For many, having a cloud of gorgeous perfume trail behind you as you enter every room is the dream, however it can be a tricky task to find a fragrance that boasts longevity.
I don't know about you, but when I'm searching for one of the best perfumes for women, a long-lasting perfume comes in close second to finding a scent that we like. After trialling dozens of different fragrance brands, there's just one that I consistently get complimented on every single time I wear their scents - Narciso Rodriguez. That's no exaggeration, no matter which of the brand's fragrances I spritz on, I always seem to get people asking me what perfume I'm wearing, even hours after initially applying it.
In the two decades since the launch of the brand's debut 'For Her' fragrance, Narciso Rodriguez has thankfully continued to develop a lineup of stellar musk-based scents. Now, the brand makes home to an abundance of gorgeous scents, from amber perfumes to powdery perfumes, each of which have earned a special place in my fragrance arsenal and I flit between every day. If not already, here's why Narciso Rodriguez deserves a spot in your perfume collection too...
The best Narciso Rodriguez perfumes worth investing in, as per our beauty team
Whether you typically opt for powdery musk scents or floral perfumes, our top five Narciso Rodriguez blends boast notes that are sure to suit a host of different fragrance preferences...
RRP: From £72 | Notes: Peach, bergamot, solar white flowers, vanilla and vetiver
Tested by: Sennen Prickett and Aleesha Badkar
Introducing, Narciso Rodriguez's For Her Intense Eau de Parfum, which has earned the rightful top spot in this guide. If I had to pick my signature scent, it would be this fragrance each and every time. Its notes of peach, bergamot and solar white flowers are amplified by the brand's musk signature, giving it an addictively sexy and sensual scent that works for day-to-night. However, the true delight of this perfume is its lasting power. Its musk notes have been developed using AI technology to boost its longevity, and that it does. I cannot stress the amount of compliments this scent has given me, even up to 12 hours after initially applying it onto my pulse points. I'm eeking the last drop out of my current bottle, but will be restocking it without a doubt.
RRP: From £66 | Notes: White flowers, clove and orange blossoms, white vetiver and cotton flower
Tested by: Sennen Prickett and Aleesha Badkar
If you're someone who typically opts for linen perfumes that are reminiscent clean freshly-washed sheets, look no further than Narciso Rodriguez's newest fragrance, Radiante Eau de Parfum. This is a delicately feminine perfume that initially opens with soft powdery notes, before opening up to a heart of light florals, such as lily of the valley, cotton flower, and drying down to reveal warmer base notes of musk and woods. I must admit, while I can't smell this scent on myself hours after spritzing it on, I still get compliments on it from other people - most notably when I recently sat down in the hairdresser's chair and was immediately quizzed on my perfume.
RRP: From £63 | Notes: Italian bergamot oil, pink peppercorn, musk, plum and creamy oriental vanilla
Tested by: Sennen Prickett and Naomi Jamieson
Despite not typically choosing floral fragrances, I've been reaching for this scent most days. Opening floral notes of tuberose and Italian bergamot oil are given a spicy edge thanks to hints of pink peppercorn, before it develops to reveal a sensual creamy oriental vanilla base. The latter makes it much more wearable, compared to other floral scents on the market. I've also found great joy layering this on top of the For Her Musc Nude scent to enjoy all the benefits of the two floral-musk fragrances together.
RRP: From £63 | Notes: Jasmine, rose and tonka bean
Tested by: Sennen Prickett and Aleesha Badkar
Musc Nude is a true floriental fragrance, with top notes of damask rose oil and orange flower combining with its musky heart. The aroma also boasts a richer base of tonka bean, cedarwood and patchouli that mimics the natural warmth of the skin. The result? A musky white floral that not only oozes feminine sophistication when worn on its own, but also layers effortlessly well with the array of other fragrances in your collection.
RRP: From £70 | Notes: Rose, peach, amber and sandalwood
Tested by: Sennen Prickett, Aleesha Badkar and Laura Honey
Laura: "This is a truly timeless perfume, perfect for women who love a delicately feminine fragrance. The powdery rose opens brightly on first spritz, with soft, ripe, fruity notes. Then, after a while, it melts into a creamy, musky, and sophisticated accord that sits silkily on the skin. Graceful and elegant, it’s a portrait of femininity."
RRP: From £70 | Notes: Frangipani, musk, amber, cedarwood, vanilla and casherman
Tested by: Sennen Prickett and Aleesha Badkar
I couldn't agree more with the brand's description of this scent, "a luminous fragrance that reveals the vibrant warmth of a sun-kissed skin." This perfume is a lot warmer than the other Narciso offerings, thanks to its notes of ylang-ylang, amber and cedar creating a sensual radiance and confidence. Its accord of frangipani gives the scent a slight gourmand edge, whilst remaining mature and sophisticated. Personally, I find myself reaching for this bottle in the evening as it has a sense of comforting magnetism to it.
How we tested the best Narciso Rodriguez perfumes
In order to curate a thorough edit of the very best Narciso Rodriguez scents, our trio of experts tried and tested a lineup of the brand's fragrance offering, from cult classics to newer launches, each for multiple days to get a sense for each fragrance. During this process, there were a few factors we took into consideration when testing each fragrance...
- Olfactory notes
- How it smelt upon initial spritz
- How long it lasted on the skin
- Projection
- Whether it was suited to a specific season, or all year round
- Price
How to choose the best Narciso Rodriguez perfume
Choosing a fragrance that is best suited to you has always been a tricky task, however we've put together a few helpful pointers for you to get a head start.
- Consider the types of fragrances you already like: If you already have a list of perfumes that you like, it's worth taking a look at their olfactory families to understand which scents you're a fan of. Knowing whether you prefer musky, fruity or floral fragrances is a great starting point before you begin browsing.
- Intensity: Fragrances arrive in an array of forms of intensity, including eau de parfum vs eau de toilette and cologne to solid perfumes, and it's key to understand the difference in meaning between them all - and how this may affect the longevity of a scent.
- Test the fragrances in real life: If you possibly can, it's wise to test the fragrances in real life before purchasing - blind purchasing can always pose a risk, unless you already know what the perfume smells like. Fragrances can also differ wearer to wearer, especially when spritzed onto the skin.
Your most asked Narciso Rodriguez perfume questions, answered
Which is the best Narciso Rodriguez perfume?
Now, as previously mentioned, the answer to this question is heavily dependent on your personal fragrance preferences. Inspired by rare Egyptian musc oil, Narciso Rodriguez is known for producing musky fragrances. That said, the brand has ventured down other scent avenues, creating everything from floral perfumes and amber blends - all boasting the brand's widely-loved hint of musk. Personally, one scent comes out on top for both our Digital Beauty Writer and Beauty Ecommerce Editor, the brand's For Her Intense Eau de Parfum.
Which celebrities wear Narciso Rodriguez perfumes?
If you needed anymore convincing, our beauty team aren't the only ones raving about Narciso Rodriguez. The designer is actually the creator a plethora of A-lister approved fragrances. In fact, it's rumoured that the likes of Salma Hayek, Sarah Jessica Parker and Michelle Obama are all fans of the brand's perfume assortment.
Is Narciso Rodriguez a good perfume brand?
Take it from us, Narciso Rodriguez is a true favourite amongst our beauty team. Although not as widely known as perhaps the best Dior perfumes, it the only fragrance brand that our Digital Beauty Writer, Sennen Prickett, gets complimented on after dousing herself in any of their perfumes. So, if you're looking for a fragrance that boasts long-lasting wear and is guaranteed to get you compliments, this is the brand you need to be shopping.
