I tested the best long-lasting fragrances for months, and these 7 had the longest wear times
Fragrances are like food — it’s all about personal preference. While fragrance notes determine whether a scent is for you, one element that’s black and white is durability. Many fragrances (both affordable and premium) will claim to last all day, but few actually do.
Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne
1. Most Durable Floral Scent
Aēsop Karst Eau de Parfum
2. Smells Like Fresh Laundry
KILIAN Paris Angels Share Eau de Parfum
3. Best Warm and Luxurious Scent
The Harmonist Hypnotizing Fire
4. Best Wedding/Special Occasion Fragrance
KILIAN Paris Back to Black, Aphrodisiac Eau de Parfum
5. The Best Powdery Scent
Tom Ford Soleil Brulant
6. Gives Vacation Vibes
Perfumehead The Los Angeles Osmocosm Discovery Set
7. Best Discovery Set
Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' By the Fireplace
Honorable Mention
Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Bubble Bath
Honorable Mention
After becoming frustrated with constantly spraying throughout the day when some of my old favorites wore off, I made it my mission to test some of the fragrances that claim to stand the test of time — and only a handful made the cut.
I found that the best long-lasting fragrances fell under the “eau de parfum” descriptor, while lackluster and quickly extinguished fragrances better fit the “eau de toilette” label. There’s actually a major difference between the two and it directly relates to which ones qualify as the best long-lasting fragrances.
Laura Slatkin, founder of NEST New York, told InStyle that it all boils down to the concentration levels of the two types.
“An eau de parfum has a higher concentration of fragrance oil than an eau de toilette,” she explained. “In the fragrance world, the order of highest to lowest concentration is pure perfume, which tends to be solid: eau de parfum, eau de toilette and eau de cologne.”
With this in mind, I found that all seven fragrances that made this list fall under the “Eau de Parfum” category, lasting hours on end (and even longer on my clothes). However, two honorable mention “Eau de Toilette” fragrances lasted longer than others in the same category, though not quite as long as the main seven.
From luxury picks from The Harmonist and KILIAN Paris (one of which is reportedly one of Beyoncé’s favorite fragrances) to more affordable options from Maison Margiela “REPLICA” and Jo Malone London, I’ve rounded up the best long-lasting fragrances I’ve tested from January 2023 to August 2023.
Also, keep in mind that I firmly believe that fragrances are all gender-neutral and do not demand “masculine” or “feminine” exclusivity. With this in mind, I’ll describe the notes of each pick for anyone to discern if it best fits their vibe or style.
Key Notes: Red apple, peony, suede
Scent Type: Classic floral
Prices range from $30 to $165
Jo Malone London is the perfect fragrance brand for the person who wants a fragrance that's a step up from department store options but isn't quite ready to commit to the niche fragrance world. Known for its luxurious scented candles and perfumes, this brand has put its stamp on the fragrance world with a few of its signature scents, and Peony & Blush Suede is one that continuously delivers.
If you love lighter floral scents, this is the ideal pick as it's not overpowering but still gives you that bright and airy floral elegance that many seek. This one's also a perfect layering scent for all seasons.
After testing, I found that this fragrance stayed on my skin for four to five hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Juniper, cumin, sandalwood
Scent Type: Fresh, marine-line and herbaceous
Many know Aēsop for its trendy hand soaps, and while those are worth the hype, I'd say that its fragrances are even better and are more worth your coins.
I've tried a couple of the brand's fragrances and Karst quickly stood out as a favorite — especially for everyday wear. This one's fresh and slightly herb-forward with smoky undertones that you'll notice as it settles into your skin throughout the day.
I wear this fragrance when I'm running errands or sometimes even to the gym.
After testing, I found that this fragrance stayed on my skin for three to four hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Cognac, tonka bean, oak wood
Scent type: warm and sweet
Prices range from $50 to $245
This stands as one of my all-time favorite scents for so many reasons. I love a high-end fragrance that gives me my money's worth, and this is one of the few that executes this perfectly. All you need is a spray or two at your pulse points and you're set for the day.
Warm and spicy scents are perfect for the evening and the fall and winter months and tend to last longer than fresher scents, in my experience. This may be due to the darker and more concentrated notes like cognac and tonka bean, for example, which project more easily.
Angels Share is also one of the most long-lasting scents on this list of "bests." For reference, I wore this on my wedding day, and after spraying just a few times at around 10:00 a.m., guests still smelled it on my skin at 8:00 p.m. It's also worth mentioning that this is one of Beyoncé's favorite fragrances, and we all know that Queen Bey has impeccable taste.
After testing, I found that this fragrance stayed on my skin for over six hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Pepper tree, Bulgarian rose, vanilla
Scent Type: Sensual and enchanting
Based on my wear tests, The Harmonist's Hypnotizing Fire and KILIAN Paris' Angels Share are siblings. Though they have slightly different note profiles, the end result is similar with projections that also stand far above the rest.
While Angels Share is a bit muskier and boozier, Hypnotizing Fire is a bit more seductive and sweet. With notes of Madagascan vanilla and Benzoin, it's warm and rich while remaining approachable, making it the perfect special occasion fragrance.
It's also worth mentioning that the packaging and bottle itself are among the most stunning I've ever seen. It's one of those that you'll want to keep both the canister and bottle displayed on your vanity.
After testing, I found that this fragrance stayed on my skin for over six hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Cedarwood, incense, honey
Scent Type: Powdery and soft
Prices range from
I'm a huge KILIAN fan, and I've found that this niche fragrance house's scents are usually on the dark and musky side — which I love. However, a guy wants some versatility every now and then, and Back to Black is the perfect answer to that cry.
Anytime I try to describe this scent to someone, I tell them it smells like an extremely expensive baby powder with a slightly smoky and sweet dry down. It's the perfect soft scent for all genders and its projection is among some of the best I've noticed, especially among the brand's already impressive lineup.
After testing, I found that this fragrance stayed on my skin for over six hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Orange flower absolute, amber, black honey accord
Scent Type: Warm and spicy
Prices range from $80 to $595
Tom Ford's Soleil Brulant is the only designer fragrance you'll find on this list since it's one of the few designer fragrances that projects and lasts just as long as some more concentrated niche fragrances.
Whenever I wear this fragrance, I feel like I'm on a beach at a luxury resort if I close my eyes. It smells like toasted spices that have been cooled and mixed with citrus. There's also a regal and slightly floral element to this fragrance that's not overwhelming.
Seeing as Tom Ford's most long-lasting fragrances tend to be quite vanilla-heavy (i.e. Black Orchid and Velvet Orchid) this one strikes the perfect balance.
After testing, I found that this fragrance stayed on my skin for close to four hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Citrus, floral, wood, spice
Scent Types: Approachable luxury
Few niche fragrance brands make discovery sets that actually include enough ounces to give you several wears, something you might want when deciding which fragrance is the right fit for you, but the folks at Perfumehead struck the perfect balance — and the price isn't insane.
This set comes with seven 5ml luxury samples that aim to provide a unique portrait of Los Angeles through fragrance. These may come in small batches, but a little of the concentrated formula goes a long way, meaning one sample is sure to last you for months.
Also, what I love about these scents is the profile diversity, which essentially gives you seven different fragrances in one set. From spicy and woody options to floral and citrus-forward scents, you're sure to find what you really like in this discovery set.
After testing, I found that these fragrances stayed on my skin for four to five hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Clove oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accord
Scent Type: Sweet and smoky
Prices range from $35 to $160
These next two fragrances fall under the "eau de toilette" category and though they don't last as long as the main seven options, they layer well with others and have an interesting scent profile that elicits a lot of compliments.
Each scent in the Maison Margiela's "REPLICA" fragrance series recalls a specific moment or space and, as its name suggests, this one's inspired by wood crackling in the fireplace on a cold night. This unisex fragrance is the perfect blend of sweet and smoke with a bit of sweetness and warmth from the vanilla accord.
After testing, I found that these fragrances stayed on my skin for two to three hours before gradually fading.
Key Notes: Soap bubble accord, white musk, coconut milk accord
Scent Type: Fresh and clean
Prices range from $35 to $160
Though Aēsop's Karst is my favorite long-lasting fresh fragrance, Bubble Bath is the one I grab if I'm looking for that on-the-nose, fresh-out-the-shower scent that I know won't last, but is always a must-grab.
It's the epitome of "fresh and clean" with notes of soap bubble accord and coconut milk accord. You'll smell like you just took a shower after you put this on. It's actually incredible how well they've perfected this scent and memory. Though the projection and lasting power aren't the best, this is one that you should always keep in your arsenal.
After testing, I found that these fragrances stayed on my skin for one to two-and-a-half hours before gradually fading.
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