If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to your pricey fragrances (because, same!), consider the best hair perfumes. They might not be as concentrated as your eau de parfums (which we find as a plus, honestly—some scents are simply too intense!), but each spritz lightly drenches your strands in subtly scented concoctions that make every hair flip smell salon-fresh. Plus, they’re not as drying as most traditional fragrances, which tend to be packed with alcohol. Translation: more scent and more shine.
Many of these trendy scents happen to be airier, more affordable plays on best-selling scents (hi, Byredo, Diptyque, and Balmain), so if you’re looking to save money on your next fragrance purchase, consider one of these options (most of which are under $90!). If you’re on a fragrance kick and looking to expand your collection, give one of these hair perfumes a go—maybe you’ll ditch your standard eau de parfum for good.
Our Top Hair Perfumes
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Why it’s worth it: It’s no shock that Gisou has a honey-infused hair fragrance in its lineup, but when all your products are this nourishing, luxurious, and so. Damn. Good, a little predictability is welcome. Made with jojoba oil and honey from the Mirsaleh bee garden in Holland (the same nutrient-rich honey found in all of Gisou’s hair care), the Honey Infused Hair Perfume hydrates, tames frizz, adds shine, and layers a hint of sweetness over any fragrance—or stands beautifully on its own for a soft, sugary finish.
Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry holding the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Melanie Curry
Curry applying the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume
Melanie Curry
Tester feedback from Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
“I’m a sucker for sweet scents, and Gisou’s Hair Perfume fits the bill. The scent is so strong that one to two spritzes are enough—any more and it’ll overpower your other perfumes. If you’re wearing this scent solo, you can spray as much as you want. And for my textured hair girls, this hair perfume works on our curls and braids, too!” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
Key notes: Mirsalehi honey
Available sizes: 50 ml
Best Citrus: Chanel Chance Hair Perfume
Chanel
Chance Hair Perfume
Why it’s worth it: For all things unwaveringly chic, classy, and display-worthy, you can’t go wrong with the Chanel Chance Hair Perfume. Pretty bottle aside, the scent that lives inside is noteworthy, too. One whiff and you’ll instantly notice a burst of grapefruit and jasmine, with the smoothness of white musk. While it’s light and bright, our testers found it to be super long-lasting, so you’ll get tiny hits of the clean scent throughout the day.
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han holding the Chanel Chance Hair Perfume
Sarah Han
Han applying the the Chanel Chance Hair Perfume
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
“Some hair perfumes are rather bulky (no shade!) but the extra-petite bottle of Chanel ‘s Chance Eau Tendre Hair Mist is perfect for me to throw into literally any of my purses without weighing them down. Chanel has a little bit of everything I like in fragrances: fruits, florals, and a touch of musk for an incredibly wearable scent that jives with me—and never overpowers.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Key notes: grapefruit, jasmine, white musk
Available sizes: 35 ml
Best Amber: Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Phlur
Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Why it’s worth it: True to its name, the first thing you’ll notice about Phlur’s Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is its warm, enveloping depth, courtesy of amber. Earthy saffron and creamy vanilla turn up the heat, while a heart of jasmine lends a soft, powdery touch that keeps the scent balanced. It opens with a bold presence, but as it settles, it melts into a skin-like warmth that lingers and catches attention just like a fine perfume.
Allure contributing editor Deanna Pai holding the Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Deanna Pai
Pai applying the Phlur Amber Haze Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I’m not a big fragrance girl, but when I do want to add a little scent, I usually reach for a floral. This one is warm and grounded on first spritz, but as it settled into my hair, I picked up more of the jasmine. And it’s super-subtle—only I can really smell it.” —Deanna Pai, contributing editor
Key notes: synthetic amber, saffron, jasmine, vanilla, musk
Available sizes: 90 ml, 240 ml
Best Luxe: Balmain Hair Perfume
Why it’s worth it: Sure, this vanilla-kissed hair perfume might make a small dent in your wallet, but a few spritzes go a long way, so a single bottle lasts for years. While the profile is stacked with star anise, tarragon, peach blossom, apricot, sandalwood, white musk, and more, the scent itself is anything but overwhelming. Rather, it’s comforting, cozy, and wraps around you like a warm hug. Infused with argan oil and silk protein, it nourishes dry strands, smooths away flyaways, and leaves your hair smelling (and feeling) as luxurious as it looks.
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner holding the Balmain Hair Perfume
Wohlner applying the Balmain Hair Perfume
“When I tell you I spritz this perfume on my strands every time I leave the house, I’m not lying (it sits on a shelf by my front door so I never forget!). It pairs beautifully with any other perfume I’m wearing because of its musky base, which adds a sultry boost to anything I’m already wearing. Plus, I always notice a nice glisten to my hair whenever I spritz it on. It’s a welcome confidence booster.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
Key notes: star anise, tarragon, pinewood, peach blossom, raspberry, gardenia, vanilla
Available sizes: 100 ml
Best Floral: Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava
Ceremonia
Perfume Mist de Guava
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards holding the Ceremonia Perfume Mist de Guava
Bianca Richards
Why it’s worth it: You’ll spot Ceremonia Mist de Guava on plenty of Allure editors’ desks and vanities—and for good reason. One spritz and we’re instantly transported from our laptops to a tropical island. Bursting with top notes of guava, lemon zest, and peach, followed by heart notes of jasmine petals and violet, it dries down to a bright, floral-citrus blend that feels like summer year-round. What’s more to love? The formula is infused with light-reflecting pearls, so when you spritz it on bare skin, you get a luminous shimmer that’s perfect for beach days or nights out.
“I remember seeing this conversation on social about sillage—the term used to describe the lingering scent someone leaves behind as they walk by. Honestly, when I’m choosing my perfume for the day, the sillage it creates is a huge part of finding the perfect body or hair fragrance. The Ceremonia Guava Hair and Body Perfume Mist has stayed in my summer rotation—not just because it’s giving guava girl summer and I’ve been wearing my curls out for extra spritz—but because I imagine that fruity, floral whiff might trigger a fun memory for someone else who might need that nice pick-me-up.” —Bianca Richards, social media manager
- Key notes: guava, lemon zest, peach, jasmine petals, violet
- Available sizes: 10 ml, 50 ml
Best Fruity: Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
dae
Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
Why it’s worth it: If you’re partial to an orange creamsicle, prepare to fall hard for Dae’s Dream Veil Signature Citrus scent. Bright citrus and orange blossom mix with warm vanilla for a fragrance that we like to call pure nostalgia (think a summer night at the ice cream truck, bottled). Like the rest of Dae’s desert-inspired lineup, it’s infused with cactus water to drench hair in hydration whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin holding Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
Shanna Shipin
Shipin applying Dae Dream Veil Hair + Body Fragrance Mist
Shanna Shipin
“Dae ‘Dream Veil’?! There truly couldn’t be a more perfect name for this product. It enrobes your hair in a heavenly, well, veil of fragrance that lingers long after you apply it. It’s a fruity, citrusy scent that’s both warm and energizing—and it’s the perfect finishing touch, especially on a sunny summer day. I swear it also leaves a nice sheen on your hair, without weighing any of your strands down.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
- Key notes: citrus, orange blossom, warm vanilla
- Available sizes: 80 ml
Best Rose: Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
Diptyque
Eau Rose Hair Mist
Why it’s worth it: In the world of hair mists, Diptyque’s Eau Rose is an OG, and, dare we say, the Miranda Priestly of fragrances. (The eau de parfum version is already what we’d call an industry power player.) As the name suggests, rose is the star here, but not the sultry, after-dark kind. This is a fresh, luminous rose—it taps two different types: damascena rose and centifolia rose—that leaves a bright, airy trail every time your hair catches the breeze. Infused with camellia oil, it nourishes strands while adding a subtle, tea-like note that keeps the scent light and elegant.
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto holding the Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto applying the Diptyque Eau Rose Hair Mist
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
“I’m a huge fan of fragrance and have a dedicated spot on my vanity for my many precious bottles. While I spritz based on my mood each day (one day I might feel like smelling super fruity and the next I might feel like a deep oud), I’ve been reaching for this delicate rose hair fragrance more and more. It might be because every time I wear it, someone asks me what fragrance it is.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
- Key notes: rose
- Available sizes: 30 ml
Best Vanilla: Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist
Maison Louise Marie
Hair and Body Mist Fleur de Vanille
Why it’s worth it: Vanilla takes center stage in Maison Louis Marie’s Fleur de Vanille, but it’s expertly balanced with raspberry for brightness, white citron for a crisp edge, and cashmere musk to keep the vanilla fresh and sophisticated (unlike the Victoria’s Secret body spray you wore in high school). Beyond the fragrance, the formula is packed with hair- and skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and seaweed extract, which hydrate and nourish.
Allure content director Kara McGrath holding the Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist
Kara McGrath
McGrath applying the Maison Louis Marie Fleur de Vanille Hair + Body Mist
Kara McGrath
“I love that, because this is for hair and body, I can spray it all over with abandon. The Fleur de Vanille scent delivers on the name’s promise: It’s a vanilla fragrance with floral top notes that keep it feeling fresh.” —Kara McGrath, content director
- Key notes: vanilla, raspberry, cashmere musk, clove, cane sugar
- Available sizes: 100 ml
Best Woodsy: Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
Byredo
Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein holding the Byredo Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume
Jennifer Hussein
Why it’s worth it: The beauty of Byredo’s Mojave Ghost is how subtle it is for a woodsy fragrance, and its hair-perfume variation is all the more subtle and refined This Mojave Desert-inspired scent features a base of cedarwood and musk (albeit chantilly musk, a slightly sweeter take on the skin-like note) lingering in the background, but the powdery violet and magnolia flowers soften the usually pungent edges of the more intense notes. Top notes of warm ambrette and fruity nesberry make this fragrance all the more unique and captivating—like a crisp, early morning.
Feedback from Allure tester Jennifer Hussein
“I have just about every form of Byredo’s Mojave Ghost scent, but the hair perfume is the one I reach for daily. Even if I washed my hair for the day, I can’t resist spritzing this soft-wood scent on my strands.”
Key notes: ambrette, nesberry magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, amber, chantilly musk
Available sizes: 75 ml
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a hair perfume different from other fragrances?
“Hair perfumes or mists usually contain hydrating properties like hyaluronic acid and other natural ingredients that cover odor, have UV ray protection, and give your hair just the right texture and shine,” writes New York City- and Columbus, Ohio-based hairstylist Mia Santiago. Hair perfumes are also more likely to be alcohol-free than their standard counterparts, which earns them a big A-plus from Santiago. She notes that because of the alcohol content, regular perfume “would be very drying to your hair and can cause breakage.”
Not only will you enjoy the light scent of hair perfume, but your wallet will, too, considering that they’re less pricey than their more-concentrated counterparts—this is largely because hair perfumes contain significantly less perfume oil. “Typically, a hair mist is dosed between 3 to 5% fragrance oil, whereas an eau de parfum is anywhere from 20 to 25%,” says Arielle Lebeau, a perfumer for Robertet Group. “Hair and body mists are also slightly more diluted as they contain a percentage of alcohol as well as a percentage of water, versus traditional fragrances that just contain alcohol.”
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For our review of the best hair perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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