musk, osmanthus
The iconic musky floral. Spray this on your clothing and you'll probably still be able to smell it long after it's been through the wash. Yep, it really is that strong.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
