When I think of luxury fragrances, one of the first scents that comes to mind is Miss Dior. The warm floral blend was my first big girl perfume purchase once I moved on from the overly sweet scents of my teenage years. So when the brand recently launched three new solid versions of the beloved fragrance, you know that I (and the rest of the Cosmo beauty team, ofc) had to give them a try.
Do the new Miss Dior Mini Solid Perfumes smell as good as the OGs? Does solid perfume last on skin? And is a solid perfume actually better than a rollerball? We get into all of this, and more, below:
About the Dior Miss Dior Mini Solid Perfumes:
There are three versions of the solid perfume: Miss Dior Parfum, Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, and Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet (all of these scents exist in liquid, spray-on form as well). The solid fragrances feel like a lip balm (they're made with rose wax) and come in the most gorgeous patterned cases. The formulas are entirely spill and leak-proof (making them excellent for travel) and the size and shape of the cases are similar to that of a lipstick, so they're easy to stash in a pocket or mini bag.
Team Cosmo's Miss Dior Solid Perfume Review:
Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor
"I initially fell in love with the lipstick-like case and it's super-chic detailing. It literally looks like a mini luxury item in itself. I tested the classic Miss Dior Parfum and it was the perf mix of innovative (apropos of the packaging), yet nostalgic (thanks to the cult-favorite scent).
The balm consistency was super easy to glide on— it felt buttery and didn't leave behind any residue (which is something I hate about rollerball perfumes). The scent was that classic Miss Dior one I know and love. It wasn't as potent as misting it all over my body (because obviously) but the subtle floral scent lasted for hours on end. It's ideal to throw in my bag for the work day when I need a lil fragrance pick-me-up, but don't feel like spraying on something overly strong in the middle of the office or on the subway."
Beth Gillette, beauty editor
"I'm not a subtle perfume person. I wanna be smelled the second I come into someone's airwaves, which is why I always need an effective reapplication technique. Typically, this has been rollerballs and travel sizes. However, I usually hate spritzing something when I'm at a bar or restaurant to avoid bothering people around me, and rollerballs just don't emit nearly enough scent, IMO. So the solid perfume boom has seriously caught my eye.
I already knew I was a fan of all Dior perfumes (Miss Dior is my go-to first-date scent). Upon first impression, this is definitely the prettiest solid perfume I've ever used. It fits easily in all my tiny purses and is so easy to just pull out and dab onto my wrists and neck, no matter where I am.
As I kept testing, I was impressed by how long the scent lasts. I put a little on each wrist around lunch time, and by 8 p.m., I can still catch a whiff. It's definitely not #beastmode by any means (this is offering up more of a skin scent vibe) but it's there nonetheless."
Lauren Balsamo, beauty director
"Forget rollerballs, this solid perfume is by far the best way to apply fragrance on the go. The packaging reminds me of a super chic lipstick case, and the scent is so lovely: soft, floral, and subtle enough that I can reapply it a million times without overwhelming my senses. It's the easiest thing to throw in my work bag and apply while I'm at my desk mid-day (as pictured below), I'm simply obsessed."
The pros and cons of the Miss Dior Mini Solid Perfumes:
Pros:
- Gorgeous packaging that looks like a luxury good from Dior.
- Comes in three different scents so you have the option between the OG Miss Dior (the most intense), the Miss Dior Eau de Parfum version (it's slightly lighter) and the Blooming Bouquets (which is a bit more floral and powdery).
- Easy for on-the-go application because the cases can truly fit into any size bag or pocket
- Alcohol-free formula won't dry out your skin.
Cons:
- Scent is on the subtle side but that's expected for a solid perfume.
- More expensive than other solid perfumes we've tested (but it's Dior after all).
FAQs
What is a solid perfume?
A solid perfume is essentially a compact balm version of a fragrance that you swipe or press directly onto your skin. The scent is usually less concentrated than a liquid perfume or body mist. Perfume solids are great for their portability and convenience compared to typical glass tubes or travel-sized bottles.
How do you apply a solid perfume?
Solid perfumes are designed to be applied directly onto the skin for a subtle and long-lasting scent. To use, simply swipe your finger over the balm to warm it up, and dab it onto your pulse points or places you typically spritz perfume (think: wrists, neck, collarbone etc). You can layer the perfume by reapplying as needed throughout the day or with other solids for a unique fragrance concoction.
Are Dior's perfume solids actually worth it?
The solid minis range in price from $72 to $94, so they're a luxury perfume purchase. But don't you worry, just a bit of product goes a long way—unlike typical spray formulas, you only need a small amount, so these perfumes are sure to last you some time. The packaging is also super chic, and it's our current fave way to tote around a luxury scent on the go. If you're willing to splurge on a solid perfume, we think any of the Miss Dior options are a great investment.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo, where she reports on the latest and greatest beauty launches from everything including facial devices to lip balms. For this story, she, along with beauty editor Beth Gillette and beauty director Lauren Balsamo, tested all of Dior's solid perfumes for several weeks. With a combined experience of nearly 20 years in the beauty industry covering everything from award-worthy scents to perfume trends, we know a thing or two about what makes a good fragrance.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
