There’s a lot of joy to be found at the end of a perfume spritz. But before you begin spraying your chosen scent all over, there’s one area you should avoid: your hair.

Normal perfumes are made with high levels of alcohol and occasionally some harsh ingredients that are fine for misting onto your clothes and body, but best avoided when it comes to your hair and scalp.

“The chemical make-up of these products will dry your hair and scalp, which can also lead to irritation, dandruff, inflammation in the follicle and redness of the scalp and even hair thinning or hair loss,” says trichologist Simone Thomas. “The scalp is a very delicate ecosystem and one that needs to be taken care of.”

This is where hair perfumes come in. Of course, a hair perfume isn’t entirely necessary but it does add a luxe touch to your beauty routine.

Hair perfumes and mists have been specifically formulated to be kind to your hair and scalp. “They have key ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids,” says Thomas. “This helps with the health of your hair and scalp, keeping in moisture and adding extra shine while smelling amazing.”

So, if you’re looking to take your scent game up a notch, we’ve rounded up the best hair fragrances – some are even formulated with the same notes as your favourite perfumes. Happy spritzing.

Main image: courtesy of brands