The Most Long-Lasting Perfumes That Linger Even in Singapore’s Weather

Singapore’s sweltering heat is the cause of our many beauty woes. Be it flat and oily bangs, or your makeup melting away in the humidity, you’re probably no stranger to how the weather can hinder us from looking our best.

If you have the habit of spritzing on your favourite perfume before leaving the house, you might have qualms about its longevity in this tropical weather.

According to experts, fragrances evaporate faster from the skin in hot climates, which might explain why perfume barely lasts throughout the day.

To mitigate this problem, we’ve put together a list of the longest-lasting perfumes, which have notes that linger on your skin hours after your first spritz.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

If you’re a perfume fanatic, the Baccarat Rouge 540 is probably already on your radar. Do a quick search, and you’ll find that it is dubbed the longest-lasting perfume everywhere.

While it is known for its impressive longevity, it is also frequently described as “unique” because it does not fit into the mould of a singular fragrance family. While it comprises gourmand base notes, it is laced with musky and woody elements, peppered with a hint of flora.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum retails from S$264 and is available on escentials.com and tangs.com.

Kilian Paris Love, Don’t Be Shy Eau de Parfum

Rihanna is a lot of things, but one thing we’ve heard the most is that she smells amazing—or as other celebrities like to say, “like heaven”.

The secret behind that? Kilian Paris’ Love, Don’t Be Shy. It’s a gourmand scent with a touch of floral fruitiness. Put simply, like dessert in a perfume bottle.

Kilian Paris Love, Don’t Be Shy Eau de Parfum retails for S$440 and is available at escentials.com and tangs.com.

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum

This feminine fragrance is perfect for the tropical climate. The Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is a tasteful combination of floral notes that complements its focal ingredient, the white Gardenia. It’s much like your classic floral scent, with a touch of elegance.

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum retails from S$155 and is available at sephora.sg.

Juliette Has a Gun Not A Perfume

Just as its name divulges, this unorthodox fragrance is nothing like the traditional perfumes you know of.

While most perfumes typically comprise different layers of notes, Not A Perfume is crafted with one singular note—cetalox, which smells of wood and amber.

It is known as a fragrance that interacts with every person’s body chemistry differently, creating a scent that is unique and personal to you.

Juliette Has a Gun Not A Perfume retails from S$127 and is available at strawberrynet.com.

Chanel Coco Noir Eau de Parfum

Chanel is known for many of their classic fragrances like the iconic Chanel No°5, but the Coco Noir takes the cake when it comes to longevity.

The eau de parfum combines fruity and floral notes, layered with woody, gourmand elements to seal the aroma in. Patchouli lingers on the skin, which could contribute to its strong lasting power.

Chanel Coco Noir Eau de Parfum retails from S$205 and is available at tangs.com.

Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ By the Fireplace

It’s exactly as its name suggests, a whiff of this fragrance will transport you… you guessed it, by the fireplace. Something we love about Maison Margiela’s fragrances is how each scent is crafted based on a memory of the perfumer’s.

While most of our homes don’t come with a fireplace here in Singapore, this smoky chestnut blend might remind you of the smell wafting from those roasted chestnut push carts we used to see around. Core memory unlocked?

Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ By the Fireplace retails for S$210 and is available at sephora.sg.

Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum

Sophistication in a bottle looks—or smells—like this. Its strong blend of rose, patchouli and sandalwood notes linger on the skin even hours after its first spritz.

This fragrance is distinct enough for you to go without layering it, yet versatile enough to be worn on different occasions.

Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum retails from S$295.50 and is available at strawberrynet.com.

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum

Like how the smell of coffee lingers in a room, this gourmand scent, reminiscent of vanilla iced coffee, is another fragrance with great lasting power.

The sweet coffee aroma does not overpower its floral, woody notes, giving it a tasteful mix between delicious and romantic.

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum retails for S$264 and is available at sephora.sg.

Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum

Another 13 shares similarities with pheromone fragrances, where it adapts to your skin chemistry to amplify your natural scent.

You might not be able to whiff out the difference on your skin, but rest assured this fragrance will create a hypnotic scent, one that smells like your very own clean t-shirt.

Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum retails for S$341.50 and is available at strawberrynet.com.

BYREDO Bibliothèque Eau de Parfum

If you have a penchant for the smell of books, you might take an interest in BYREDO’s rendition of this familiar scent. Imagine this: dripping fruit jam on the pages of an old book. That’s what this fragrance smells like to us.

It’s woody with a tinge of sweetness, wrapped in a slab of fresh leather—the kind of scent that’ll stay in our minds for as long as it lingers on our skin.

BYREDO Bibliothèque Eau de Parfum retails from S$297 and is available at escentials.com.