Hair perfumes are now your go to accessories!
Most people spray perfume on their wrists and neck, but I’ll admit, I’ve snuck a spritz or two onto my hair, especially when I’m in between washes. But then I found out something not-so-great: alcohol, which is the base of most fragrances, can dry out your hair.
Spraying perfume directly onto your hair can potentially damage it because of the alcohol, chemical ingredients, and the risk of product build-up.
Hair is really porous, which is both good and bad. On one hand, it means your hair can get damaged more easily from harsh stuff like styling and chemicals. But on the bright side, this porosity is why your hair can hold onto smells so well. That’s the dilemma. But thankfully, that’s where hair perfumes come in. They’re not a scam. In fact, they’re less drying and often half the price of luxury perfumes.
What’s The Difference between Hair Perfume and “Regular” Perfume?
Hair fragrance is made differently from regular perfume. Some creators choose to reduce the amount of alcohol compared to typical perfume, resulting in a lighter or less concentrated scent. For many perfumers, a hair fragrance is a way to extend the scent of the original perfume while keeping its unique essence. Others also add ‘healthy’ ingredients to create a formula that not only imparts scent but also benefits the hair.
That’s exactly what Aurélien Guichard, founder and perfumer, did when he created Matiere Premiere’s new range of hair fragrances. “For our hair perfume, I focused on creating a scent that didn’t necessarily need to last more than a day. Instead, it should offer sensuality, a subtle scent trail, and a light effect – not overwhelming like wearing a helmet of perfume on your head!” he explains.
“I deliberately toned down the heavier ingredients to allow the lighter ones to shine. Our formulations contain less alcohol than Eau de parfum, and we added two nourishing active ingredients with natural origins. The first one protects the hair from external factors like sunlight and heat to maintain hair strength. The second ingredient improves hair flexibility and shine, protecting the hair fibers.”
Is Hair Perfume Good For Your Hair?
Whether a hair perfume is beneficial for your hair depends entirely on its formula. Hair fragrances can be a great way to add a pleasant scent to your locks. However, it’s essential to make sure that they’re safe for your hair and don’t contain any harmful chemicals. Checking the ingredients and choosing hair-friendly fragrances is key to keeping your hair healthy.
Using a hair perfume with a high alcohol content on colored hair can potentially strip the color, causing it to fade prematurely. Curly hair, especially if it’s bleached, tends to be dry, and alcohol-based products can make it even drier, leading to breakage and dullness. Fragrances containing heavy oils or drying ingredients can weigh down curly hair and disrupt its natural texture. Since curly hair is prone to frizz and dryness, it’s important to opt for lightweight hair fragrances that won’t cause excessive dryness or build-up.
There’s a significant difference between what’s good and bad for your hair. Hair perfumes are specially designed to work on hair, so they’re generally a neutral option. Unlike fragrances for the skin, which often contain high levels of ethyl alcohol that can be very drying, the best hair perfumes have a minimal amount of alcohol, making them much safer for your hair. They’re typically water-based and won’t weigh your hair down or leave it feeling stiff or sticky.
How to Choose the Best Hair Perfume
Choosing the right hair perfume depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to give your hair a nice scent or enjoy a fancy fragrance without breaking the bank, then the smell itself is the main thing to think about. Some hair perfumes also have extra perks like strengthening and moisturizing ingredients, which can be a big deal if your hair is processed, damaged, or naturally dry.
Keep an eye on the ingredients in your hair products, including fragrances. Stay away from harsh chemicals, alcohol, and sulfates because they can strip your hair of its natural oils and make it dry. Look for products with nourishing ingredients like vitamins, natural oils, and plant extracts instead.
If you want your hair scent to last, think about the notes in the fragrance. Just like regular perfumes, lighter scents like citrus tend to fade quicker than richer ones like leather or vanilla.
Our Top Picks
| Category | Product |
| Best Overall | Moroccanoil Hair and Body Fragrance Mist at Amazon |
| Best Budget | Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Hair & Body Mist at Amazon |
| Best Long-Lasting | Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume at Nordstrom |
| Best Lightweight | Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist at Nordstrom |
| Best for Curly Hair | Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume at Sephora |
| Best for Dry Hair | Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume at Nordstrom |
| Best Hair Perfume Oil | Ouai Hair Oil at Amazon |
1. Moroccanoil Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
| Fragrance Notes | Amber, magnolia, cedarwood |
| Additional Benefits | Hydrates, nourishes, protects from UV damage |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
If you’re looking for a hair fragrance, go no further than Moroccanoil, a brand that focuses on hair care. They probably spent a lot of time making sure their product was harmless and would add volume to your hair. As a lover of perfumes, I’m especially into finding products that make my hair look and smell fantastic. The hair perfume spray from Moroccanoil is my go-to hair scent. All hair types can use it, and it’s safe for your hair, plus it has an amazing smell.
Amber, magnolia, and woodsy undertones come together to create a fragrance with a subtle sweetness and spicy warmth. In addition to containing argan oil and vitamin E to hydrate your hair, this product is free of harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens. It also contains a sun-exposure absorber to protect your hair from the sun’s drying effects. This product is perfect for in-between-washes hair refreshment; it adds shine and softness and manages to avoid oiliness. Overall, it’s a fragrance that comes close to being ideal for hair.
What we like: It prevents sun damage and keeps hair hydrated.
What could be better: The fragrance does not stick all day long.
2. Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Perfumed Hair & Body Mist
| Fragrance Notes | Coconut, vanilla, vetiver |
| Additional Benefits | Doesn’t dry out hair |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 6 oz |
When it comes to affordable, all-natural cosmetic products with a delightful scent, we are huge fans of Pacifica. The blend of creamy vanilla, sweet coconut, and earthy vetiver in this hair and body mist is like a little piece of summer in a bottle. For those depressing winter days when you might need a pick-me-up, it’s the ideal remedy. The smell doesn’t linger long after application, which is a common complaint with hair mists.
This fragrance is fantastic; also, it is cruelty-free, vegan, and crafted with natural components. It’s also packaged in a recycled and recyclable plastic bottle, so it’s friendly to the planet, too. In addition, it does not include any drying alcohol and is devoid of harmful ingredients like as propylene glycol, parabens, and phthalates. It won’t damage your hair, but it won’t do anything to help, either.
And if you’re not a fan of coconut, that’s okay! In this range, Pacifica offers amazing fragrances such as Tuscan blood orange and Tahitian gardenia.
What we like: It does not contain any harsh chemicals or alcohol.
What could be better: The scent quickly disappears, which is something we dislike.
3. Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
| Fragrance Notes | Rose damascena, rose centifolia, lychee, ambroxan |
| Additional Benefits | Nourishing, protective |
| Color-Safe | No |
| Size | 1 oz |
It’s important to make sure that the scent of the hair perfume you choose doesn’t overpower you. You want something you’ll appreciate since it will be lingering on you all day. That’s when the hair mists from Diptyque come in useful. Especially the Eau Rose fragrance is light and invigorating, leaving your hair with a delicate but not overbearing scent. It has subtle notes of woodsy ambroxan, sweet lychee, and flowers.
The addition of camellia oil, to this Diptyque hair mist helps to avoid drying out your hair. It also nourishes and protects your hair from damage. Despite the modest size of the container, most individuals feel that a few spritzes are sufficient to get their desired scent.
What we like: The fragrance is very light and fresh.
What could be better: You don’t get much value for your money with this little bottle.
4. Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
| Fragrance Notes | Ambrette, Jamaican naseberry, violet, sandalwood, magnolia, musk, amber |
| Additional Benefits | Long-lasting, designed to release scent throughout day |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 2.5 oz |
The point of spending a little extra money on a hair perfume is to have a smell that lasts all day (or at least until you wash your hair again), so it’s worth it. This Byredo product certainly fits the bill, and we couldn’t be happier to share it with you. Mojave Ghost by Byredo is another one of my favorites. I think it’s such a great concept to coordinate the fragrances of your body and hair for a more opulent look.
The smell exudes an air of mystery thanks to its woodsy undertones and refined combination of fragrances inspired by the Mojave Desert. You won’t have to worry about your hair being weighed down or dry from using this product, but it won’t do anything to boost its health. Furthermore, it is an excellent alternative to a thorough wash for temporarily revitalizing your hair when time is of the essence.
What we like: The way it looks, feels, and smells is really luxurious.
What could be better: It doesn’t do anything for your hair.
5. Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
| Fragrance Notes | Honey, spring florals |
| Additional Benefits | Adds shine, hydrates, strengthens hair follicles |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
Negin Mirsalehi’s incredible Gisou hair care brand, which is based on her family’s honey-making history, is one of our favorite things. With her beautiful, thick hair, Negin proudly displays her lineage as a beekeeper that dates back six generations. In addition to protecting against UV rays and increasing shine, the products have an absolutely wonderful fragrance with hints of citrus and honey. The alcohol in the mixture might damage hair if left in for too long, although the manufacturer claims it dissipates quickly after use.
Having a product that works with all kinds of hair, including coily and curly hair, is a huge plus. In addition to reviving your hairstyle in between washes and leaving a shining finish, this one helps control frizz, which is great. By intensely moisturizing the hair and reestablishing its moisture balance, the main ingredient, Mirsalehi honey, does wonders to mitigate the drying effects of alcohol. Not only is the product cruelty-free, but the formula also doesn’t include any harsh chemicals like phthalates, parabens, or sulfates.
What we like: We can’t get enough of the wonderful scent, which combines sweet and citrus notes.
What could be better: It contains alcohol, which is something we dislike.
6. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume
| Fragrance Notes | Orange, rose, jasmine |
| Additional Benefits | Non-drying, smoothing |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 1.2 oz |
Chanel’s hair scents are our favorites as they include glycerin and dicaprylyl carbonate, two ingredients that keep hair from drying out and make it feel softer. You won’t notice any weight or stickiness in your hair after using these hair scents.
Hair mists infused with a variety of renowned perfumes from this legendary French label including N°5 and Chance, among many more. A particular scent that stands out to us is Coco Mademoiselle; it has a beautiful combination of amber, orange, and jasmine.
Even though there’s not a lot of product in the little box, it will last a long time and leave your hair smelling great. Even better, the bottle’s lavish design will take your vanity to the next level. All of your shelfies will be eternally thankful.
What we like: The fragrance lingers all day, and it’s gentle on hair.
What could be better: For the price, the bottle is very small.
7. Ouai Hair Oil
| Fragrance Notes | Violet, gardenia, ylang-ylang, white musk |
| Additional Benefits | Non-drying, smoothing, nourishing |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 1.5 oz |
A hair perfume oil may be the perfect solution for dry hair, allowing you to maintain the scent of your locks without the downsides. Even though it isn’t officially a hair perfume, this product from the line of famous hairdresser Jen Atkin smells and feels much like one. It smells very lovely, like stepping into a garden full of gardenias. The scent is so nice that I use it as a hair perfume even though it isn’t its original use. It has gardenia, violet, ylang-ylang, and white musk as its floral undertones. It may not be for you if you aren’t a fan of flowery fragrances.
This product will nourish your hair since Ouai’s mission is to make healthy, beautiful hair accessible to everybody. Protects your hair from UV damage, helps in preserving your hair color, gives a beautiful sheen, and fights humidity and frizz. As it does not include any sulfates, parabens, or phthalates, it is gentle enough to use on dyed hair and effective on all hair types and textures.
What we like: The fact that it is safe for dyed hair and works on all textures is one of our favorite things about it.
What could be better: It’s not suitable for someone who doesn’t like flowery scents.
8. Dior Miss Dior Hair Mist
| Fragrance Notes | Bergamot, Grasse rose, rosewood |
| Additional Benefits | Adds shine |
| Size | 1 oz |
A head full of fragrant roses—who wouldn’t desire that? We’re grateful that high-end designers like Dior provide hair mists infused with their own scents. A salon-worthy experience is yours with only one mist.
Elegant Grasse rose, zesty bergamot and crisp rosewood are the notes that make up the Miss Dior scent. Not only does the hair mist leave your hair smelling great, but it also adds shine. The scent lingers longer on thicker or curly hair but quickly disappears on thin or fine hair.
What we like: The scent is both modern and refreshing, which is why we like it.
What could be better: The smell lingers longer on some hair types than others.
9. Oribe Cote d’Azur Hair Refresher
| Fragrance Notes | Calabrian bergamot, white jasmine, sandalwood |
| Additional Benefits | Reduces static, provides UV protection |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 1.6 oz |
If your hair is very sensitive to smells, you may find that the fragrances of food or exercise remain in your hair for far longer than you would want. A hair scent that masks odors could be the perfect solution in such instances. This is just what you get with Oribe’s Hair Refresher; it gets rid of bad smells and leaves your hair feeling lovely, like a combination of fruity and floral notes.
But it’s not just about scent. Oribe has formulated this product to also nourish and protect your hair. Packed with ingredients like aloe leaf juice for hydration, amber extract for conditioning, and Oribe’s signature complex for hair protection, it ensures your strands stay healthy and static-free.
What we like: It eliminates bad hair odors.
What could be better: The scent wears off after a couple of hours.
10. Kerastase Chronologiste L’Huile de Parfum Fragrance Hair Oil
| Fragrance Notes | Tea rose, musk |
| Additional Benefits | Hydrates, volumizes, protects against environmental aggressors |
| Color-Safe | Yes |
| Size | 3.4 oz |
Kerastase is a Paris-based professional hair care company that uses its products to promote healthy hair and achieve a beautiful, glossy finish. In addition to its wonderful scent, its high-end hair oil has several practical uses. It includes hyaluronic acid, which nourishes and moisturizes the hair, and it imparts a beautiful sheen while fighting frizz. It also contains vitamin E to protect hair from everyday damage and abyssine to add volume and bounce. In the end, it makes all hair types feel healthy, lustrous, and silky smooth.
The “hair perfume” part may be a mystery to you at the moment. Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. A delicious blend of tea rose, light woods, and musk imparts a beautiful and invigorating scent to this oil. Although the majority of people find its scent delightful, not everyone will share this sentiment.
What we like: It leaves your hair feeling healthy, lustrous, silky, and soft.
What could be better: It emphasizes the advantages of hair care above fragrance.
What to Keep in Mind
Non-Drying Formulas
It is essential to choose a fragrance for your hair that will not make it dry. Sunlight, water, and styling products put even more stress on our hair than it already does. Choose a fragrance that nourishes your hair while protecting it from these environmental aggressors.
Perfume contains alcohol, which may be damaging to hair, so it’s best to avoid putting it on your locks. For a milder scent, choose hair scents made with natural oils and extracts instead. The fact that ingredients like hyaluronic acid can offer additional moisture is a major bonus. Try to find items that don’t use any animal testing and have clear labels that say they’re vegan.
Scent Intensity
When applying hair perfume, keep in mind that it will be directly under your nose, so a subtle fragrance is ideal. It may come as a surprise, but many hair fragrances don’t pack a strong enough scent for some people.
No need to worry about it being too strong; the fragrance business has laws that limit the concentration of fragrance oil.
Odor-Fighting Ingredients
Perfumes containing alcohol might be damaging to the hair, but they do a good job of masking smells. Nonetheless, other choices are accessible. After a particularly strenuous exercise or on days when I don’t wash my hair, I find that treatments containing essential oils and extracts work best to revive my locks. In addition to removing perspiration, many dry shampoos also have wonderful fragrances that linger on hair. My usual method involves working a dry shampoo into the roots of my hair and then working a fragrant oil into the ends.
Hair Benefits
You may improve your hair’s health with the help of several hair fragrances. Some examples of hair care products are Gisou’s honey-infused perfume, which protects hair from the sun and adds shine, and Kerastase’s fragrance oil, which nourishes hair and combats frizz with hyaluronic acid. After using Ouai’s hair oil, your hair will feel very smooth.
Hair scent is great, but it shouldn’t take the place of your usual hair care regimen. There is no universally applicable answer due to the wide variety of hair types and styles. I suggest trying out different combinations of your current hair care products and your favorite hair scent to see what works best for you.
Explore Further
