Last Updated on: 17th September 2023, 01:16 pm
Nowadays, with so many types of perfume scents available in the market, some of us have a signature scent to represent who we are or to go with an outfit that we want to wear.
Teenagers love choosing fruity scents while adults prefer something a little more woody or romantic.
Not only has the selection of scents expanded but even the method of applying perfume comes in a variety of options. Perfumes are now available in an assortment of sizes and they come in sprays and even roll-on bottles.
If you use it the right way, your can keep your hair smelling fresh throughout the day.
How to use your perfume in your hair?
There are products like hair mist that can act as a hair perfume spray. But if you are looking to use your favourite perfume scent for your smelly hair then you can choose one of these options to avoid any hair damage.
1) Spray perfume into the air
The first option is to spray perfume into the air and then walk through it.
This method will allow you to have the perfume in your hair while limiting the impact of the alcohol if you spray it directly into your hair strands.
2) Spray perfume onto your hairbrush
This is a better option for oiler hair or unwashed hair as it can better combat any hair smell.
You do this by spraying your perfume onto your hairbrush and then combing your hair. This will leave a beautiful light scent throughout your strands, evenly distributing the fragrance as you brush.
3) Apply small dabs of perfume to your pulse points, especially the back of your ears
As the ears sit close to the head, the scented trail from the perfume on your pulse points especially the ones at the back of your ears will travel around your head. This can give the illusion of having hair perfume in your hair.
Why is perfume bad for your hair?
Perfume is seen as an important part of your beauty routine and when you smell amazing, it can help you feel more confident, boost your mood and even trigger fond memories.
However, when you spray perfume on your hair, it can cause hair damage because perfume contains a high concentration of alcohol, which can dry out your hair, irritate your scalp and even cause flakes or dandruff.
Consider what ingredients are inside your favourite perfume. Most perfumes and body mists are made with harsh alcohols, like ethyl alcohol, and heavy synthetic fragrances.
If you find ethyl alcohol in the ingredients list, remember that it can have a drying effect on skin and hair. Untreated dryness can cause long-term damage, such as breakage, split ends, and frizziness.
To avoid this issue, you can choose perfumes with ingredients that will not dry out your skin such as the ones that are alcohol-free, or better yet, you can go for other products that are specially formulated to have hair smell great all day long.
What are the perfume alternatives for hair?
There are plenty of perfume alternatives you can incorporate into your beauty routine to keep your hair smelling great.
1) Hair mist
Consider hair mists as the safest alternative to perfume. They come in a spray bottle and can act as a perfume on your hair to leave a refreshing, lasting scent without drying out or otherwise damaging your hair.
There are plenty of hair mists available in the market. You should choose the ones without alcohol and are all-natural to keep your natural-looking shine. \
2) Dry shampoo
This product is best for hair smells you want to hide as they temporarily clean your hair and provide the fragrance you need to have hair and scalp that smells like you just washed it.
It can also suck up any oils accumulated from being around fried food, a barbeque or even working out.
There are many types of dry shampoo available and it is best to choose the ones that use essential oils rather than a fragrance to perfume the hair. Regular use of dry shampoo on your hair can end up causing severe hair fall. Therefore, it is important to only use it when you need to.
3) Scented facial sprays
Scented facial sprays such as rose water are a popular skincare item that is often used to replenish the moisture in your skin throughout the day. This facial mist can also double up as a hair spray to provide fragrance to your hair without damaging it.
4) Scented hair oil
You can use scented oils already formulated for hair or you can DIY your own using essential oils mixed in with a carrier oil.
Essential oils come in an assortment of scents and they can even mimic your signature scent when mixed correctly. Oils should always be applied after your hair wash when hair is dry and they should be applied from mid-shaft through the ends of your hair.
Ingredients to look for in hair products
You should keep an eye out for formulas with ingredients like cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and Cetearyl alcohol as these are alcohols that are derived from plants. Remember that fatty alcohols add hydration to damaged hair.
Any hair mists, dry shampoos, or scented serums that are fortified with natural oils can help repair hair shafts and prolong the scent.
Your favorite essential oil can offer an alternative to traditional synthetic fragrances by providing a subtle scent to your hair. Just make sure they’re safely diluted in a carrier oil to avoid sensitization.
Other things you can do to have your fragrance last longer
1) Avoid cigarette smoke
The smell of cigarette smoke can be absorbed easily into the hair and it requires a thorough hair wash to get rid of it, otherwise, your hair will smell for days.
People who quit smoking typically find that their clothing, hands, and hair stop smelling shortly after.
2) Wash your hair
It is important to wash your hair enough to get rid of excess oil that will cause your hair to smell.
To have hair that smells better for longer, you can try to air dry after your shampoo to avoid heat damage caused by a hair dryer.
If your hair is too dry, your scalp will react by producing more oils than is necessary to counteract the dryness.
3) Change your pillowcases regularly
Cotton pillowcases can absorb leftover makeup, bacteria, dirt, and oil, and it all can rub off on hair and skin which leads to breakouts.
You can also use silk or satin pillowcases as these materials may help keep hair from tangling up and further absorbing dirt or oil.
If you are not interested to change your pillowcase, you can wash them every week to keep your face and hair clean.
