Collage: Jemeria Davison / Images: Courtesy of Amazon, Blue Mercury, Byredo, Neiman Marcus, and NordstromSave this storySave this story
The beauty of the best long-lasting perfumes is that they stick with you from your morning coffee to your evening plans without a single touch-up. Whether you want a cozy, musky hug, a fresh floral that feels like a crisp spring morning, or a sexy and spicy statement scent, these fragrances won’t quit after the first spritz. We tested tons of different scents and tapped professional perfumers to find the bottles that truly go the distance, delivering complexity, depth, and that can’t-stop-sniffing effect. Below, your guide to fragrances that actually last—and keep turning heads hour after hour.
Our Top Long-Lasting Perfumes
- Best Floral: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum, $150
- Best Fruity: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum, $250
- Best Citrus: The Harmonist Sacred Water Parfum, $285
- Best Woody: Byredo Rouge Chaotique Extrait de Parfum, $465
- Best Smoky: Balmain Carbone Eau de Parfum, $190
- Best Gourmand: Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat 540 Extrait de Parfum, $310
- Best Sweet: Bond No. 9 Tribeca Eau de Parfum, $345
- Best Musk: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum, $240
- Best Spicy: Prada Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum, $190
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What makes a perfume long-lasting?
- What are the best tips to make fragrances last longer?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Floral: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum
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Gucci
Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Why we love it: If you’re craving a floral that leans soft and sweet, rather than green and woody, Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia delivers. It layers juicy notes of pear over a soft bouquet of gardenia, then deepens with brown sugar and patchouli for warmth. It’s playful but polished, and the kind of scent that makes an immediate impression—no surprise it earned an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2022.
This scent lasts so long that when our tester mailed clothes to a friend across the country, the perfume still lingered on the fabrics. (Her friend loved the scent so much that she bought a bottle for herself!)
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
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“From my first sniff of Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia, it had me questioning a major breakup with gourmand fragrance. Was I a floral girl now? While I'm not fully ready to break away from my beloved sugary scents, Gorgeous Gardenia gives me the best of both worlds. With a stunning bouquet of pear, white gardenia and brown sugar, the sweet, elevated floral is a head-turner. Not to mention, it lasts for days, literally. I shipped my best friend a jacket from New Jersey to Oregon and the scent was still going strong after a week.” —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Key notes: pear, gardenia, brown sugar
- Sizes: 30 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml
- Type: eau de parfum
Best Fruity: Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum
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Parfums de Marly
Delina Eau de Parfum
Amazon
Nordstrom
Why we love it: Although Parfums de Marly Delina took home a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award for best floral perfume, we can’t put this darling in a corner. Alongside classic florals like rose, lily of the valley, and peony, you’ll find fresh, fruity accents—hello, lychee and rhubarb—that give the scent a bright and modern twist. To balance it out, bergamot, cashmere wood, vanilla, and musk add warmth and depth. The result is a floral, fruity, and undeniably elegant scent that transports you to the south of France, donning a little black dress with a martini in hand. And, of course, we can’t forget to mention the chic pink bottle—the perfect addition to your vanity.
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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“This was my first fragrance from the brand, and I immediately fell for the pink bottle with its tassel because it’s so feminine and regal. I’m usually drawn to warm, spicy gourmands, not florals, but I can’t get enough of how powdery this one is. The first word that comes to mind? Feminine. Anytime I want to feel girly and pretty, this is my go-to. Bonus: It lasts all day and all night. I can still catch whiffs of it even after a shower, so you truly get a fragrance that delivers from first spritz to last, a true bang for your buck.” —Annie Blay-Tettey, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Key notes: rose, lily of the valley, peony, lychee, rhubarb, bergamot, cashmere wood
- Sizes: 30 ml, 739 ml
- Type: eau de parfum
Best Citrus: The Harmonist Sacred Water Parfum
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The Harmonist
Sacred Water Parfum
Bluemercury
Why we love it: The Harmonist’s Sacred Water earned a 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award, thanks to its bright, uplifting, and quietly elegant spirit. It opens with a sparkling mix of citron, mandarin, and fresh ginger, delivering an instant burst of freshness that softens as it wears. As the scent settles, orange blossom and magnolia come forward, adding depth through easy-to-wear floral notes. A base of grey amber, woody amyris, and cedar anchors everything, giving this fragrance a clean finish that lingers.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“I spritz two or three pumps of Sacred Water onto my neck and hair, and then walk into the lingering mist. I layer Dedcool's Xtra Milk on top to lock it in and add a soft warmness to the otherwise citrus scent. While Sacred Water brings light, refreshing notes of ginger and orange blossom, Xtra Milk adds depth with amber and white musk. When I say this elite pairing elicits compliments, I'm not kidding. I've had Trader Joe's employees stop me in the middle of checkout to ask about my perfume, and had company colleagues chase me down in the office to find out what scent I'm wearing. The layered combo is lethal in the most non-lethal and incredibly delightful way. I do wish Sacred Water was more affordable, but it's such a beautiful scent in an even more beautiful bottle, so it's easy to see why the cost is so high!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key notes: citron, mandarin, orange, magnolia, grey amber, cedar
Sizes: 50 ml - Type: eau de parfum
Best Woody: Byredo Rouge Chaotique Extrait de Parfum
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Byredo
Rouge Chaotique Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Why we love it: Byredo hits the nail on the head with this wood-forward fragrance. Anchored in bergamot, smoke, and oakwood, Rouge Chaotique smells like a crunchy walk through a forest. Fresh black currant and juicy plum cut through the earthiness, while sweet praline and saffron—it’s the most expensive spice in the world, so this addition, in part, explains the price—add warmth and depth. A single spritz instantly transports us from the concrete jungle of New York City straight to Wyoming, but with this fragrance, we’re glamping, never pitching our own tent. Since this is an extrait, it’s even more concentrated than your typical eau de parfum; each spritz goes a very long way. And, the next time you wear that same shirt, you might not need to reapply.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“This Byredo extrait is my go-to date or night-out scent: The woodsy, slight spicy notes make me feel confident and sexy all night, and the scent lingers well into the next day, but at a slightly softened level that’s more appropriate for the office or meeting up with friends for brunch. I can even smell it towards the end of day two. I’m definitely more light-handed with this extrait than I am with my EDPs, maxing out at two spritzes. It’s potent but not overwhelming.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key notes: bergamont, oakwood, blackcurrant, juicy plum, paraline, saffron
- Sizes: 70 ml
- Type: extrait
Best Smoky: Balmain Carbone Eau de Parfum
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Balmain
Carbone Eau de Parfum
Neiman Marcus
Why we love it: Many of our editors have tested the Best of Beauty Award-winning Balmain Carbone, and we all agree it’s unlike anything else in our fragrance rotation. It can come across a bit strong at first, with an immediate hit of musk, suede, cumin, and patchouli, but give it a few minutes, and it enters an entirely new era. A soft rose note emerges, wrapped in a smoky tobacco haze, transforming the scent into something far more nuanced. Together, it’s floral yet smoky, with a moody, jazz-club-after-dark vibe. In our eyes, this isn’t a summer spritz, but its dark sultriness makes it perfect for fall and winter. Just a few sprays offer maximum impact that lasts from dawn until dusk.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
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“After weeks of testing, I can say Carbone lingers way longer than some of my other favorite perfumes (a major win in my book, since who has time to reapply hourly?). The scent is pretty strong at first, so you only need one or two spritzes for serious impact and staying power. (I’ve noticed it can lasts up to 8 hours.) I tend to wear Carbone on nights out rather than in-office days, for some much-needed confidence.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
More to know
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- Key notes: white musk, rose, suede, patchouli, cumin
- Size: 10 ml, 50 ml, 150 ml
- Type: eau de parfum
Best Gourmand: Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat 540 Extrait de Parfum
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Baccarat 540 Extrait de Parfum
Nordstrom
Why we love it: The extrait version of Maison Francis Kurkdijan’s Baccarat 540 intensifies the power of the original eau de parfum, which is bold, given that the original already lasts a long time. It’s woody, ambery, and musky, but also has notes of jasmine flowers, ethyl maltol (an aroma enhancer and sweetener that adds a gourmand twist), and bitter almond to enhance the dessert-ness of it all. Also a saffron-boosted scent, this is another well-worth-the-price perfume that leaves a trail everywhere you go for days, with just a few quick spritzes.
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“This is one of my all-time favorite perfumes—and one of the only bottles I’ve ever actually finished. (I own around 100 scents, so that’s really saying something.) Like Santal 33, it’s so unique and instantly recognizable when you smell it on someone. It’s the perfect blend of my favorite scent profiles—sweet and ambery—so when I don’t know what to reach for, this one always hits the spot. It also layers beautifully with more skin-scented fragrances, which helps tone down the sweetness for an office day or a morning walk when I don’t want anything too strong. I always get compliments when I wear it.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key notes: cashmaran wood, saffron, jasmine, ethyl maltol, bitter almond
- Size: 35 ml, 75 ml, 200 ml
- Type: extrait
Best Sweet: Bond No. 9 Tribeca Eau de Parfum
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Bond No.9
Tribeca Eau de Parfum
Amazon
Why we love it: Smelling like a chocolate cupcake isn’t for everyone, which is why Bond No. 9 elevated the good-enough-to-eat scent and turned it into something worthy of all-day wear. Tribeca has much more to offer than the warm, chocolaty star note. The brand mixed smooth, sweet cacao and caramel with green hazelnut for a crisp twist, along with jasmine and moss for an earthy, yet romantic touch. “Not only are the fragrance concentrations high, but the brand uses newer nitro musks that are stronger than older musks, so you can use 10% less and smell 100 times stronger,” says New York City-based senior perfumer Darryl Do. Translation: While it’s an investment, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth, since a little goes a long way.
More to know
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- Key notes: cacao, hazelnut, jasmine, cedarwood, moss, caramel
- Size: 50 ml, 100 ml
- Type: eau de parfum
Best Musk: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
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Le Labo
Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Why it’s worth it: Darryl Do is also a fan of Le Labo’s Santal 33 for the same reason he loves Bond No. 9: It’s formulated with those aforementioned, newer nitro musks, so the scent is stronger, longer-lasting, and doesn’t require half the bottle to make an impact. Yes, it’s the viral fragrance everyone (and their mom) has smelled before—but there’s a reason it became that scent. The musky base is the definition of comforting, but it's not overpowering. It’s on the minimalist side, but you can immediately recognize when someone is wearing it. Cardamom brings a cozy warmth, iris and violet add brightness, and sandalwood and cedarwood give it that signature leathery edge. Le Labo’s very first creation is a unisex classic for a reason—and, years later, it’s still the one we reach for when we have no idea what scent to wear.
More to Know
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- Key notes: cardamom, iris, violet, cedarwood, sandalwood
- Size: 15 ml, 50 ml, 100 ml, 500 ml
- Type: eau de parfum
Best Spicy: Prada Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum
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Prada
Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Picture sitting fireside with a milky chai latte, bundled in your comfiest coat and beanie. Now, imagine what that moment would smell like. You’d land somewhere close to Prada’s Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum. It blends creamy sandalwood with warm chai spices, layered with cardamom and a hint of citrus. A musky base keeps it grounded, reading more like a skin scent than a full-on gourmand.
This recommendation comes by way of Nordstrom’s national beauty director, Autumne West: “I love a niche fragrance where you can really feel the thought behind the ingredients and how the scent develops over time. It has depth without feeling overpowering and wears in a way that still feels very natural and easy.” You can reach for this balanced, comforting spritz while sipping your morning coffee and know you’ll still smell good on your evening commute.
More to know
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- Key notes: chai latte accord, creamy sandalwood accord, citrus, musks
- Sizes: 100 ml
- Type: eau de parfum
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a perfume long-lasting?
According to Do, 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. West says 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.
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our reviews of the best long-lasting perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
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