To be deemed a "long-lasting" perfume worthy of your money and wear, a scent must first pass several tests, the most important being how well it lingers on the skin throughout the day. This is something the woman&home beauty team takes very seriously and thus, have trialed 24 iconic fragrances...
After all the best perfume for women can be one of the priciest buys in our beauty arsenals, so it pays to have all the intel on which notes and brands in general, are known to go the distance. That being said though, testing a scent out for a full day before purchasing it isn't always feasible but thankfully, there are a few tricks and tells to look out for when selecting a lingering signature.
One way is to think of perfume as a pyramid, consisting of top, heart and base notes, the latter of which, Karen Harris, Head of Marketing at The Perfume Shop says, "form the foundation of the fragrance." Harris explains that these base notes, "come into force around 30 minutes after integrating with the middle notes, and typically last six hours." So, with that in mind, our team has shared their vetted long-lasting picks, with aromas to suit every preference - and all formulated with enduring base notes that you can count on...
24 long-lasting perfumes for women, chosen by our beauty team
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Whether you're a lover of fruity perfumes or prefer something warm and decadent like vanilla perfumes, discover our picks of the best long-lasting fragrances - from iconic brands like Chanel and Issey Miyake as well as more niche and budget-friendly finds...
Best floral long-lasting perfumes
RRP: £92 for 50ml | Notes: Tangerine, neroli, lavender, jasmine, orange blossom and vanilla
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.
Who should wear it: Those who like their florals with a bit of edge.
RRP: £68 for 30ml | Notes: Rangoon creeper, jasmine bud and natural tuberose
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.
Who should wear it: Those who have an affinity with spring and love the classic scent of rose
RRP: £71 for 35 ml | Notes: Pink pepper, jasmine, iris, patchouli, musk and vanilla
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 comes to the fore in this chypre floral.
Who should wear it: Those who love all things 'Quiet Luxury', even when it comes to their scent
RRP: £240 for 100ml | Notes: jasmine sambac, black tea and romandolide
This perfume encapsulates a spring evening, with fresh green notes offset by hypnotic jasmine and musky romandolide. The bottle looks great on the shelf and the floral notes smell like actual flowers - but the addition of jasmine and smoky black tea gives this scent an interesting edge.
Who should wear it: those looking to graduate from softer florals to something a little more sophisticated and sultry.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Notes: English lavender, grapefruit, silver birch accord and oak
Our Beauty Editor, Aleesha Badkar is a particular fan of this scent: "I'm not usually a lavender fan but the heavy woods really ground this warming blend to prevent the namesake heart note from being too aromatic while the fresh grapefruit opening lifts it into a sweet citrussy territory. So delicious and fresh and perfect for the spring months."
Who should wear it: those who steer clear of heavy, heady scents but still want an aroma that lasts and evolves throughout the day.
RRP: £106 for 50ml | Notes: Turkish rose oil, pink pepper extract, orange flower accord, patchouli
With heart notes of rose, this scent oozes elegance but has a modern and seriously captivating edge, thanks to hints of sparkling pink pepper and rich patchouli. According to Sarah, "This feels very sophisticated and chic but also wearable for the day. The first spritz smells fruity, but the woody powderiness and patchouli comes through and stays on the skin for hours."
Who should wear it: those who favour both fruity and floral perfumes but don't want to choose between them...
Best woody long lasting perfumes
RRP: from £155 for 35ml | Notes: Jasmine, saffron, amberwood, fir resin and cedar
This signature of Aleesha's 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. Once the sweetness subsides slightly, expect to be hit with a warming, amber base that really sticks to the skin.
Who should wear it: Those who love a signature red lip and appearing mysterious
RRP: £168 for 50ml | Notes: Cardamom, iris, violet, Australian sandalwood, cedarwood and musk
This scent is the definition of an autumn/winter scent as it presents a spicy, leathery warmth. Rich floral notes of iris and violet give way to woody and musky hints that just make this fragrance so hypnotic. We've found that it also clings beautifully to clothes - especially knits.
Who should wear it: Those who get excited about a good glass of red wine.
RRP: £66 for 50ml | Notes: Vanilla, cashmeran and sandalwood
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.
Who should wear it: Those who love to keep people guessing.
Best spicy long-lasting perfumes
RRP: £140 for 50ml | Notes: Davana, tonka beans, coffee, labdanum, agarwood and sandalwood
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 far beyond the first spritz, and it has an earthy, woody, leathery aroma that will appeal to both men and women.
Who should wear it: If you're looking for a scent to make a statement, this is just the ticket.
RRP: £102 for 50ml | Notes: Ginger, black cardamom, pink pepper, orchid, jasmine, sandalwood and patchouli
On the first sniff, you may be taken aback by the strong scent that conjures up spicy gingerbread with a hint of incense. But after a while, once the fragrance settles on skin, it truly transforms into a warm, woodsy scent that’s comforting and cocooning.
Who should wear it: Those who love being snuggled up in cashmere blankets.
RRP: £150 for 100ml | Notes: Truffle, ylang-ylang, jasmine, bergamot, orchid, Mexican Chocolate, sandalwood and white musk
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.
Who should wear it: Confident souls who love all-black outfits and dark red nails.
Best fresh & clean long-lasting perfumes
RRP: £70 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, magnolia and sandalwood
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.
Who should wear it: Those who aren't seeking the spotlight but still want to smell fresh and chic
RRP: £102 for 75ml | Notes: Neroli, fig accord, vetiver and tonka bean
This scent perfectly balances 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.
Who should wear it: Those who want to relive their favourite European vacation all day, every day.
RRP: £99 for 50ml | Notes: Citrus, neroli, rose, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli
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.
Who should wear it: Those who want to ooze maturity and sophistication
RRP: £95 for 100ml | Notes: Iso E Super molecule
It certainly isn't overly fruity or floral, many users experience musky animal notes, or you might find it lightly woody. But then again others say it comes and goes throughout the day. The one thing guaranteed is that if you wear this, other people will smell it and compliment you.
Who should wear it: Someone looking for the ultimate signature scent that is uniquely theirs
RRP: £57 for 50ml | Notes: Iris, pink pepper, ambrette and ambrox
Trust Glossier's first foray into fragrance to be super modern and effortlessly cool. 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.
Who should wear it: Those who love change, as this scent is something of a mood ring - it smells a little different depending on the day, where you spray it, and who is wearing it.
RRP: £125 for 30ml | Notes: neroli, orange flower, lavender, amber and aromatic rosemary
One whiff of this scent will instantly transport you to the aquamarine shoreline of Portofino. It's like a breath of fresh sea air, with hints of sparkling citrus and earthy rosemary.
Who should wear it: Those who daydream about the Italian Riveria and long for sunny days.
Best fruity long-lasting perfumes
RRP: £97 for 50ml | Notes: Blackcurrant nectar, isparta rose, davana, benzoin and patchouli
This beautifully feminine perfume is not just one of our favourites in terms of smell, but also how long it lingers. For a true indication of how good this perfume is, we could still smell it on our wrists after showering.
Who should wear it: Those who want to appear mature and sophisticated
RRP: £88 for 50ml | Notes: Mirabelle, bergamot, lemon and orange, freesia, jasmine, oakmoss, white musk and sandalwood
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.
Who should wear it: Those who are hunting for the perfect versatile signature scent.
RRP: £190 for 50ml | Notes: Raspberry, blackcurrant, rose, sandalwood, incense, patchouli, amber and benzoin
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.
Who should wear it: For those who want to be the picture of elegance.
Best gourmand long-lasting perfumes
RRP: £22.99 for 80ml | Notes: Saffron, coriander, bitter orange, praline, jasmine, amber, moss and musk
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.
Who should wear it: Those who love sharing scent recommendations.
RRP: £65 for 30ml | Notes: Pear, pink pepper, orange blossom, coffee, jasmine, almond, vanilla and cashmere wood
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.
Who should wear it: Those who welcome compliments on their scent.
RRP: £95 for 50ml | Notes: vanilla, vanilla absolute, vanilla caviar and lavender
This scent is up there with the best vanilla perfumes and takes pride of place in Sarah's collection: "On spraying, it’s not overly sweet (a good thing for me) and is reminiscent of those heritage French perfumery classics: bold, sexy, and alluring with a touch of spice, making it the perfect PM scent."
Who should wear it: Those who love vanilla scents but don't want an overly sweet signature.
How we tested the best long-lasting perfumes
A small selection of the perfumes we tried for this guide
As we say in all of our fragrance guides, perfume is a very subjective thing but luckily, one universal metric we can assess scents by is their lasting power.
We tested dozens of perfumes, from best-sellers to our own personal favourites, in order to determine which perfume lasts longest. To do this, we gave each scent at least a full day's wear and tested many of them in different weather conditions and environments. As well as checking how long each perfume lasted, we also considered factors like price, packaging, composition, and potency in order to decide which long-lasting fragrances are truly worth the investment.
Woman&home's Beauty Editor, Stephanie Maylor has almost 15 years of industry experience, with expertise on everything from skincare to perfumes, the latter of which she has afforded to this guide. "My fragrance wardrobe is quite eclectic," Stephanie says, adding: "I've got fresh, almost-aquatic aromas I favour in the warmer months, then headier, ambery scents saved for evening. My summer go-to will forever be Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess."
To get the most out of your signature scent, Stephanie recommends layering it with the coordinating hair perfume (if it has one), naming Byredo's Gypsy Water as her go-to.
Aleesha Badkar is a Digital Beauty Editor at woman&home. She loves to make an impression with fragrance, and her (ever so slightly unreasonable) inclination to not smell like anybody else in the room leaves her constantly testing different scent profiles as well as keeping up-to-date with the newest perfume launches every season. She tends to err towards woody, amber blends with a subtle sweetness or blends that boast hints of sharp citrus, soft smokiness or salty animalistic notes.
For a long-lasting finish, Aleesha says, "Although I know you're not really supposed to, I spray a light mist over my hair to keep my fragrances lingering every time I swish my head around throughout the day. But I make sure to do it from quite far away so that the chemicals don't do too much damage!"
Naomi Jamieson is a Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she shares her expertise on makeup, skincare, nail trends and fragrance. When it comes to her own perfume preferences, Naomi is a lover of warm and woody aromas, with hints of floral. She favours skin-scents above all others - with Le Labo's Santal 33 being among her all-time favourites - and looks for formulas that really melt into the skin to recreate a lingering sense of comfort.
To ensure her fragrances last all day, Naomi says: "I never rub my wrists after spraying them, instead I let my perfume dry down fully. And when I wear knit jumpers, I always mist the neckline a little, as I find scent really clings to the fibres - though be mindful of staining."
Contributing writer at woman&home, Amelia Yeomans specialises in fashion and beauty content, covering everything from fragrance and nail art trends to reporting on fashion weeks. Perfume-wise, Amelia is of the firm belief that no compliment beats being told you smell good. "I want every perfume I wear to be appealing yet distinctive," Amelia explains, before adding, "I tend to gravitate towards fresh, floral, and peppery fragrances for the daytime. For evening, I stick to floral top notes but with sweeter base notes like blackcurrant or vanilla. YSL Libre has been my staple for years."
As for making her scents linger, "I always put a couple of spritzes on the top of my head and the back of my neck. It sticks to my hair for hours and those around you will inevitably get wafts of it."
How to pick a long-lasting perfume
Wondering how to choose a perfume so it lasts? We've rounded up a few key points to consider, from the concentration and bottle size to the notes themselves:
Pick the right perfume concentration
"The perfume concentrate is the blend of scented raw materials - namely oils, molecules, absolutes," explains Harris. "The higher the percentage of concentrate, the more persistent the perfume."
- Eau de parfum is the longest lasting, as it can stick around for up to eight hours
- Eau de toilette tends to last between four and seven hours
- Eau de Cologne will last around two to three hours
Consider the fragrance notes
If you want your perfume to last, think about the notes you're wearing. Citrus, green, and fruity perfume notes don't tend to last as long as:
- Spicy notes
- Woods and rich blends with enduring notes such as sandalwood and cedarwood
- Perfumes with patchouli
- Amber notes
- Vanilla
- Oud perfumes
Try it on
The best way to be assured of a perfume’s staying power is to test it. If you’re heading to the high street to seek out the best Zara perfume, or the fragrance counter for designer brands, be sure to test the perfume on your skin, rather than a blotter, to check how well it plays with your body chemistry, then leave it for 24 hours to see how it dries down.
The molecules and scent type must also factor into your decision-making: "If you take something light and airy, such as neroli, it’s a 'butterfly' extract, which basically means it’s very pretty much flutters off quite quickly," says fragrance expert and journalist Alice du Parcq.
"Unless the brand can afford to add copious amounts of it into their scent, those lightweight citrusy and floral perfumes will only last a couple of hours on the skin, regardless of price. However, a larger molecule such as vanilla, tuberose, some wood extracts and lots of beautiful synthetic musks take longer to evaporate from the skin. If you want a perfume that’s going to last, aim for those richer aromas that cling on for longer."
The bottle size is also something to consider, as often it can be worth spending a little more for the larger option, so that you can enjoy the aroma for longer - especially if it's a scent you wear every day.
FAQs on long-lasting perfumes
Are expensive perfumes long-lasting?
This is a good question and one that’s not entirely straightforward to answer. When we put it to Jo Fairley, perfume expert and Editor of the digital fragrance magazine The Scented Letter, her response was "yes and no." Often you will pay a premium for a scent that goes the distance, but that doesn’t mean you need to splash out way beyond your budget. “It’s not related to the brand, necessarily, but to the concentration of the scented oils in the bottle,” continues Fairley. "An eau de toilette contains a larger dose of fragrant oils than a cologne. An eau de parfum is stronger still, in terms of concentration. And the highest level of the all-important fragrant oils is in a parfum or elixir – these can often still be detected on skin 24 hours after applying. Although they’re always the most expensive version of a fragrance, I think they offer the best value in terms of staying power." By this logic, you could purchase an eau de parfum from a cheaper brand and still enjoy just as much longevity as an eau de parfum from a fine fragrance would offer. "There are plenty of ace affordable brands who do excellent long-lasting perfumes," adds du Parcq. "Have a look at M&S Discovery Intense, Floral Street, Nuxe, L'Occitane and Beauty Pie."
Why does my perfume fade so quickly?
Frustrated to find that your perfume has seemingly disappeared mere moments after you’ve spritzed it on? It could be down to a lack of moisture, and more specifically oil, in your skin. "This very often happens when your skin is dry," explains Fairley. "Perfume likes to cling to oil, so if you find that your scent is fading fast, either layer it over a “matching” body product like an oil, cream or body butter, or an unscented body treat, applied to the neck and wrists." Regularly exfoliating with one of the best body scrubs to remove old, no-longer-need cells that absorb scent but don’t retain it will help too. "You can also try spraying your clothes," adds Fairley, "as fabric holds fragrance very well. Just be sure to do a 'stain test' first, spritzing a tissue to make sure there’s no mark."
If you’re confident that your skin is nice and nourished, but still can’t smell your signature scent, it could simply be that you’ve become too accustomed to it. "We tend to become conditioned to a smell if we’re around it all the time," says du Parcq. "It’s like when you walk into a kitchen and there’s a bowl of bananas – our brain recognises that smell instantly and it’s really potent, but after about 10 minutes you can’t detect it any more. So, if you’re spraying a tonne of perfume and you’re barely noticing it, then trust me other people around you will smell it absolutely fine. Perhaps have a little break from that scent, put it into storage somewhere dark and cool so as not to 'age' it for a few months, and try something new. When you come back to that scent, your nose will be more responsive to it." It’s one reason why so many perfume pros will have a fragrance wardrobe filled with a rotation of smells, rather than just one signature scent.
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