Long-lasting perfumes – despite hefty marketing claims – are surprisingly hard to come by. Yet a perfume's longevity is one of its most important qualities. Aside from an aesthetically pleasing bottle and a unique blend of notes, there's nothing quite like a good perfume that still lingers on your clothes for hours on end.
TBH, longevity is one of (if not the most) important criteria by which we judge any beauty product to determine whether it's actually worth the fuss. Whether it's a foundation that won't separate after nine hours of wear or a lipstick that won't budge after a whole day in the office, we always tend to gravitate towards products that can stand the test of time. Naturally, when it comes to picking a perfume, it's only fair that we're hoping that it scores well in this department too.
In keeping with our busy lifestyles, it makes total sense that we're on the lookout for a fragrance that doesn't need re-applying. We don't always have a travel-size perfume nearby to spritz on for a regular top-up. The best part? Due to the intensity of most long-lasting perfumes, you really only need a few spritzes (and by few, I mean literally 2-3). As a bonus, your perfume will serve you a lot longer too, since you won't have to “shower” yourself with it everyday before leaving the house.
Whether you're after a perfect wedding fragrance that will woo every person that hugs you, or you simply want a powerhouse scent that will carry you over to your evening commitments after your 9-5, we've got you covered. Including fragrances with notes of peony, freesia, tuberose, ambergris, bergamot, grapefruit, tangerine, tonka bean, lily of the valley or white musk, there's surely a fragrance that has your name on it.
Best long-lasting perfumes at a glance – our top picks:
- Best long-lasting perfume overall: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum, £355, Selfridges
- Best unique long-lasting perfume: Maison Crivelli Hibiscus Mahajád Extrait de Parfum, £205, Selfridges
- Best rose long-lasting perfume: Parfums De Marly Delina Eau De Parfum, £245, Selfridges
- Best intense long-lasting perfume: Tom Ford Black Orchid Parfum Eau de Parfum Spray, WAS £180 NOW £144, LookFantastic
How we tested long-lasting perfumes
To help you choose, our beauty editors have done the hard part for you by shortlisting all the best long-lasting perfumes on the market right now. We've put them to the test in real-life scenarios: be it at the office, at a date night, a wedding or a girls-night-out, while judging each fragrance based on its notes complexity, packaging and, of course, longevity.
Scroll down to check out our full edit of all the best long-lasting perfumes available to shop now…
Why we love it: You'll do well to find a more luxurious fragrance than this one from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. With notes of saffron, cedarwood and jasmine, this bestselling product is practically elegance in a bottle. Its rich musky and woody notes make it the perfect statement piece that will stay on your skin all day long. A classic fragrance from a best-in-class perfumery that definitely deserves a place at the top of your wishlist.
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GLAMOUR-approved: “I don't think I've ever gotten as many compliments on my perfume as the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum. Personally, I preper it to the original Baccarat Rouge 540, not only because it's more intense, but because I think it's more complex, and feels a bit more feminine too. It's opulent, lasts ages and will have you smelling like royalty.” – Denise Primbet, Beauty Commerce Writer
Why we love it: This long-lasting fragrance features hibiscus as the main star of the show, supported by the contrast of leather and vanilla beans. It's ideal if you're looking for something more fruity and floral – it's warming, lively and great for brightening up your day.
GLAMOUR-approved: “I've stumbled upon this gem of a perfume in one of my beauty advent calendars from last year and to this day, I can't get enough of it. It's unbelievably addictive, sensual and complex, but above all, super unique. Not kidding, I've had people stop me on the tube to ask what I'm wearing because they've never smelled anything like it before. I'd say if you'd wear it on a date, they'll be obsessed with you the day after.”
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Why we love it: Pure, powerful and sophisticated – these are how we would describe this classic Tom Ford fragrance. Infused with ylang-ylang flowers, golden rum, black orchids and spice, this unisex perfume is perfectly seductive and intriguing – ideal for a night out or special occasions.
GLAMOUR approved: This perfume was my first love and remains in my top five to this day for its longevity. Its purer form means its less diluted, which in turn means its stronger on the skin so you'll find you don't need so many top-ups. The dream when you've got a long day ahead of you. – Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR's Fashion Commerce Writer
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Why we love it: Rich, deep notes of vanilla, rose and amber supported by the overpowering presence of patchouli and labdanum makes this fragrance the epitome of overindulgence. The best part is that this perfume mixes with your own unique body chemistry to dry down into a more personalised scent for each wearer.
GLAMOUR approved: A perfume so intoxicatingly more-ish that I may have selected it as my wedding fragrance, Commodity's Velvet in Bold will have the whole room asking "what're you wearing?" Whether you tell them is up to you, but I'm keeping this gem under wraps for now. – Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR's Fashion Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: Springtime is here, giving us the perfect opportunity to fill the air with something citrusy and floral. This gentle fragrance features gentle notes of petitgrain, orange blossom and cashmere wood, which work together to create a joyfully sweet bouquet.
Why we love it: Kayali is known for opening up the Middle Eastern tradition of perfume layering to the rest of the world. That's precisely what makes this cappuccino and oud-fuelled fragrance so unique – spritz it to your pulse points before applying another scent of your choice for some customisation and extra boost of sophistication. A gourmand fragrance with an even more impressive staying power.
Why we love it: This sensual, powdery and floral scent features hints of rose Damascena paired with middle notes of incense and vetiver as well as base notes of vanilla and musk. Plus, it certainly helps that the bottle this luxury fragrance arrives in is as delicate as the scent itself.
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Why we love it: Unpredictable, yet effortless – Chanel really knew what they were doing when they created this fantasy-like fragrance. With notes of pink pepper, jasmine and amber patchouli, this classic EDP is a great all-rounder that you can wear on a day-to-day basis.
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Why we love it: Top notes of juicy citrus and neroli? Heart notes of grasse rose and vanilla? And a base of sandalwood? That's a combination we can definitely get on board with. This long-lasting scent is as intense and exciting as a burst of fireworks – perfect for capturing everyone's attention as soon as you enter a room.
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Why we love it: On the lookout for a new signature scent in time for warmer weather? Say no more. Thanks to a blend of floral notes like pear blossom, white gardenia, jasmine and patchouli, this floral perfume is full of feminine energy, making it a core part of the Gucci brand.
Why we love it: Looking to add a spritz of romance into your everyday life? This EDP is just the thing you need. With playful notes of magnolia, orange flower, pear, blackberry and jasmine sambac, this timeless fragrance is bright and intoxicating. Plus, it comes in a beautiful, refillable bottle – what's not to love?
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Why we love it: Created to capture the essence of the sophisticated woman, this fragrance features timeless notes of sandalwood, Turkish rose and frankincense. This allows it to paint the picture of elegance and radiance – perfect for both everyday use and for special occasions.
Why we love it: This night-time extrait de parfum features penetrating notes of vanilla bean, cashmere wood and musk, with a lasting power that will make other fragrances jealous. It's vegan, genderless and iconic to boot – thanks, Byredo.
Why we love it: It's true that no two perfumes are ever the same – and neither are its wearers. This unique scent from Glossier features notes of pink pepper, ambrette seeds and warm ambrox to create something that combines with your own personal scent to create something just as special as you.
Why we love it: It doesn't have to be Christmas-time to be able to enjoy the smell of an open fire. This handmade EDP from Le Labo features warm notes of cardamom, iris and violet, as well as sandalwood and cedarwood, to create a fragrance that captures the feel of the American west.
Why we love it: Fuelled by spicy saffron, this iconic fragrance from YSL features notes of ginger, honey, vanilla and lavender to create the depth and intensity we all desire. This empowering scent is bold and unapologetic, which is perfect for giving you an extra boost in confidence ahead of an evening out.
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Why we love it: Pink pepper? Check. Blackcurrant? Check. Rose and cedarwood? Check aaand check. As you can perhaps already tell from this perfume's appearance, its bright red packaging highlights a seductive power with just a hint of delicate subtlety. Also available for sale on Amazon.
Make sure to check out these LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: Thanks to a blend of notes such as clove oil, chestnut accord, wood oil, vanilla and cashmeran, this woody fragrance paints a picture of a fireplace burning in a chalet in the French Alps. An incredibly cosy, long-lasting and addictive perfume.
Why we love it: Kilian combines the unique olfactory notes of cognac oil, oak absolute, praline and cinnamon to create a boozy vanilla perfume that can only be described as ‘angelic’. Seriously, this is a personal favourite of mine and definitely one I can never get enough of.
Why we love it: Infused with aromas of tobacco, vanilla, rum and cinnamon, this smoky and romantic fragrance can add a layer of mystery to any evening look. It's perfectly provocative, making it perfect for date night.
Why we love it: A crisp and sophisticated fragrance that's timeless and perfect for adding an extra flare to your aura. This men's perfume comes with notes of ginger, peppermint, vetiver and leather – a contemporary classic.
Looking for more eau de parfums and eau de toilettes? Shop floral fragrances, oud perfumes, zesty perfumes, vanilla perfumes and perfume gift sets aplenty. We also have plenty of skincare, hair care, wellness and makeup buying guides, all of which feature hundreds upon hundreds of products that are worth adding to your checkout *right now*.
For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
