10 Perfume Oils That Will Outlast Summer’s Sweatiest Days

Not to be dramatic, but New York City summers can be brutal. Between the high temperatures and higher humidity, getting anywhere in the months of July and August means a sweaty sheen is all but expected. On particularly spicy days, a humbling amount of body odor is too. A good deodorant is, of course, key, but there’s one product you should swap in this summer when you want your signature scent to truly last all day: perfume oil.

Perfume oils are much more concentrated than your standard eau de parfums, and that high concentration not only means you need a lot less to get the same aromatic intensity, but they last longer on your skin too. And, because the formulas are so potent and you only need a couple of drops, they’re sold in much smaller bottles or rollerballs, making them ideal for on-the-go and way more affordable. Wins all around.

Below, our list of the very best perfume oils that will outlast summer’s sweatiest days.

• Best Overall: GLOSS MODERNE Roll-On Perfume Oil in Rêves ($87)
• Best Warm Floral: Maison Louis Marie No. 14 Icila Perfume Oil ($65)
• Best Fruity Floral: By Rosie Jane Leila Lou Perfume Oil ($48)
• Best Sultry Scent: Byredo Mojave Ghost Roll-On Oil ($85)
• Best Skin Scent: PHLUR Missing Person Fragrance Oil ($45)
• Best Rose: kai Rose Perfume Oil ($54)
• Best Budget: Being Frenshe Glow On Perfume Oil in Cashmere Vanilla ($15)
• Best Beachy: NEST New York Balinese Coconut Perfume Oil ($102)
• Best New Launch: True Botanicals Pure Radiance N°10 Clean Fragrance Roller ($48)
• Best Unisex: MALIN+GOETZ Dark Rum Perfume Oil ($36)

1 / 10

Best Overall

GLOSS MODERNE Roll-On Perfume Oil in Rêves ($87)

NewBeauty‘s Awards winner for Best Perfume Oil smells like “a sunny day in Positano.” Our editor adds, “This scent is citrus/lemon-forward, but the vetiver, clove and musk add warmth and dimension.”

• BUY ON GLOSS MODERNE – $87
• BUY ON REVOLVE – $87

Key notes

TOP: mandarin zest, sparkling lemon, mint blossom
HEART: Mediterranean grapefruit, pure ginger, black pepper
BASE: white vetiver, clove bud, sheer musk

2 / 10

Best Warm Floral

Maison Louis Marie No. 14 Icila Perfume Oil ($65)

My current favorite is Maison Louis Marie No. 14 Icila, a delicious warm floral scent that gets me stopped on the street frequently. With hints of ruby pamplemousse, mandarin leaf and jasmine, this fragrance is elegant with a hint of sweetness.

• BUY ON CREDO BEAUTY – $65
• BUY ON REVOLVE – $65

key notes

Top: ruby pamplemousse, mandarin leaf, jasmine
Mid: Bulgarian rose, dark plum, osmanthus
Base: patchouli, vanilla flower, sakura blossom

3 / 10

Best Fruity Floral

By Rosie Jane Leila Lou Perfume Oil ($48)

If you’re looking to encapsulate that carefree feeling of lying in soft grass on a breezy, blue-sky morning, this is the scent to try. It’s fresh, juicy and effortless.

• BUY ON SEPHORA – $48
• BUY ON AMAZON – $48

key notes

Top: juicy pear, green apple, tangerine skin
Mid: star jasmine, spring nectarine, fresh cut grass
Base: meadow musk, sandalwood

4 / 10

Best Sultry Scent

Byredo Mojave Ghost Roll-On Oil ($85)

The soft aroma of Mojave Ghost will envelope you in a sensual haze of warm ambrette and cedarwood, powdery violet and sweet magnolia.

• BUY ON NORDSTROM – $85
• BUY ON NEIMAN MARCUS – $85

key notes

Top: ambrette, Jamaican nesberry
Middle: violet, sandalwood, magnolia
Base: chantilly musk, crisp amber, cedarwood

5 / 10

Best Skin Scent

PHLUR Missing Person Fragrance Oil ($45)

Missing Person is a fresh and airy fragrance that melts into your skin, creating a personalized scent against the backdrop of notes like white musk, jasmine, orange blossoms and sandalwood.

• BUY ON PHLUR – $45
• BUY ON SEPHORA – $45

key notes

Top: Skin Musk, Bergamot Nectar, Sheer Jasmine
Heart: Fresh Cyclamen, Neroli Blossom, Orange Flower
Base: Sandalwood Australia Oil, Blonde Wood, White Musk

6 / 10

Best Rose

kai Rose Perfume Oil ($54)

Rose fragrances are making a comeback, and Kai’s oil formula blends roses with gardenia and white blooms to create a soft and inviting floral fragrance.

• BUY ON NORDSTROM – $54
• BUY ON ANTHROPOLOGIE – $54

key notes

Rose absolute, gardenia, white florals

7 / 10

Best Budget

Being Frenshe Glow On Perfume Oil in Cashmere Vanilla ($15)

If you ever wanted to bottle the spa experience, grab a bottle of Being Frenshe’s Cashmere Vanilla. It’s cozy and soothing; a happy cocoon of warmth that’ll keep you serene all day long.

• BUY NOW – $15

key notes

Vanilla, Toasted Jasmine Rice, Warm Amber and Creamy Musk

8 / 10

Best Beachy

NEST New York Balinese Coconut Perfume Oil ($102)

Born and raised in South Florida, I’m always nostalgic for scents that transport me right back to the beach; think warm sand, salty air and that distinct smell of sunscreen. Luckily, tropical scents are all the rage right now, and this one hits just the right balance of beachy freshness with sweet coconut.

• BUY ON SEPHORA – $102
• BUY ON ULTA – $102

key notes

Creamy Coconut, Tropical Tiare Blossom, Salted Musk

9 / 10

Best New Launch

True Botanicals Pure Radiance N°10 Clean Fragrance Roller ($48)

True Botanicals just launched this limited-edition fragrance oil inspired by its best-selling Renew Pure Radiance Oil’s signature scent. It blends woodsy frankincense, rich Damask rose and zesty bitter orange for an earthy floral scent that sticks close to skin.

• BUY NOW – $48

key notes

Frankincense, Damask rose and bitter orange

10 / 10

Best Unisex

MALIN+GOETZ Dark Rum Perfume Oil ($36)

With ripe plum, creamy milk, spicy rum and warm leather notes, Malin+Goetz’s Dark Rum is equal parts seductive and juicy. Basically, it smells great on everyone.

• BUY ON AMAZON – $36
• BUY ON NORDSTROM – $36

key notes

Top: bergamot, plum
Middle: rum, leather
Base: amber, patchouli, milk