Need a Signature Scent That Doesn't Fade? Try These Long-Lasting, Editor-Fave Perfumes

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The truth is, perfume is expensive as f*ck, and nobody wants to spend $$$ on a fragrance that doesn't stick around. Being a beauty editor, I have the unique advantage of testing the best scents as part of my job, meaning that I can weed out the ones that don't cut it, give you my honest option, and bring you a list of the very best perfumes so you don't waste your hard-earned moola. And because I'm very aware that the world of perfume is complicated and confusing, I'm gonna give you the TL;DR version. Get ready to take a *deep breath* because here I go...

Perfume longevity in a nutshell: An eau de parfum is the strongest concentration variation and indicates the oil's strength and how long the scent will linger. In addition, each perfume has a balance of notes—i.e., top, heart, and base. Base notes stick around the longest and are typically richer and denser than their quicker-fading counterparts. All these components interact with your body chemistry; oily skin will retain a scent best, notes will present differently on each individual, and some perfumes will last longer on some compared to others. My best hack? Strategic application on your pulse points (hi, wrists, and neck), and of course, testing them out IRL. Don't know where to begin? Here are Cosmo editors' favorite long-lasting perfumes below:

To keep it simple, remember these four factors while shopping: concentration, notes, skin type, and application—oh, and then read all the tea on the best longest-lasting perfumes for women that us Cosmo editors, and, ahem, yours truly, absolutely love.

N°5 L’eau

Take the timeless sophistication of Chanel N°5 and sprinkle it with a zesty, fresh twist—and, voilà, you've got Chanel N°5 L'eau. I like to think of it as the cool (yet ~chic~) younger sister of the OG N°5, mixing citrus, floral, and musky notes in a light and airy blend with hints of its iconic predecessor lingering throughout. After wear-testing, I loved how it was less intense but still managed to stay put from day to night.

• Top notes: Lemon, mandarin, orange, neroli

• Heart notes: Rose, jasmine, ylang ylang

• Base notes: Cedar, white musk, vetiver

Glowing Customer Review: "It’s like the cooler younger sister of the classic. My mom always wears No. 5 and this reminds me of her while still feeling like me."

Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum

Cosmo social media editor Maddie Hiatt loves this perfume so much that she chose to wear it on her wedding day this year. "I could still smell it at the end of the night!" she says. If you're looking for the flirtiest, classic floral perfume that still smells elegant without overdoing it, you absolutely will not go wrong with Gucci Flora.

• Top notes: Citruses, peony

• Heart notes: Roses, osmanthus

• Base notes: Patchouli, sandalwood

Glowing Customer Review: "I got a sample of this perfume from one of my online orders and I cannot believe how obsessed I am with it. I got non-stop compliments going out and out of all my perfumes this scent amazingly lasted throughout the day."

Carmina Eau de Parfum

If you're looking for a fall/winter scent that is the very definition of ~powerful~, allow me to introduce you to my latest obsession and the newest scent in the Creed fragrance family: Carmina. The fragrance was inspired by Mr. Creed himself and his newly discovered fashion sketches adorned with images of luxe, bold fabrics pictured on old-school It Girls. The amount of compliments I received from this perfume was unmatched, with people dying to know what it was—oh, and this was *two* days after I had originally sprayed it on.

• Top notes: Black cherry, saffron, pink pepper.

• Heart notes: May rose, peony, cashmere wood, violet

• Base notes: Myrhh, musk, frankincense, abroxan

Glowing Customer Review: "When I went to work everyone had to know what I was wearing—I received SO MANY compliments!! My husband told me my scent lingered through the house."

Clémentine California Pure Perfume

If you want a perfume that reminds you of what it feels like to be loungin' on the California coastline, breathing in the windy, refreshing air, pop Clémentine California in your cart. Cosmo's assistant shopping editor, Hannah Oh, says this is one of her favorite perfumes. "I sprayed it on the coat that I wore to my first New York Fashion Week ever, and it literally lingered for weeks," she says.

• Top notes: Clementine, mandarin, juniper berries

• Heart notes: Basilic, pepper, star anise

• Base notes: Sandalwood, cypress, Haitian vetiver

Glowing Customer Review: "This is hands down my favorite fragrance of all time. It’s fresh and complex (not straight-up citrus), yet not too strong and headache-inducing."

Love, Don't Be Shy

Fun fact: Before launching her own perfume, Rihanna famously wore this very scent, and I think we can all agree that if it's good enough for the queen of cool herself (and the million and one celebs who claim she smells like "heaven"), it's probably a p good contender. Take the flirty and playfulness of its delicious sweet notes, and add a little spice.

• Top notes: Neroli, pink pepper, coriander

• Heart notes: Iris, jasmine, rose, honeysuckle, orange blossom

• Base notes: Musk, vanilla, civet, caramel, sugar

Glowing Customer Review: "Very nice scent. The description says it's floral, but I get more of a warm vanilla scent—like a grown-up cupcake. I put one small spray on my wrist and it lasted the whole workday."

Rose Perfume for Women

Using high-quality ingredients is one of the most important factors when it comes to the longevity of a perfume, and using high-quality ingredients is expensive, so usually, you can expect to spend a pretty penny. That's what I thought until I was introduced to this drugstore (yes, drugstore) perfume by my friend, who has been wearing it since college. It's seriously such a fresh scent that will last all day long. The perfume has a light rose smell—but don't worry, it won't give off old-school grandma vibes (nothing against grandmas, btw). Oh, and I'm perfectly aware that the packaging looks like a teenager's vibe, but this is a trust-the-process pick.

• Top notes: Bergamot, lychee

• Heart notes: Rose, magnolia

• Base notes: Cedarwood

Glowing Customer Review: "I bought a tiny bottle of this on a whim while out shopping at a local store. I fell in love. It’s fresh and floral but not overpowering. It has a clean crisp scent that goes with every season. Highly recommend."

Dark Rum Perfume Oil

Cosmo executive producer Abbey Adkison absolutely loves this perfume oil: "It really lasts all day," she says. The scent profile exhibits whiffs of leather and amber blended with a subtle sweetness brought on by rum, but the way I'd describe it? Imagine you're at a secret speakeasy; dim, red lighting illuminates the scene. The vibe is warm, seductive, and just the right amount of playful.

• Top notes: Bergamot, plum

• Heart notes: Rum, leather

• Base notes: Amber, patchouli, milk

Glowing Customer Review: "This perfume has got to be one of the most amazing, sensuous fragrances I have ever smelled. It’s not quite like anything else. There are definitely hints of the rum and it’s slightly vanilla-y, but that’s probably the rum. I highly recommend this fragrance."

Not A Perfume

This fragrance by Juliette Has a Gun is a rebellion in all forms. Other than the obvious name, it challenges every notion of the idea of perfume, using one singular note—i.e., cetalox, a popular base note that smells of gentle wood and amber—to craft the entire fragrance. The result? A fragrance that is personalized to your unique scent profile with a woody, feminine twist.

• Note: Cetalox (synthetic ambergris)
  

Glowing Customer Review: "When I tell you I’m obsessed, I’m obsessed. I’m constantly getting stopped to ask what I’m wearing. I’ve bought multiple travel sizes and the big one because I can’t get enough of it. It’s so worth the money."

Delina Eau de Parfum

Another one of the cult-favorite long-lasting perfumes is Parfums de Marly's Delina. "It's definitely expensive, but it lingers and I have never gotten more compliments on a fragrance," says Cosmo assistant news editor Sam Olson. It strikes a perfect balance between the super feminine floral notes and the deeper aroma of musk. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely a floral fragrance, but the added scents of the woodier notes make it more grown-up and elegant.

• Top notes: Bergamot, rhubarb, lychee

• Heart notes: Turkish rose, peony, vanilla

• Base notes: Cashmere wood, musk, vetiver

Glowing Customer Review: "This fragrance is extremely gorgeous. She screams fun and flirty, but also sophisticated. The rhubarb is pretty sour in the initial spray, but it dries down into this beautiful semi-creamy sweet floral fragrance. The dry down reminds me of Ellie Saab's L'eau Couture EDT from years ago. Beyond satisfied with this blind buy!"

Vanilla 28

"At first, I thought this was just the corporate version of Warm Vanilla Sugar by Bath and Body Works, thanks to its warm brown sugar and amber notes," says Cosmo beauty editor Beth Gillette, adding that it's much more well-rounded, with quite the range. Throughout the day (and into the night!), this perfume exudes that classic, sweet vanilla profile combined with a slightly floral spiciness.

• Top notes: Jasmine, vanilla orchid

• Heart notes: Brown sugar, amber woods

• Base notes: Patchouli, musk, amber, vanilla

Glowing Customer Review: "Now this is a luxurious fragrance line that’s worth every penny. I’ve received so many compliments since I started using Kayali fragrances. A must for a unique signature scent."

You Eau de Parfum

I think the coolest thing about Glossier's signature perfume is the fact that it's meant to smell differently on everyone. Sure, each person has their own scent chemistry, meaning any fragrance will be slightly different, but this one was intently designed to have that effect, as Glossier describes it as essentially a "skin enhancer." Because the scent is made with primarily base notes—i.e., the part of the fragrance that will last the longest and the most individual component of perfume—it's hard to describe the scent profile exactly. Personally, I find it a little sweet, but not overwhelming, alongside creamy, woodsy, deeper notes.

• Top notes: Ambrette, ambrox

• Heart notes: Musk

• Base notes: Iris root, pink pepper

Glowing Customer Review: "I went to the Glossier store the day before to try on this perfume on my hand, and I couldn't stop smelling my hand all the way home!! The lasting power is also great, but I've never tried the old version to compare. Highly recommend!!"

Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

Not that this one needs an introduction—or anyone needs me to rant again about how every sweater in my closet still exudes this aroma from many wears ago—but this is the warm, woody scent of our era. Don't think of Le Labo Santal 33 as just a perfume; it's the leather jacket and effortless cool persona of your style—the finishing touch that pulls your look and vibe together.

• Top notes: Cardamom, iris, violet

• Heart notes: Ambroz, Australian sandalwood, papyrus

• Base notes: Cedarwood, leather, amber

Glowing Customer Review: "Every time I wear this fragrance it’s like a magnet for both men and women. People always want to know what I’m wearing. I’ve gifted this to my aunt and mom and now it’s their favorite fragrance too. We’re all in love."

Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

Ah ha! The scent so good, that people everywhere can justify spending half their paycheck on it. No, but, seriously, imagine the most exquisite, unique scent you've ever smelt, and you get Baccarat Rouge 540. It's surprisingly a gourmand scent, but what differentiates it from the rest is the fact that it's so complex and l-a-y-e-r-e-d. Listen, this is easily one of the most duped fragrances on the market, and coming from someone who loves a good deal, I have to tell ya that none of them out there hit anywhere near the same.

• Top notes: Jasmin, saffron

• Heart notes: Amberwood, ambergris

• Base notes: Fir resin, cedar

Glowing Customer Review: "I am in the legal/justice field and I have been in court during an active hearing and had a defendant risk contempt charges to ask me what I was wearing."

Dulce Eau de Parfum

Another one of beauty editor Beth Gilette and assistant shopping editor Hannah Oh's faves is this warm and sweet fragrance you may not have heard of yet. "I am obsessed with dulce; I spray it on a sweater and can smell it days later!" says Beth. "Dulce is my fall 2023 fragrance," adds Hannah. I couldn't describe it more perfectly than the words of By Rosie Jane, themselves: "This fragrance is like sweet candy with a shot of whisky on the side."

• Top notes: Red berries, orange, rose

• Heart notes: Honeysuckle, jasmine

• Base notes: Amber, musk

Glowing Customer Review: "This is such a lovely delicious vanilla gourmand that smells absolutely divine after 15-30 mins of wear. Not overly sweet or synthetic; it’s perfect vanilla."

New York Flowers

New York City-based fragrance brand Bond No. 9 is the first perfumery in America to be led and owned by a woman; and that's just one reason I love it. The second? Each scent is named after one of New York's neighborhoods, which gives each fragrance a special, personal touch. New York Flowers smells like spring in Central Park—the long-awaited moment after winter when the flowers are finally blooming and you get a whiff of the city coming back to life.

• Top notes: Clementine, black currant, green apple

• Heart notes: Lily of the valley, jasmine, freesia

• Base notes: Amber, musk, woods

Glowing Customer Review: "I’m not a floral girl; I prefer sweet gourmands. I bought New York Flowers for the bottle. Yeah, I know totally superficial. But much to my surprise, the beauty of the scent is equal to that beautiful bottle. To me, it smells like Easter: soft, sweet, sophisticated, and elegant with a happy effervescence."

'Replica' By the Fireplace

I believe that the best scents around can evoke memories. As cheesy as that sounds, it actually makes a perfume so much more unique and personal. (Or maybe I'm just a beauty editor, dunno.) When wearing the famous 'By the Fireplace' by Margiela, you're brought back to moments in your life that make you feel cozy and just happy—think of it like a nod to your inner nostalgia. If you're into deeper scents, this one does smoky just right, which can be difficult to emulate without going overboard.

• Top notes: Pink pepper, orange blossom, cloves

• Heart notes: Chestnut, guaiac wood, juniper

• Base notes: Vanilla, Peru balsam, cashmeran

Glowing Customer Review: "I’m on my third bottle. Initially, the wet scent wasn’t my favorite, but the dry down smells like a warm cozy, marshmallow hug when you have an unexpected snow day. The scent lasts a long time, my most complimented perfume."

Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?

Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty, with over three years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing fragrance stories, like the best Jo Malon fragrances and the top vanilla perfumes. She wear-tested every perfume on this list and consulted other Cosmopolitan editors to compile this list of the longest-lasting perfumes.

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