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 favorite 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 desksides, 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 21 best long-lasting perfumes we love most.
Fragrance Family: Floral, woodyKey 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.
Fragrance Family: ForalKey Notes: Rose absolute, cumin, vetiver, musks. This 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: WoodyKey Notes: Bergamot, Brazilian orange, black plum, chocolate, vetiver, vanilla musk. Do you like compliments? Then you’ll love this sensual scent. It’s complex and fun but not too much for daily wear.
Fragrance Family: FloralKey Notes: Rangoon creeper, tuberose, jasmine bud. As 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: FloralKey Notes: Bergamot, white musk, amber. If you’ve ever wondered what L.A. cool girls (and guys) smell like, look no further than this clean, unisex fragrance. Milk is actually the secret sauce that’s laced throughout all of the brand’s scent offerings, so it can be worn alone or layered with the others. Either way, the intoxicating scent lasts all day and even takes on a new personality on the skin after you’ve bathed.
Fragrance Family: Warm, spicyKey Notes: Clove Oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accord. This 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: CitrusKey Notes: Pink pomelo, mandarin, blackcurrant bud, Moroccan orange blossom, Bulgarian rose essence, mint . You’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.
Fragrance Family: Earthy & WoodyKey Notes: Bergamot, amber, vanilla. If 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: FloralKey Notes: Jasmine, orange blossom, grasse tuberose, ylang-ylang. This 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 & SpicyKey Notes: Citrus, Violet, Coffee. Lively, 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 musks. Imagine 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: FreshKey Notes: Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, winter yellow mandarin, lavender. Neroli 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: ChypreKey Notes: Rose, bergamot, patchouli. This 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.
Fragrance Family: Floral. Key Notes: Dark plum, myrrh, night-blooming jasmine, benzoin tears, vegan musk, golden amber, patchouli, cistus absolute. At first sniff, this scent is beyond sweet. But as you wear it, it develops a spice, whiskey-like personality that’s fun enough for daytime wear and romantic enough for a night out.
Fragrance Family: FloralKey Notes: Orange blossom, vanilla, luscious marshmallow. This 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 favorite scent, and we all know our favorite bad gyal would not waste her time re-applying a short-lived scent.
Fragrance Family: WoodyKey Notes: Chantilly musk, crisp amber, cedarwood, violet, sandalwood, magnolia, ambrette, Jamaican nesberry. You 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: FloralKey Notes: Jasmine, tuberose, orange blossom. 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 Heretic just smells rich. Oh, and the name is really good.
Fragrance Family: WoodyKey Notes: Patchouli and vanilla bean. This moody offering from Michelle Pfeiffer’s clean, non-toxic fragrance line Henry Rose sumptuously blends patchouli and vanilla for a sweet and earthy finish.
Fragrance Family: FloralKey Notes: Bergamot, petals, lemon oil, linden, rose accord, dune grass, muscone, saltwater, white moss. This 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: FloralKey Notes: Rhubarb, lychee, Turkish rose, vanilla, cashmere wood, musk. The 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: OrientalKey Notes: Juniper berries, nutmeg, coriander, musks, ambery woods, vanilla. This musky, vanilla accord-based scent is the kind of fragrance that completely envelops the senses and leaves everyone wondering about the woman wearing that gorgeous perfume. Be prepared for endless compliments. Up next, every woman needs at least one Chanel perfume—these are the five best ever.
