The Best Extrait Perfumes For a Long-Lasting Scent
Words by Verity Clarke
When it comes to fragrance trends there tends to be a focus on notes and ingredients. There was the time everyone was going nuts for pistachio perfume, then for a while people gravitated towards a new oud, and let’s not forget the gourmand explosion when you couldn’t walk down the street without the scent of cherry wafting past you. More recently, though, there’s been a slew of fragrance launches that have something other than notes in common; the concentration. Extrait perfumes are considered to be a bolder expression of their eau de parfum counterpart and thanks to the higher concentration of oil they are lauded for their longevity on the skin.
It’s little wonder then that we’re seeing more extrait perfumes than ever before. From fragrance heavyweights Chanel to niche fragrance brands like Matiere Premiere and Maison Crivelli, 2026 is set to be the year of the extrait. Watch this space.
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What Is An Extrait?
In simple terms, “an extrait is usually a more intense and concentrated version of an eau de parfum,” says Aurélien Guichard, founder of Matiere Premiere. There is a higher concentration of oil extracted from the raw materials. So, for example, where a traditional eau de parfum has around 20 to 25 per cent oil concentration there is around 40 per cent in an extrait.
Why Should You Choose An Extrait?
“An extrait, in my mind, is usually made to obtain a darker and deeper version,” explains Guichard. Indeed, he credits in the rise in demand for extraits to an increased desire for quality: “Extraits, by the increase of concentration, bring more quality. I think the extrait answers a need people have for fragrances that will last all day long.”
“At Matiere Premiere, the extraits are worked slightly differently. The concentration is increased, the main ingredient is also increased and we add a guest ingredient in order to have a slightly different olfactive profile than the eau de parfum.”
Are Extraits Longer-Lasting Than Eau de Parfums?
It’s not quite as simple as that. While Guichard concedes that, “when perfumers increase a concentration, the goal is to make a fragrance that lasts longer,” there are several things besides the concentration that determine fragrance longevity. The way ingredients behave has the biggest effect on how long a fragrance will last on skin – oud, for example, is well known for emitting scent molecules long after it's been spritzed whereas bergamot will evaporate very quickly.
The OG Extrait
Chanel Les Extraits de Chanel No. 5 Extrait de Parfum
A fun fact for the fragrance connoisseurs: it was this exact concentration (not the eau de parfum you associate with Chanel No. 5) that Gabrielle Chanel originally commissioned grand perfumer Ernest Beaux to create in 1921. Both the EDP and the extrait are liquid masterpiece, but in this extrait version the raw materials are really dialled up, so here you’ll find an even higher – and more evocative – concentration of jasmine. How to wear this special sent? Take note from Gabrielle Chanel herself and dab it wherever you want to be kissed.
An Unusual Rose
Nishane Thorns Become Roses
“Through love, thorns become roses,” was the line from Rumi that was given to perfumer Julien Rasquinet to translate into a fragrance. He rose to the challenge, and masterminded Thorns Become Roses, a spiky floral that unfolds like a love story, becoming smooth the longer it goes on. Lychee is added to Bulgarian rose essential oil for a juicy, syrupy effect which clashes with the smoky, animalistic qualities of aetoxylon (a cousin of oud) for a fragrance that, just like any good love story, leaves an imprint in your memory long after it’s gone.
A Deep, Sensual Extrait
Matiere Premier Black Currant
Creating Black Currant exclusively for Harrods was a unique project for Guichard because “unlike most extraits, there is no existing eau de parfum version.” For Guichard, using Black Currant was a nod to English culture; given that the dark fruit is synonymous with late summer hedgerows, pastries and drinks it felt fitting to use it in a fragrance. Combined with a leathery note and an Assam oud, the result is a deliciously jammy juice that veers away from sweetness into something altogether darker and more sensual.
A Gourmand Extrait
Guerlain L’Art & La Matière Tonka Sarrapia Extrait 75
The story behind the elusive number 75 in this extraits name goes like this: sourced from the Sarrapia tree, the tonka bean used by Guerlain has a natural coumarin content of 75% and it is this which gives this intoxicating fragrance its distinctively almond-y profile. Sitting at 30% concentration, this long-lasting fragrance has a hint of spice, a bite of cherry and is utterly addictive, matched in decadence only by the gold jewel-style bottle in which it is housed.
The Perfect Autumnal Extrait
BDK Parfums Griz Charnel
Of course, you can wear your extrait whenever and wherever you choose; night, day, any season. However, if we were to suggest pairing your fragrance to a season, we’d be inclined to spritz Gris Charnel as the nights grow shorter and the days grow colder. The creamy, woody blend of cardamom, fig and black tea is the perfect accoutrement to a cosy, cashmere jumper.
Best for a Bright, Sunny Extrait
Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise
Just because it’s an extrait doesn’t mean it’s got to be deep and dark. Case in point: Ex Nihilo Lust in Paradise which is a zingy cocktail of peony, lychee, pink pepper, cedarwood and musk. This is the scent to plump for if you’re looking for an extrait that can be worn all day long. Just be warned that one spritz will have you dreaming of sunny days spenting floating about the Mediterranean.
Best for A Comforting Extrait
Boadicea The Victorious The House Blend Pure Perfume
What springs to mind when you’re thinking of spending an afternoon at Harrods? Afternoon tea, of course. Created exclusively for Harrods, Boadicea The Victorious The House Blend Pure Perfume has taken tea, a Harrods signature, as it’s central facet to create a fragrance that is at once as comforting as it is intriguing. Lapsang Souchong tea is the star of the scent before making way for warm tobacco, ginger and mate – a truly aromatic experience.
Best for a Musky Floral
Maison Crivelli Musc Nurāsana
Extraits don’t need to always be loud and bold; they can be understated too. Musc Nurāsana is proof of that with its cocooning dry down of musk and tonka that envelops you in a skin-nuzzling hug. Bergamot, Damask rose and soft incense lend a subtle luminosity to this beautifully intimate fragrance.
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