Is It Safe To Use Perfume On Your Hair? Other Alternatives

You woke up late, threw on some clothes, and are about to rush out the door and head to work when you realize your hair is unwashed. It’s not very greasy, and you can just about get away with it, but to be on the safe side, you spray perfume on your hair to ensure it smells good. There’s no shame in admitting that we have all done this.

While it might make your hair smell glorious, how safe is it to spritz some perfume on your locks? Perfumes contain certain harsh ingredients that may be harmful to your hair. Keep reading to know if it is safe to use perfume on your hair and any natural alternatives you may consider.

Can You Apply Perfume To The Hair?

No. Applying perfume is not an ideal treatment for your hair. There two main factors that discourage this practice:

• Alcohol Can Dry Your Hair

Most perfumes contain 60 to 70% alcohol as a volatile solventⁱ  An organic compound that provides suitable consistency to a product and evaporates quickly without causing any skin damage. and carrierⁱ  A base material that carries the fragrance of a product and determines its form and strength. agent. However, short-chained alcohol contains fewer carbon atoms due to which it acts as a potent drying agent. Prolonged usage and exposure to alcohol can make the hair rough, dry, frizzy, and brittle leading to breakage.

• The Scents Could Be A Problem

The chemical substances and synthetic fragrances in Eau de toilette can damage your hair. Studies show that makeup and personal care items contain harsh chemicals that have been linked to male genital birth defects and altered pregnancy outcomes in animals. Diethyl phthalateⁱ  An odorless solvent that makes the scent last longer in perfumes but may cause many severe and long-term health issues. found in perfumes is also a major cause for concern due to its adverse effects on health (1).

Synthetic fragrances can strip the natural oils of your hair and scalp. This leads to tangles and frizz, making your hair appear straw-like. If you are dealing with dandruff, it can worsen itching and flaking.

One may think that the application of a strong fragrance could mask the natural odor. However, it is also highly possible that it can mix with your natural body odor and make your hair smell rather different. Hence, you can switch to hair care products that smell amazing. These alternatives provide nourishment to your hair, along with a good smell. Here are a few options you can try.

Perfume Alternatives For Your Hair

• Hair Mists

Hair mists are lightweight, water-based hair revitalizers that can make your hair smell pleasant. They are specially formulated for specific hair goals, such as detangling, hair moisturization, and hairstyling.

You can also whip up a quick DIY hair mist by combining these simple ingredients:

• ¼ cup of aloe vera juice
• ½ cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of jojoba oilⁱ  A carrier oil that is used as a natural hydrating agent in many skin and hair care products worldwide.
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil

Spray this homemade mist on your hair to nourish and moisturize it. You can either choose a DIY or commercial hair mist based on your preference.

• Serums

Opting for various serums for hair is a good idea, as hair serums help protect your strands from tangles, dullness, and frizz. They can also make your hair smell amazing, add shine, and help groom your hair, making your locks look smooth and glossy. If you want an effective hair serum, you can choose store-bought options or create your own!

If you are into DIY, you can make your very own hair serum by combining:

• 4 tablespoons of avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons each of jojoba, almond, arganⁱ  A Moroccan tree that bears fruits with seeds, the oil of which is used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. , and grapeseed oils

Store this solution in a spray bottle and use it right after shampooing to get shiny hair. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to impart a subtle fragrance to your hair.

• Dry Shampoo

Wash your hair with a dry shampoo to address hair odor caused by oil, grease, and dirt buildup. Dry shampoos cleanse and deodorize your hair, giving it natural bounce and volume.

To prepare dry shampoo at home, you will need:

• ¼ cup of cornstarch powder
• ¼ cup of arrowrootⁱ  A perennial herb whose rhizomes yield an edible starch with great oil-absorbing properties that help treat hair and scalp conditions. powder
• 10 drops of tea tree oil
• 10 drops of lavender essential oils.

Mix all the powders and sprinkle this blend on your hair. Fluff your hair with a brush to let it settle and dust off the excess shampoo with a towel. The sweet lavender aroma will make your hair smell great in a jiff.

Note: If you have darker hair, add some unsweetened cocoa powder to the blend.

• Mousse

This thick foam is applied to the hair, combed in, and blow-dried for styling. It helps lift your hair and add volume while protecting it from damage. Mousses smell good and leave behind a lingering fragrance on your hair and also help enhance the beauty of your locks by making them lustrous.

Quick Tip

For best results, apply an egg-sized amount of hair mousse to damp hair and run your fingers through the roots to the tips to style it.

• Gel

Hair gels are one of the commonest hair styling products. If you wish to make hair gel at home, you will need

• ½ teaspoon of unflavored gelatin
• ½ teaspoon of aloe vera gel
• 1 cup of warm water

Stir in the gelatin and aloe vera gel in warm water. Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to the gelatin solution and allow it to thicken and set. You can now directly apply this all-natural, fragrant gel to your hair.

Quick Tip

You can also use flaxseed gel and a few drops of any essential oil to make an effective, natural DIY gel. Flaxseed gel provides a strong hold and tames flyaways.

• Leave-In Conditioners

Leave-in conditioners help moisturize, nourish, and strengthen your hair. They tame frizz, prevent split ends, and detangle your hair. Such conditioners are beneficial for very dry and rough hair that is constantly exposed to the sun and harsh environments. They also protect the hair from the damaging effects of heat styling tools and chemical treatments. Often, leave-in conditioners have soft floral notes that will have you sniffing your hair all day round!

• Diluted Essential Oils

Essential oils are popular for their aromatic properties and can be applied to your hair in diluted form (along with a carrier oil). They impart a unique scent to your hair and help nourish it. Commonly used essential oils, such as lavender, rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint, can help repair damaged hair and make it healthy.

The best part is you can use a combination of various essential oils to create your desired fragrance. To prepare an essential oil-based hair perfume, mix these ingredients:

• 5 ounces of rose water
• 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel
• 4 drops of pure vanilla extract
• 22 drops of grapefruit essential oil
• 14 drops of lavender essential oil
• 9 drops of tea tree essential oil

Store this hair cologne in a spray bottle and use it anytime to make your hair smell good.

• Scented Hair Oil

Scented hair oils are a great alternative to perfumes as they not only offer a pleasant fragrance but their blend of rich oils helps nourish the tresses and offers natural luster.

You will need the following ingredients to prepare scented hair oil at home:

• ½ cup of any carrier oil (coconut or jojoba oil)
• 4 to 5 lavender sprigs
• 5 drops of citrus essential oil
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil

Add the carrier oil to a clean glass container and add the sprigs to it. Seal the container and store it in a warm place for a week to allow it to properly infuse. You can then strain the oil to remove the sprigs. Add the essential oils and mix well and store for use anytime.

Infographic: 3 Ways To Style Unwashed Hair

If you want to put perfume on your hair, it’s more than likely that you haven’t washed it and that you simply don’t have the time for it right now. So, your hair is possibly greasy too. Don’t worry.

Check out this infographic for the 3 least time and effort-consuming hairstyles that are perfect for unwashed hair.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Summing It Up

Frequently Asked Questions

Does perfume last longer in hair?

Yes, perfume can last all day in your hair. While it may be a quick short-term solution, it may dry your hair out in the long run.

Does perfume work as a dry shampoo?

No, while you may think perfumes work as dry shampoos, they do not. Dry shampoos are specially designed to absorb excess oil and keep your hair clean. Perfumes contain alcohol that may make your hair smell good but will dry your hair out.

Are perfumes cancerous?

Yes, the chemicals used in many perfumes have been linked to headaches and cancer (2).

Do perfumes expire?

Yes, once you open the perfume, it will expire eventually. It does depend on the chemical composition of the perfume. This determines if a perfume lasts for a year or more.

Illustration: Is It Safe To Use Perfume On Your Hair? Other Alternatives

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Want to make your hair smell amazing all day? Learn how to create your hair perfume at home with simple ingredients in this step-by-step video tutorial. Enjoy the long-lasting fragrance and boost your confidence.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist

     

Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behind the chair for several years, she felt the calling to start the non-profit Barber in a Bag that teaches basic hair cutting skills in street and slum communities in South America.

Read full bio of Madison Dufour

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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