Do you really need perfume for your hair?

When it comes to refreshing hair between washes, there’s only so much dry shampoo you can use before your locks become chalky.

So for an emergency boost, a spritz of hair perfume could be the answer? At first glance maybe not. If you’ve skipped a shampoo, you’re more likely to worry about frizz or greasy roots than the smell of your hair.

But unlike your regular eau de toilette – which would leave your locks dry due to its high alcohol content – ​​a new crop of hair perfumes claim to contain nourishing ingredients to lightly condition hair, tame frizz and leave you smelling fresh in the shower.

They are gaining popularity, with millions of views on the hashtag #hairperfume on TikTok. Luxury hair care brand Gisou is a favorite; videos of their original hair perfume have been viewed 348 million times.

Are they worth all the fuss? Here, Bethan King puts them to the test…

TIKTOK’S TOP PICK

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 scent not only smelled great and lasted well, but also left my hair feeling silky soft. Apparently it’s all thanks to the honey-based formula, which acts as a natural humectant and draws moisture to the hair.

4/5

BUDGET PURCHASE

Moroccooil Brumes du Maroc fragrance mist, from £12.85 for 30ml, moroccanoil.com

Lightly scented with the same signature scent with notes of amber as Moroccooil’s hair care line, this perfume lasted well.

Laced with moisturizing argan oil and vitamin E, it tamed flyaways and added softness to the ends of my hair, without making it greasy.

3/5

PRICE PERFUME

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 perfume and body products of the same name. So it’s probably for that reason that the scent is quite subtle; it reminded me of cotton sheets and didn’t overpower my existing perfume.

But it doesn’t have much staying power and requires replenishments throughout the day, worth considering considering there’s only 30ml in a bottle.

2/5

LUXURY OPTION

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Hair Mist, £40 for 30ml, jomalone.co.uk

This smells as luxurious as it looks. The scent is refined and fresh, without being overpowering. Added ingredients pro-vitamin B5 and argan oil also claim to condition the hair and add shine.

While I didn’t notice much difference in the softness of my hair, this smelled nice enough to wear without my usual perfume.

4/5

MADE FOR CURLS

Ruka hair perfume, £25 for 50ml, rukahair.com

This perfume is made for Afro hair and is designed to perfume curls, define curls and nourish the hair. It smells like summer in a bottle – think coconuts and sunscreen.

It’s designed to both moisturize and scent, with vitamin E and omega-6 oils to add a protective film over the hair. Since this perfume is designed to be reapplied during the day to keep curls looking fresh, the scent is light.

3/5

ENDURANCE

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 40 Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, £17.60 for 90ml, boots.com

Upon first spritz, the heady blend of black amber and vanilla wood is quite sweet, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this mellowed out to freshen my hair.

The 90ml bottle is great value and the scent has serious staying power; it lingered the next morning.

4/5