Hair fragrances, like other aromatic sprays, are designed to, well, make your hair smell good. The best hair fragrances, however, also have supplemental benefits, from UV protection and hydration to increasing shine and texture. And, unlike body mists and colognes, the majority of fragrances designed for hair are less concentrated, which allows for a more subtle diffusion of scent—after all, depending on your hair type, your strands can hold onto fragrance for an exceptionally prolonged time (just think about the lingering scent of campfire smoke or cigars, even after a couple of washes).
While scent is extremely personal, we’ve narrowed down a list of nine of our preferred hair fragrances that appeal to a variety of needs, whether you’re seeking a go-to scent for finishing off a hair style or spritzing in between a long day at the beach.
The Best Hair Fragrances, According to GQ
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Best Hair Fragrance Overall: Sachajuan Protective Bois Noir
Why we love it: This multi-purpose hair perfume is simultaneously protective, restorative, and aromatically enticing with exotic heady notes of cardamom, sandalwood, and patchouli. A few sprays of this formula instantly refreshes the hair, reduces static, moisturizes, provides UV protection, and offers anti-odor technology. The formula is also vegan and paraben-free, relying on natural citrus oils to encapsulate odor molecules and break them down for long-lasting fragrance.
Best Long-Lasting Hair Fragrance: Diptyque Fleur de Peau
Why we love it: Cult-favorite Diptyque bottles one of its signature scents as a hair mist for about half the price of their iconic Fleur de Peau Eau de Parfum. This floral yet musky mist earns its long-lasting title as a result of Diptyque’s concentrated galenic formulation, which simply means scents last longer before the need to reapply. The team recommends applying to your hair after washing it and rinsing it with cold water, which strengthens the capillary fibers to help your hair absorb the mist more efficiently.
Best Hair Fragrance for Reapplies: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume Wildflower Honey
Why we love it: You don’t necessarily have to reapply Gisou’s honey-infused hair perfume, but the signature wildflower honey scent will make you want to keep spritzing throughout the day to reap the rewards of the natural ingredients. Infused with Mirsalehi honey, this hair perfume hydrates and adds shine, instantly acting as a pick-me-up for hair that tends to fall flat by midday. Mirsalehi honey is also an organic humectant, so it maintains hair’s natural moisture balance throughout the day, all while argan oil locks in a handsome shine.
Best Hair Fragrance to Stand Out in A Crowd: Matiere Premiere Parisian Musc
Why we love it: This green and musky hair perfume prides itself in using nourishing and natural active ingredients, including reduced alcohol that’s extracted from beetroot. Its fragrance is impressively unique with fresh linen and cedar undertones that stand out against everyday scents. And even if you don’t want to stand out with your hair scent, Parisian Mac is just a great haircare product for folks with sensitive scalps or dry hair.
Best Hair Fragrance for Winter: Byredo Mojave Ghost
Why we love it: The sultry and wild woody notes of Byredo’s Mojave Ghost are the perfect match for winter’s stereotypical scenes like apres ski in front of a roaring fire or strolling with a coffee after a fresh snow. Its warming notes of amber wood and musk don’t weigh down your hair and its light formula is approved for all hair types, wearing especially well on those staticky winter days to make hat hair a thing of the past (all while smelling sexy).
Best Hair Fragrance for Summer: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist
Why we love it: On hot, humid summer days, sweat often wins the enduring battle of smelling good—and not just good, but clean. Sol de Janiero saves the day with its signature Cheirosa 62 perfume mist that the brand encourages you to “spray all over your body, hair, clothes, or anywhere you want to be cheirosa (delicious).” Sol de Janeiro has balanced top notes like pistachio and almond; mid notes of heliotrope and jasmine petal; and dry notes of vanilla, salted caramel, and sandalwood. Though it comes in two sizes, we appreciate the eight-ounce bottle for its eco-friendly refills.
Best Hair Fragrance with UV Protection: IGK Disco Disco
Why we love it: Though technically a finishing spray, IGK Disco Disco’s fresh, herbal veil (think: pomelo and cashmere woods) provides the bonus of a long-lasting perfume while also maintaining your ‘do. All too often, finishing sprays come with a tacky film or drying effect that can make hair look dull, not to mention, make hair feel heavy, however, IGK Disco Disco offers a weightless finish that provides a glossy, protective glow, without that adhesive texture. Its pièce de résistance comes in the form of UV protection to prevent hair damage, color fading and scalp irritation.
Best Hair Fragrance to Add Texture: R+Co Rockaway Salt Spray
Why we love it: Beach hair is popular for a reason: The combination of humidity, sea salt in the air, and actual dips in the ocean effortlessly add volume and texture to most hair types. R+Co’s bottled that seamless I’ve been at the beach all day vibe in their Rockaway Salt Spray, making tastefully tousled hair easier to get than ever. Plus, the savory herbal aromas help you smell like sunshine year-round. Leaping Bunny Certified with no parabens or gluten, apply this sea salt spray generously to wet hair for casual waves and weighty texture, or use it on dry hair to quickly build volume (ideal for next-day hair or if you’ve had a long day at the office).
How to Choose a Hair Fragrance
Just like choosing your signature EDP, you’ll want to figure out what kind of hair fragrance profile you like best. Whether you want something light, bright, and clean or deep, dark, and heavy, you’ll need to take into account just how badly you want to have that aroma wafting around your face. Don’t forget, spraying your wrists with a scent is one thing—walking around with the scent in your hair all day is another, so commit to something you love. And, because you’re spraying a fragrance in your hair, you’ll want to take into account your hair type. Dry hair and alcohol-based fragrances won’t mix, only drying out your locks even more. If you have oilier hair, you’ll want something that won’t exacerbate that issue. (Luckily, a lot of these hair fragrances are fortified with ingredients that are also really good for your hair, like UV protection or biotin.)
Hair Fragrance FAQ
What is a hair fragrance?
Hair fragrances are just scents you apply directly to your hair, rather than on your skin or your clothes, though you could spray a hair mist wherever you please. They’re typically formulated with less alcohol content than an eau de parfum or eau de toilette, which naturally means they’re less potent in aroma, as you don’t want to be apply too much alcohol to hair or you could dry it out. The main purpose of a hair fragrance is to make your hair (and you) smell better. They can also be bolstered with good-for-your hair ingredients, supplementing the need for other hair care products.
How long does hair perfume last?
Because of its lower alcohol content, hair fragrance doesn’t last as long as an EDP or EDT, dissipating after around four to six hours. You can always apply more hair fragrance throughout the day if the scent starts to wear off.
How do you apply hair fragrance?
Hair fragrance should be the last part of your hair care routine. Spritz it into your mane from about an arm’s length away, and allow it to settle before running your hands through your hair to let the fragrance to soak in.
