TL;DR
The Crown Affair The Signature Scent Hair Perfume earned its top spot due to its fresh-smelling blend of bergamot, green tea, and sandalwood, which stands well on its own and with the rest of your fragrance wardrobe. It’s long-lasting and non-overwhelming. If you’re craving a summer getaway, the Ceremonia Guava Hair and Body Mist is the ultimate fruity scent, blending guava, lemon zest, and peach notes.
If you’re as fragrance-obsessed as we are, chances are you already have your signature scent, go-to seasonal picks, and a few special occasion spritzes in rotation. But if you pay just as much attention to the smell in your body lotion or hair products as your actual perfume, you’re about to discover your next olfactory obsession: hair perfume. “Hair holds scent exceptionally well, and a well-crafted hair mist can feel more wearable for daily life or close-contact moments,” explains Onyi Ifeguini, a chemist with over 20+ years of experience in the fragrance industry. “Not to mention, people are more protective of their skin today and are leaning into options that are gentle, elegant, and less overwhelming.”
Since not all formulas are equal, I decided to test the best hair perfumes to see which ones live up to their claims. Keeping in mind application, fragrance, longevity, and noting any other effects it had on the hair (read: was it drying?), I found the five best hair fragrances. Whether you gravitate towards warm vanilla or crave a zesty, tropical citrus for summer, there’s something here for every scent preference.
What We Like
-
Fresh scent is great for everyday use
-
Luxe bottle and even mist
-
Lightweight and nondrying
Fragrance Type: Fresh | Key Notes: Bergamot, Green Tea, Sandalwood | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
If you’re a fragrance fanatic, you know the importance of a hair perfume that not only complements your scent wardrobe but also stands strong on its own. Crown Affair’s The Signature Scent Hair Perfume does just that. It bottles the brand’s beloved fragrance into a lightweight, nondrying formula that leaves your hair smelling fresh, clean, and undeniably alluring, while also adding a hydrating sheen.
The scent, featuring notes of crisp bergamot, grounding green tea, and warm sandalwood, evokes the sensation of wrapping yourself in a plush bathrobe after a luxurious shower. It’s uplifting and versatile enough to layer with your favorite perfumes, yet distinctive enough to wear solo. In fact, it’s so captivating that I was stopped on the street and asked what I was wearing. I also found the scent to be quite long-lasting, as I could still smell it after a morning workout, workday, and drinks with friends. Bonus: The luxe glass bottle is just as elegant as the fragrance inside. I love it so much, I wish it came in a non-glass bottle for travel.
Byrdie
What We Like
-
Long-lasting warm floral fragrance
-
Compact bottle is durable and travel-friendly
-
Hardy spray with an alluring fragrance
Fragrance Type: Floral, woody | Key Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, vetiver | Size: 2.54 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
If you love soft, powdery florals, prepare to be smitten. This intoxicating scent is far from your average rose bouquet—it blends crisp bergamot, juicy white peach, and citrusy mandarin notes into a layered fragrance that evolves beautifully throughout the day. It starts off sweet and floral, then dries down to a warm, woody finish that had me smelling my hair nonstop. A little goes a long way, but if you want a hair perfume that turns heads, this one delivers. I wore it on a cross-country travel day and could still smell it after hours in the air and on the go—talk about serious staying power. Plus, the bottle is durable and perfectly sized for tossing into your handbag, making it ideal for on-the-go touch-ups (though you probably won’t need them).
Byrdie
What We Like
-
Offers a tropical, fresh fragrance reminiscent of vacation
-
Alcohol-free formula doesn’t dry out hair
-
Contains a blend of hair-protecting ingredients to shield from pollution
Fragrance Type: Fruity, floral | Key Notes: Guava, lemon zest, peach, violet, vetiver | Size: 0.33, 1.7 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
Prepare to be transported to a tropical beachside escape with the Ceremonia Guava Hair and Body Mist. Bursting with juicy notes of guava, lemon, and peach, the scent opens bright, sweet, and inviting—but it doesn’t stop there. Earthy vetiver adds unexpected depth and a sophisticated twist, while soft violet lends a subtle, baby powder–like finish that smooths out any sharp edges. The vibe? Pure summer in a bottle. The packaging even nods to a carefree beach getaway.
I also love that the formula is alcohol-free, so it won’t dry out your strands. Even better, it’s packed with protective, nourishing ingredients—like antioxidants, aloe, glycerin, and babassu oil—that help defend your hair from environmental stressors. One thing to note: it contains a touch of gold shimmer. While I didn’t mind the sparkle, it did transfer a bit to my skin and clothes.
Byrdie
What We Like
-
Sweet, indulgent honey fragrance that’s not overpowering
-
Argan oil for added hydration and shine
-
Subtle floral notes add depth
Fragrance Type: Gourmand, floral | Key Notes: Honey | Size: 0.5, 1.7 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
You’ve likely heard of this iconic hair perfume—it was one of the first hair fragrances formulated with hair-loving ingredients, launched after the brand’s legendary hair oil. While it’s not your typical heady gourmand, it still leans sweet, with notes of honey and a soft floral base that give it a delicate, airy finish. It’s infused with nourishing argan oil and honey to boost shine and deliver lightweight hydration. I love how subtle and non-overpowering the scent is. It adds just the right touch of sweetness without being too much, making it easy to wear every day. While it doesn’t last as long as some of the others on this list, it does come in a travel-friendly size that’s perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
Byrdie
What We Like
-
Decadent, vanilla fragrance that’s not overpowering
-
Long-lasting formula that doesn’t require touch-ups
-
Subtle floral notes add depth
Fragrance Type: Gourmand | Key Notes: Sugar crystals, cashmere wood, vanilla, pink pepper | Size: 0.5, 3 oz | Cruelty Free: Yes
There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, indulgent vanilla, and the Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair and Body Mist delivers just that. It opens with sweet, candy-like sugar and rich vanilla, then quickly deepens into a more sensual scent. Creamy cashmere wood and a touch of pink pepper add an unexpected, spicy warmth that evokes the feeling of eating sugar cookies by a romantic fire. It’s alluring, sophisticated, and far from your average youthful vanilla. Even better? This scent has serious staying power. It lasted all day and even through a heated workout. Just note that while it is a vanilla scent, it’s not as sweet as typical vanilla perfumes, which I didn’t mind.
Byrdie
What to Look for in Hair Perfumes
- Your Preferred Scent: Having an idea of what type of fragrances you gravitate towards can eliminate a lot of trial and error. “Florals (like peony or jasmine), fruity musks, soft woods, and fresh citruses are popular because they feel clean, uplifting, and non-intrusive,” Ifeguini explains. “They’re perfect for a scent trail that moves subtly with you.” But as always, don’t be afraid to step out of the box and try something completely new.
- Ingredients: Unlike traditional fragrances, hair perfumes tend to have additional ingredients catered to improving your hair’s overall health. For instance, Ifeguini explains that hair perfumes tend to include “conditioning agents like silicones, lightweight oils, or vitamins (e.g., panthenol) that add shine or reduce frizz.” She also recommends being “cautious of included denatured alcohol in high concentrations, or certain essential oils that may cause photosensitivity or buildup.” If you have dry hair, you’ll want to find a hair perfume that’s alcohol-free to reduce excess drying and breakage.
- Bottle Size: Selecting the correct bottle size ultimately comes down to how much you are intending to use and where. Smaller bottles are generally more affordable, but a larger bottle may serve you better if you wear a scent daily. If you’re traveling or want to keep the perfume with you, opt for a travel-friendly bottle.
How We Tested the Perfumes for Women
For this story, I researched the hair perfumes from top haircare and fragrance brands. I then put them to the test, assessing how well they applied (i.e., how well the mist is absorbed), the overall fragrance, its longevity, and noting any other effects it had on the hair (i.e., does it have any other benefits for my hair). I wore them for nine hours a day, through workouts, work, and even a plane ride across the country to decide which ones were long-lasting. I then spoke with a fragrance expert to gain a deeper understanding of this emerging fragrance category.
Meet Our Expert
To learn more about perfumes, I consulted a fragrance expert to gain a deeper understanding of what to look for in hair perfumes.
- Onyi Ifeguini is a fragrance expert with over 20+ years of experience. She has attended ISIPCA in France for scent design and creation and now owns her fragrance line, Tabbeauplace.
Why Trust Byrdie
Amanda Rosenthal is a writer at Byrdie who considers herself a perfume connoisseur, having smelled over a hundred perfumes. Her picky nose prefers warm, amber scents and delicate florals, but she loves anything surprising and unique. She prefers hair perfumes that offer a lovely aroma while also containing some hair-loving ingredients. She personally tested all of the hair perfumes on this list, and her favorites include fragrances from Crown Affair, Parfums de Marly, and Gisou.