Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave this storySave this story
Ever spritz a fragrance only for it to disappear before lunch? The best long-lasting perfumes won’t quit on you. These days, we require more from our beauty products: foundations that stay in place for 12-plus hours, lipstick that refuses to budge through meals, setting sprays to lock everything in from sunrise to dusk. And the same goes for perfume. When you apply fragrance, you want it to last—to trail behind you, enchant passersby, and linger from the morning spritz to your post-work wind-down. Enter these long-lasting perfumes, which promise to stick around for whatever you’ve got going on.
Our Top Long-Lasting Perfumes
- Best Long-Lasting Bright Floral: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum, $250
- Best Long-Lasting Moody Floral: Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Extrait de Parfum, $345
- Best Long-Lasting Vanilla: Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21, $660
- Best Long-Lasting Musk: Byredo Mojave Ghost Absolue, $290
- Best Long-Lasting Citrus: La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum, $350
- Best Long-Lasting Spicy: Matiere Premiere Crystal Saffron Extrait, $320
Not every fragrance is a long-lasting perfume, of course. Some scents, like citrus fragrances or light florals, tend to dissipate faster than fragrances built around deeper notes like oud, sandalwood, and amber. The concentration of perfume oils plays a role too: Products labeled parfum, extrait, and absolue will typically last longer due to higher concentrations than those found in body mists, colognes, and eau de toilettes formulas. The more oil, the longer the scent lasts sans touch-ups. Because of this potency, extrait and absolue fragrances tend to be more expensive than their EDT and EDP counterparts. (The sticker shock is real.)
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What makes a perfume long-lasting?
- What are the best tips to make fragrances last longer?
- Meet the experts
- Our staff and testers
Aside from the fragrance itself, it’s key to make sure your skin is adequately moisturized; some fragrance obsessives like to apply a layer of thick, unscented body lotion or Vaseline to help “lock in” the scent, or use the accompanying fragranced body wash and body lotion for a layered effect. Hair mists have also become popular as a way to add additional fragrance to your top-to-toe beauty routine. Looking for a scent that will linger long past your initial application? Check out some of our faves for those marathon days and nights.
Best Long-Lasting Bright Floral: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
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Parfums de Marly
Delina Eau de Parfum
Amazon (2.5 Fl Oz)
Nordstrom (1 Oz)
Bluemercury (1 Oz)
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying the Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
Alessandra Foresto
Why we love it: Perfume lovers have been obsessed with Delina for a few years now, us included; it won a Best of Beauty Award in 2024, after all. Don’t let the pale pink bottle fool you—Delina makes a big, bold floral statement with every spritz. Rose, lily of the valley, and peony notes get a lift from bright lychee and rhubarb for that instant “pow” factor, which sparkles on skin for hours. It’s simply enchanting, and it stays that way from a.m. to p.m.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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“This is my first Parfums de Marly fragrance and I'm in love! The fruity and floral mix of lychee, rhubarb, rose, and vetiver makes for a slightly powdery scent that's so delicate but also feels complex and elegant. Most of all, I love that the scent lingers all day. So many fragrances evaporate quickly, and by the time I get to the office, I feel like I need another spritz, but I can still smell this perfume on my work clothes at the end of the day.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Key notes: rose, lily of the valley, peony, lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, cashmere wood
- Sizes: 1 oz, 2.5 oz
Best Long-Lasting Moody Floral: Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Extrait de Parfum
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Ex Nihilo
Lust in Paradise Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise Extrait de Parfum
Elizabeth Gulino
Why we love it: Nothing says date night like a scent called Lust in Paradise. The original fragrance is a lovely, fresh blend of pink pepper, lychee, and peony, and the extrait takes that flirtatious DNA and ups the ante, deepening the sweet notes and adding luscious jasmine for a more romantic sillage—the kind that lingers and trails behind you, enchanting everyone in your wake.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“Ex Nihilo's new Lust in Paradise Extrait has become a recent obsession of mine. It's a turned-up version of the original Lust in Paradise with added notes of jasmine and blackcurrant that give it a rich dry-down. It's been my go-to going-out scent, but I also love to spritz it in the morning when I know I have a long day ahead of me. To be honest, I'll have to tone down how often I've been wearing it—I'm dreading finishing my bottle!” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Key notes: rose, lily of the valley, peony, lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, cashmere wood
- Sizes: 1 oz, 2.5 oz
Best Long-Lasting Vanilla: Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21
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Guerlain
Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21
Guerlain
Allure social media director Kassidy Silva applying the Guerlain Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21
Kassidy Silva
Why we love it: You may have seen this luxurious bottle on PerfumeTok, because it’s become something of an obsession for vanilla lovers. And it is definitely a special scent, made with a unique vanilla that must be soaked for 21 days to achieve the exact intensity and complexity that Guerlain requires for such a fabulously fancy extrait. It is then paired with woody, spicy notes to enhance the sweetness of vanilla and anchor it on the skin as the scent develops. Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21 isn’t cheap—a bottle rings up over $600—but if you’re a true vanilla devotee who can’t get enough of the multifaceted fragrance note, this may just be your dream fragrance, and one that you can revel in for hours with just a spritz or two.
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
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“Guerlain's Vanille Planifolia Extrait 21 is a vanilla fragrance like no other. The musky gourmand is a sexy, mysterious confection that turns heads no matter what room you're in. But the unique blend isn't even the most standout element; it's wear time. Fragrances typically don't last long on my skin; I usually get between 4 and 5 hours before needing to reapply, but I get at least 12 hours with this scent. I'll apply two spritzes to my wrist that I dab on my neck and a few to my clothes and hair, which last all day. I'll catch a whiff from my wrist every so often, and it adds a little bounce in my step. Not to mention, the bottle's intricate craftsmanship makes it a standout in any perfume cabinet. The woven golden rope on the bottle's neck and the brand's signature G and bees around the bottle are my favorites. Each bottle is fully customizable, moving it into heirloom status in my eyes. It's certainly a splurge, but if it's in your budget and you love compliments, this one is for you.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key notes: vanilla, amber, spices, musk
- Sizes: 1.7 oz
Best Long-Lasting Musk: Byredo Mojave Ghost Absolu
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Byredo
Mojave Ghost Absolu
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Allure content manager Hannah Brower applying the Byredo Mojave Ghost Absolu
Hannah Brower
Why we love it: Byredo, the massively popular niche fragrance line now sold all over the world, has legions of fans who are obsessed with its unique—but often quite lightweight—fragrances. That’s why they introduced Absolu versions of some of their bestsellers, including this woody, musky floral scent with notes of ambrette, pear, magnolia, sandalwood, vetiver, and musk. Mojave Ghost was inspired by the ghost flower, which grows in the sweltering heat of the Mojave Desert, but rest assured this more potent version of the original scent won’t ghost you.
Tester feedback from content manager Hannah Brower
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“I love Mojave Ghost—it’s my favorite musky, clean skin scent. But you have to go the Absolue route. The difference in lasting power is enough to make the price increase worth it. It lasts so long, I’ve smelled it on my clothes even after washing them and after going swimming. And I’d say that passes the long-lasting test!.” —Hannah Brower, content manager
More to know
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- Key notes: ambrette, pear, magnolia, sandalwood, musk
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Best Long-Lasting Citrus: La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum
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Dior
La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum
Dior
Allure senior commerce director Shanna Shipin applying the La Collection Privée Christian Dior Paradise Eau de Parfum
Shanna Shipin
Why we love it: Part citrus, part gourmand, this golden-hour scent was inspired by Monsieur Christian Dior's vacation home, which was surrounded by blooming almond trees. (Imagine!) The transportive scent kicks off with a squeeze of citrusy notes, including mandarin and bergamot, which partner beautifully with the almond and vanilla heart. (There's a reason almond desserts often feature a pop of citrus.) If you're not quite ready to say goodbye to summer scenting, Paradise will keep your feet firmly planted in the sunny season.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“Citrus runs in my blood—at least I like to think so (my mom ate lemons and oranges daily when she was pregnant with me, and I came out with an insatiable appetite for all things citrus)—so this feels a bit like a twin flame fragrance for me. It comes on strong with all sorts of citrus notes (mandarin, lime, bergamot), then you get the warmth from almond and maybe some vanilla. This fragrance also has some notable woody threads, which give it an air of mystery rather than a typical gourmand scent, and make it a good unisex option. The combination is equal parts sweet and smooth, like a luxurious and layered summertime cocktail that you'd feel very cool ordering at the bar. I'm so in love with this fragrance that it's one I want to hoard even from myself! Good thing: It lasts so incredibly long on my skin—I'm talking dawn to dusk—which helps justify the price tag.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key notes: mandarin, orange, lime, bitter almond, tonka bean, woody notes
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz. 6.8 oz
Best Long-Lasting Chypre: Le Labo Ylang 49 Eau de Parfum
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Le Labo
Ylang 49 Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Allure contributor Kara Nesvig applying the Le Labo Ylang 49 Eau de Parfum
Kara Nesvig
Why we love it: A chypre scent, which is generally defined as a fragrance that blends citrusy top notes, rose, and a mossy base, has an old-fashioned cool factor that makes it stand out in a sea of gourmands and florals. Chypres tend to be longer-lasting than some of their fragranced peers, too, thanks to bold base notes like patchouli and oakmoss. Ylang 49, an underrated scent from Le Labo, definitely has staying power, blending heady ylang ylang and Tahitian gardenia with a wallop of patchouli and oakmoss. It’s not a fragrance for the faint of heart, which is what makes it so much fun to wear.
Tester feedback from contributor Kara Nesvig
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This has been one of my signature scents for nearly 10 years, and man does it linger! One spritz will radiate for hours on skin or clothing and you will not get noseblind to it—in a good way, because this is a rich, intoxicating floral chypre with a bit of tropical heat thanks to the titular ylang ylang. When I spray it in the a.m., I can still smell it on my skin come evening. If I had to cull my giant perfume collection down to just a few bottles, this would absolutely make the cut; I consider it a scent I can’t live without. —Kara Nesvig, contributor
More to know
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- Key notes: ylang ylang, Tahitian gardenia, patchouli, sandalwood, oakmoss
- Sizes: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz, 16.9 oz
More long-lasting scents we love
Best Long-Lasting Spicy: Matiere Premiere Crystal Saffron Extrait
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Matiere Premiere
Crystal Saffron Extrait
Nordstrom
Why we love it: Matiere Premiere, a fragrance house created by noted perfumer Aurélien Guichard—the nose behind scents for Bond No. 9, Burberry, Gucci, and Narciso Rodriguez, among many others—is all about highlighting the beauty of natural fragrance materials and amplifying their power. (Ask anyone who has worn MP's Vanilla Powder, which basically never fades.) The main line fragrances are all pretty potent, but the extraits take that to the next level. Crystal Saffron is built around a Greek saffron note—thought to be some of the best in the world—paired with myrrh, ambroxan, and incense for a dramatically spicy scent profile. Don’t overdo it with this one—just a tiny spritz will suffice; it’s that strong.
More to know
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- Key notes: saffron, myrrh, incense
- Sizes: 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Best Long-Lasting Fruity: Amouage Hibiscus Love Eau de Parfum
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Amouage
Hibiscus Love Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Revolve
Why we love it: Amouage scents are some of the most long-lasting fragrances ever. The house was founded to honor Middle Eastern fragrance traditions with scents often featuring popular notes of myrrh, incense, and oud. Hibiscus Love is a bit of a departure for the house, opening with bright, juicy passionfruit, hibiscus, and gourmand notes for a unique concoction with Amouage’s signature high-scent concentration. Hibiscus Love comes in an eye-catching coral-pink bottle, and the scent itself is vivacious and flirtatious—main character energy, so to speak.
More to know
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- Key notes: caramel, passionfruit, hibiscus, frankincense, sandalwood, vanilla
- Sizes: 3.4 oz
Best Long-Lasting Gourmand: Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Baccarat 540 Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Why we love it: Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Baccarat Rouge 540 is one of the defining scents of the 2020s. After the original eau de parfum went viral due to its unique blend of fluffy, almost salty saffron, jasmine, and light, airy woods and took over our fragrance palates—not to mention causing a fleet of copycats in the process— the house launched a stronger, longer-lasting extrait formula based on its signature scent profile, so you get more longevity and sillage from the cashmere-plush fragrance you love.
More to know
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- Key notes: cashmaran wood, saffron, jasmine, ethyl maltol, bitter almond
- Sizes: 1.2 oz, 2.4 oz, 6.8 oz
Best Long-Lasting Tuberose: Van Cleef & Arpels Fleur de Nuit Eau de Parfum
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Van Cleef & Arpels
Fleur de Nuit Eau de Parfum
Bloomingdale’s
Why we love it: Did you know the famous luxury jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels makes fragrance? Now you do, and you should definitely check them out, especially if you like bolder, more opulent fragrances. Fleur de Nuit is a white floral fragrance—tuberose, to be exact—that practically melts into the skin with a velvety, come-hither sensuality. Though tuberose as a fragrance note is generally more robust than other florals, it’s even more potent paired with a backbone of sandalwood, vanilla wood, and musk notes.
Tester feedback from Nesvig
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“I tend to prefer a long-lasting perfume; I’m definitely more team parfum and extrait than body mist and eau de cologne. Thus, this sexy, smoldering, old Hollywood-style take on the notoriously attention-grabbing tuberose was right up my alley. When I spray it, I imagine I’m slipping into a gorgeous ‘30s slip dress, pulling a feather boa around my shoulders, and heading out for the night, and I know my fragrance will be right there with me for every champagne sip.” —Kara Nesvig, contributor
More to know
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- Key notes: petitgrain, tuberose, sandalwood, musk
- Sizes: 2.5 oz
Best Long-Lasting Earthy: Bvlgari Le Gemme Tygar Extrait de Parfum
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Bvlgari
Le Gemme Tygar Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Why we love it: Firstly, let’s talk about the bottle: gorgeous, a sculptural black matte bottle with a tiger’s-eye cap. (Bvlgari is a jewelry house, after all, so it tracks that their bottles would be objets d’art.) And the scent inside is equally stunning: a spicy, earthy mix of crisp grapefruit, warm amber, and woods that smells exactly how a tiger's eye looks: multifaceted, spellbinding, and totally one of a kind. Le Gemme Tygar is equal parts fresh and rich, and you’ll have a lot of fun experiencing its uniqueness as it develops throughout the day.
More to know
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- Key notes: grapefruit, amber, ginger, patchouli, vetiver
- Sizes: 2 oz, 4.2 oz
Best Long-Lasting Patchouli: Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady
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Frédéric Malle
Portrait of a Lady
Nordstrom
Why we love it: A bombastic bombshell of a rose fragrance, Portrait of a Lady feels more like Madonna than Marilyn Monroe, with bossy, bold cinnamon and incense atop a lush base of patchouli and sandalwood. One spritz hangs out for hours, with the dry, woody rose top notes fading into that intoxicatingly spicy heart. This is the kind of scent you wear when you want to make a big impression, and you’ll be smelling it in your hair and on your clothes for days. Madonna actually wears this, so the comparison is an apt one!
More to know
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- Key notes: rose, red fruits, incense, patchouli, sandalwood
- Sizes: 0.7 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Best Long-Lasting Rose: Maison Crivelli Musc Nurãsana Extrait de Parfum
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Maison Crivelli
Musc Nurãsana Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Why we love it: If you love a skin scent or musk fragrance, you know that many of them can be slightly less tenacious than their peers due to the delicate nature of those skin-like musk notes. That’s not the case when it comes to Maison Crivelli’s Musk Nurãsana, which is a powerful extrait formula (the brand is already well-known for its long-lasting scents) that smells like warm skin, rumpled bedsheets, and an early morning after a late night.
More to know
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- Key notes: musk, rose, incense, cardamom, bergamot
- Sizes: 0.17 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz
Best Long-Lasting Sweet: Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum
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Thierry Mugler
Angel Eau de Parfum
Amazon (1.6 Oz)
Nordstrom (3.3 Fl Oz)
Ulta Beauty (1.7 Oz)
Why we love it: One of the most iconic scents of all time, Thierry Mugler’s Angel is also one of the longest-lasting scents of all time. If you hate it, you’ll know what we mean, and if you love it, you’ll get it too. Launched in 1992, Angel is a sticky-sweet concoction featuring cotton candy, red berries, patchouli, and chocolate, among many, many other delicious notes, and it absolutely paved the way for today’s gourmand obsession with its unconventional mix of ingredients, including that wallop of patchouli at the base. Now considered one of the best-selling fragrances of all time with sillage to match its long-running popularity, Angel is loud, bold, striking, and unforgettable, and even if you don’t typically like sweet fragrances, you may just find yourself captivated by this absolute legend.
More to know
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- Key notes: bergamot, red fruits, patchouli
- Sizes: 0.33 oz, 1.7 oz, 3.33 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a perfume long-lasting?
According to Darryl Do, a senior perfumer at Delbia Do based in New York City, the higher the concentration of fragrance oil is directly correlated to its longevity. Eau de toilettes typically fall in the 7% to 12% range, eau de parfums land around 15% to 20%, and concentrates (also known as extraits) can reach 22 to 30%. Look for fragrances labeled parfum, intense, or elixir, West suggests, if you’re looking for a scent that lasts all day.
The notes of the perfume also make a big difference. Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director based in Seattle, explains that fragrances with deeper notes like musk, tobacco, and cardamom, create a lasting impression as the fragrance dries down throughout the day. “Citrus-forward notes can be beautiful and refreshing upon first spray, but they fade quicker,” she says. That’s why many of the citrus scents on this list are anchored with deeper notes, so they’ll linger.
What are the best tips to make fragrances last longer?
One of West’s favorite tips is to apply your fragrance to freshly moisturized skin because hydrated skin holds onto scent much longer. “Layering also makes a big difference,” she says. “If a fragrance has a coordinating body lotion, oil, or shower gel, applying that first helps create a base so the perfume lasts longer and wears more evenly.”
Meet the experts
- Darryl Do is a senior perfumer at Delbia Do based in New York City.
- Autumne West is Nordstrom’s national beauty director based in Seattle.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
