15 Best Hair Perfumes That Will Level Up Your Scent Game
A few spritzes and I feel unstoppable.
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I’ll keep it real with you all: No matter how much dry shampoo I use, I'm just one of those people whose hair starts to smell super-not-great halfway through the day. I used to just douse my hair in my favorite perfume to mask any unwanted odors, that is until I realized many perfumes contain alcohol that can cause hair breakage and excessive dryness. The beauty industry, however, is always one step ahead of the game. And thus, the best hair perfumes were created. Yep, hair perfumes don't just make your hair smell amazing, they actually can even help moisturize and strengthen your hair strands too. Pretty genius if you ask me!
While there’s nothing as refreshing as a squeaky-clean wash, a hair perfume might just be the quick-fix product you’ve been missing in your life. Just like standard perfumes, not all hair perfumes are created equal. That’s why I rounded up the best hair mists the internet has to offer to help guide you. Here's a sneak peek at some of my faves.
Our top picks for the best hair perfumes in 2024:
Already running to add one of these to your cart? Thought so! Keep on scrolling for my top picks and details on how to choose the best hair perfume for you.
Pros
- Can be used on both the hair and body
- Affordable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some said the scent disappears too quickly
You probably know Sol De Janeiro for their best-selling butt cream, but all of their products—this hair and body mist included—honestly smell so good. Inspired by the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, it's filled with decadent salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla notes. And this mist isn’t limited to just the body and hair; the brand claims it’s suitable even for your clothes, making every dollar spent worthwhile.
Fragrance notes: Pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla
Glowing customer review: “This is the best scent ever! It smells like summer and gives warm beach vibes!”
Pros
- Lightweight
- Buildable scent
- Skincare-forward ingredients
Cons
- Some testers say the nozzle clogs easily
Obsessed with Rare Beauty’s entire makeup line? Same. The brand recently expanded into body care, and this fragrance mist quickly became a favorite of mine. It’s lightweight enough that it’s not overpowering and the mist applicator provides just the right amount of coverage you need. As for the scent itself, it features notes of lemon zest and jasmine that feel fresh, cool, and clean. I also love that the key ingredients provide benefits for both your hair and body, with biotin to strengthen your strands and niacinamide to repair your skin’s moisture barrier.
Fragrance Notes: Lemon zest, jasmine, and cashmere wood
Glowing customer review: “Such a fresh and relaxing smell. Love this for both daytime and spraying at night while winding down for bed.”
Pros
- Designer fragrance
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Some shoppers wished the bottle felt more luxe
- Pricey
If you’ve been anywhere on #PerfumeTok, you know Parfums de Marly’s Delina fragrance is an all-time favorite scent. Like its counterpart perfume, this hair mist smells deliciously sweet and floral while still being quite sophisticated. The brand suggests spraying the hair mist directly onto your brush before combing through for even distribution across your strands and a long-lasting scent laced into your hair.
Fragrance notes: Rose, lychee, and cashmere wood essence
Glowing customer review: “I receive so many compliments whenever I spray this on my hair. I smell so great, people always stop to ask me what I’m wearing!”
Pros
- Affordable
- Multiple scents to choose from
- Made with natural and essential oils
Cons
- Some shoppers note it is not as long-lasting as expected
Let’s be clear: You absolutely do not *need* hair perfume, but they are a truly great way to keep your hair looking and smelling fresh. If you’re still on the fence about splurging on a hair mist, try out Pacifica’s spray. At less than $15, this hair and body mist is a purchase you can make without buyer’s remorse. This lilac scent gets major points for being made with natural and essential oils that boost shine and smell heavenly.
Fragrance notes: Lilac, magnolia leaves, heliotrope, and hyacinth
Glowing customer review: “I've been searching forever for body sprays and perfumes that actually smell like lilac and have found very few. Or when I do, they are ridiculously expensive. This is inexpensive, layers well with other scents, and actually smells more like lilacs than almost anything I've tried in probably over 20 years.”
Pros
- Buildable scent
- Vegan formula
Cons
- Some shoppers note it is not as long-lasting as expected
Unlike the vanilla fragrance of your middle school nightmares, this fragrance is captivating and soothing. It has notes of coconut milk, ginger lily, and vanilla absolute that create a balanced aroma of sweet yet tropical. You’ll love the way it lingers on your hair and skin throughout the day. Trust me, this warm, subtle scent will be your go-to in no time.
Fragrance notes: Coconut milk, ginger lily, vanilla absolute
Glowing customer review: “The SAND Fragrance Body Mist is a fantastic addition to any fragrance collection. It’s versatile enough for both day and night wear, providing a touch of luxury and freshness whenever needed. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a unique and sophisticated scent.”
Pros
- Testers love how it smells like fresh-out-the-salon hair
- Scent matches other Morrocanoil products
Cons
- Reviewers wished it lasted longer on their hair
We guarantee that everyone’s going to scream “someone here smells good” the second you enter a room with this spicy amber-meets-sweet floral perfume on your hair. If you're a big fan of Morrocanoil products, you'll actually recognize this scent, as it matches all of the other treatment and styling products in the line. It only takes one spray for you to experience the illusion of freshly styled hair, as if you’ve just stepped out of a salon (without the $$$ blowout).
Fragrance notes: Spicy amber and magnolia
Glowing customer review: “Smells divine! Just like the Moroccan oil but in a spray, It’s not overpowering, but subtle. Love it!”
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fresh
Cons
- Pricey
Some scents can feel like they transport you from one place to another. While it might just be another regular day in the office for you as you sip on your overpriced latte, when you wear Diptyque’s Ilio hair mist, you can pretend you’re on a tropical island instead. This super fragrant hair mist not only has the cutest packaging designed by American artist Erik Winkowski, but it also smells like summertime in a bottle.
Fragrance notes: Prickly pear, bergamot, jasmine, and iris
Glowing customer review: “A super lovely and light summery scent that would suit anyone. It's not too floral or aquatic.”
Pros
- One of the most universally loved scents, according to testers
- Doesn't contain alcohol
Cons
- Some testers find it a bit too expensive for the size
Baccarat Rouge 540 blew up on TikTok, and this hair-friendly version of the luxe fragrance is a great way to try the scent for less $$. It costs less than a third of the regular perfume but smells just as rich and sweet. In fact many testers, myself included, prefer the lighter hair perfume version for daytime since the OG eau de parfume can be a bit heavy.
Fragrance notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, and ambergris
Glowing customer review: “I was afraid that it would be as intense as the perfume which gave me a headache, but this is amazing! This stays on my hair forever and wears off beautifully.”
Pros
- Filled with light fruity notes
- Helps add shine with oils
Cons
- Smelled a bit artificial to some reviewers
I’m obsessed with this hair perfume—like I've already gone through four bottles obsessed. It actually uses a mix of sunflower seed oil and olive oil esters to help coat my hair. But what I love most is the light fruity scent. And the brand has just released a new iteration, Sachajuan Protective Hair Perfume Bois Noir, that dives a bit deeper with top notes of white honey, cardamom, and ciste oil. So, pick your poison! Either way, your hair will smell great.
Fragrance notes: Green apple, peach, rose, cedar, and white musk
Glowing customer review “Love the scent and good product for hair."
Pros
- Uses honey and argan oil to make hair look v shiny and silky
- Doesn't contain alcohol
Cons
- Some testers wished the scent were stronger to last longer
Some hair perfumes can be a bit drying and make your hair look a bit dull (thanks a lot, alcohol). But! Not this one from Gisou. It's actually infused with honey and argan oil to give your hair a shiny coating. Plus, it'll make your hair smell like you legit dipped it in a honey pot. Yummm.
Fragrance notes: Honey
Glowing customer review: “Buy it, it smells like generational wealth. I waited a few years before finally taking the plunge and I shouldn’t have stalled. I get compliments every single day! Coworkers, students, and even total strangers in passing!”
Pros
- I *love* how tropical this smells (thanks to watermelon and lychee)
- Helps smooth flyaways, according to testers
Cons
- Some testers wished it helped mattify hair a bit
This hair refresher perfume spray from Oribe has notes of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower that's reminiscent of the beaches in the Cote d'Azur region of southern France. Not only is the scent tres chic and tropical, but the formula also adds a beautiful shine to your hair and helps smooth down static and flyaways too.
Fragrance notes: Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood
Glowing customer review: “I really like it and it refreshes my hair when I cannot be bothered to wash my hair and just want to put it up in a bun. Does not leave your hair with any residue and seems to tame my little strays away.”
Pros
- Has a *very* strong, long-lasting scent
- Ultra-fine mist is easy to apply
Cons
- Can make your hair look a little greasy if you spray too much
- Some testers say the nozzle is prone to clogging
Have you ever been to the Mojave Desert? No? Me neither. But Byredo’s Mojave Ghost hair perfume is the next best thing. It’s a mixture of woody, musky ambrette combined with Jamaican nesberry. Oh, and there’s also a hint of sandalwood—one of my favorite notes to lure in the “I love camping” crowd, all without ever stepping a foot outside.
Fragrance notes: Ambrette and Jamaican nesberry
Glowing customer review: “It is a really fine mist that leaves such a lovely scent in your hair. You don't need to use much at all for a noticeable, long-lasting scent that surrounds you all day long.”
Pros
- Fresh scent isn't cloying or too intense, according to reviews
- Testers say you get a lot of product in the bottle
Cons
- May be too subtle to last all day
There’s nothing like realizing your favorite scent comes in a variety of formats, whether it be lotion, body oil, or hair perfume like this Jo Malone Hair Mist. I already use the English Pear and Freesia cologne on my body, so it’s nice to be enveloped in one scent from head to toe to avoid confusing innocent bystanders. Like the name implies, it contains notes of pear and freesia, but there’s also a hint of woody patchouli to make it smell a bit less green.
Fragrance notes: King William pear
Glowing customer review: “Seductive, sexy, feminine, elegant, fresh!!! And the hair mist is a beautiful addition to my English Pear and Freesia collection because it scents my hair with my favorite scent while making it shine and look incredibly healthy!!!”
Pros
- Lasted the longest of every hair perfume I tested
- Helps strengthen hair with proteins
Cons
- Most expensive hair perfume on this list
This Balmain perfume not only guarantees clout when people come over, but it’s super strong, with notes of raspberry, orange blossom, cedar, and pine. And because it’s a perfume rather than a light mist, it’ll linger on your hair legit all day long. The formula also contains silk protein and argan elixir, so it’s not just surface-level; it strengthens and protects your hair from damage a lil bit too.
Fragrance notes: Tarragon, pinewood, and peach blossom
Glowing customer review: “I am IN LOVE with this product. It doubles as a perfume and a silky, smoothing hair treatment. Whenever I apply this, my hair is oh-so-soft to the touch and the compliments on scent are endless.”
Pros
- Reviewers love how long this lasts on their hair
- Half the price of regular Chanel perfume but smells the same
Cons
- May be too strong for some
Why deny yourself Chanel? Not only does this hair mist look great on your nightstand, but it also smells impeccable. It's got Chanel's classic warm, spicy patchouli, but it also features some pink pepper and jasmine to make it a bit more fresh.
Fragrance notes: Pink pepper, jasmine and amber patchouli
Glowing customer review: “I have been liberally spraying this for a couple of days and for a hair mist, the longevity is amazing. If accidentally sprayed on clothes, the scent lasts until the next day and then some."
What separates hair perfume from regular perfume?
The difference between hair perfume and regular perfume is that hair perfume contains less alcohol and is generally less potent, says Ashley Balavoin, senior perfumer at Firmenich. Your hair absorbs scent much better than your skin, though, so hair perfume sometimes lasts longer.
When compared to regular perfumes, hair perfumes are often filled with more conditioning ingredients, like moisturizing oils, strengthening proteins, and hydrating humectants.
Is hair perfume good for your hair?
Hair perfume isn't either "good" nor "bad" for your hair, necessarily. If you have very-dry hair and reach for a hair perfume with alcohol as its first ingredient, it could potentially dry out your hair. Which is why you have to consider your hair type when choosing a hair perfume (more on this below). But hair perfumes can also be very moisturizing if they're filled with oils, which can potentially offset some of the dryness. It really all depends on the specific formula.
But most people love hair perfume for the same reason they love fragrance: As a self-care ritual. “Hair is very porous, which makes it great for holding onto fragrance, but the biggest benefit of hair scent is that it creates a pleasant experience and allows for an extra moment to extend your enjoyment of your favorite fragrance,” says Balavoin. The scent of your hair product is often what brings you back to that particular product, making it a lovely additional step in your beauty and fragrance routine.
How to choose the best hair perfume:
Consider your hair type.
Remember, hair perfume can potentially be drying if it contains alcohol. If you have dry hair, look for alcohol-free hair perfumes (testers love Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat Rouge 540 Scented Hair Mist). Or opt for hair perfumes that are filled with oils to make your hair shiny and smooth, like Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hibiscus Hydrating Hair Oil Mist. But, similarly keep in mind if you have oily hair, as these mists can make your hair a bit greasy if you spritz on too much.
Assess your scent preference.
If you want a light, fresh hair perfume that won't clash with your daily perfume, consider one like Gisou's Honey Infused Hair Perfume, which has a sweet scent that isn't too overpowering. However, if you want something to act as your overall perfume, then try something more potent (I love Chanel Chance Hair Mist).
Meet the experts:
- Ashley Balavoin is the senior perfumer at Firmenich and has over 27 years of experience developing consumer and fine fragrances for North and South Americas, Asia and Europe.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with nearly three years of experience writing beauty stories that range from curling irons to mini flat irons. She’s an authority in all hair categories, but is an expert when it comes to hair perfumes, thanks to years of personally researching and testing different scents and brands.
Daisy Maldonado is an editor who covers everything from the latest fashion news to deeper looks at beauty culture and the internet’s most talked-about pop culture moments. She’s especially interested in the intersection of style and digital culture, and loves exploring what the trends we follow say about us. When she’s not writing, she’s probably four pages deep on The RealReal searching for vintage designer pieces or planning her next trip abroad (she lived in Paris for a year and hasn’t stopped talking about it since). Her work has appeared in Vogue, Bustle, Allure, and many more.
Iman Balagam is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly five years. She has written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Harper's BAZAAR, Allure, Byrdie, Elle and more. She will try *nearly* anything and spends a lot of time looking for new ways to store her beauty products in a small New York apartment.
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