Calling all fragrance lovers—have you added hair perfume to your shelf of favourite scents? I’d argue that aside from reformulated classics, reinterpretations of singular ingredients, and a recent push in clean compositions, you don’t see much buzz in the fragrance space. That is, until you consider the world of hair perfume—the lighter, less concentrated alternative to regular perfume, with the added benefits of the same conditioning ingredients you would find in your favourite nourishing hair products, like glycerin or aloe vera. Not to mention, hair perfumes are the perfect solution to keeping hair smelling fresh in between washes.
For a long time, I couldn’t stop hearing about Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Perfume after its 2021 launch—perhaps because I’ve long followed brand founder Negin Mirsalehi, whose family’s bee gardens inspired the sweet floral scent. “I made our signature fragrance into a hair perfume, because I wanted our community to be able to indulge in our iconic scent whenever they pleased to always feel fresh and confident—whether it be to finish off their look or to refresh in between washes,” Mirsalehi explains over email. Described as “playful, fresh, and feminine,” the OG hair perfume was so popular, Gisou debuted a second iteration this year—a Floral Edition, centred around a wild rose aroma.
For a beauty brand that plays in both the fragrance and hair care arena, a hair perfume feels like a natural extension—after all, what many users associate with their favourite hair care products is, of course, a scent. In Mirsalehi’s case, that’s her family’s bee garden in the Netherlands.
Dianna Cohen of Crown Affair, has another hair perfume that’s popular. The scent—a smooth balance of citrus and sandalwood—is the effortless, cool-girl vibe her brand is known for. “When I first started working on Crown Affair four years ago, the first thing I dove into was developing the perfect scent for the line,” she says. “I communicated to the team what I wanted the fragrance to feel like. I asked them to capture the ‘essence of Kate Moss but if she were in Japan in the 1970s.”
Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation, describes hair perfume as a less expensive investment and a great entry into fragrance for new or younger customers. Plus, it’s an integral step in fragrance layering—the art of combining multiple scents to create a signature scent. “Hair fragrance is the next level of self expression and personalisation,” Levy adds.
“Scent lives differently and for longer in hair than it does on the skin, so we’re seeing more customers reach for hair perfumes,” Cohen notes. “There’s no better compliment than when you go in for a hug and someone says, ‘you smell incredible’—a hair perfume gives just that effect.” So, read on to discover Vogue’s guide to the best hair perfumes, from Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Chanel, Dior, and more.
The vacation dupe: Sol de Janeiro Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
- Why we love it: You’re likely familiar with Sol de Janeiro’s Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, perhaps because it went viral on TikTok or because it’s one of the most acclaimed fragrance mists. The draw is its delectable aroma that smells good enough to eat (which makes sense since cheirosa means to smell delicious in Portuguese). Cheirosa ’62, one of three available scents, bottles the Brazilian spirit through sunny day-esque notes of pistachio, salted caramel, almond, and vanilla.
- Key notes: Pistachio, almond, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood
The sweet and floral: Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Perfume
- Why we love it: “Fragrance is also the perfect medium through which we can bring our community into the Mirsalehi bee garden with us, sharing the beauty benefits our bee garden has to offer while honouring our 200-year heritage in beekeeping,” Mirsalehi explains. So, no surprise, this scent is very honey-forward, juxtaposed with citrus notes of apricot and mandarin.
- Key notes: Mirsalehi honey, lavender, blackberry
The classic: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume
- Why we love it: It’s well-known that Chanel makes some of the most classic scents on the market, so if you’re looking for a hair perfume complement to your everyday perfume, look no further than Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. Fresh, delicate, and feminine, this blends patchouli, vetiver, orange, jasmine, and rose into an aroma unlike any other.
- Key notes: Patchouli, vetiver, orange, jasmine, rose
The UV-protector: Moroccanoil Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
- Why we love it: When I think of the hair perfume I’d like to take with me on vacation, my mind goes to the Moroccanoil fragrance mist. Formulated for the hair and body, this leads with nourishing ingredients like argan oil and vitamin E, plus a sun-exposure absorber that protects hair from UV rays. On scent, expect a fresh, magnolia-forward fragrance sure to delight your senses.
- Key notes: Amber, magnolia
The cool kid: Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
- Why we love it: Byredo has a way of making fragrance, in all its forms, really, really cool; same goes for its hair perfume. While the label offers six of its most sought-after parfums in hair treatments, Mojave Ghost is the one to know. With a composition of magnolia, sandalwood, and violet at its heart, alongside ambrette, cedarwood, and amber, this is a genderless, truly layerable aroma.
- Key notes: Magnolia, sandalwood, violet, ambrette, cedarwood
The sensual: Edition de Parfums Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist
- Why we love it: Real ones know there’s nothing quite like Frédéric Malle’s Portrait of a Lady—an acclaimed perfume for women concocted by master perfumer Dominique Ropion. Following its success, the label distilled the scent into a lighter formulation to sit weightlessly on the hair. With just a few spritzes, one can revel in its undeniably sensual blend of Turkish rose, patchouli, sandalwood, blackcurrant, clove, and Jamaican naseberry that only accentuates one’s natural scent.
- Key notes: Rose, black currant, naseberry, clove
patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense
Best fruity and floral: Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Hair Mist
- Why we love it: What I like to think of as springtime in a bottle, this Jo Malone scent is a personal favourite, so picking up its hair mist is a no-brainer. King William pear, freesia, and patchouli are the key notes, paired with argan oil and vitamin B5 for extra hair conditioning benefits.
- Key notes: White freesia, patchouli, wood
Best citrus: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Universalis Scented Hair Mist
- Why we love it: Levy lists Maison Francis Kurkdjian as one of her favourite hair perfume labels. Known for some of the most iconic scents on the market, the brand’s Aqua Universalis Scented Hair Mist is not to be missed. It’s a light, airy, and citrusy scent brought to life by bergamot, white flowers, and lemon—perfect for a midday pick-me-up.
- Key notes: Sicilian lemon, Calabrian bergamot, freesia, lily of the valley, musk
Best rose: Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
- Why we love it: While there are numerous interpretations of roses these days, if the timeless floral scent is what you’re after then it’s essential to check out Diptique’s Eau Rose. Luckily, the label also offers the alluring scent in a lightweight hair mist—led by two types of roses, damascena and centifolia, rounded out by lychee and ambroxan.
- Key notes: Rose damascena, rose centifolia, lychee accord, ambroxan
The newcomer: Emi Jay Aura Hair Mist in Angel Wings
- Why we love it: A newcomer to the hair perfume game, Emi Jay has expanded their oh-so-cute products beyond accessories and tools. Enter their brand new hair mist, a dreamy and comforting fragrance aptly named Angel Wings. Resinous notes of amber and musk dry down to a fragrance reminiscent of a creamy powder, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Best of all, this mist works double duty, adding hydration to hair with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera and glycerin.
- Key notes: Ambrette, musk, ambrox
The hair and body: Phlur Heavy Cream Hair and Body Mist
- Why we love it: Seeking a scent that smells absolutely delicious? Phlur’s Heavy Cream should do the trick. Evoking the same decadence as an ultra creamy and sweet dessert, this mist is a velvety gourmand. However, don’t mistake this sugary goodness for something adolescent—notes of marshmallow coconut cream balance with whiffs of orange peel and blossoming jasmine for an elevated take on a sweet perfume. Plus, it doubles as a body spray—so don’t be shy when misting yourself.
- Key notes: Lemon sugar, marshmallow, orange, coconut cream, vanilla mousse, salted caramel, whipped cream, jasmine
The night out: YSL Libre Hair Mist
- Why we love it: For those that love YSL’s bold floral scent, there’s a hair mist to complete your Libre-loving routine. You’ll enjoy the same fragrance notes of French lavender, with Moroccan orange blossom juxtaposed by a musky vanilla base (with an added benefit). Pomegranate extract from YSL’s garden in Morocco for a touch of hydration and protection against free-radical stressors thanks to the fruit’s antioxidant-rich properties. The undeniable fragrance is the perfect finishing touch to your look before hitting the town for a night out.
- Key notes: Mandarin essence, lavender essence, blackcurrant accord, orange blossom absolute, vanilla extract, musks, cedar essence
The everyday wear: Crown Affair The Signature Scent Hair Perfume
- Why we love it: Not only does Crown Affair’s Hair Perfume smell good (it’s light, yet invigorating thanks to a burst of citrus), it’s packed with glycerin and aloe leaf extract to boost hair’s shine and reduce frizz. “The Signature Scent has the top notes of Italian bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass, and base notes of amber and sandalwood—it’s a blend of carefully selected notes that evoke a sense of luxury, freshness, and sophistication,” says Cohen.
- Key notes: Yuzu, lemongrass, Italian bergamot
This story first appeared on Vogue.com
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