When it comes to refreshing your hair between washes, you can only use so much dry shampoo before your locks end up on the chalky side.
So for an emergency rebirth, could a little hair perfume be the answer? At first glance, maybe not. If you’ve skipped shampoo, you’re more likely to worry about frizz or greasy roots than your hair smelling bad.
However, unlike your usual eau de toilette, which would leave your hair dry due to the high alcohol content, a new generation of hair perfumes claims to contain nourishing ingredients to lightly condition hair, control frizz and leave it smelling cool to shower.
They are gaining traction, with millions of views on the #hairperfume hashtag on TikTok. Luxury hair care brand Gisou is a favorite; The videos of her original hair perfume have 348 million views.
So are they worth all the fuss? Here, Bethan King puts them to the test…
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume Floral Edition – Wild Rose, £34 for 50ml, gisou.com
TIKTOK’S BEST CHOICE
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Perfume Floral Edition – Wild Rose, £34 for 50ml, gisou.com
I’m skeptical of viral trends, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that this pink hair fragrance not only smelled wonderful and lasted well, but it also left my hair feeling silky. Apparently, it’s all down to the honey-based formula, which acts as a natural humectant and draws moisture into the hair.
4/5
BUDGET PURCHASE
Brumes du Maroc Scented Mist, from £12.85 for 30ml, moroccanoil.com
Brumes du Maroc Scented Mist, from £12.85 for 30ml, moroccanoil.com
Lightly scented with the same signature amber-note scent as Africanoil’s hair care range, this perfume lasted well.
Blended with hydrating argan oil and vitamin E, it tamed flyaways and added softness to the ends of my hair, without making it greasy.
3/5
PRECIOUS PERFUME
Diptyque Fleur de Peau Hair Mist, £58 for 30ml, diptyque paris.com
Diptyque Fleur de Peau Hair Mist, £58 for 30ml, diptyque paris.com
This hair mist is designed to be layered with Diptyque’s eau de parfum and body products of the same name. It’s probably for that reason that the fragrance is quite subtle – it reminded me of cotton sheets and didn’t overpower my current perfume.
But it doesn’t have much staying power and requires refills throughout the day, something worth considering as there is only 30ml in a bottle.
2/5
LUXURY OPTION
Jo Malone Sea Salt and Wood Sage Hair Mist, £40 for 30ml, jomalone.co.uk
Jo Malone Sea Salt and Wood Sage Hair Mist, £40 for 30ml, jomalone.co.uk
This smells as luxurious as it looks. The fragrance is sophisticated and fresh, without being overwhelming. The added ingredients provitamin B5 and argan oil claim to condition and add shine to the hair as well.
While I didn’t notice much difference in the softness of my hair, it smelled good enough to wear without my usual perfume.
4/5
MADE FOR CURLS
Ruka hair perfume, £25 for 50ml, rukahair.com
Ruka hair perfume, £25 for 50ml, rukahair.com
Created for afro hair, this perfume is designed to perfume, define curls and nourish hair. It smells like summer in a bottle – think coconuts and sunscreen.
It’s designed to moisturize as well as perfume, with vitamin E and omega-6 oils to add a protective film on hair. Since this perfume is designed to be reapplied throughout the day to keep curls fresh, the fragrance is light.
3/5
STAYING POWER
Sol de Janeiro Brazil Crush Cheirosa 40 Fragrance Hair and Body Mist, £17.60 for 90ml, boots.com
Sol de Janeiro Brazil Crush Cheirosa 40 Fragrance Hair and Body Mist, £17.60 for 90ml, boots.com
When first sprayed, the heady blend of black amber and vanilla woods is quite sweet, but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it softened and refreshed my hair.
The 90ml bottle is great value for money and the scent has great staying power; It persisted the next morning.
4/5