Perfume is a wonderful thing – many people have a favourite fragrance that they always wear, while others like to shop around, or wear different scents on different occasions. Whatever your preference, you will probably know how tricky it is to find a perfume that actually stays for longer than five minutes! With this in mind, we have compiled a lit of the best long-lasting perfume for women. Have a browse through, and hopefully you will find your new favourite fragrance (and, a little tip… You know Christmas is coming, right?)
Best Long-Lasting Perfume For Women
Chanel No 5
This iconic perfume has been a best seller since it first came out, with Marilyn Monroe famously stating that she wore it, and nothing else, in bed. Whether or not you decide to wear clothes with this perfume, there is no denying that it is utterly delightful. It is a floral scent, featuring May Rose and Jasmine, and citrus top notes. As it dries and settles, this gives way to more woody notes, giving a real depth to this well-loved favourite. There’s a reason why this is still one of the best-selling perfumes!
YSL Black Opium
Ah, one of my favourites. Black Opium is a delicious perfume, that lingers on the body hours after it has been applied. Opium features black coffee and warm, sensual vanilla. The bitterness of the coffee scent hits you first, giving way to warmth of the vanilla and followed by a refreshing hint of Jasmine. As it settles in, the smell changes to feature subtle hints of woody Cedar and Patchouli. It has a base of Musk, and heavily features sweet, fruity floral notes. Definitely one for the Christmas stocking.
Maison Francis Kurdjian Baccarat Rouge
This is a sophisticated, grown-up scent that is marketed at both men and women. As every single perfume smells different on every single person, it can have a startlingly different effect depending on who is wearing it! It is a deceptively simple composition, using just one sweet note, that gives a hint of strawberry jam. It’s other components give a savoury, almost woody scent, making this perfume as deliciously addictive as salted caramel, and it’s a real joy to smell how it changes over time.
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Another delightful frgrance that started out being marketed at women, but became so popular that men also love it, Black Orchid is a darkly gothic, powerful scent. At first sniff it is darkly, sweetly floral, with citrus notes and the merest hint of an almost hidden earthy truffle. As it dries down, the subtleness of the spicy notes appears, enhancing the sweet floral tones. Leave it on even longer and you will start to notice rich dark chocolate scents, along with Patchouli and incense. Think dark, mysterious, exotic markets at night, and you can imagine what this masterpiece smells like.
Dior Joy
A well established perfume (for good reason), this one was Jackie Kennedy’s favourite signature scent. This gorgeous perfume is like a flower meadow in a bottle – exuberant bursts of floral scent jump up, mingling with delicious sharp citrus notes as well as Jasmine. As it dries, Joy will release a deep echo of Vanilla and Sandalwood, and as it lingers longer you will notice Sandalwood and Musk.
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia
A relative newcomer, Gorgeous Gardenia was launched in 2021, and it features scents that have long been beloved by women all over the globe. At first sniff, you will notice light, fruity scents such as pears and red berries. The middle notes are gorgeous, long-lasting floral scents, from Gardenia (of course!) and Jasmine and Frangipani. As the scent mellows over time, you will pick up hints of dark brown sugar and Patchouli.
Lancome La Vie Est Belle
This perfume is perfect for capturing the end of the summer, as it starts out fresh and fruity and then mellows to warmer notes. The top scent is that of pepper, Tangerine and Bergamot, which fade to rich, warm Jasmine and Orange Blossom. As the scent dries and settles, it will release base notes of Patchouli, Vanilla and Coconut. A great way to remember those beach days, even in the middle of winter.
Armani Si Passione
This perfume has been described as capturing the essence of femininity, through its use of pure floral scents. Whether or not you are a “girly girl,” you can definitely enjoy this perfume for its delightful blackcurrant and pear opening notes, which are followed by the classic pairing of Rose and Jasmine. Like a party that stretches on into the evening, the base notes open out a sensual mixture of Vanilla and Cedarwood, giving rise to feelings of passion and sensuality.
Valentino Born In Roma
As you might expect from an Italian perfume, this one is seriously elegant and sophisticated. It absolutely screams femininity, with the floral Amber fragrance mingling with the innovative use of Violet leaf and Salt. A truly grown-up pairing of Ginger and Sage emerge as the perfume dries on your skin, and the deeper base notes give a whisper of Vetivert and wood.
Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood
Jo Malone is a very well-known creator of incredible scents, and it is easy to see why. Hinoki and Cedarwood is a distinctive perfume, that features Hinoki wood (a Japanese Cedar that has a resinous and fragrant smell, hence its use in perfume manufacture) and Cedarwood, a well-loved perfume addition that has a woody overtone, mixed with a hint of citrus. You will be the hit of Christmas day if a loved one buys you this perfume for the big day!
Final Words
A good perfume can really elevate everything – from your outfit to your mood, so it’s definitely worth investing in something that has staying power (this also means that you won’t have to keep buying perfumes over and over, as a little goes a long way and you won’t need to keep reapplying it). Once you have found your best long-lasting perfume for women, you will never look back.
