17 Long-Lasting Perfumes That Stay from Day to Night
Get the most out of your fragrances with these durable scents.
Byrdie
Reviewed by Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD
The best long-lasting perfumes will have you smelling divine from day to night, without having to reapply. To whittle down the best long-lasting perfumes, we polled Byrdie editors and industry pros. Ahead, browse 17 long-lasting scents that range from cozy winter fragrances to light and bright summer scents and one deceptively sexy fruity floral. Plus, get tips from perfume experts about how to select a scent that will last all day.
Meet The Expert
Bee Shapiro is the founder of Ellis Brooklyn, a clean and sustainable fragrance brand.
Eduardo Valadez is the director of marketing for Diptyque Paris.
Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum
Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum ($225)
Byrdie's editorial director, Faith, swears by this fragrance, called Fleur Narcotique, from luxurious brand Ex Nihilo. It's described as a "floral overdose," even though the floral notes are balanced with other citrus and musk counterparts. Top notes of bergamot and peach mix with middle notes of jasmine and peony and base notes of woody moss and musk. In short, it's a decadent scent that smells like the height of summer, and it lasts for hours after a single spritz. To us, that makes the exorbitant price tag well worth it.
Byredo Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum
Byredo Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum ($200)
Another one of Faith's favorites, this Byredo pick is named Bibliotheque, which is the French word for library. The best way to describe the scent, in our humble opinion, is to describe a scene. Picture this: You're reading an old book next to an open window that looks out onto a flower garden in the South of France. It combines top notes of peach and plum with a heart of violet and peony and a base of patchouli, leather, and vanilla.
The spicy and woody notes are precisely what helps the scent last longer according to Eduardo Valadez, director of marketing for Diptyque Paris. As a good rule of thumb, Valadez advises sticking to perfumes with prominent base notes like woods, spices, and musks for longevity.
Ingredients
Patchouli oil, with its recognizable musky, sweet, spicy aroma, is used widely as a base note and fixative ingredient in modern perfumery.
Le Labo Santal 33 Perfume Oil
Le Labo Santal 33 Perfume Oil ($158)
When searching for a long-lasting fragrance, Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro recommends sticking to potent concentrations like eau de parfums, parfums, Attars, or concentrated oils.
Senior Editor Hallie Gould loves this vegan and cruelty-free fragrance from cult-favorite brand Le Labo. It lasts so long because it's not a traditional perfume that's formulated with a base of alcohol. Instead, it's an oil. It sinks into the skin and stays put all day long. As for the actual fragrance, it was inspired by the American West and smells equal parts fresh and smoky. (That sounds like an oxymoron, I know, but it's somehow true). Expect to pick up on hints of cardamom, iris, violet, sandalwood, cedarwood, and musky, leathery notes.
Glossier You Perfume
Glossier You Perfume Solid ($32)
Byrdie's senior editor, Lindsey Metrus, likes Glossier's debut fragrance, Glossier You. What many people don't know is that it comes in a solid version as well as a liquid. As for the former, it quite literally sinks into skin wherever it's applied, lasting all day long and wafting out hints of warm ambrette, smooth ambrox, musk, iris root, and pink pepper. It's the perfect long-lasting summer perfume for minimalists or for people who just want to smell like themselves but better.
Clean Reserve Blonde Rose Eau de Parfum
Clean Reserve Blonde Rose Eau de Parfum ($110)
One of the fragrances I swear by for all-day staying power is this one, called Blonde Rose. I spray a bit on both of my wrists before rubbing them together and pressing them against either side of my neck. From there on out, I get lingering soft and subtle rose scents, but it's not a powdery, dated rose scent, it's (for lack of a better word) clean. Watery rose is paired with peony, jasmine, cedarwood, and sandalwood, which keeps it feeling fresh and light.
One way to stretch out the wear of your favorite scents is to make sure your skin is hydrated. "Fragrance is attracted to oils so having well moisturized skin is key," Shapiro says. "An easy hack is also putting a heavier moisturizer on your pulse points before spraying—think Aquaphor type products."
Nest Wisteria Blue Eau de Parfum Spray
Nest Wisteria Blue Eau de Parfum Spray ($92)
Nest's Wisteria Blue Eau de Parfum is a fragrance I just discovered earlier this spring, and I'm so happy I did. It can be described with one word: fresh. A single spritz lasts for hours and keeps me feeling alert and clear-headed, thanks to a combination of watery French wisteria, Bulgarian rose, and jasmine. I'm completely obsessed and plan to wear it all summer long.
Another way to maintain the integrity of a fragrance is to properly store it. "It is important to take care of your fragrance in the bottle, as well, by storing it in a cool, dry space," Valadez says. "Placing your fragrances in direct sunlight, for example, will degrade the perfume oils, effecting its quality, scent, and lasting power."
Chloé Eau de Toilette Spray
Chloé L'Eau Eau de Toilette Spray ($139)
This Chloé perfume is the closest thing I've ever had to a "signature fragrance." It was originally created by the high-fashion house in the '70s under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld who was the creative director at the time. The flower bulb–shaped bottle contains an amber-colored liquid that smells strong, smoky, and floral thanks to honeysuckle, jasmine, orange flower, lilac, coconut, and tuberose. I wear it almost every day throughout every season, but I especially wear it in summer. I'm a sucker for the comforting tropical floral feel.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle ($135)
A cult classic for a reason, this beloved formula stacks up against newer options out there. Notes of vanilla and iris team up to create a modern and complex warm floral. Patchouli layers in earthy notes while zesty orange blossom adds some unexpected brightness. Its vanilla core aids the scent's longevity. In fact, reviewers rave that it only improves as the day progresses.
Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau de Parfum
Parfums de Marly Oriana Eau de Parfum ($210)
Like other eau de parfums, the Oriana scent from Parfum de Marly boasts an eight-hour wear time. Though the Delina fragrance is one of the brand's most popular SKUs, the Oriana landed a spot on this list thanks to its decadent base notes (hello marshmallow and chantilly cream) and its refreshing, citrusy finish. Also nice: After wearing for a few hours, the fragrance mingles with your skin's PH levels for a unique-to-you, signature scent.
Byrdie Tip
"When it comes to application, it is best to dab, rather than rub your fragrance into the skin, as rubbing can dull the top notes of a fragrance," says Valadez.
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum ($78)
From the iconic packaging to the sultry yet sweet scent, Carolina Herrera's Good Girl fragrance offers many reasons why it should be a part of your regular rotation. However, we think this formula's best feature is its longevity. After its initial dry-down, spicy notes take the lead, but as the day (or night, this works for both!) wears on, sweet smelling jasmine and tonka bean mingle in.
Lake & Skye 11 11 Fragrance Oil Rollerball
Lake & Skye 11 11 Fragrance Oil Rollerball ($NaN)
Shapiro and Valadez agree for a long-lasting scent, eau de parfums are typically a safe bet, but fragrance oils are also known for their wear time. This scent in particular clings to both your skin and clothes, so you smell just as fresh post-workday as you did post-shower. The light and fresh fragrance is like the white tee of your scent wardrobe. It can be worn on its own for a simple look or it layers easily with other pieces in your collection.
Don't be thrown by the small rollerball. Like the Le Labo and Glossier option listed above, this formulation sinks in the skin, making a little go a long way.
Maison Margiela REPLICA By the Fireplace
Maison Margiela REPLICA By the Fireplace ($165)
Inspired by special memories, the REPLICA line from Maison Margiela explores the intimate relationship between scent and experience. Infused with comforting vanilla, tangy orange, and crackling chestnut, this scent promises to transport you to your best memories of cozy nights by the fire no matter where you are.
"Spritz the fragrance directly onto your pulse points (nape of your neck, insides of your elbows, wrists, or the back of your knees) as these spots emit heat, helping fragrance develop faster and acclimate to the wearer, helping it to smell stronger," Valadez says,
Gucci Bloom
Gucci Bloom ($135)
This is a classic floral in every way, but instead of veering super-sweet and old-fashioned, it wears gradually. Sephora shoppers point out how long-lasting the fragrance is in numerous reviews—adding that it fades slowly, leaving an aroma of pure romance in your wake.
Dior Joy
Dior Joy Eau de Parfum Spray ($165)
While this might look hyper-feminine in the bottle, the scent of Dior Joy actually lands somewhere between floral and musky. In short, it's sensual in the best way—and reviewers have found that, if spritzed on pressure points before a night out, it might even linger til morning.
Maison Francis Kurkdijian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
Maison Francis Kurkdijian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum ($205)
This warm and woody fragrance has notes of jasmine-like Hedione, saffron, cedar, and amber. Byrdie editors have tested the popular scent in the lab, They found that after just one or two spritzes, the cozy scent lasts all day on skin and fabrics.
Tom Ford Lost Cherry
Tom Ford Lost Cherry ($80)
Also spritzed and studied in the Byrdie lab, this fruity-but-not-too-sweet scent has long-lasting wear on both skin and hair. Its black cherry base is accented with almond, tonka bean, jasmine, and Turkish rose. The heady scent is potent but not overpowering.
Kayali Vanilla 28
Kayali Vanilla 28 ($100)
Kayali's warming, unisex scent is perfect for layering. It has delicious notes of vanilla orchid, tonka absolute, and amber woods. The instant classic has a spicy, musky scent that lasts all day and night.
Read the original article on Byrdie.
