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9 of the best perfume oils, for when you want your scent to last longer
We're obsessed with these scents from Phlur, Nest and more
In case you haven’t noticed, expensive perfume can set ya back a lot of £££. I’m a firm believer that splurging on a signature scent is a worthy investment, but I know that’s not always possible to find a cheap perfume that lasts. That said, there is a way to get your dream fragrance at a more affordable price — and that's with the best perfume oils.
Perfume oils are actually more concentrated than standard eau de parfums — AKA the typical spray perfume you're used to — which can make them last longer on your skin. Plus, because you don’t need to apply much, they’re often sold in smaller, travel-friendly rollerball bottles at a cheaper price. (I know, it almost sounds too good to be true!) Not every perfume house makes perfume oils, which is why I scoped out all the most notable options and tested them on myself over the past few weeks to see how they stacked up to those longevity claims — and to find the best ones available.
Whether you love fresh, sweet, floral or earthy scents, there’s definitely a perfume oil on this list for you. Just a PSA: I won’t be surprised if you end up with multiple — there’s something so satisfying about pulling one of these cutesy bottles out of your purse. TBH, I keep one stashed in every bag now. You’ve been warned!
Pros
- The notes are extremely well-balanced and will appeal to a variety of noses
- I love how compact it is for applying on the go
Cons
- Some reviewers said it smells to masculine for their tastes
You know those mood rings that change colours with your body temperature? I can’t help but compare this perfume oil to those fun little accessories. Hear me out: Perfume smells different on everyone (your own body chemistry can bring out certain notes, ofc), and this had a super unique scent when I asked a few of my friends to try it out.
On me, the fruity notes of plum and bergamot are the most prominent, giving it a sweet tinge before it settles into an amber-y haze. On the flip side, when I dabbed it on my guy friends’ wrists, the spicy rum and leather notes took centre stage, and overall it had a warmer ambiance. This duality makes it one of the most playful scents I’ve ever worn… and essentially, it smells good on every person.
- Key notes: Bergamot, plum, rum, leather, amber
- Size: 0.3 oz
Glowing customer review: “Gender neutral fragrance with a strong scent that lasts for a few hours, and it's easy to carry in my bag. It has a slightly musky smell of coconut, like a sultry bae in the tropics—a summer staple.”
Pros
- The black tube is ultra sleek
- Has a really light scent that lasts a long time on my skin
Cons
- Doesn't have a very strong projection
Arguably one of TikTok's most famous perfumes, Phlur's Missing Person is a soft, fresh skin scent that genuinely mimics salty, sweaty skin (but like, in a sexy way). "I've been wearing the O.G. perfume since it launched, but recently traded it in for this perfume oil because it lasts so much longer," says beauty editor Beth Gillette.
I swiped along my wrists before going on a two mile run (yes, I do in fact wear perfume to work out sometimes — you should try it!) and was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t sweat off the scent…even my friends mentioned I smelled amazing post-run. Take that, sweat!
Key notes:
- Musk, jasmine, sandalwood, neroli
- Size: 0.32 oz
Glowing customer review: “First day using the oil instead of the spray. Received another compliment from a stranger. This is amazing and everyone always asks what it is and where they can purchase. Love this new more concentrated version."
Pros
- It’s a much more affordable version of the cult-classic scent
- I love the rollerball application
Cons
- Doesn’t project quite like the EDP does, IMO
Byredo is one of the most iconic perfume brands of all time… and one of the most expensive. If you can’t bring yourself to purchase a full bottle of Mojave Ghost (which we named the best Byredo scent of all time, BTW), you can get the exact same fragrance in a much more affordable L’huille Parfum rollerball.
The soft aroma combines musky ambrette with candy-like magnolia, violet, and warm sandalwood, which results in a light and airy vibe with a sensual finish. When it comes to longevity, the scent remains on skin for hours, and even though the oil doesn’t project as far as the EDP, it’s nice to have an excuse to pull someone in close to catch a whiff for themselves.
- Key notes: Ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, musks
- Size: 0.25 oz
Glowing customer review: “A store associate walked past me with this scent on while I was in the handbag section making a purchase. I stopped her in her tracks and asked her what fragrance she was wearing. She walked me over to the fragrance counter and I immediately purchased it. Please treat yourself, you will not regret it.”
Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil
Some scents have a magic ability to take you back to a specific place and time, and for the founder of Maison Louis Marie, this comforting perfume oil is the embodiment of her childhood home that sat on the edge of a forest. A number of woody notes — including sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, and amber — comes together for a grounding, earthy fragrance. Although I’m not much of a nature girl, this calming scent gives me a reset when city life gets too overwhelming. The minimalist bottle is also one of the most aesthetically pleasing things to look at, and I feel oh-so-fancy when I pull this out of my purse for a re-up. Plus, if you love the scent, it’s available in a hand lotion, body oil, candle, body wash, and deodorant (!).
- Key notes: Sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood
- Size: 0.5 and 0.1 oz
Glowing customer review: “The best scent ever! I got it as a sample and will buy this again and again. I’d never used a perfume oil before but love how the scent lasts all day! My skin is pretty sensitive, and this has never broken me out or caused irritation either.”
Pros
- I love the fresh, light scent
- The dropper bottle is v cute
Cons
- The scent dissipates much quicker than other options I tested
If you’re in need of warm weather, stat, this lush perfume oil will hold you over until summer arrives. Inspired by Bali beaches, the creamy coconut note in this oil smells so fresh — not like those chemical-y sunscreen coconut scents — and with light hints of tropical blossoms and salted musks, it delivers the illusion that you naturally smell like a tropical beach versus are wearing a fragrance. The statuesque dropper bottle is also just begging to be displayed on your vanity. I do wish that the scent lingered longer (my nose didn’t register it after around two hours), but luckily it also comes in a small rollerball that you can take with you for re-applications on the go.
- Key notes: Creamy coconut, tropical tiare blossom, salted musk
- Size: 1 and 0.2 oz
Glowing customer review: “This smells amazing. The coconut scent is one of the best I have ever smelled before. It doesn’t smell like suntan lotion, it just smells so much better!”
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil 45ml
Pros
- Scent lasts all day
- Has a lovely gold shimmer that doesn't feel too greasy or heavy
Cons
- Not as strong as a traditional perfume oil (but lasts a long time on me regardless)
No, this isn't a traditional perfume oil compared to the others on this list. However, it has just as strong longevity and sillage, plus a pretty golden shimmer that looks stunning against all skin tones. This has that quintessential beachy, summertime sunscreen smell (courtesy of coconut, bergamot, and jasmine notes) that just feels right to spritz on when the weather gets warm."I actually prefer this body oil to the O.G. perfume since it lasts longer on my skin and is quite a bit cheaper," says Gilette. And she's legit tested every single Tom Ford perfume, so she's an expert on the matter.
- Key notes: Coconut, pink pepper, pistachio, amber, bergamot, jasmine
- Size: 1.5 oz
Glowing customer review: "Smells AMAZING and leaves the best glow on the body. Stays on for a long time and isn’t too oily. Highly recommend."
Being Frenshe Glow On Perfume Oil in Palo Santo Sage
Did you know certain aromas can help you chill TF out? On days when I’m seriously stressed out (almost everyday for me, RIP), I glide this calming perfume oil along my pulse points and take a few deep breaths to wash my troubles away. And guess what, I actually feel more present and relaxed after application. A mix of earthy palo santo and sage have a soothing effect, while ylang-ylang and eucalyptus brighten up the scent for an instant mood boost. I can still smell it on my skin for a few hours, so that mellow energy sticks around.While bigger than all of the other options on this list, the bottle is still compact enough to stash in your purse for when you need a grounding moment—whether you’re having a draining day at the office or are out on a bad date (lol, been there, done that). Oh, and did I mention it's also the cheapest option on this list? Winner, winner.
- Key notes: Palo santo, sage, ylang ylang, eucalyptus
- Size: 0.84 oz
Glowing customer review: “I'm an avid perfume user. I have a huge collection and am always looking for new scents. I like woodsy, unisex scents, with a hint of sweetness. This perfume oil is just that. I keep getting a whiff every once in a while, and it's very lovely. It smells like it would if you burn palo santo and bottled it, however, it's less smoky and more sweet. A very feminine smell.”
Biology Fragrance 1: Joy
Even though perfume oils come in smaller bottles than their EDP cousins, many are still loaded with preservatives and other ingredients that can cause irritation for folks with sensitive skin or noses. Biology Functional Fragrances keeps things as simple as possible so you’re getting the purest, most good-for-you scent possible. Each of their small-batch perfume oils is made without parabens, phthalates, or anything synthetic, which instead makes room for moisturising elements, like coconut oil and vitamin E to hydrate your skin as you wear it.
If you have to pick just one scent, go with Joy: an uplifting blend of aromatic florals and bright bergamot that settles in a warm veil of sandalwood.
- Key notes: Jasmine, tuberose, bergamot, sandalwood
- Size: 0.34 oz
Glowing customer review: “I purchased the Joy roller on a whim, and now I want it to be my signature scent! I gravitate towards sharp honey-citrus smells, and prefer to wear clean fragrance. Joy is bright and juicy, sweet and earthy, well-blended, more floral than woody, all the things! I feel good wearing it to bed :) I would be happy to spike body oil with it and rub it all over me. Trying the parfum version is next!! I tried all 6 at Neighbourhood Goods but Joy was the clear winner.”
By/Rosie Jane, Missy Perfume Oil
Out of all of the perfume oils I tested (which was over a dozen, FYI), this small but mighty rollerball had the best staying power. I dabbed it on my wrists and neck early in the morning and could still smell it on my skin eight hours later, which is pretty much unheard-of for most of the other spray perfumes I have in my collection.
American brand By/Rosie Jane has really perfected its formula because the longevity was consistent across all the scents I tried (FWIW, Rosie is a dreamy, skin-like scent, while Dulce is a sweet, vanilla perfume and team Cosmo favourite).
But the brand’s newest fragrance, Missy, was a serious standout. Like summer in a bottle, it melds tropical notes of coconut and pineapple with fresh frangipani flowers and green mandarin. One whiff instantly transported me to laughter-filled oceanside afternoons with my girlfriends. No doubt this will become the scent of the summer.
- Key notes: Frangipani, green mandarin, coconut, pineapple
- Size: 0.23 oz
Glowing customer review: “I have to use clean ingredients with my foods, skincare, and perfume. This is why I have a hard time finding a qualified scent company and then finding the scent that's for me. This is the one. I have used and loved other scents from Rosie Jane; however, Missy is my new favourite. Reminds me of spring. And just a dab is enough to have the sweet, coconut, and fruit scent linger classily without being overpowering.”
How to choose the best perfume oil for you:
Think about the scents you like.
Much like your typical EDPs, perfume oils come in a ton of fragrance categories from fresh and floral to sweet and even earthy. Before blind buying, think about the fragrances in your collection that you gravitate toward. If you love bright and fruity scents, By/Rosie Jane Missy will transport you to the tropics. On the flip side, if you like something that’s a bit more unique and has some aromatherapeutic benefits, Frenshe Palo Santo and Sage quickly calms the mind so you feel more zen.
Size most definitely matters.
Scent-wise, perfume oils are much more concentrated than EDPs, so you can use less of it to get a long-lasting scent — which is why so many oils come in mini rollerball bottles. Don’t let the small size fool you, though; these little vials still last a very long time (and I love that they’re compact enough to fit in your purse). There *are* some perfume oils, though, like Nest New York Balinese Coconut Perfume Oil, that come in larger vessels with droppers. If you select a scent in a bigger bottle make sure you love it because they’re almost impossible to empty!
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including reviewing every Maison Margiela Replica perfume and finding the most spot-on Baccarat Rouge 540 dupes. She’s an authority in all beauty categories, but an expert when it comes to fragrance — her scent wardrobe is ever-expanding and she regularly rotates through a collection of over 20 perfumes (including a bunch of the options in this article). For this story, she sniffed over a dozen perfume oils to find the 9 best that last all day and help boost your mood.
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