THE BEST HAIR FRAGRANCES: BRING YOUR SIGNATURE SCENT TO YOUR STRANDS

When drenching yourself in your signature scent, you’re probably focusing on the pulse points right? We’re talking behind the earlobes, on the inner wrists and that final, impulsive all over spritz. But have you ever thought about saturating your strands too? 

Yes, that’s right, with over 10,600 hashtags on TikTok and an 3,100% increase in Google searches, hair perfumes are on the rise – and we couldn’t be more pleased.  

Paying homage to these scent-sational formulas, we caught up with two industry experts to uncover everything you need to know about hair fragrances and what are the best hair fragrances on the market right now… 

MEET THE EXPERTS  

• Diana Pratasiewicz, OUAI’s Senior Director of Global Education Content 
• Nadine Ibrahim Bacha – Byredo’s International Trainer 

BUT FIRST, WHAT IS A HAIR FRAGRANCE 

“A hair fragrance is typically a lightweight mist, specifically designed to scent your strands. Unlike regular fragrances, hair perfumes are formulated to be gentle on your locks, leaving them smelling fresh without weighing them down” says Diana.  

Created to be spritzed directly onto your lengths, “the best hair fragrances often contain lower levels of alcohol or are completely alcohol-free, making them less likely to dry out or damage the hair” explains Nadine. Renowned for their multitasking properties, “they may also include nourishing ingredients like oils, vitamins, or UV filters that protect the hair from environmental stressors. For example, Byredo’s perfumes contain butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (octinoxate) – that act as chemical UV filters that protect against sun damage, UV rays and colour fading” she adds.  

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HAIR FRAGRANCE AND BODY FRAGRANCE 

The main difference between a body and hair fragrance is “the amount of fragrance oil in the formulation as this determines what type of fragrance formula it is” clarifies Diana. Keep scrolling to see the percentage of perfume oil for each scent type. 

Parfum concentration of perfume oils – 20-40% 

Eau de Parfum concentration of perfume oils – 15-20% 

Eau de Toilette concentration of perfume oils – 5-15% 

Eau de Cologne concentration of perfume oils – 2-5% 

Hair mists & fragrances concentration of perfume oils – 1-2.5% 

DO HAIR FRAGRANCES LAST LONGER THAN BODY FRAGRANCES 

“Not necessarily. However, as your hair is always in movement, your mane makes for the perfect vector for perfume as it amplifies the delicately scented trail you will leave when on the move” says Nadine. But it also depends on the formula itself. Diana adds: “OUAI’s St Barts Hair & Body Mist was dreamt up to be sprayed effortlessly and frequently lasting up to three to four hours.” 

BENEFITS OF USING HAIR FRAGRANCES  

Along with their alluring aromas, the best hair fragrances have a plethora of benefits that are worth knowing about. And luckily for us, Diana and Nadine spotlight all the reason why we should be investing in these mane-changing concoctions… 

They’re colour-safe: “Designed specifically for hair, these fragrances are typically designed to not dry out or damage hair, making them a safer option for daily use for all tress types – including coloured and chemically treated hair.”  

They are nourishing for all hair types: “Typically lightweight and non-greasy, they don’t weigh the hair down or make it feel sticky. They’re designed to leave your lengths smelling fresh without altering its texture.” 

They’re convenient and refresh your mane: “Perfect for on-the-go use, hair fragrances offer a quick and easy way to refresh locks, especially between washes – ensuring they smell great even after exposure to environmental odors.” 

They contribute to scent layering: “Many people enjoy layering different scents for a unique fragrance profile. Hair fragrances add another dimension to this practice, enhancing overall personal scent.” 

OUR TOP PICKS 

• Byredo’s Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume 

• OUAI's St. Barts Hair and Body Mist 

• Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Perfume 

• Pacfica Dream Moon Hair & Body Mist 

• Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist 

THE BEST HAIR FRAGRANCES  

BYREDO Hair Perfume Mojave Ghost 75ml

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RRP: 63.00€Current price: 56.70€

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Renowned for its woody composition, Byredo’s Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume pays homage to the soulful beauty of the Californian desert. Opening with the top notes of musky ambrette and fresh Jamaican Nesberry, this weightless formula signs off with the warming fusion of sandalwood and Chantilly. Plus, you can even personalise your intensity as the more you shake the bottle, the stronger it gets… 

OUAI St. Barts Hair and Body Mist 97ml

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RRP: 29.38€Current price: 22.04€

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Transport your skin, senses *and* strands to your favourite tropical island, courtesy of OUAI's St. Barts Hair and Body Mist. Gentle enough to be used from top-to-toe, this versatile offering fuses floral orange blossom accord with tuberose before signing off with notes of amber and musk. Now who said you need to use your airmiles to get a taste of paradise? 

Holding the title as the brand’s bestseller since its launch, Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Perfume is designed to refresh your lengths while enriching them with its signature apricot, citrus, and spring floral blend. What’s more, supercharged with the founder’s family Mirsalehi Honey, it strengthens and adds some serious shine too.  

Pacifica Dream Moon Hair and Body Mist 194ml

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RRP: 15.82€Current price: 11.87€

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Step into a fragrance-filled fantasy as Pacifica’s Dream Moon Hair and Body Mist encases your locks with an alluring aroma. The ideal pick me up for when on-the-go, the famed formula is adorned with notes of pink rose, velvety sandalwood and subtle accents of earthy patchouli. 

Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist

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RRP: 163.80€Current price: 147.42€

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Inspired by timeless icons through the ages, Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist was created to complement your tresses’ natural ability to diffuse fragrance. A lighter iteration of the original perfume, this everyday essential embellishes your strands with delicate freshness. Enhancing opulence, this powerful potion flourishes with its Turkish rose, patchouli and incense combination. 

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HAIR FRAGRANCES  

With strand scenting on the rise, where do we see this trend heading? “We've only just begun to explore the best hair fragrances. As the scalp care category continues to rise, we could see the emergence of hair fragrances that not only appeal to the senses but also deliver additional scalp and hair health benefits” foresees Diana. Similarly, Nadine believes that “the hair fragrance market will expand into a more premium offering with a more care-focused products and accessories.” 

What are your predictions?