India’s fragrance market has exploded. With hundreds of brands promising “12-hour longevity,” it’s hard to separate fact from marketing. We wore each of these for full days in Indian heat — morning commute, afternoon meetings, evening outings — and rated them on projection, sillage, and true staying power.

Before we dive in, here’s the quick truth: most perfumes fade because they’re applied wrong. Pulse points, layered moisturizer, and proper storage make a bigger difference than the price tag.