9 Best Long-Lasting Perfumes, According to Cosmo Editors
We wear-tested dozens of perfumes to get here.
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Mysterious, sexy, iconic; a signature scent is something many desire but few possess. It’s so romantic to think about a long-lasting perfume lingering in rooms you’re no longer in, or to let a friend borrow a piece of clothing only to have them say that it still smells like you. One of my favorite compliments to receive is simply “you smell good.” However, actually finding that scent that works for you feels like a near-impossible task.
A great place to start is to fall in love with a fragrance known for its longevity. How can a perfume become associated with you if it’s gone before it can truly make an impact? For a scent to linger once you’ve left a room, it has to actually linger on your skin, you know? Below, we’ve composed a list of our favorite long-lasting perfumes with a wide variety of notes, based on all the scents we've tested in 2025 (Cosmo editors smell really good, if you didn't already know).
Pros
- Great for day and night
- Has a sweet, yummy scent that's delicious but not too edible or foodlike
Cons
- Some feel that there are simply too many notes so it can get a bit too intense
Why we love it: This bottle is only tacky if you hate women and having fun. That's the rule! Good Girl is sooo delicious and sweet. It’s reminiscent of a night out in New York: wearing a little black dress, ordering a martini, and feeling lucky. And because it's so strong, it has fantastic longevity. Some testers said they could smell it on their skin 12 hours later.
One Cosmo editor says: "I now spray Good Girl every time I want a boost of confidence and to feel sexy. I’ve come to think of it as a scent that functions like catnip. 'Here, kitty kitty kitty,' I whisper, doused in jasmine, tuberose, and tonka bean."—IMAN BALAGAM, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Vanilla, musk, patchouli, tuberose, almond |
| Size | 1.7 oz |
Pros
- Warm scent that's perfect for nighttime
- Sticks on clothing for days (basically until you wash them)
Cons
- Some find it a bit too boozy for their tastes
Why we love it: Angel’s Share is a dimly lit high-end bar on a snowy winter night. With notes of vanilla, cognac, and sandalwood, it’s warm and alluring with a decidedly apple pie-like drydown. Cozy and elegant, it’s no wonder Beyoncé's been rumored to wear it.
One Cosmo editor says: “This smells incredibly ritzy, like super rich and deep but not in a cloying way; much more balanced. I definitely smell the oak in there, and the cognac essence is not overpowering or boozy. There's a little bit of spice on the initial spray, something a little cinnamon-y, but then it settles into a nice woody, slightly sweet scent.”—JAYNE LEMIRE, CONTRIBUTOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Vanilla, cinnamon, cognac |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
| About The Fragrance | This fragrance is part of The Liquors collection. Kilian Hennessy wanted to pay tribute to his heritage as heir to the renowned French cognac family. |
Pros
- Has longevity without being too heavy-smelling
- We love how luxurious the bottle is
Cons
- Most expensive perfume on this list
Why we love it: I love it when a perfume has its own Wikipedia page. Baccarat Rouge 540, designed for the crystal company’s 250th anniversary by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, is one of the most iconic and replicated fragrances of all time. It’s woody, warm, and spicy, with just a hint of something metallic. Fun fact: the "540" comes from the temperature required to fire Baccarat crystal.
One Cosmo editor says: "It reminds me a lot of how my skin would smell after taking a shower. There's a clean, subtle scent that just sits right against my skin. It makes me feel powerful, but not because it's strong and intense. Rather, it just feels like an enhanced version of my own skin. To me, that's the sexiest way to smell."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris |
| Size | 2.4 oz |
Pros
- Patchouli note helps add longevity but doesn't overpower the whole scent
Cons
- Extremely popular, so may not be the most unique choice
Why we love it: This fragrance is refined and demure, something you’d expect Blair Waldorf to wear. There’s a certain air of success, wealth, and patchouli; someone who prefers pearls over diamonds and loves pink a little more than a normal amount. It's a lot more youthful than its predecessor (Chanel No. 5), but has an equally impressive wear time at around eight hours.
One Cosmo editor says: "Chanel Mademoiselle is a classic and a best-seller for a reason. The scent isn’t overpowering, but it’s strong enough to leave a lasting impression. It strikes the perfect balance of warm and musky but also fruity and floral."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Patchouli, Turkish rose, ylang-ylang, orange |
| Size | 1.7 oz |
Pros
- Light and airy floral that's still impactful and long-wearing
- The slightest hint of vanilla adds depth without sweetness
Cons
- Some say it smells too "mature"
Why we love it: Sometimes the only thing that can bring a great outfit together is the perfect perfume. To me, Libre is that perfume. Something about this timeless floral smells so good that it makes me look better. It’s a safe choice for a signature fragrance (especially as a blind buy or to give as a gift) because it’s so universally loved.
One Cosmo editor says: “When I really want to feel classy and polished, such as for a big work event or a friend’s party, I always go for Libre. Though I tend more towards skin scents, this is the one strong perfume that feels like an elevated version of what I typically go for!”—JAYNE LEMIRE, CONTRIBUTOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Madagascar vanilla, lavender, orange |
| Size | 1.7, 3.4 oz |
Pros
- Has some of the best projection of any perfume we've tested
- I love the added spiciness
Cons
- A bit heavier than others we've tested, so might be too much for those who like a light scent
Why we love it: Amouage’s own description of Guidance is that it “reads like a poem, smells like an embrace, and feels like a word of wisdom.” Um… hello? I’ve never heard sexier in my life. Guidance is 25 percent pure fragrance oil, which means that the concentration of fragrance is strong and that the longevity is impressive. It’s sultry and luxurious, a true one-of-a-kind scent.
One Cosmo editor says: "Of everything I've ever worn, this has the most intense sillage ever. One spritz will project throughout practically our entire office for pretty much the entire day."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Vanilla, osmanthus, hazelnut |
| Size | 3.4. oz |
Pros
- Scent that works for everyone
- Light enough for even the most sensitive of noses
Cons
- Although it lasts a long time, it doesn't project very far
Why we love it: Wanting a long-lasting perfume doesn’t necessarily mean you have to want a strong perfume. Daisy is a delicate white floral that lingers gently on skin. It’ll last all day while remaining an intimate scent that you need to be up close to smell.
One Cosmo editor says: “This is my go-to travel fragrance because it’s an easy wear, no matter the setting. I keep a 10mL bottle in my toiletry bag at all times!”—JAYNE LEMIRE, CONTRIBUTOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Musk, violet, gardenia |
| Size | 1.7, 3.3 oz |
Pros
- Plum adds a juicy, ripeness to an otherwise sweet perfume
- Has that core Glossier You DNA where it smells a bit different on everyone
Cons
- A bit of a polarizing scent (some found it to smell juvenile and plasticy)
Why we love it: I’m always shocked by how Rêve seems to be the least-talked-about fragrance in the Glossier You family. The combination of plum and ambroxan is both juicy and salty—a weird combo that totally works and smells so unique on skin. It’s youthful and mysterious, somehow remaining a skin scent despite its sweetness. If purple had a smell, it’d be this.
One Cosmo editor says: "As a lover of the original You and a hater of most fruity perfumes, You Rêve is my Goldilocks fragrance. Yes, the fruitiness is there, but it’s surrounded by those beautiful buttercream and iris notes. Wonderfully wearable and consistently complimented!”—JAYNE LEMIRE, CONTRIBUTOR
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Ambroxan, plum, almond, buttercream |
| Size | 1.7 oz |
Pros
- Genuinely lasts for days on my skin
- Very gourmand and food-like (which I love)
Cons
- Maple note can be very strong
Why we love it: If you’re really looking to make a statement, and you also happen to love the smell of pancakes, then Followed is for you. The name is no coincidence– this fragrance will follow you everywhere, even if you never open the bottle. It’s been described as “nuclear,” “explosive,” and “not for the faint of heart.” Followed is the mother of all long-lasting perfumes.
One Cosmo editor says: “Followed is one of the most polarizing fragrances I have ever encountered. The caramel/maple note is no joke; this thing has the potential to last DAYS after a spray. It’s absolutely perfect for when I feel like smelling like a coffee shop, which is more often than you might think!”—JL
Features at a Glance
| Notes | Caramel, coffee, chocolate |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
How we chose:
Cosmo editors are constantly testing fragrances to share the best options on the market to you (as well as include in our beauty awards). To compile this list, we…
- Narrowed down a list of more than 50 potential fragrances based on notes and reviews
- Personally tested every single one to determine the ones that truly lasted the longest (while still smelling great!)Vetted my top 12 based on longevity and scent
- Read thousands of reviews from testers to discover common pros and cons with each fragrance that made it onto this list
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Jayne Lemire is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan. She has experience writing about a range of beauty topics, including makeup and fragrance.
Siena Gagliano was the associate editor at Cosmopolitan where she wrote about beauty, with over five years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She wear-tested every perfume on this list and consulted other Cosmopolitan editors to compile this list of the longest-lasting perfumes.
Jayne Lemire is an executive assistant at Hearst Magazines. Prior to her work at Hearst, she was in book publishing and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in political science. When she's not at her desk, you'll likely find her spending hours in TJ Maxx without buying anything or creating her 400th Spotify playlist.
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