7 Best-Smelling Hair Perfumes (That Actually Last All Day)
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17 seconds ago
Your next great hair day is just a spritz away
One of the best feelings ever? Getting stopped on the street by someone who wants to know where your perfume is from. It spells out instant gratification (and long-term smugness). But rather than leave scenting to your neck and wrists, why not extend the experience to your hair? Sure, shampoo and conditioner can make your strands smell good, but an ultra luxurious hair perfume will get you even more compliments.
Without further ado, here’s our pick of the best hair perfumes to shop now.
Jo Malone London
English Pear & Freesia Hair Mist, £40
Why we love it: For classic scents that never fall out of fashion, it has to be Jo Malone London. The fragrance label lured us in decades ago with its collection of fragrances and candles – many of which also live on as hair mists. The brand’s classic scent, English Pear & Freesia, comes fortified with argan kernel oil and pro-vitamin B5 to leave a healthy shine (and an addictive floral fragrance) in its wake.
BDK Parfums
Crème de Cuir Hair Perfume, £58
Why we love it: Another fragrance house to dabble in hair perfume is BDK Parfums. The Parisian label has a strong line of hair-appropriate fragrances, but this one instantly caught our eye (or rather, nose). Crème de Cuir features an artfully layered profile, with zesty top notes of mandarin and pineapple, followed by sandalwood and pink berries, and rounded off with a soft vanilla. Compliments guaranteed.
Lalique
Soleil Vibrant Lalique Hair Mist, £46
Why we love it: All of Lalique’s perfumes – even those formulated for hair – are handcrafted in France by top perfumers. (This fragrace specifically has been concocted by acclaimed perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Alexandra Monet.) Described as ‘a spray of sunshine’, Soleil Vibrant boasts a wonderfully woody, floral and vanillary scent that will instantly make you feel fresher.
Chanel
Coco Mademoiselle Hair Perfume, £60
Why we love it: It’s a classic for a reason. Coco Mademoiselle has long been a favourite at the perfume counter, and now it extends its reign in haircare. The recognisable notes of orange, jasmine, patchouli and rose have been enriched with an emollient that works to moisturise and soften hair – while making it smell utterly divine. The frosted pink bottle meanwhile, is the perfect size to slip into your handbag.
Penhaligon’s
Halfetti Hair Perfume, £48
Why we love it: British quirks come aplenty at homegrown perfumier Pernhaligon’s. The label, which is known for its complex fragrances and chic bottles, is unsurprisingly also a dab hand at hair perfume. It’s transformed one of its signature scents, Halfetti, into a hair-compatible fragrance emboldened by argan oil. A pretty perfume for your hair, and your dressing table.
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Perfume, £34
Why we love it: The cult favourite, Gisou has become a popular brand online thanks to its winning visuals and coveted products. And it certainly puts its money where its mouth is; the brand’s hair perfume is a light Mirsalehi honey scent with notes of rose, enriched with honey and argan oil that infuses hair with shine-boosting antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids. The result? Shiny, moisturised and bouncy strands.
Sachajuan
Protective Hair Perfume, £62
Why we love it: There isn’t a Sachajuan scent we haven’t loved – and while the brand might be more famous for its gorgeously fragranced shampoos and conditioners, its hair perfumes are certainly nothing to scoff at. Sachajuan’s hero hair perfume features the usual light and airy fragrance, with an added bonus of moisturising, promoting shine and offering some much-needed UV protection.
A Stylist’s Guide To Hair Perfume
What Is Hair Perfume?
As you’ve likely gathered from its name, hair perfume is a type of fragrance designed specifically for your hair. ‘It gives your hair a beautiful, subtle scent without the heaviness of traditional perfume or the weight of hair products,’ adds Neale Rodger, Style Director at STIL Salon. ‘Proper hair perfumes are formulated differently from regular eau de parfums; they’re usually lighter and contain less alcohol (or a softer alcohol blend that doesn’t disturb the natural protective oils in hair). They also often include conditioning ingredients to prevent dryness.’
Hair, he adds, is one of the best canvases for fragrance, thanks to its high porosity. ‘The clever bit is that hair actually holds scent really well because it’s porous, so a good hair perfume will leave a soft trail when you move,’ Neale explains. It won’t necessarily linger like it would on skin – ‘It’s more of a “swish and you’ll catch it” vibe than a full on fragrance,’ confirms the stylist – but the right hair perfume will still feel like a luxurious finishing touch.
‘It’s not essential, but it can make you feel great,’ says Neale. ‘It’s also a game changer between washes, after the gym or a long day at work – a quick mist and you feel instantly refreshed.’
Can You Use Regular Perfume On Your Hair?
You shouldn’t make a habit of it, says Neale. That porosity that makes our hair great for hosting scents also means it will hold onto any chemical we don’t really want there. ‘Traditional perfumes are usually high in alcohol, which can dry the hair shaft over time,’ highlights the hair stylist. ‘On coloured hair or hair that’s already dry, this can lead to dullness, brittleness and frizz. Perfume is essentially made for skin where natural oils will help buffer it, but hair doesn’t have that same protection once it’s out of the scalp.’
The Ingredients Guide
Just as with any other hair product, checking the ingredients list before applying is crucial. Many hair perfumes contain ingredients that help nourish and protect the hair: ‘light conditioning agents or nourishing oils like argan oil, jojoba oil and vitamin B5 can help with softness and shine,’ says Neale. ‘You might also see UV filters in some blends, these are great for helping protect colour from the sun.’
Some ingredients are also worth avoiding. ‘Anything with a high alcohol content is the main thing to avoid,’ warns the stylist. ‘If alcohol is the first ingredient and there’s no balancing conditioning element, it can be drying. Also be mindful if you have a sensitive scalp. Heavy synthetic fragrance blends can sometimes cause irritation if oversprayed near the roots.’
How To Apply Hair Perfume
Before you go spritzing, make sure you have the technique down. Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid spraying hair perfume on your roots – especially if you have fine or thin hair, or are prone to strands becoming greasy quickly.
You should also take a ‘less is more’ approach, adds Neale. ‘Hair holds scent brilliantly, so you don’t need to drench it,’ he confirms. ‘I would mist lightly from about 20 to 30cm away, focusing on mid-lengths and ends rather than the roots.’
And Neale’s top tip for a perfectly scented finish? ‘Spray onto a brush for a more diffused effect, or create a little hair mist cloud and walk through it. It’s also gorgeous layered over your usual fragrance for a longer-lasting, more dimensional scent.’
