There are a lot of factors that impact a person’s first impression of you, and your scent is one of them. The reality is, just like your breath and sweat, your hair also gives off a scent—and that scent isn’t always pleasant. Fortunately, this can be fixed by scented hair products like hair perfume and hair mist. That’s right, perfume isn’t just for your body anymore. 

While many perfumes and sprays can be strong-smelling, hair perfumes provide a subtle, fresh, long-lasting smell that, in some cases, may actually be a better option than regular perfume! 

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

You can’t deny that there is something incredibly gratifying about someone going in for a hug, or even just walking past you, and saying “wow, you smell great.” Armed with the right hair perfume, you too can have that effect. There are worse things than being known as the person who’s hair always smells good—especially considering hair can smell, well, pretty nasty sometimes. 

Consider the function and formula of hair perfume. You may just find yourself trading in your other fragrances for a more low key and nourishing product that can make all the difference in your day to day routine, and scent. 

Luxy Hair is all about hair health, which is why we are here to dive a little bit more into hair odour, what it means, and what you can do about it. Spoiler: You can actually make your own hair perfume. 

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

What is Hair Perfume?

Hair perfume, or hair mist, is a fragrance that’s specifically designed to stick onto your hair strands. This product not only helps keep your hair smelling fresh, but it’s nourishing ingredients also help to detangle and hydrate your hair. It is known to protect your hair from environmental factors, help reduce static hair and even improve the texture of your locks!

These products contain less alcohol and harmful chemicals than your regular perfume, and have longer-lasting effects because your hair actually absorbs scent a lot better than your skin.

You can use hair perfume in the morning to start your day, after a workout...really, anytime you need a quick spritz of something great smelling to freshen up your locks.

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

Why Does My Hair Smell?

If you've been asking yourself this question lately, let’s get to the root of why your hair may smell, and the different solutions that can help you to regain freshness to your locks. One of these solutions, obviously, is hair perfume. Who doesn’t love an easy solution to a complicated problem?

So, Why Does Hair Smell?

Your hair could smell because of a number of reasons: water you use, your shower routine, the products you use, sweat, oil, your cooking habits...you name it. 

There many factors that contribute to your hair’s odour, which is why we broke down some of the most common reasons why your hair may smell. Smelly hair isn’t a cute look on anyone, but fortunately, there are things you can do about it.

You’re not washing your hair enough

The reality is that hair, even hair extensions, need to be washed regularly. Different hair types call for different washing schedules, but if your hair is starting to give off H.O. (that’s hair odour, in case you’re not familiar), that can be a sign that you need to be washing your hair more regularly.

Think about it, you wash your body with soap or body wash regularly so that it doesn’t smell. It’s important to pay the same courtesy to your hair. After all, just like your body sweats and produces a smell, your scalp does the same.

When you don’t wash your hair and your scalp’s sweat and oil glands are active, your hair develops a stench. This is why products like dry shampoo and hair perfume exist to help you get rid of your dry, flaky, itchy & smelly scalp. If you're wondering, "how often should I wash my hair?" We've got the answer here.

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

You’re washing your hair in hard water

Some areas have what’s called hard water. This is basically water with a lot of minerals in it. While this water doesn’t have any health implications, it does have other nuisances that specifically impact your hair.

When you wash your hair in hard water it can leave your locks dry, brittle, and a little stinky. The reality is that hard water can take a toll on your hair health.

You can look into getting a water softener to soften your water so it’s not so, well, hard on your hair. Alternatively, hair perfume is a great quick fix while you’re sorting out your hard water situation. To protect your hair extensions when washing them with hard water, consider these products for hair extensions. 

You have hair mildew

Mildew is a fungus that occurs in damp areas — like in wet hair. If you have thick hair and don’t dry it properly, mildew can grow in your wet locks and cause a smell. In this case, you will want to make sure your hair is totally dry before applying any hair perfume.

You’re experiencing a medical condition

Medical conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, dandruff, or allergic contact dermatitis can result in a flaky scalp and a less than desirable smell. If faced with a medical condition, consider getting from a dermatologist who can help recommend effective products for your hair.

You’re dealing with a sweaty scalp

Like some people suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating under the arms, on the palms etc.), some people just have a particularly sweaty scalp.

Dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, explained to Refinery29 that sometimes “the hair and scalp end up smelling because there's a build-up of sebum and sweat, and it makes it a breeding ground for yeast, dead skin cells, and bacteria.

Your Guide to Buying Hair Perfume 

Finding the right hair perfume can feel daunting considering that there are more and more to choose from as brands release new options.

Let’s take a look at some of the highest reviewed hair perfumes, and the qualities you should be looking for before investing in one of these fragrant products.

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

What Are The Best Hair Perfumes:

Jo Malone London Star Magnolia Hair Mist 50ml

This highbrow hair perfume has become a favourite for good reason. The perfume combines the subtle scents of lemon, flowers and sandalwood for a light daytime scent that isn’t overpowering. While the scent is subtle, it is long-lasting to leave your hair smelling fresh all day.

Buy Jo Malone London Star Magnolia Hair Mist here.

Byredo Bal d’Afrique Hair Perfume

Byredo’s Bal D’afrique’s nourishing hair perfume boasts a refreshing smell comprised of notes neroli, violet, jasmine, and bergamot and a Moroccan cedarwood finish.

Buy Byredo Bal d’Afrique Hair Perfume here.

Chanel N°5 The Hair Mist

Chanel N°5 is Chanel’s iconic scent, so it only makes scents — we mean, sense — that the much-loved brand released a hair perfume with the same scent. The product boasts a gentle formula with notes of jasmine and May rose.

Buy Chanel N°5 The Hair Mist here.

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

What to Look for in Hair Perfumes

Before investing in just any hair perfume, consider the elements that will help you find the best product for you.

Scent

What type of fragrance does the product give off? Does it align with your personal preferences? There are hair perfumes available with different scents to ensure everyone can find the right scent for them whether they prefer something fruity or something more floral.

Ingredients

What is in your product? Consider if your hair perfume just contains fragrant ingredients or if it also includes the other nourishing and hydrating ingredients that are often in these products. 

Lasting

Hair perfume is already longer-lasting than body perfumes because your hair is more absorbent, to begin with. That said, consider how long a specific product is supposed to last to ensure your hair is smelling fresh throughout the day.

Brand

Never underestimate the value of brand loyalty—after all, at Luxy Hair, we strive for customer satisfaction because we believe in building trust with our customers. Consider the brand of the hair perfume you are considering. A lot of reputable perfume brands are releasing these products so that you can maintain your signature scent, while also freshening your hair.

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

How to Make Hair Perfume

Sometimes, hair care products can be a little bit pricey. The good news is that freshening your hair doesn’t need to break the bank. Among the many other strange (but effective) hair-hacks out there, you can make your own hair perfume at home! 

According to Glowsly, you can make a DIY with the following recipe: 

1. To 2 cups of water, add 5 drops of the essential oil of your choice
2. Mis in 2 tablespoons of a hair coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil or argan oil.
3. Shake well
4. Apply the formula to your hair!

Photo taken at @fancyfaceinc's Rose Room

Should You Use Hair Perfume?

The reality is that you should never spray real perfume on your hair. The perfume we use on our bodies contain ingredients like alcohol that can dry out your hair. Hair perfumes, on the other hand, are specially designed to suit your locks. They are nourishing, and don’t give off as dramatic of a scent.

Hair perfume is also a lot more effective as a whole. In fact, Sacha Mitic, co-founder of the Stockholm haircare brand Sachajuan, revealed to The Observer that:

“Using a fragrance in the hair is better for distribution than spraying it on your body. Hair has a far bigger surface than the body. If you compare the total surface of hair that is 20 centimetres long, it is 6 square meters (about 65 feet) compared to the skin that is only 1.5 square meters (about 16 square feet.) There is far more surface to work against odour, but also to distribute the scent to the surroundings.”

You stand to gain a lot from using hair perfume. It will help to streamline your morning routine if you are in a rush. It is not a band aid solution but an effective means to nourish and hydrate your hair—all the while keeping it smelling fresh.

Written by: Brittany Goldfield

Special thanks to Fancy Face Inc. for collaborating with Luxy Hair at their beautiful Rose Room!
Hair credit: Fancy Face Inc.
Makeup credit: Fancy Face Inc.