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The best hair perfumes that linger all day (and night)
The many benefits of a scenting your hair – and the best luxury hair perfumes on the market
Hair perfumes are nothing new, but they're in burgeoning demand this year. To date, videos tagged #hairperfume on TikTok have racked up more than 114 million views, while beauty retailer LookFantastic last year reported that UK sales of hair perfumes increased by 48 per cent, with its category dedicated to the products also seeing a 225 per cent uplift in sessions.
"The hair’s movement and the head’s heat create superlative conditions for perfume diffusion – and the perfect occasion to live hedonistically with your head in an irresistible cloud," says industry authority Frédéric Malle. But before you start spritzing your usual eau de parfum on your locks, consider the drying effects of alcohol. "Spraying your favourite fragrance on your hair might smell nice in the short term, but can damage hair in the long run by drying it out," fragrance expert Jonny Webber from Perfume Direct points out. Different to traditional fragrance formulas, hair perfumes – often marketed as hair mists – are specifically designed for the hair, so that they carry a scent without compromise. "The lightweight formula allows the scent to linger all day without weighing down or damaging your hair," explains famed perfumer Jo Malone. Some, in fact, go above and beyond in the hair-care department. Those from Kilian Paris, for example, feature an advanced formula with UV filters, to both hydrate and protect from the drying effects of the sun.
But beyond the many beauty benefits of a hair perfume, there are financial ones, too. "Simply a hair-focused iteration of your favourite scent, hair perfumes provide a much more cost-conscious price tag," feels Sheeva Fallahi, beauty editor at LookFantastic. The formulas do tend to deliver a lighter intensity of fragrance, but as "hair is a fantastic ‘carrier’ of perfume and actually holds scents better compared to skin," they can make for a longer-lasting choice.
Of course, the beauty savvy also know that haircare brands are a smart way to shop for scent, too. For example, Balmain Paris Hair Couture's Silk Perfume, Percy & Reed's Shine & Fragrance Spray and Sachajuan's Protective Hair Perfume all offer excellent value. And, while not a hair perfume per se, you could add Lush's Super Milk Conditioning Spray to that list; it's been generating a lot of buzz on social media lately for its beautiful fragrance.
But for those wanting to build on their signature scent, or add a luxe finishing touch to their routine with a hair perfume from a revered fragrance house, we adore the elegant options below. And the best way to apply them? "Hold the mist 15-to-20cm from your head and lightly mist your locks for shine and a burst of scent," says Malone. Consider it done.
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