These 20 Long-Lasting Fragrances Are Worth Every Penny (2024)

Cassili wraps you in a soft, plush bed of sweet white flowers. Tonka beans and sandalwood deepen the bouquet, but they linger in the background to keep the composition flirty and feminine.

Key scent notes: Bulgarian rose, transparent white flowers, mimosa absolute, plumeria, sandalwood, tonka beans

Size: 2.5 oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My introduction to Parfums de Marly was through Cassili. As someone who detests juvenile-like floral scents, I was thoroughly happy that Cassili is a sexy, mature floral scent that settles into a powdery sweetness.” —Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor

Layering an oud perfume is an easy cheat code to an elevated scent palette, but here’s one that can shine on its own. “This fragrance was inspired by the scent of a show-jumping chestnut horse—but smells nothing like a stable,” shares Danielle James, digital beauty director. Oud Alezan blends soft, sugary roses with oud to create an aroma that feels like a sunset on a spring day.

Key notes: Oud, roses

Size: 3.38 fl oz

Fragrantica rating: 3.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I’m a sucker for rose fragrances, but this one brings something new to the table. The presence of oud gives it a depth and intensity that’s hard to forget. I just feel so expensive after dousing myself in the scent. Once, while wearing this perfume at a post-work event, all I heard was ‘you smell so good’ everywhere I turned. At least one person vowed to go out and purchase a bottle the next day.” —Carol Lee, associate beauty commerce writer

Smelling this fragrance is like burying your nose into a bouquet of blooming flowers. Like all of its other scents, Bond No.9 designed the perfume to evoke an aspect of New York City—and this one will remind you of that glorious first day of spring in the city.

Key notes: Jasmine, tuberose, peony, gardenia, rose, vetiver, vanilla

Size: 3.3 fl oz

Fragrantica rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Gourmands are probably my least favorite type of scent. I avoid them like the plague, but once in a while, one surprises me. I adore this one because the vanilla is folded into some of my favorite florals, including rose, peony, and jasmine. The vetiver helps ground the fragrance, and I catch whiffs of it all day until I head to bed.” —Carol Lee

Carlos Huber, the fragrance architect behind Arquiste, draws from specific moments and places in history for each of the brand’s scents—they’re like time machines that transport you across space and time. L’Or de Louis allows you to feel like a member of Louis XIV’s court, visiting the Palace of Versailles’s orangery with the 17th-century king of France. Just as the 24-karat gold glimmers in the perfume’s vessel, the scent’s orange blossom sparkles on the skin, settling down to reveal warm notes of honey, pomegranate, and firewood smoke.

Key notes: Orange blossom absolute, pomegranate, bergamot, French jasmine absolute, honey, Florentine orris, musk, cedarwood, firewood smoke, cadewood, Oislet de Chypre (a resinous accord dating from the 17th century)

Size: 3.4 fl oz

Fragrantica rating: 3.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I receive compliments nearly every time I wear L’Or de Louis. If I didn’t have such an extensive perfume collection, it’d be a strong contender for my signature fragrance. Something about it is so comforting to me, and it’s just the right mixture of floral and smoky. I’m heavy-handed with my fragrances, but even if I weren’t, it’s just strong enough that it’ll latch onto your skin and last for an indeterminate amount of time.” —Carol Lee

An ELLE.com Noteworthies winner, Solaris by Penhaligons smells like freshly squeezed citrus basking under the sun’s rays. On the skin, the florals take the spotlight as jasmine and ylang-ylang dance around awakening Neroli and lemon oil.

Size: 3.4 oz

Key scent notes: Blackcurrant, neroli, lemon oil, ylang-ylang, jasmine, tiare flower, cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla

Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “This effervescent fragrance says, ‘hello, summer!’ in aroma form. This is an office favorite. I highly recommend.”—Danielle James

In the pool of the best oud fragrances, Amber Oud stands out from the crowd. The deep, woodsy oud has a strong projection that lingers on your skin and clothes for hours. Vanilla offers a tinge of sweetness, but this scent is dark and musky.

Size: 4 oz

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I wore this fragrance for a night out and received so many compliments that a friend ordered Amber Oud right at the dinner table. By the time I got home, I could still smell the scent all over my clothes, even the next day. Talk about a strong sillage!”—Nerisha Penrose

Amazing Grace wraps you in a creamy blanket of soft florals. The fresh scent feels like a sweet caress of powdery musks that swells with emotive blooms like jasmine and freesia.

Size: 2 oz

Key scent notes: bergamot, lemon, jasmine, freesia, neroli, orange blossom, musk blend

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Amazing Grace is the softest, creamiest fragrance in my collection that I would buy 10 times over. Whenever I spray a scent that's too strong or masculine, I cut it with Amazing Grace for added softness. It pairs well with others but smells even better on its own.”—Nerisha Penrose

Fruits and ouds make for the perfect marriage in this composition. Bella’s allure can be credited to the first impression of orange, raspberry, and pear. The gourmand edge kicks in and settles into a musk that’s not too overbearing.

Key scent notes: Orange, raspberry, pear, caramel, jasmine, musk, vanilla, sandalwood

Size: 2.8 oz

Parfumo rating: 4/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “An oud is my fragrance cheat code because it can play well with others. However, Bella needs no help. The sillage is strong enough to guarantee compliments and sticks onto your clothes even post-wash.”— Nerisha Penrose

Whatever you thought a Mediterranean escape smelled like, allow Dries Van Noten’s Orange Smoke to change your mind. This fragrance's smokiness is fleeting, making way for the tangy sweetness of orange blossom, neroli, and jasmine.

Key scent notes: Mandarin, neroli, orange blossom, jasmine, musk

Size:

Fragrantica rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Orange Smoke stopped me in my tracks the moment the last mist settled on my skin. I felt like I was immediately transported to the South of France or the Amalfi Coast, somewhere sunkissed with salty sea breeze brushing against my skin.”—Nerisha Penrose

You’re not alone if you think Maison Francis Kurkdijan’s 724 fragrance immediately smells aquatic. The opening whiff is fresh and crisp clean before the darker side rears its head with a blend of musks and sandalwood.

Size: 6.7 oz

Key scent notes: Aldehydes, bergamot oil, white floral accord, jasmine, sandalwood accord, white musks

Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Maison Francis Kurkdjian and sophisticated luxury go hand in hand. TikTok fell in love with him for the luxuriously scented (and expensive) Baccarat Rouge 540. 724 exemplifies that Kurkdjian truly has the Midas touch. If you see me out and about in NYC, there’s a high chance I’m wearing this fragrance. It’s fresh, energizing, and perfect for any urban dweller, particularly as it was inspired by city landscapes.”—Danielle James

Pink pepper can be overwhelming in some fragrances, but in LES, it swirls with jasmine, bergamot, cedarwood, and amber for a vibrant mix that smells like a run through a floral garden.

Key scent notes: bergamot, pink peppercorn, jasmine,
peony, vanilla

Size: 65 ml

Boy Smells rating: 4.18/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “LES in NYC may be dirty, but this scent, eponymously named after the downtown neighborhood, smells fantastic. I’m a big fan of Glossier You, so if you like that scent, you'll love this one—it's like a more grown-up version. Every time I wear this, I get countless compliments.”—Danielle James

Everything that makes an Italian vacation memorable is pretty much bottled up in this fragrance. This perfume evokes images of sticky limoncello and salty sea air, built around lemon and bergamot with a smidge of soft rose.

Key scent notes: Bergamot, rose grapefruit, lemon, jasmine

Size: 100mL

Fragrantica rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “There’s nothing I want more than to lounge in a villa on the coast of Italy, devouring a limoncello gelato melting under the beaming sun. Every time I wear Villa Bordighera, I’m transported to that happy place. Lemon and fresh florals—what more could I ask for in a scent?”—Nerisha Penrose

Just as tantalizing as the iconic singer it’s named after, Josephine by Harlem Candle Company is not for the faint of heart. The floral blend strays away from softness and leans all the dark and warm, courtesy of bergamot, incense, vanilla, and more.

Key scent notes: Tonka beans, amber, jasmine, amyris

Size: 50 mL

Harlem Candle Company rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Harlem Candle Company has forayed into fragrance and Josephine (yes, named after the Josephine Baker) is a sexy scent that will last you through drinks, dinner, and dessert—no need to reapply. The patchouli and sandalwood give this perfume a mysteriously sweet yet musky scent.”—Danielle James

The green packaging gives away what the first spritz reveals: 13 Stems is a bright, earthy scent that smells like dew drops peppered on fresh grass on a spring morning.

Key scent notes: Cucumber, woods, violet leaf

Size: 50 mL

Thirteen Lune rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I now quite frequently get asked, ‘what are you wearing?’ Certain scents fade after a night out, but 13 stems is long-lasting. I love it so much; I now have the travel size too! My go-to scent for the summer.”—Leah Romero, senior digital designer

Considering how many “beach” perfumes smell like sunscreen, fresh linen, or saltwater, it's easy for you to want to skip out on yet another one. However, Replica Beach Walk is a worthy addition to your collection, thanks to its musky-fresh composition that smells like a more mature, sexy beach walk than the one you remember from your childhood.

Key scent notes: Bergamot, heliotrope, coconut milk

Size: 3.4 oz

Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars

An ELLE contributor says: “I consider Replica’s Beach Walk to be my olfactory security blanket. The creamy, citrusy scent instantly reminds me of my seaside California hometown, and since it lasts on my skin all day, I can sneak a comforting whiff of my wrists whenever I’m feeling extra nostalgic.” — Sam Peters, senior commerce editor

Bvlgari Allegra Ma’magnifica takes woodsy notes and lays them alongside vibrant, invigorating florals to ignite warmth. It has a sharp, musky edge that makes its way to the forefront for a moment, then eases into the background for the florals—rose, patchouli—to settle.

Key scent notes: Bergamot, rose, patchouli, vanilla, sandalwood

Size: 3.4 oz

Bloomingdale’s rating: 4/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “There’s a difference between strong and long-lasting, and I like that this perfume is soft, while still lingering on the skin all day. I don’t want a perfume that screams, I want one that is quietly confident, that only me and someone I’ve chosen to let into my personal space (or squeezed next to me on the subway) can smell. Although the packaging makes it look like a fancy bon-bon, this scent isn’t sweet at all but woody and floral, and has me smelling like the kind of person who goes on woodsy hikes regularly, all day long.”—Kathleen Hou, beauty director

Picture yourself on an island, sipping on an ice-cold Cola. The fizz is invigorating, and the sweet tinge of vanilla settles on your tongue. This is exactly how the Born to Be Unforgettable experience is. Warm notes of vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon meld seamlessly with tangy lime for an energy boost.

Key notes: cola accord, cinnamon, cedarwood

Size: 1.7 oz

Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I was pleasantly surprised by the first whiff of Born to Be Unforgettable, especially after reading about its Cola note. How does the perfume version of this fizzy drink smell? Well, it’s spicy and sweet but tickles the nose with a limey edge. I dream of sun-soaked beaches and, well, a cola soda every time I wear this scent.”—Nerisha Penrose

Silk makes you feel sexy, and that’s exactly the vibe Queen of Silk encourages. Though it’s built on a bed of aromatic florals and plants, the sweetness deepens with the help of musks and oud.

Key notes: magnolia, saffron, passion fruit, agarwood (oud), Javanese patchouli, vanilla from Madagascar, myrhh, musk

Size: 2.5 oz

Neiman Marcus rating: 5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I told myself I’d finally succumb to the silk bed sheets craze, and while I haven’t (yet), this perfume is basically the next best thing. Sounds crazy, but Queen of Silk softly caresses your skin with a sultry blend of sweet florals, subtle spices, and deep musks to create a scent you’ll never want to wash off.”—Nerisha Penrose

Sweet florals and deep amber lift the musks in this composition—and it took a lot of lifting, as this formula combines 13 different types of musk ingredients. While not an actual perfume, this oil kisses the skin as long as an EDP, if not longer. Roll on your pulse points to create the perfect scent bubble.

Key notes: lily of the valley, ambergris, amber woods

Size: 10 ml

Better World Fragrance House rating: 4.3/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “No joke, I rolled this on my wrists and neck before going to bed and still smelled its remnants once I woke up. I was not convinced, so I applied it again on a different day and showered, and the scent still lingered post-shower. I don’t know what sorcery is in this formula, but I love it and need more. It has a soft musk scent that’s not too masculine or overpowering, but definitely bold enough to turn heads.”—Nerisha Penrose

Punkstar is an energizing fragrance that leaves you guessing. A few spritzes spark intrigue—What note is that pulling me in? The dark, sultry fragrance melds blackcurrant, raspberry, incense, wood, and more to create a blend that starts off as a summer day and settles into a fall night.

Key notes: Apple, blackcurrant, raspberry, incense, saffron

Size: 1.67 oz

Moodeaux rating: 5/5 stats

An ELLE editor says: “PunkStar has easily become my favorite new fragrance because it's so mysterious and warm. The incense pulls more on my skin initially, but tonka bean and patchouli make for the perfect dry-down pairing.”—Nerisha Penrose