23 hair perfumes for an affordable hit of your favourite scent
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Hair perfumes may be the beauty product you never knew you needed. After all, doesn't a normal perfume just do the same thing if spritzed into the hair?! Well, not exactly. While they will deliver a hit of scent, most regular fragrances often include high percentages of alcohol which can be drying if sprayed into hair.
Hair perfumes, on the other hand, are formulated specifically to spray onto hair, so they come with added benefits of delivering moisturise, reducing static and adding shine, all while leaving behind a gorgeous trail that surrounds your hair in a scented a halo. Good, right?
In short, they're great little multitaskers and are a clever way to get a fix of your favourite perfume, and often in a slightly more affordable way. It's no wonder hair perfumes are now becoming one of our favourite ways to wear a scent.
Best hair perfumes at a glance:
- Best cult hair perfume: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist
- Best nourishing hair perfume: Arkive No One Elsie Hair and Skin Fragrance
- Best investment hair perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Hair Mist
- Best travel hair perfume: REHAB. Mini Hair Perfume
Why should you use hair perfume?
Hair perfumes, also known as hair mists, are a great alternative to traditional perfumes, as they are formulated to be lighter and more subtle, making them perfect for everyday wear and spritzing for a refresh throughout the day.
Not only do they deliver a hit of your favourite scent, they're also a clever way to keep your hair smelling fresh and clean. They work to neutralise any unpleasant odours, like post gym strands when there's no time to wash your hair. They can also combat exposure to environmental scents such as pollution, smoke. Or, they're a beautiful way to introduce your fragrance in a more lasting (and gentle) way, since fragrance sticks around for longer in hair than it can last on your body.
Mona Kattan, founder of fragrance brand Kayali says: “For the longest time, I have been spraying perfumes straight into my hair until I realised how damaging and drying it can be due to the alcohol content. Using an alcohol-free hair mist instead is just the perfect way to refresh your hair throughout the day, especially if you look for formulas with extra nourishing ingredients…
What ingredients should I look for when shopping for hair perfume?
When shopping for hair perfume, there are a few ingredients to look out for that can help to ensure you choose a high-quality product that delivers the desired results. It's important to choose a hair perfume that not only smells great but also provides nourishment and protection for your hair. Here are some ingredients to keep in mind:
- Fragrance oils: These oils are responsible for giving the hair perfume its scent. Look for high-quality fragrance oils that are designed specifically for hair use to ensure they are safe and won't cause any damage.
- Conditioning agents: Many hair perfumes contain conditioning agents that help nourish and moisturise the hair, leaving it soft and shiny. Look for ingredients like argan oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter.
- UV filters: If you spend a lot of time in the sun, look for a hair perfume that contains UV filters. These filters help to protect the hair from the damaging effects of the sun's rays.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants are important for protecting the hair from environmental damage, such as drying or changes to your hair colour. Look for ingredients like vitamin E and green tea extract.
- Alcohol-free: Alcohol can be drying and damaging to the hair, so look for hair perfumes that are alcohol-free or contain a low amount of alcohol.
- Natural ingredients: If you prefer to use natural products, look for hair perfumes that contain natural ingredients like essential oils, flower extracts, or fruit extracts. These ingredients can provide a subtle, natural scent while also providing benefits for the hair.
Here's an edit of our favourite hair mists to try…
Why we love it: One of the most iconic “insider” scents, but in hair perfume form. If you've been tempted to try Maison Francis Kurkdjian's cult Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance but have been offput by the eye-watering price, this is a more accessible route in. And, alongside leaving a seductive trail, castor oil and lilac extract leave hair feeling extra soft and conditioned.
Why we love it: If you want a hair mist that will give you good vibrations, look no further. This gentle alcohol-free formula blends lotus flower and white tea with a deeply hydrating and nourishing hydra-boost complex to ensure hair looks as good as it smells.
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Why we love it: Created by celebrity hair stylist, Adam Reed, Arkive takes a more holistic and rounded approach to haircare, focusing on headcare (your mood and mental health), too. That's why he developed four hair and skin fragrances to refresh your strands and help you inhale something beautiful as you go. No One Elsie is a lush rhubarb scent inspired by Adam's grandmother's greenhouse. And each of the fragrances are infused with nourishing baobab oil to keep hair looking healthy.
Why we love it: The infamous honey-infused hair mist from Gisou has had a rosy glowup in the cult brand's latest hair mist. The floral edition is inspired by a wildflower garden, inhabited by wild roses and bees, and features Mirsalehi Honey, a natural humectant that promotes moisture retention and nourishing Argan Oil.
Why we love it: Made from more than 90% natural-origin ingredients, while this does contain alcohol to help with longevity, it's made from French beetroot and a byproduct of responsible farming. As for the scent, this is a sweet and smoky blend of jasmine and rose, toughened with leather and oud and a little creamy sandalwood.
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Why we love it: If you're unfamiliar with Rehab, the female-founded hair brand looks specifically at hair health with pre-dosed hair oils and gentle tools and stylers designed to keep hair looking beautiful, while swerving damage. This mini hair perfume features the brands signature jasmine floral scent, alongside rosemary and castor oil to repair and refresh damage and dry ends. Plus, it has UV ray absorbers to protect hair from the sun.
Why we love it: Suitable to use across your body and hair, this has refreshing ingredients like upcycled floral rose water and soothing vanilla blossom. As for the scent, the wild vanilla note offers warmth without feeling overly sweet, cassis and citrus add a tart twist and bamboo and sandalwood keep the scent grounded.
Why we love it: This hair mist goes beyond just scent, as it nourishes your hair while providing a non-drying formula. As an added bonus it also carries a UV filter that shields hair from the sun's damaging rays, ensuring both protection and fragrance all in one.
Why we love it: This mist not only enhances the trail of its Givenchy Irresistible Eau de Parfum but also elevates your hair ritual with just a few spritz. It carries a light texture, and gracefully clings onto your hair strands, leaving behind a luminous and mesmerising aroma.
Why we love it: This scent is inspired by Huda and Mona Kattan's Middle Eastern heritage, combining aromatic Tahitian vanilla, gardenia, jasmine absolute, and fruity notes of orange flower for a sensual, floral concoction full of hair-boosting benefits. It's also nice and light perfect to be layered with other scents.
Why we love it: The Halfeti Hair Perfume leaves an enchanting trace of black roses, grapefruit, and spices lingering delicately on your hair long after it has dried off. The amber, woody, and spicy notes weave a tale of opulence, while the base notes of leather, oud, amber, and resins serve as punch of a quietly luxurious lasting scent.
