Long-lasting fragrances

[Clemmie]

At the weekend, I sampled Angel, and although it really didn't work for me, the one thing I was amazed by was how long it lasted on my skin (waaaay too long!). And it got me wondering. Longevity and sillage are big attractions for me. So I thought I'd ask you experts if you can recommend long-lasting perfumes. I don't know if I'm just suffering olfactory fatigue, but most of the fragrances I spray on these days last hardly any time at all.

My particular favourite types of fragrances are florals, florientals and chypres. I'm not into marine smells or gourmand. But if I could get a fragrance with the staying power of Angel, I would be most happy.

Ones I've recently tried are Stella McCartney's Rose (didn't last half an hour), Lancome's Hypnose (not bad at all. Lovely frag, lasted a while, but tapered eventually), SJP Lovely (too much like Narciso Rodriguez for me to bother). There are probably others that I can't bring to mind right away.

[julia7]

Bond no 9 Chinatown have terrific longevity and sillage on me, it just keeps blooming and glowing for over 24h after application.

[tinker424]

I have a problem with scents lasting on me, even Angel if I don't use the matching Angel lotion.
I've found Apercu by Houbigant & Rochas Femme to be long lasting chypres.
Michael by Michael Kors & Fracas to be long lasting florals.
Chanel's Allure, Caron's Parfum Sacre & YSL's Cinema are long lasting orientals on my skin.

[kanaires]

I seem to suffer long-term(learned) olfactory fatigue since some of my favorites used to last good ten to twenty(!) hours on my skin, but the more I use them really the shorter they seem to last. It may be the weather too though since its gotton a lot warmer and humid. Still a good reason to alternate between scent and own yet another bottle.lol

[mikeperez23]

Clemmie - hopefully, besides trying other scents that might have more longevity to them, you're also considering trying scents you DO LIKE in a eau de parfum or parfum version (if it's not too out of your price range).

If yes, and you still aren't finding scents you like with above average longevity, I would try:

Poison by Dior
Black Orchid by Tom Ford
Must by Cartier
Gaultier 2 by JP Gaultier
Virgin Island Water by Creed (this is NOT a marine scent...it's lime/tropical oriented)
Mitsouko by Guerlain
Pomegranate Noir by Jo Malone

Good luck.

[Off-Scenter]

Here are a few that last well on me and/or my wife:

Sa Majeste la Rose (monster sillage!)
Black Aoud (good for at least 24 hours)
Amber Sultan
Timbuktu
Miel de Bois
Parfum Sacre
Musc Ravageur

Good luck hunting!

[Kyra]

Clemmie,
If you get the spare time to post your wardrobe, we can add more. Ditto on Mitsouko and Ambre Sultan. And Opium even in edt lasts for ages.

[elonaks]

For me a number of the Estee Lauder scents have great staying power

Intuition
Estee
Private Collection
Cinnabar

Molinard de Molinard and Habinita by Molinard

Boudoir
Anais Anais
Misuki

Vanilla Musk by Coty
Lady Stetson by Coty

There should be something for every price range in there.

[MorganFay]

Ysatis and Sublime last a long time.

[my mascara]

interesting i know the most horrible fragrances last too lone i remember long ago noting that about Gale Hayman and her Bevery Hills fragrance (at least i think that was it) i think the greats are more fleeting

[Shycat]

I like florals, too, and florientals. Some of my most favorite fragrances are transparent/translucent florals, which I've come to know means fragrances without much base -- a bit of musk and touch of sandalwood that really barely supports the heart notes.
I embrace a light bit of vanilla with wafting hint of patchouli. These types of fragrances by their very nature are limited to 4 hours or so, and I make little 2ml spritzers for myself of most of them for my purse.

As I explored fragrances, I realized I like musk, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver in whatever dose may be thrown. Sandalwood is a supporting player, usually, as would be incense. I take very little amber, and even less cedar. These are more classically balanced, and heavier from the get go. They have a very different character.

No oakmoss.

There are other long lasting base notes, and "base-y" florals. Jasmine and tuberose in particular are heady longlasting florals. These are the most common, and they make a fragrance last--not only because they last so long themselves, but because they hold the heart notes as a fixative stretching them out as well.

Every variation of these combinations can be found, and I've always thought about how Angel lasts forever---there aren't any flowers. Angel can pile on heavy basenotes and never overwhelm or bury any delicate notes. Gourmands tend to all aobut heavy basenotes---cocoa, vanilla, bitter almond, etc.

Chinatown is a laster, for sure, and heaven knows at that price it better be. Look at it's notes! Gardenia and tuberose, and almost every basenote in the book. For roses, I get along with Creed's Fleur de The Rose Bulgare as a laster, and I think Penhaligon's Elizabethan Rose is a laster as well.

There's a range and variation in the industry on what percentage oils constitute a parfum, EdP and EdT. Classic houses especially have not only different concentration but different proportions of notes in parfums and parfums last longer for those reasons. I usually think of a parfum as the way a fragrance is "meant" to be. It's not always the case, of course, and I prefer Paris EdT over the EdP version (speaking of LASTERS.) Lolita Lempicka EdP is also very long lasting -- thanks to vanilla and anise. Violetta de Parma by Borsari lasts well for me.

[Margareta]

I want perfumes to last long, too. It is one of the things I am considering before buying. Among the chypres and florals I have, I find these really longlasting on my skin:

Guerlain Mitsouko EdT
Chanel No 19 EdP
Chanel Cristalle, both EdT and EdP
YSL Rive Gauche EdT
J del Pozo In Black EdT
Guerlain Insolence EdT

[jazztweety]

I am often amazed when people say that, for instance, Angel doesn't last on them! I think that the what really doesn't last mostly is the ability to perceive a fragrance on you, because it is natural for the sense of smell to switch out after a short while when being overloaded. This does often result in multiple applications and monster scent clouds that will knock out everybody but yourself!

Generally synthetic perfume compounds have a higher tenacity, with a few exceptions, for instance patchouly.
But to answer the original question, I think that all Lutens florals have huge staying power. With the chypres Paloma Picasso is a good one.

[Indiscreet]

Angel doesn't last so well on me, to be honest. A few hours but then it fades.
As I swap fragrances a lot, I don't really have time to get used to anything.

What works for me:

Dior Poison
Dior Hypnotic Poison
Clinique Aromatics Elixir (though this turns soapy on me unfortunately and I may get rid of it)
Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
Serge Lutens Miel de Bois
Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
Guerlain Mitsouko
Thierry Mugler Alien

Most of the Ava Luxes I sampled have terrific longevity - some go through a quiet period about five hours after application and then get a new lease of life again.

[restlessoul]

On me, all of the Chanel's have great staying power. They just last and last regardless of the concentration.

Chanel No.19 in perfume
Allure EDT and EDP
Coco EDP
Cristalle
Chance EDP


I also agree that Chinatown has an amazing staying power, 24 hours or even more.

[Indiscreet]

I should point out the Poison and Hypnotic Poison are EDT, yet they last the day for me. Super longevity.
EDP everything else, apart from Mitsouko, where I have the parfum.

[Gumoosh]

I second Paloma Picasso as a all nighter. It is a Chypre - but really beautiful. Another that seems to last great on my skin is Bond West Side and Creed Fleur The Bulgare Rose.
Femme Rochas EDT and Dolce Gabbana Femme (red lid) are spicy scents that linger forever.
There is a good thread 'I am the sillage slayer' or 'sillage monsters' that has some good recs.

[quos]

YSL Paris ( not the LE, that's lovely but fades fast)
Quite a few of the Jo Malones work for me - Pom Noir, Lime, Basil & Mandarin
Jaipur (which I have recently rediscovered)

[TaoLady]

Tabu - Youth Dew (practically anything by Lauder - Madame always said "If you can't smell 'em - you can't sell 'em!!") - Bal a Versailles - Habanita - (phone's ringing - gotta go!)

[Shycat]

Let me chime in for Paloma Picasso, too. It's one of my "new" vintage minis curtesy of the newspaper print drawer. It's a chypre???? EEEEP! It is, I know, but it's a chypre for chypre haters. There's a lot more going on than bergamot and oakmoss, and I suppose the hyacinth in the top and the patchouli and honey and the base smooth it out for me.

I wouldn't wear it to Kroger's though I think I'll enjoy it with bluejeans and a plain white T-shirt. I can wear my old engagement ring on the right hand, stacked with my three stone, my significant studs, a thick Italian gold bracelet, my ubiquitous tennis bracelet.....yeah, it's all falling into to place.

I might need a Rolex.

[Zibeline]

I am often amazed when people say that, for instance, Angel doesn't last on them! I think that the what really doesn't last mostly is the ability to perceive a fragrance on you, because it is natural for the sense of smell to switch out after a short while when being overloaded. This does often result in multiple applications and monster scent clouds that will knock out everybody but yourself!

Generally synthetic perfume compounds have a higher tenacity, with a few exceptions, for instance patchouly.
But to answer the original question, I think that all Lutens florals have huge staying power. With the chypres Paloma Picasso is a good one.

I'll have to agree with this as I have experienced this overload myself and ended up reapplying too frequently. So now, when I absolutely must smell the fragrance myself, I pack the bottle along so I can get a few quick and discreet sniffs when needed.

Also I have had the experience of smelling something nice late in the evening and realizing it was me after all and long after I felt the scent was gone.

I find there are some super long lasting ones: the Chanels, Mitsouko and Shalimar, ALL Floris and Penhaligon scents, the Fendis, and anything on the woody side. Penhaligons and Floris tend to be pretty linear and the rose (or whatever) you started out with is what you will keep, while the others tend to evolve more.

There is a coworker who regularly (daily!) walks around in an Angel cloud and is utterly convinced that her skin is changing and she can't smell it. Since living with this I apply with a lighter hand.

[spicegirl]

Let me chime in for Paloma Picasso, too. It's one of my "new" vintage minis curtesy of the newspaper print drawer. It's a chypre???? EEEEP! It is, I know, but it's a chypre for chypre haters. There's a lot more going on than bergamot and oakmoss, and I suppose the hyacinth in the top and the patchouli and honey and the base smooth it out for me.

I wouldn't wear it to Kroger's though I think I'll enjoy it with bluejeans and a plain white T-shirt. I can wear my old engagement ring on the right hand, stacked with my three stone, my significant studs, a thick Italian gold bracelet, my ubiquitous tennis bracelet.....yeah, it's all falling into to place.

I might need a Rolex.

I totally agree that Paloma Picasso is a chypre for chypre-haters! I never met a chypre I liked until PP. I've always found them too sharp, cool and pungent on me. PP is warmer and much smoother than most. I love it!

[jazztweety]

There is a coworker who regularly (daily!) walks around in an Angel cloud and is utterly convinced that her skin is changing and she can't smell it. Since living with this I apply with a lighter hand.

This seems to happen to a lot of Angel admirers - because you smell it often in huge clouds (it was my sig for a couple of years, but only tiny amounts!), and that somehow spoiled it for me. Since it contains lots of patchouly, which is one of the most potent natural essences at all, it's longevity is outstanding.

Taolady is for sure right naming Tabu, that's a sillage monster (also patchouly)

I'm not the great chypre gal, but PP is really classy!

[Clemmie]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Many of them are fragrances I have already, and I'm thinking it is my nose that's the problem rather than the fragrances.

I have Sa Majeste La Rose. It doesn't last too long on me, but I adore it.
I have Ambre Sultan - am having a problem with the smell of that being reminiscent of Catholic mass (lapsed Catholic eek!)
I have Mitsouko...it's STRONG but doesn't last a huge length of time on me
I have a sample of Miel du Bois, and I agree that one just keeps on going.
I have Ysatis. It used to last on me...again, maybe it's just my nose?

Will have to check out Palomo Picasso (I have a feeling I may have tried his in the past and found it more pleasant than I expected).

I've yet to try Jo Malone's frags..but they're on the list!

I'm wearing Tabac Blond EDP today and am pleasantly surprised to find the basenote is still lingering. Mind you, I did rather ladle it on this morning! :-)
--------------------------------------

Clemmie,
If you get the spare time to post your wardrobe, we can add more. Ditto on Mitsouko and Ambre Sultan. And Opium even in edt lasts for ages.

How do you post your wardrobe? Such a newbie I am! :-) I've stuck everything that I have into it, but haven't a clue how to make it public.

[Loukoumi]

Another vote for Miel de Bois
Wonderful lasting power You will be enjoying this lovely lovely fragrance all day.

[spicegirl]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Many of them are fragrances I have already, and I'm thinking it is my nose that's the problem rather than the fragrances.

I have Sa Majeste La Rose. It doesn't last too long on me, but I adore it.
I have Ambre Sultan - am having a problem with the smell of that being reminiscent of Catholic mass (lapsed Catholic eek!)
I have Mitsouko...it's STRONG but doesn't last a huge length of time on me
I have a sample of Miel du Bois, and I agree that one just keeps on going.
I have Ysatis. It used to last on me...again, maybe it's just my nose?

Will have to check out Palomo Picasso (I have a feeling I may have tried his in the past and found it more pleasant than I expected).


I've yet to try Jo Malone's frags..but they're on the list!

I'm wearing Tabac Blond EDP today and am pleasantly surprised to find the basenote is still lingering. Mind you, I did rather ladle it on this morning! :-)
--------------------------------------


How do you post your wardrobe? Such a newbie I am! :-) I've stuck everything that I have into it, but haven't a clue how to make it public.

Hi Clemmie!
Just go to top of page here and click on User CP.
Then click on Edit Profile.
Scroll down to See Wardrobe In Posts and check "see wardrobe" in the dropdown menu. That should do it!

[Clemmie]

Hi Clemmie!
Just go to top of page here and click on User CP.
Then click on Edit Profile.
Scroll down to See Wardrobe In Posts and check "see wardrobe" in the dropdown menu. That should do it!

Hopefully that's done now. Thanks for the help with that!

[Lady_in_Black]

I second Tom Ford's Black Orchid, incredible staying power and there's patchouli in it also. But other TF-inspired fragrances have great longevity on my skin, like Youth Dew Amber Nude and Nu EdP. And I would like to add almost any Serge Lutens will grace me with 8 hours of fragrant company.

Clemmie, I checked your 'drobe and saw you own Narciso Rodriguez and gave it only 2 stars on longevity - the wonders of chemistry! This one lasts from morning to eve on me

[Clemmie]

I second Tom Ford's Black Orchid, incredible staying power and there's patchouli in it also. But other TF-inspired fragrances have great longevity on my skin, like Youth Dew Amber Nude and Nu EdP. And I would like to add almost any Serge Lutens will grace me with 8 hours of fragrant company.

Clemmie, I checked your 'drobe and saw you own Narciso Rodriguez and gave it only 2 starts on longevity - the wonders of chemistry! This one lasts from morning to eve on me

I need to check, but I think that 2 star rating is for the EDT (it totally disappears). The EDP lasts pretty well - and always gets compliments. I've probably just made a mistake with it (all my ratings need to be properly updated, I think I must have been drunk when I did them!).

[kanutta]

I have bookmarked a couple of treads:

http://community.basenotes.net/showt...=baiser+dragon

http://community.basenotes.net/showt...llage+monsters

Like you I find many frags to be lacking sillage and/or longevity.

Fragrances that last and have sillage for me are:

Champs Elysées edt.
Samsara edp.
Michael from Michael Kors
TBS Japanese Musc
Ambre Sultan
Un Lys
Fleurs d'oranger
Jessica McClintock
Gucci Edp
Fracas
Angelique Encens
L'heure bleue edp.
Cabochard edt.

Hypnotic Poison; Femme Rochas and Musc Ravageur doesn't last long on me unfortunately.