Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady is the best perfume for hair. It has less alcohol than Portrait of a Lady perfume to protect your hair. Most importantly, it smells luxurious and daring, with an oriental touch so many women love.
It can be tricky to choose the right hair perfume. You might even be new to these types of scents and you might not know where to start.
This guide is written for you.
Instead of relying on cheap hair perfume, you can choose one of the following hair scent sprays that protect your hair while also leaving a nice mist that often attracts compliments.
Scented hair mists aren’t new. I’ve been discussed some of the most popular and unknown perfumes on FragranceSpotter for a long time. But some of them are also made in a hair perfume spray form which is a true invitation to smell better like few women know-how. Without further introductions, here are your main options.
1. Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist
Launched in 2019, Portrait of a Lady is one of the most interesting scents for mature women. Its daring warming scent has inspired so many into the brand. It now comes in a Hair Mist version that you cannot overlook.
As already mentioned, it has a scent that resembles an aristocratic adult woman. Daring and long-lasting, it certainly attracts compliments. This isn’t the perfume for your hair that you can simply slide under the radar as it has good mist projection as well.
Compared to the perfume version, it has less alcohol so that it protects your hair better.
Rose is dominant in its scent so it can be interpreted as an attractive hair perfume for women. Raspberry is only supporting here and it adds that sweetness that makes it a bit comforting.
In terms of notes breakdown, this hair perfume spray starts with intense rose followed by warming cloves, sweet raspberry, and blackcurrant with a hint of spicy cinnamon.
Patchouli, incense, and sandalwood are its heart notes.
Musk, benzoin, and amber are its base accords.
From all of these, you’ll mostly remember rose, raspberry, and musk.
Highly sophisticated, this Dominique Ropion can be the hair perfume you wear to a date, to a night out, or to any occasion that isn’t specifically a work occasion given its sensuality boldness.
Pros
- One of the most representative rose hair perfumes on the market
- Highly appreciated by women over 20
- It has a lush effect
Cons
- Not the easiest hair mist to find in stores
2. Christian Dior J’Adore Hair Mist
J’Adore is one of the most popular perfumes for women even in 2021. It represents a valuable purchase if you don’t want to get too many hair mists in the first place as it can be used for any occasion, even for work.
Ylang-ylang, Damascus rose, Jasmine sambac, and Jasmine Grandiflorum is their main notes.
This perfume starts with pear and melon, which linger for a couple of hours together with peach, bergamot, mandarin, and magnolia.
Ylang-ylang, Damascus rose (grown in Turkey or Bulgaria), jasmine, lily of the valley, tuberose, grandiflorum, orchid, plum, and violet are its mid accords.
Musk, blackberry, and cedar are its base notes.
Elegant and classy, the Christian Dior J’Adore perfume for hair works for women of all ages.
Pros
- One of the best ylang-ylang notes from the Comoro Islands
- A complex toned-down rose note
- It has a pleasant floral aroma
Cons
- Not the most unique Dior
3. Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Hair Mist
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Hair Mist loses the rose of the Change perfume but it gains a simple fruity scent that lasts. Slightly musky, its perfume can be interpreted as modern.
The quince smell is the main star here that takes the entire scent of this hair scent spray away from the regular overly sweet profiles you can find today.
Quince is so interesting that many people don’t even know what to associate it with. You need to know that it’s a fruity note which can smell dryish and even sour at times. In this case, it smells like a powdery fruit and it blends amazingly with grapefruit, jasmine, and white musk.
You also need to know the white floral note of the jasmine in this hair perfume for women gives it an equally white floral profile as you can’t tip the scale towards fruitiness or floral.
These combinations together with their citrus note make your hair smell fresh, a bit energized, and very uplifting. If you work in an environment where you have other people next to you all the time or if you need it for classes, it projects a pleasant aroma that is almost always confused with perfume.
Pros
- Made for quince loves
- One of the most delicate jasmine interpretations
- Musky but fresh
Cons
- It doesn’t mix with Chanel Chance perfume
4. Byredo Gypsy Water Hair Perfume
There are a few reasons why Byredo hair fragrance can be the best hair perfume. The most important one is the smell. This woody aromatic scent is dominated by pine and juniper. A perfume that smells like the forest can be the freshest type of scent for your hair.
You can wear it on a hot summer’s day but you can also wear it during the cold winter months. Age-wise, it suits women of different generations like no other.
Released in 2008, this perfumed vanilla-pine hair mist comes with juniper, lemon, bergamot, and pepper as opening notes.
Pine needles, aromatic incense, and orris root are its mid accords.
Sandalwood, vanilla, and amber are its long-lasting fragrance base notes.
There’s a certain timelessness to forest-like scents. This is also the case with this Byredo hair perfume which feels like it’s going to be in style even decades from now.
Apart from its artistic scent, there are also secondary reasons why you should get it.
For example, it’s quite rare and unlike Dior hair perfumes, it’s going to attract interest and compliments as a rare scent.
It’s also a high-quality hair mist that lasts for hours. Byredo is recognized for its premium notes.
Likewise, you can wear it on special occasions and also to work or uni.
Pros
- The refined woody aromatic scent
- Zesty orris influence
- A bit more feminine than Annick Goutal’s Nuit Etoilee
Cons
- Not for women into sweet hair freshener sprays
5. Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Hair Mist
A Jo Malone perfume for hair never announces itself, it gets discovered. This perfume is among the true leaders of summer day scents and you can use it freely as much as you want even multiple times per day as it smells so comforting.
Orange blossom is the main note in this best hair mist. It starts with a rather floral interpretation of orange blossom to then turn into more citrusy notes in the drydown.
Other supportive notes include lilac and water lily. These 2 are often compared to a hint of honeysuckle, which can even be an unlisted note.
Iris and vetiver are also strong performing notes.
Most importantly, this hair spray perfume is light, which means you can use it almost anytime through the year particularly on warm days.
My recommendation is to consider it as a date scent as you can’t choose cloying alternatives when you plan to get close to someone.
Pros
- One of the most elegant orange blossom notes
- It lives up to its straightforward name
- It has just the right amount of sweetness
Cons
- Not the best wintertime performer
6. Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Hair Mist
If you love Black Opium YSL perfume for women, you can easily match it with its hair mist version.
This perfume for hair comes with fewer notes and it’s a lot more versatile than the heavy perfume.
Say goodbye to pear, bergamot, lime, and musk, and you have the Black Oprium Hair mist.
Coffee, orange, blossom, cedar, and patchouli are the main notes on this hair perfume.
Strong but still lighter than the YSL fragrance, it will make your hair smell comforting, cozy, and a bit familiar. It wins compliments and it might be one of the best scents for hair if you only want to choose proven or best products.
Unlike the Jo Malone above, this hair mist is spectacular in cold weather so you can use both to cover all seasons with all types of weather.
Most importantly, you can consider this attractive hair mist as a compliment to the YSL Black Opium Eau de Toilette and go for a full French perfume experience that will make you smell good.
Pros
- Considerably more versatile than its skin perfume version
- Probably one of the most popular French releases
- Quite affordable given its longevity
Cons
- Not for you if you don’t like the smell of coffee
7. Narciso Rodriguez For Her Hair Mist
When you’re after a versatile cheap perfume for hair, this Narcisco Rodrigez option might be among your top option. I see it as a perfect year-round hair fragrance for women (not men). Versatile, affordable, and smelling good, it’s worth the money.
As one of the best smelling hair sprays, it attracts a lot of attention. However, you need to know that it’s not as long-lasting as the skin perfume version. At the same time, women buy it as an affordable alternative to the skin scent.
While you may find it at Target or Walmart, For Her Hair Mist is most affordable online. You can re-purchase it through the year as most women use lots of it, mainly due to its nice smell and partially due to its reduced longevity.
Rose is the star opening note in this perfume you can spray on your hair. Powdery iris is a strong back-note as well. Musk ties everything together in an integrated smell that feels modern.
While it doesn’t have the shine of the Byredo hair mist, it certainly gains maximum points in versatility.
Pros
- Rose and iris splendor
- Floral and delicate
- Excellent for work, dates, or studies
Cons
- Not as impactful as the Eau de Toilette
| Perfumes for hair | Bottle size | Perfect for |
| Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist | 100ml | Winter
Fall |
| Christian Dior J’Adore Hair Mist | 30ml | Spring
Summer |
| Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Hair Mist | 35ml | Spring
Summer |
| Byredo Gypsy Water Hair Perfume | 75ml | Spring
Summer Fall |
| Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Hair Mist | 30ml | Summer |
| Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Hair Mist | 30ml | Fall
Winter |
| Narciso Rodriguez For Her Hair Mist | 30ml | Winter
Spring Summer Fall |
Final words
Only the best perfume for hair can smell similar to the skin perfume for a fraction of its price. You can use these hair mists by themselves or with skin perfumes. Depending on your preferences, you might choose one. Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist is the masterful option that will always put a smile on your face. Christian Dior J’Adore and Chanel Chance hair mists are at least as good if you prefer something more mainstream. Otherwise, any hair perfume listed above can be up for the task as all are safer options for your curls with simpler concentrations that still smell fantastic.
FAQ
How to apply hair perfume?
You can apply hair perfume by lightly spraying it directly on the hair from 15-25 inches. You should apply the hair mist on dry hair only.
What is the best hair perfume?
Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady Hair Mist is the most artistic perfume for your curls. Its composition represents a mature scent with a luxurious vibe. It also lasts longer than other hair perfumes.
Is it OK to put perfume on your hair?
It’s generally safe to put hair perfume on your hair as it has reduced alcohol content. But even regular skin perfumes are sometimes applied on hair by some women.
What is the difference between perfume and hair perfume?
Skin perfume is made to last and it generally comes with more notes. Hair perfume is its simplified mist perfume. It has fewer notes and not as much alcohol.
How can you make your hair smell good?
You can make your hair smell good by applying hair perfume after washing it. You will not get the desired effect when applying perfume on your hair when it hasn’t been washed for a week. Make sure to only apply hair fragrance on clean dry hair for maximum longevity.
Is fragrance bad for hair?
A natural fragrance isn’t bad for hair. However, most fragrances are made with ethyl alcohol which dries hair, reduces color and shine. Perfume can also dry out the scalp. This is why you need to choose perfumes for hair if you want to protect your curls.