When it comes to beauty, there are many, many things French girls do well. We've been taking cues from them for achieving everything from perfect bold, red lips, to pulling off Jeanne Damas-worthy wispy bangs. Another French-girl favorite we've been taking notes from has been their smart use of fragrance throughout history (which, of course, can be heavily credited to the country's strong influence in the world of perfumery). Not only have French girls discovered how to keep us on our toes when it comes to making new fragrance discoveries, but they've also mastered the art of layering scents from head to toe.
Letting a luxurious, refreshing fragrance drift from your strands with the help of a hair perfume is one of the easiest ways to pull off a similar effect whether you regularly walk the streets of Paris or New York City. If you're wondering how to choose the best hair perfume, you're in luck. Keep scrolling for an expert breakdown of the underrated product and some tips and tricks on how to shop for them.
Hair Perfumes vs Body Scents
According to Frances Shoemack, founder and CEO of New Zealand–based natural fragrance brand Abel, the composition of all scents differs based on what unique ingredients go into its formulas. "Perfume formulated specifically is typically lighter concentrations, sometimes a lower alcohol content, or it can come in an aerosol format—something I advocate against due to the harsh chemicals and environmental impact," explains Shoemack. So, the next time you're deciding between an eau de parfum and hair perfume, think beyond the fragrance notes.
With that being said, who says you have to decide between wearing hair a body fragrance and a hair perfume? Some products even offer a formula designed to do both. That said, hair perfumes might be worth investing in if your goal is to smell beyond chic. "In a similar way to spraying perfume on your clothing, wearing perfume in your hair helps your fragrance to last longer because hairs are more porous than the skin, and there’s a larger surface area for scent molecules to attach to," Shoemack explains.
Additionally, fragrance in the hair is less likely to come into contact with sweat and sebum, as there’s less on your strands than on the skin. The true question is not whether one fragrance lasts longer than another, but rather which benefits you’ll achieve when a scent is placed on different areas of the body (in this case, your hair vs. your skin). It’s also worth noting that eau de parfums, even without formulas specifically designed for hair, still last a long time.
The Best Hair Perfumes, Listed
- Touchland Vanilla Velvet Power Essence Body & Hair Fragrance Mist
- Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
- Jo Malone London Wild Bluebell Hair Mist
- BDK Parfums Bouquet de Hongrie Hair Perfume
- Diptyque Fleur de Peau Hair Mist
- Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724 Scented Hair Mist
- Byredo Bal D'Afrique Hair Perfume
- Crown Affair The Signature Scent Hair Perfume
Layering With a Hair Perfume
There are many ways to discover which fragrances can be layered for the best finish, and perfume worn in hair can make a big difference in your fragrance layering routine. For the best results, Shoemack recommends choosing scents formulated with natural ingredients safe for use on the hair and skin such as the perfumes from Abel's eau de parfum collection. While they're not specifically formulated for the hair, they're safe for wear in hair due to the non-denatured alcohol in our formulas and 100% natural ingredients.
When applying hair perfume, Shoemack recommends avoiding spritzing any product at the root, instead, keeping to lengths and ends. "Choosing a different scent in your hair vs on your skin is a nice way to layer. I would suggest a fresh scent in the hair (such as Abel’s Laundry Day) and a heavier scent worn on your body, as spices, woods, and resinous ambers benefit from the warmth of the skin," she says. For Shoemack choosing the right fragrance is all about quality over quantity, and selecting a scent crafted from natural ingredients that you love and can be worn as you please.
Below, see our top picks for hair perfumes that nourish your strands while keeping them healthy from popular brands like Touchland, Penhaligon's, Salt & Stone, and Gisou.
Scent Type: Warm gourmands
Key Notes: Vanilla vapor, creamy almond, fresh muget
If you can't leave the house without tucking Touchland's hand sanitizer into your bag, you'll love its new line of body and hair fragrances. This Vanilla Velvet scent combines vanilla vapor with creamy almond, coconut flakes, and fresh muget for an enchanting gourmand experience that rivals all others.
Customer Review: "I love vanilla scents in general and I have to say I have never come across one that is so perfectly balanced—it's creamy in the best way possible and I get hints of almond coconut with the perfect overlay of vanilla. I am honestly so impressed that they put this in a body mis. I'll probably be reaching for this over my EDPs. Can't wait to try the others from this brand."
Scent Type: Warm gourmands
Key Notes: Lemon sugar, whipped cream, coconut cream, marshmallow, orange jasmine blossom, vanilla mouse
Some milky perfumes can be a hit or miss, but Phlur's Heavy Cream Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is the stuff of dreams. It's sweet yet elevated and blends decadent whipped cream, coconut cream, blooming florals, and vanilla mouse for a take on vanilla that's undeniably fresh.
Customer Review: "I love it! It smells like a bakery sweet smell yet a bit fruity as well. Just started wearing it and the compliments are rolling in. I’m getting the Vanilla Skin next so I can try to layer the vanilla mist with the heavy cream mist."
Scent Type: Earthy woods
Key Notes: Black rose, vetiver, oud
Another body and hair fragrance mist that's worth a spritz is this one by Salt & Stone. Designed with the intent of awakening and rejuvenating the senses, this scent offers a unique citrus woods fragrance using a skin and hair-loving formula of glycerin and red algae. It also layers beautifully with the brand's other three scents (my top pick is Santal & Vetiver).
Customer Review: "Its delicate mist delivers a refreshing burst of fragrance, combining the warm, creamy scent of sandalwood with the smoky, grounding aroma of vetiver. The result is a balanced and sophisticated scent that lingers gently on the skin throughout the day. Crafted with natural ingredients, this body mist not only smells divine but also nourishes and hydrates the skin, making it a luxurious addition to any self-care routine."
Scent Type: Citrus floral
Key Notes: Mirsalehi honey, flowers, apricot, mandarin
The Wildflower Honey Infused Hair Perfume by Gisou has steadily worked its way onto our radar since its launch in 2024. The delicately scented hair perfume will nourish and refresh your hair with a formula enriched with Mirsalehi honey to promote moisture and algae oil to add a healthy shine to your strands. Plus, your hair will be left with an irresistible sweet floral scent.
Customer Review: "I absolutely adore this hair perfume. I had never originally owned a hair perfume but this has completely changed my mind about it! After styling my hair or even after a quick brush, I will spray this maybe twice and it leaves my hair smelling phenomenal throughout the entire day!"
Scent Type: Light floral
Key Notes: Bluebell, lily-of-the-valley, persimmon, green leaves, clove buds, white musk
Looking for a floral hair perfume that will transport you to a sun-soaked garden? This mesmerizing fragrance opens with bluebell before shifting into a blend of blooming wildflower accords, crisp, green leaves, and spicy clove buds. It then introduces persimmon set against a milky peach note and powdery, clean white musk. Plus, it's formulated with argan oil and provitamin B5.
Customer Review: "I'm on my second bottle now. Usually 3–4 sprays on my long hair in the morning will last 'till next day. It pairs very well with the Wild Bluebell cologne. I've [gotten] so many compliments when wearing them together."
Scent Type: Warm floral
Key Notes: Lavender essence, orange blossom, musk accord
If you're a dedicated floral fragrance fanatic, there's a good chance you've come across Yves Saint Laurent's classic perfume. If you want your hair to receive the same luxurious treatment as your skin, use the Libre Hair Mist. It's infused with the brand's iconic scent and leaves your strands with a natural, silk-life finish thanks to nourishing pomegranate extract.
Customer Review: "I didn't know I needed this until I saw this. This product makes my hair shiny and moisturized and makes my hair smell soooo good. I'm obsessed with it. You really just need one spray of it and it lasts in your hair all day."
Scent Type: Green floral
Key Notes: Pear, blackcurrant, strawberry, Turkish rose, sambac jasmine, lorenox, musk, cedar, amber
The Bouquet de Hongrie Hair Perfume is composed of silk proteins to improve hydration and elasticity of the hair and delicately scents strands with a romantic blend of juicy pear, blackcurrant, Turkish rose, musk, and amber using an ultra-fine spray. We love how it doesn't dampen the hair so it can be left looking soft, silky, and shiny for days on end.
Customer Review: N/A
Scent Type: Fruity floral
Key Notes: Bergamot, lemon, orange, rose, jasmine, juniper berry, fir balsam, musk, ambergris
If we had to select one hair perfume that smells like falling in love for the very first time, this would be our top pick. Penhaligon's Luna Hair Perfume instantly refreshes the hair with zesty orange, powdery jasmine, soft rose, and fir balsam. It's also formulated with argan oil to keep your tendrils silky and shiny.
Customer Review: "I tried this for the first time the other day and I’m absolutely in love with it and the smell is beautiful, it’s very light, [and] lasts all day. I’m gonna start using it right before bed as an aromatherapy. It reminds me of summers at my grandmother's house in upstate New York. I don’t know why, but those were beautiful days and peaceful and the air smelled better and more crisp—you’ll love it too… guaranteed."
Scent Type: Warm florals
Key Notes: Ylang-ylang, damascena rose, jasmine sambac, grasse sambac
So, you want to bottle wealth? Dior's J'adore Hair Mist is the answer. The French brand's feminine floral scent is the result of combining ylang-ylang blossoms with damascena rose, jasmine sambac, and grasse sambac. So now, not only can your hair smell divine, but your hair will also have some eye-catching shine.
Customer Review: "I really like this Dior J'adore Hair Mist, especially when I'm on day three hair and dry shampoo just doesn't cut it. It's nice, light and feminine. Love it!"
Scent Type: Floral musk
Key Notes: Musk, iris, ambrette, pink peppercorn
Diptyque's Fleur de Peau Hair Mist is enriched with nourishing, camellia oil and can be trusted to fortify and fragrance the hair with a scent inspired by the legendary love of Eros and Psyche. You'll find notes of warm musk and fresh iris with the warmth of amber and spiciness of pink peppercorns lurking just underneath. After washing your hair, try rinsing with cold water to help make the hair mist last.
Customer Review: "If you love Fleur De Peau the perfume, you need the hair mist. Smells wonderful, I could smell it in my hair the next day. Many compliments from my hubby!"
Scent Type: Classic floral
Key Notes: Aldehydes, Italian bergamot oil, white floral accord, Egyptian jasmine, sandalwood accord, white musks
It's no secret Maison Francis Kurkdjian offers some of the most luxurious perfumes on the market, but did you know that many of those fragrances also come as hair perfumes? For example, the 724 Scented Hair Mist softly fragrances strands with notes of Italian bergamot, white florals, Egyptian sandalwood, and white musks. What's more, it has a light, airy texture while leaving your hair soft.
Customer Review: "As someone who has also worn the perfume prior to trying the mist, I was extremely happy with the longevity and the strength of the mist. The size of the bottle, scent duration on not just the hair but the skin makes it a very good value for a high-end fragrance house scent"
Scent Type: Powdery floral
Key Notes: Aldehydes, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood
That's right—Chanel's most well-known classic floral fragrance comes as a hair perfume. Infused with powdery jasmine, sweet neroli, and smooth sandalwood, the N°5 The Hair Mist can be spritzed onto a brush or directly on the hair to earn you nonstop compliments with every toss of your well-perfumed tendrils. What's more elegant than smelling good all the time?
Customer Review: "This product is amazing. Not only does your hair smell exactly like the parfum but it gives it a beautiful shine and finish. Gorgeous product and will definitely be purchasing this for life."
Scent Type: Floral woods
Key Notes: Bergamot, African marigold, bucchu, violet, cyclamen, vetiver, Moroccan cedarwood
With the original Byredo fragrance, perfumer Ben Gorham set out to celebrate the influence of Africa with a vibrant blend of bergamot, marigold, violet, cyclamen, and Moroccan cedarwood. This hair perfume is infused with the same woody, aromatic scent, except this time, it's a hair perfume designed to linger in your strands for hours on end.
Customer Review: "One of my favorite fragrances, but I try not to abuse it and alternate it with others. I especially liked the collection of one line, including shower gel and body lotion. I often use body lotion as a moisturizer for my hands. The smell lasts for a very long time and thanks to this you want to constantly use it. Considered one of the most complimentary and classic scents"
Scent Type: Fresh florals
Key Notes: Bergamot, green tea, sandalwood
This clean hair-and-body mist uses a lightweight, hydrating, nondrying hair perfume by Crown Affair to add shine and reduce frizz, and features a fresh floral fragrance that blends seamlessly into your hair to complement other scents you may be wearing. The fresh floral hair perfume combines mood-lifting bergamot, green tea, and a touch of sandalwood for a new signature scent.
Customer Review: "This is such a bright, clean, subtle fragrance—my hair hasn't gone a day without this scent since it arrived. It is perfect for layering with my go-to fragrance or simply spraying it by itself. I am very particular about what goes on my shelf and tend to be a one-product person. This and all of the Crown Affair products I have invested in have never disappointed. Beautiful!"
Scent Type: Earthy woods
Key Notes: Cedar, vanillin, coconut CO2, sandalwood, vanilla absolute, ambrettolide
If you're more partial to earthy tropical fragrances than fruity ones, then consider wearing Heretic's Dirty Coconut Hair Perfume the next time you're longing for a sandy beach. It combines creamy coconut with sustainably harvested sandalwood and vanilla while refreshing the hair with hours of wear.
Customer Review: "Love this product! Not only is the smell amazing and addictive but not over powering, it has the added benefit of taming some of these over processed tresses of mine, without being heavy or weighing my hair down. Just calming the frizz, making it feel soft and smelling great. Amazing!"
Scent Type: Classic floral
Key Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nympheal, vetiver, akigalawood, ambrofix, musk
Fans of Parfums de Marly's Valaya Eau de Parfum, this one's for you. The Valaya Hair Mist combines classic floral notes of fresh bergamot, mandarin, sweet white peach, and orange flower set against heartier notes of vetiver, akigalawood, and musk to refresh your strands in seconds. Not only is it the perfect size to carry with you in a purse, but it can also be spritzed onto a brush or directly onto the hair.
Customer Review: "This hair mist is an absolute game-changer! The scent is light yet incredibly captivating, giving my hair a fresh, luxurious fragrance that lasts all day long. It's not overpowering, but just the perfect touch of elegance. On top of that, it makes my hair feel soft and refreshed without weighing it down or making it greasy. I love spritzing it on—instantly elevates my mood and adds a subtle, lasting fragrance to my look. This is now a must-have in my haircare routine!"
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