I'm looking for a new fragrance for everyday wear. My previous perfumes from Douglas last at most 2-3 hours, then there's nothing left to smell. Plus, I'm not into all those fruity and sugary scents that are everywhere.
What kind of budget are you thinking, and do you prefer spicy/woody notes or more like leather and tobacco? Classic options for longevity would be Creed Aventus (though it costs quite a bit), or cheaper: Dior Sauvage, which really lasts 6-8 hours and has more of a fresh-spicy vibe instead of sweet. If you like something a bit harsher, Tom Ford Black Orchid or a Bleu de Chanel could be good for you too - they're all way more long-lasting than your usual Douglas stuff.
For long-lasting wear and less sweetness, you really need an Eau de Parfum instead of Eau de Toilette - it makes a huge difference. I struggled with the same problem for ages and switched over, and the 2-3 hours thing was done after that. Creed Aventus is obviously an option, but it's pretty pricey and honestly sometimes too intense for everyday wear if you're not exactly going on jungle expeditions (that's my actual issue because I'm outdoors a lot and need more staying power). Cheaper alternatives that hold up mega well are stuff like Givenchy Gentleman Reserve Privée or Dior Sauvage Elixir - they've got more spicy and woody notes instead of all that fruity stuff, and they don't smell like cotton candy either.
Another trick: check out niche brands like Heeley or Maison Martin Margiela. They're often cheaper than Creed but way better quality and longer-lasting than standard department store stuff. I just tested Heeley Sel Marin and it easily lasts 7-8 hours on me, but still smells subtle and not overly sweet - more salty and spicy. If you really want to save money, also try Tabac Original, costs next to nothing and is totally underrated. Some people dig it classic, some think it's old-fashioned, but the staying power is seriously solid and the sweetness factor basically hits zero.
Eau de Parfum instead of Eau de Toilette is genuinely a game-changer - those last a solid 8-10 hours on me, while the Douglas stuff is gone after an hour. But fair warning: a lot of "men's" fragrances are still made super sweet anyway, so I'd actually recommend going for classic barber or tobacco scents instead (Givenchy Gentleman Reserve Privée for example, or Prada L'Homme Intense), those are woody and actually deliver on their promise - you just gotta smell them first though, because taste is obviously personal.
Creed Aventus is really the classic, but the price is pretty brutal - around €300 and up. If you don't want to spend that much, I'd recommend Bleu de Chanel in the Eau de Parfum version. It easily lasts 8-10 hours on me, but it's not sweet at all, more fresh-woody with a hint of cedar. Costs maybe €80-100 and is way more pleasant for everyday wear than those fruity bombs that start getting annoying in your head after half an hour.
The biggest problem with your previous fragrances is probably really just that you're using Eau de Toilette instead of Eau de Parfum - the difference in concentration is brutal. With an EdT you're looking at maybe 5-9% fragrance oils, with EdP it's 15-20%, and you definitely notice that on your skin. Yeah, you pay a bit more for it, but it's worth it because you can spray it on in the morning and actually get something out of it all day instead of just until noon.
If you like something in the spicy/woody department, also check out Givenchy Gentleman Reserve Privée or Spicebomb - both have this deeper note without getting sticky. And generally speaking: watch out for stuff with "vanilla" or "caramel" in the name, you'll easily end up in the sweet trap with those. You just gotta grab a few samples and test what works for you.
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