25 Best Long-Lasting Fragrances That Won't Overwhelm You
Ask anyone what the true hallmarks of a fragrance are and their answers will vary from notes to projection to sillage. Number one on that list, however, will be staying power—who wants to spend money on a perfume that’ll wear off by the time you head out the door?
The best long-lasting fragrances should be able to leave a lasting impression in their wake and don’t need constant re-application. Between work days, social nights, and gym sessions, the fragrances you invest in should never leaving you hanging. So where to start? Eau de parfums are a great entryway into the world of long-lasting fragrances, as EDPs have a higher oil concentration than mists and toilettes, which allows for a stronger projection and long wear. Plus, perfumes that have strong notes, such as musk and wood, will add more depth to a scent that is merely composed of “fresh” or “clean” ingredients.
After perusing my own stash, I looked to customer reviewers and polled a few ELLE editors to share their picks for the best long-lasting fragrance on the market. Shop the 25 best ones ahead.
1
BEST SWEET FLORAL FRAGRANCE
Parfums de Marly Parfums de Marly Cassili Eau de Parfum
$355 at Nordstrom
Cassili wraps you in a soft, plush bed of sweet white flowers. The bouquet is deepened by tonka beans and sandalwood but lingers in the background to keep the composition flirty and feminine.
Key scent notes: Bulgarian rose, transparent white flowers, mimosa absolute, plumeria, sandalwood, tonka beans
Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars
“My introduction to Parfums de Marly was through Cassili. As someone who detests juvenile-like floral scents, I was thoroughly happy that Cassili is a sexy, mature floral scent that settles into a powdery sweetness.” — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
2
BEST SMOKEY FRUITY FRAGRANCE
Dries Van Noten Orange Smoke Eau de Toilette
$255 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Whatever you thought a Mediterranean escape smelled like, allow Dries Van Noten's Orange Smoke to change your mind. The smokiness of this fragrance is fleeting to make way for the tangy sweetness of orange blossom, neroli, and jasmine.
Key scent notes: Mandarin, neroli, orange blossom, jasmine, musks
Fragrantica rating: 4.2/5 stars
“Orange Smoke stopped me in my tracks the moment the last mist settled on my skin. I felt like I was immediately transported to the South of France or the Amalfi Coast, somewhere sunkissed with salty sea breeze brushing against my skin.” — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
3
BEST SUMMER SCENT
Penhaligon's Penhaligon's Solaris Eau de Parfum at Nordstrom
$235 at Nordstrom
An ELLE.com Noteworthies winner, Solaris by Penhaligons smells like freshly squeezed citrus basking under the sun's rays. On the skin, the florals take the spotlight as jasmine and ylang-ylang dance around awakening Neroli and lemon oil.
Key scent notes: Blackcurrant, neroli, lemon oil, ylang-ylang, jasmine, tiare flower, cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla
Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “This scent evokes summers at the beach or lake. It’s beautiful without being flowery. Worth every penny. Highly recommend. Wish they had more products with this scent.
4
BEST TROPICAL SCENT
Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin Eau de Parfum
$212 at Saks Fifth Avenue
Mango Skin is as juicy and vibrant as the freshly picked ripe fruit the fragrance is built around. Patchouli and pink sugar add a creamy kiss to the rather fruit composition, which marries mango, blackberries, and black pepper together for a spicy-sweet dry-down.
Key scent notes: Blackberries, mango, black pepper, jasmine, patchouli, vanilla, pink sugar
Saks Fifth Avenue rating: 3.7/5 stars
A Saks Fifth Avenue reviewer said: “Gorgeous, fruity, sparking in the opening. Dries to a warm sweet skin scent.”
5
BEST SOFT OUD
Christian Dior Oud Ispahan
£450 at Dior
Ouds can typically lean super strong and masculine. Christian Dior's iteration is still potent and exhilarating, and a little warm and bubbly but still sensual and mysterious.
Key scent notes: Labdanum, rose, patchouli, saffron; agarwood (oud), sandalwood
Dior rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Dior reviewer said: “I been using this from past 6 years. Always been a fan of Oud Isphan. Best one for me. Great smell. Last longer. Ladies love it.”
6
BEST DATE NIGHT SCENT
Brown Girl Jane Dare
$102 at browngirljane.com
Don’t let the soft pink bottle fool you—Dare isn’t as innocent as it looks. This scent is sexy and sultry, thanks to dark cherry and Italian leather, that's formulated to evoke intimate passion.
Key scent notes: Cherry, lychee, black pepper, pink peony, rose Damascena, musk, woods
Brown Girl Jane rating: 5/5 stars
A Brown Girl Jane reviewer said: “I’m not much for leaving reviews, but I absolutely loved this fragrance. It’s enticing and mysterious and has staying power on my skin.”
7
BEST FRESH SCENT
Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724 Eau de Parfum at Nordstrom
$535 at Nordstrom
You're not alone if Maison Francis Kurkdijan’s 724 fragrance immediately leans aquatic. The opening whiff is fresh and crispy clean before the darker side rears its head with a blend of musks and sandalwood.
Key scent notes: Aldehydes, bergamot oil, white floral accord, jasmine, sandalwood accord, white musks
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
“Maison Francis Kurkdjian and sophisticated luxury go hand in hand. TikTok fell in love with him for the luxuriously scented (and expensive) Baccarat Rouge 540. 724 exemplifies that Kurkdjian truly has the Midas touch. If you see me out and about in NYC, there’s a high chance I’m wearing this fragrance. It’s fresh, energizing, and perfect for any urban dweller, particularly as it was inspired by city landscapes.” — Danielle James, Digital Beauty Director
8
BEST CREAMY FRAGRANCE
Philosophy Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Parfum
$62 at Ulta Beauty
Amazing Grace wraps you in a creamy blanket of soft florals. The fresh scent feels like a sweet caress of powdery musks that swells with emotive blooms like jasmine and freesia.
Key scent notes: bergamot, lemon, jasmine, freesia, neroli, orange blossom, musk blend
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
“Amazing Grace is the softest, creamiest fragrance in my collection that I would buy 10 times over. Whenever I spray a scent that's too strong or masculine, I cut it with Amazing Grace for added softness. It pairs well with others but smells even better on its own.” — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
9
BEST CITRUS WOOD FRAGRANCE
TOM FORD Costa Azzurra Parfum
$95 at Nordstrom
A guaranteed conversation starter, Costa Azzurra is a harmonious medley of citrus and woods, dancing around the Mediterranean Sea.
Key scent notes: Cypress oil, lemon, oakwood extract, amber
Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “I purchased this fragrance when it was first released. I wore it a couple of times and thought it was “nice”, but as the weather warms up and I wear it a little more consistently, I’ve realized how beautiful this fragrance truly is. The blend of the notes is masterful and makes it a new favorite of mine.”
10
BEST GOURMAND OUD FRAGRANCE
Arabian Oud Bella Eau de Parfum
$100 at arabianoud-usa.com
Fruits and ouds make for the perfect marriage in this composition. Bella's allure can be credited to the first impression of orange, raspberry, and pear. The gourmand edge kicks in and settles into a musk that's not too overbearing.
Key scent notes: Orange, raspberry, pear, caramel, jasmine, musk, vanilla, sandalwood
Parfumo rating: 4/5 stars
“An oud is my fragrance cheat code because it can play well with others. However, Bella shines on its own. The sillage is strong enough to guarantee compliments and sticks onto your clothes even post-wash.”— Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
11
BEST NIGHTTIME FRAGRANCE
Moodeaux PunkStar Eau de Parfum
$98 at moodeaux.com
Punkstar is an energizing fragrance that leaves you guessing. A few spritzes spark intrigue—What note is that pulling me in? The dark, sultry fragrance melds blackcurrant, raspberry, incense, wood and more to create a blend that starts off as a summer day and settles into a fall night.
Key notes: Apple, blackcurrant, raspberry, incense, saffron
Moodeaux rating: 5/5 stats
“PunkStar has easily become my favorite new fragrance because it's so mysterious and warm. The incense pulls more on my skin initially, but tonka bean and patchouli make for the perfect dry-down pairing.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
12
BEST AMBER OUD
Al Haramain Amber Oud Gold Edition
$40 at Amazon
In the pool for the best oud fragrances out there, Amber Oud stands out from the crowd. The deep, woodsy oud has a strong projection that lingers on your skin and clothes for hours. Vanilla offers a tinge of sweetness but this scent is dark and musky through and through.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
“I wore this fragrance for a night out and received so many compliments that a friend ordered Amber Oud right at the dinner table. By the time I got home, I could still smell the scent all over my clothes, even the next day. Talk about a strong sillage!”— Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com Beauty Commerce Editor
13
BEST FRESH FLORAL
Boy Smells, CDP LES
$98 at Boy Smells
Pink pepper can be overwhelming in some fragrances, but in LES, it swirls with jasmine, bergamot, cedarwood, and amber for a vibrant mix that smells like a run through a floral garden.
Key scent notes: bergamot, pink peppercorn, jasmine,
peony, vanilla
Boy Smells rating: 4.18/5 stars
A Boy Smells reviewer said: “I’ve gotten countless compliments on this smell. Two people have had me write it down for them so they can buy it for their wives. I’ve ever met someone who doesn’t like it. Don’t buy if you don’t want people asking what you’re wearing left and right.”
14
BEST EARTHY FRAGRANCE
Relevant Your Skin Seen 13 Stems: Scent Meets Soul
$74 at thirteenlune.com
The green packaging gives away what the first spritz reveals: 13 Stems is a bright, earthy scent that smells like dew drops peppered on fresh grass on a spring morning.
Key scent notes: Cucumber, woods, violet leaf
Thirteen Lune rating: 4.5/5 stars
“I now quite frequently get asked, ‘what are you wearing?’ Certain scents fade after a night out, but 13 stems is long-lasting. I love it so much; I now have the travel size too! My go-to scent for the summer.” — Leah Romero, Senior Digital Designer
15
BEST DAYTIME FRAGRANCE
Versace Dylan Purple Eau de Parfum
$120 at Sephora
Dylan Purple leans fruity and fresh, with a delicate feminine scent that serves as the perfect laying base for similar notes. The bottle feels as elegant and royal as the fragrance housed in the bottle.
Key scent notes: Bitter orange, freesia, cedarwood
Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars
“The moment this arrived at my door, it has been in close contact with my skin. I also use this to scent layer, it makes a great base scent in the summer.” —Danielle James, ELLE.com Beauty Director
16
BEST SENSUAL FRAGRANCE
Harlem Candle Company Josephine Eau de Parfum
$140 at Harlem Candle Company
Just as tantalizing as the iconic singer it's named after, Josephine by Harlem Candle Company is not for the faint of heart. The floral blend strays away from softness and leans all the dark and warm, courtesy of bergamot, incense, vanilla and more.
Key scent notes: Tonka beans, amber, jasmine, amyris
Harlem Candle Company rating: 5/5 stars
“Harlem Candle Company has forayed into fragrance and Josephine (yes, named after the Josephine Baker) is a sexy scent that will last you through drinks, dinner, and dessert—no need to reapply. The patchouli and sandalwood give this perfume a mysteriously sweet yet musky scent.”—Danielle James, ELLE.com Beauty Director
17
BEST WOODSY FLORAL FRAGRANCE
BVLGARI Allegra Ma'magnifica Eau de Parfum
$260 at Bulgari
Bvlgari Allegra Ma'magnifica takes woodsy notes and lays them alongside vibrant, invigorating florals to ignite warmth. It has a sharp, musky edge that makes its way to the forefront for a moment, then eases into the background for the florals—rose, patchouli—to settle.
Key scent notes: Bergamot, rose, patchouli, vanilla, sandalwood
Bloomingdale's rating: 4/5 stars
“There’s a difference between strong and long-lasting, and I like that this perfume is soft, while still lingering on the skin all day. I don’t want a perfume that screams, I want one that is quietly confident, that only me and someone I’ve chosen to let into my personal space (or squeezed next to me on the subway) can smell. Although the packaging makes it look like a fancy bon-bon, this scent isn’t sweet at all but woody and floral, and has me smelling like the kind of person who goes on woodsy hikes regularly, all day long.”—Kathleen Hou, ELLE Beauty Director
18
BEST FLORAL VANILLA
Valentino Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum
$156 at Nordstrom
Vanilla can overpower a scent arrangement. However, Donna Born In Roma uses vanilla bourbon to add depth to the jasmine-heavy fragrance, which blends jasmine grandiflorum absolute, jasmine sambac absolute, and jasmine tea.
Key scent notes: Blackcurrant, bergamot, jasmine grandiflorum, bourbon vanilla
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer said: “This is a true luxe perfume. The bottle is very chic and stylish to keep on your vanity. The scent is spring-ish and slightly sweet. It's a very versatile perfume that you can use throughout the day.”
19
BEST CITRUS FRAGRANCE
Krigler Villa Bordighera 20
$725 at krigler.com
Everything that makes an Italian vacation memorable is pretty much bottled up in this fragrance. This perfume evokes images of sticky limoncello and salty sea air, built around lemon and bergamot with a smidge of soft rose.
Key scent notes: Bergamot, rose grapefruit, lemon, jasmine
Fragrantica rating: 5/5 stars
“There’s nothing I want more than to lounge in a villa on the coast of Italy, devouring a limoncello gelato melting under the beaming sun. Every time I wear Villa Bordighera, I’m transported to that happy place. Lemon and fresh florals—what more could I ask for in a scent?”—NP
20
BEST WINTER SCENT
Ajmal Aurum Winter Eau De Parfum
Although perfect for the colder months due to its warmth and depth, Aurum Winter can be worn year-round. It melds fruit, floral, and earthy notes, but the ouds and musks take center stage. There’s a tinge of powder for a subtle softness, but this fragrance has a strong throw that captivates anyone who passes by.
Key scent notes: Citrus, amber, musk, moss
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “I’m a big lover of Ajmal collection!!! This is my 3rd perfume, and I’m in love with it! If you prefer a bit hard and sweet smells, this is really for you!
Highly recommend!”
21
BEST POWDERY MUSK FRAGRANCE
The Harmonist Yin Transformation Parfum
$335 at Bloomingdale's
Yin Transformation is all about contradictions. Sweet and powdery notes connect with deep-seated musks and woods to deliver a burst of freshness that kisses your skin all day.
Key scent notes: Mandarin, Bulgarian rose, almond milk, ylang-ylang, white musks, sandalwood
Bloomingdale's rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Bloomingdale’s reviewer said: “Gorgeous scent. Lasts all day and into next day. A beautiful powder light scent that’s fresh. I have many fragrances, this! tops them all. Definitely worth purchase I’ll purchase again. 10 stars.”
22
BEST PISTACHIO FRAGRANCE
KAYALI Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 Eau de Parfum
$138 at Sephora
Whatever you thought a pistachio perfume smelled like, Kayali’s iteration flips it on its head. This perfume smells like melted pistachio ice cream, one whipped to perfection with vanilla, hazelnut, and whipped cream to top it all off.
Key scent notes: Pistachio, cotton candy, hazelnut, whipped cream
Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer said: “BEYOND YUMMY!!!!!! I am so glad I took the risk on this!! I can’t get enough of this gorgeous smell. It’s a true Gourmand fragrance! Just the right amount of everything and has lasting power that so many fragrances today do not offer. 10/10!!!!”
23
BEST CREAMY FRUITY FRAGRANCE
Bond No. 9 New York Bond No. 9 New York New York Flowers 3.3 oz.
$460 at Bloomingdale's$460 at Saks Fifth Avenue$460 at Neiman Marcus
Summer in New York can sometimes feel like a movie; trees bloom with an assortment of botanicals that add a joyful vibrancy to the populated streets. Bond No. 9 New York bottled up that feeling to create New York Flowers—a sparkling, fresh medley of creamy florals and juicy fruits.
Key scent notes: Anjou pear, clementine, rose de Grasse, jasmine
Bloomingdale's rating: 3.7/5 stars
A Bloomingdale's reviewer said: “This is gorgeous soft floral scent . The bottle is stunning too . I love it.”
24
BEST SOPHISTICATED SCENT
Calvin Klein Beauty Eau De Parfum
fragrance that needs no introduction, Calvin Klein Beauty has a sophisticated, ambrette-jasmine base that warms up to a honeyed floral swirl when it caresses the skin.
Key scent notes: Ambrette, jasmine, Virginia cedar
“This is an absolutely beautiful Jasmine perfume. It’s clean and sensual, my husband adores this on me. It’s a perfect fragrance for all occasions and all seasons. Great as a gift, safe blind buy if you love Jasmine. it’s so affordable and the bottle is beautiful on your perfume tray as well.”
25
BEST BEACH SCENT
Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Beach Walk
$118 at Sephora
Considering how many “beach” perfumes smell like sunscreen, fresh linen, or saltwater, it's easy for you to want to skip out on yet another one. However, Replica Beach Walk is a worthy addition to your collection, thanks to its musky-fresh composition that smells like a more mature, sexy beach walk than the one you remember from your childhood.
Key scent notes: Bergamot, heliotrope, coconut milk