Frequently Asked Questions
How is a hair perfume different from other fragrances?
“Hair perfumes or mists usually contain hydrating properties like hyaluronic acid and other natural ingredients that cover odor, have UV ray protection, and give your hair just the right texture and shine,” writes New York City- and Columbus, Ohio-based hairstylist Mia Santiago. Hair perfumes are also more likely to be alcohol-free than their standard counterparts, which earns them a big A-plus from Santiago. She notes that because of the alcohol content, regular perfume “would be very drying to your hair and can cause breakage.”
Not only will you enjoy the light scent of hair perfume, but your wallet will, too, considering that they’re less pricey than their more-concentrated counterparts—this is largely because hair perfumes contain significantly less perfume oil. “Typically, a hair mist is dosed between 3 to 5% fragrance oil, whereas an eau de parfum is anywhere from 20 to 25%,” says Arielle Lebeau, a perfumer for Robertet Group. “Hair and body mists are also slightly more diluted as they contain a percentage of alcohol as well as a percentage of water, versus traditional fragrances that just contain alcohol.”
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our review of the best hair perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
