I’ve Tested Hundreds of Perfumes and These 11 Last All Day—Even in a Heatwave

Key notes: Lily-of-the-valley, peony, iris, centifolia rose, tender woods

Kicking off with a classic, this pretty, pink, bow-topped bottle might not look like a perfume with grit but you’d be wrong to underestimate this scent. It’s an uplifting, sweet floral that I particularly love during the spring and summer months where I gravitate towards lighter, more effervescent fragrances, but this has the added bonus of boasting real staying power.

At first spritz, you’re met with a bouquet of pretty peonies and lilies, but the magic for me really happens when a lush, velvety rose starts to emerge at the heart of the scent. After a few hours, the floral notes do start to fade, but you’re left with a comforting musky aroma with just a hint of creamy vanilla and sandalwood that lingers for hours. If you hate reapplying your perfume then it will make a worthy addition to your dressing table.

Key notes: Black cherry, orange brandy, red freesia, sugared jasmine, plum nectar, ebony woods, warm caramel, soft leather accord

Cherry perfumes can sometimes lean on the syrupy side, but Cherry Stem feels like a more sophisticated interpretation of a category that can sometimes feel a little juvenile. On my skin, the juicy cherry opening has an almost tart quality that stops it from becoming overly sweet, before soft florals soften the edges. What really impresses me, though, is the dry down. As the brighter fruity notes settle, creamy woods and warm leathers take over, giving the fragrance a real staying power that lasts well into the evening and manages to feel playful while still grown-up. And even after a full day of wear, I can still catch little wafts of this on my clothing.

Key notes: Cypress, pear, ginger, mandarin, coconut, rose, white orchid, orris, jasmin, vanilla, ambrox wood, praline, musk​

This is a beautifully elegant perfume that bottles the idea of a quintessential British summer—think frolicking in meadows full of wildflowers beneath bright blue skies—and delivers it in the form of a delicate, sun-drenched spritz. The perfect antidote to the sweltering, sticky scents of the city where I’m spending my summer. Brimming with light, airy florals and a slightly tropical twist of spicy ginger and sweet coconut, as the fragrance develops, you’ll notice that subtle woody and musky notes begin to emerge to really anchor the hits of fruity pear and heady orchid. It evolves gently throughout the day and becomes softer and more worn-in rather than losing its character entirely. It’s a beautiful option for those who prefer a perfume to feel intimate and worn close to the skin.

Key notes: Pineapple nectar, pink grapefruit, olibanum incense, immortelle flower, beeswax, rose extract, oud, labdanum, patchouli oil, myrrh

Like most people, there are certain fragrance notes that I gravitate towards and others that I avoid, and, in all honesty, oud is one of those notes. Yes, I understand that if you want a perfume that packs a punch and sticks around, then oud makes an obvious go-to, but typically, I find it headache-inducing to wear. However, a lovely PR pal convinced me to give this one from Bond No. 9 a try, and while it certainly isn’t a fragrance for shrinking violets, this is a really modern take on ouds that I’ve surprised myself by spritzing on liberally throughout the heatwave.

I think its wearability lies in the blend of fruity notes (pineapple and pink grapefruit to be precise) which adds an initial sweetness, while hints of rose (one of my favourite florals) and patchouli lend a smooth familiarity to the scent. As the day goes on, it is of course the oud and labdanum that lend that resinous longevity to the scent, but by then the perfume has almost meshed with your skin for a warm, solar feel. This is undoubtedly a statement scent, but it’s one that I can see carrying me through date nights, sticky summers and important meetings with ease.

Key notes: Lavender, omumbiri myrrh, tonka bean

When many people think of Jo Malone London, it’s their classic floral perfumes and breezier scents that tend to spring to mind. For me, however, it’s this intense cologne that tops my list of their best scents, and it happens to boast exceptional longevity too. This is an absolute comfort blanket scent to me, with opulent myrrh creating an immediate warmth and adding to that staying power, while sweet vanilla, tonka bean and aromatic lavender wrap everything in a luxurious softness. It’s like a soft, cashmere jumper in fragrance form and smells incredibly expensive.

Key notes: Bergamot, lychee, rhubarb, damascena rose, nutmeg, cashmeran, musks, vetiver

There are a multitude of reasons as to why Delina has become something of a modern classic, but its wear time undoubtedly has a lot to do with it. After all, if you’re investing £270 in a perfume, then the staying power better be decent—and the longevity of this really is exceptional. I love myself a rose perfume, so I was pretty sure I’d adore this scent before I even smelt it, but it’s fast become one of my signature scents. (In fact, I sadly just used up the dregs of my bottle.) However, even if you’re not a rose fan, there is so much to get on board with her. You’re greeted by sparkling lychee and tart rhubarb at the first spritz, before that luxurious and feminine rose billows through. Over time, the scent changes, though, becoming creamier and warmer with plenty of skin-clinging musk and a sprinkling of nutmeg for a little depth. It’s one of the few florals that I can still smell on my clothes the next morning, too.

Key notes: Bergamot, starfruit, pink lotus, musk

If you hate smelling like everyone else and are looking for more of an under-the-radar perfume to add to your collection then this is an absolutely beautiful new discovery of mine. The concept behind the fragrance is an imaginary flower with opalescent petals and the juice in the bottle is quite unlike anything else I’ve tried. It’s a lively blend of luminous fruits, radiant pink lotus and an almost clean, slightly mineral twang. Rather than relying on sweetness or any obvious florals, it has an almost innately glowing quality that feels bright, warm and slightly skin-like. What really surprised me though is that the fragrance remained present on my skin for hours and I found myself catching unexpected glimpses of it throughout the day which made it feel even more special. An utterly unique summer scent.

Key notes: Lavender, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla

Possibly one of my most recommended perfumes of all time, Libre remains one of my most dependable perfumes because it performs so consistently, is so incredibly versatile, and lasts all day long. If you’re looking for a fragrance that will provide an instant confident boost then this is it. The list of notes is actually quite unusual for a power perfume, and I think it’s this blend of aromatics, florals and gourmands, which means it makes for a modern choice that never feels overwhelming. Opening with bright lavender and orange blossom, it’s instantly uplifting, while the richer base notes give the perfume its endurance. Even after a busy work day I can still always detect the lingering notes of jasmine and soft vanilla.

Key notes: Vanilla bean, tonka, amber

Proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a long-lasting perfume, all of M&S’s new Studio fragrance collection offers great staying power with a high-street price tag, but it’s Darkest Vanilla which has really impressed me during this hot weather. While you might be expecting a basic gourmand, this is actually a deep, slightly smoky, warm vanilla that feels cosy and sophisticated. Of course, if you don’t like vanilla then this probably won’t appeal, but the initial creamy sweetness definitely dries down into something more resinous and deep so this is in no way a simple dessert fragrance. And at less than £23 a bottle it’s pleasingly purse-friendly too.

Key notes: Pineapple, coconut, musks

This is the only eau de toilette on the list as, typically, they simply don’t boast the same concentration of oil as eau de parfums and therefore fade away much faster. Inspired by poolside mocktails, Mugler’s new Starlicious collection actually comprises three gourmand mists that are designed to be worn on skin and hair, and can also be layered up or worn individually. This fruity floral one is my pick of the bunch as it’s fresh, tropical and juicy, and basically smells like a holiday in a bottle. The brand encourage you to play with the intensity level of the fragrance, spritzing just once for a sheer sillage or a handful of times over body, hair and clothing to really up the ante. And I have to say that by doing so, it really does deliver more staying power than many fruity spritzes do. It’s exactly the kind of scent I’d pack for a beach holiday.

Key notes: Orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver

Few perfumes have achieved icon status quite like Coco Mademoiselle, and after wearing it again, it's easy to understand why. Fresh citrus quickly gives way to elegant rose and jasmine before patchouli and vetiver create its unmistakable signature sillage and timeless appeal. It’s that patchouli-rich base that is largely responsible for the fragrance's legendary longevity, and it develops beautifully over the course of the day—becoming warmer, creamier and even more sophisticated without losing its floral freshness. I can apply it in the morning and still catch traces well into the evening, particularly on clothing and scarves.