The best body mists are enjoying a renaissance, and we’re so here for it. Still, we can’t blame you if the phrase “body mists” conjures images of your high school dresser, lined with bottles of supernaturally strong scented sprays you’d douse yourself in before catching the bus. You swore not to touch the stuff after graduating from high school, but this new era of mists will change your mind. Unlike options of the past, these body mists elevate your natural scent, complement your favorite eau de parfum, and even contain skin-loving ingredients like aloe and hyaluronic acid. Read on for the best body mists the web has to offer.
Our Top Body Mists
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Glossier Body Spritz
Why it’s worth it: Glossier’s Body Hero Spritz has our hearts—and our noses. Designed to be layered, lavished, and spritzed all over, it works as a base scent or a fragrant refresh. Choose from two irresistible options: Orange Blossom Neroli, a blend of bergamot, pear water, fresh cypress, and soft musk, and Sandstone, where fig leaf, lavandin, clary sage, and coconut milk round out the sun-warmed mineral vibe. Want to dial up the scent? Pair your pick with Glossier’s matching Daily Oil Wash and Daily Perfecting Lotion to lock in moisture and fragrance.
“It’s light, refreshing, and reminds me of a bright floral garden. The best part is it doubles as a hair mist too (which makes me feel extra clean on dirty hair days.)” —Ang Trakoshis, shopping market editior
- Scent family: musk (Sandstone); citrus (Orange Blossom Neroli)
- Key notes: Orange Blossom Neroli; bergamot, pear water, fresh cypress, soft musk; Sandstone; fig leaf, lavandin, clary sage, coconut milk round
- Sizes: 3.38 oz
Best Gourmand: Phlur Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Why it’s worth it: Phlur’s 2024 Best of Beauty-winning Vanilla Skin Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is indulgent in all the right ways—rich yet airy, cozy yet fresh, and endlessly sprayable. This heady pick is grounded in pink pepper and sugar, laced with cashmere, and dries down to a soft vanilla-sandalwood base. Because it’s a mist (compared to its eau de parfum sibling), its lower concentration makes it perfect for layering, summer wear, and frequent re-ups. We especially love it as a hair perfume—but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t spray it legit everywhere. “Vanilla Skin couldn’t be a better name for this mist,” says associate beauty editor Annie Blay. “It’s sweet and light, giving gourmand warmth while maintaining a natural musk that doesn’t make it too sugary.”
Tester feedback from senior director of audience development Lexi Herrick
“Vanilla Skin is the epitome of a classic, lasting vanilla fragrance. It’s light and airy, but has staying power for the whole day. Its sweet, sugary and milky notes are the perfect blend, and I love to generously apply this for many different occasions.” —Lexi Herrick, senior director of audience development
- Scent family: vanilla
- Key notes: pink pepper, sugar, cashmere, vanilla, sandalwood
- Sizes: 3 oz
Most Nostalgic: Skylar Boardwalk Delight Hair & Body Mist
Why it’s worth it: Skylar Boardwalk Delight Hair & Body Mist is reminiscent of a summer night spent at the boardwalk carnival, where a tense game of balloon darts just won you an oversized teddy bear. This body mist bottles up those adolescent vibes with notes of cotton candy, vanilla, and coconut milk, and lasts longest when sprayed on pulse points. You can also spritz it on cotton and polyester fabrics, if you so please. The brand recommends avoiding dabbing or blotting after applying the spray, as this can cause the fragrance to break down and fade.
Tester feedback from contributor Jenny Berg
“Is there any more delightful way to ward off sun damage than by dousing your skin in a spray that not only makes it gleam, but smells like cotton candy? Skylar’s Boardwalk Delight Scent-Screen Mist dries quickly, has the dermatologist-recommended SPF 30, and it’s water-resistant. Plus, its scent is light and subtle, so you’re not smacked in the face with a sugary smell. But if you do want to smell a little sweeter, why not layer on the matching Hair & Body Mist? It’s summertime. No one should judge how much cotton candy you ingest—or smell like.” —Jenny Berg, contributor
- Scent family: fruity
- Key notes: aquatic accord, watery apple, raspberry
- Sizes: 2.7 oz
Best Hydrating: Flamingo Light Hydrating Spray
Why it’s worth it: If you love Flamingo for its top-tier shaving and body care, you’ll be happy to know the brand recently flexed with its Light Hydrating Spray: a sensorial, glow-boosting mist that also happens to be deeply hydrating. Scented with vetiver, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, and Asian pear, the formula is enriched with squalane and niacinamide to lock in moisture, leaving the skin smooth and refreshed. It leans more toward a moisturizer than a perfume, so avoid using it on your hair.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Body mists aren’t a must for me, but I like how subtly Flamingo’s Light Hydrating Spray is scented. As someone who loves face mist, this less traditional body mist is right up my alley. It gives my dull skin an instant boost, thanks to squalane, while gently coating my skin with a lightweight, mood-boosting veil of vetiver, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, and Asian pear. It’s the perfect option for these darn dog days of summer when just thinking about body lotions makes me want to hop into the shower.”
- Scent family: herbaceous
- Key notes: vetiver, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, Asian pear
- Sizes: 6.7 oz
More body mists we love:
Best Woody: Salt & Stone Saffron & Cedar Body Mist
Why it’s worth it: Salt & Stone’s Saffron & Cedar Body Mist is warm, spicy, and delicate, enriched with glycerin and red algae for a dose of hydration. Spray the jasmine, saffron, and cedar blend on solo, or layer with any of Salt & Stone’s lovely body-care offerings. No matter how you choose to apply, you can do so several times throughout the day, whenever you’re craving that dreamy, dreamy cedar.
- Scent family: spicy
- Key notes: cedar, saffron, jasmine
- Sizes: 3.4 oz
Best Sweet: Ellis Brooklyn Marshmallows Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Ellis Brooklyn
Marshmallows Hair & Body Fragrance Mist
Why it’s worth it: Meant to evoke the frenzied sweetness of fireside s’more building, the Ellis Brooklyn Marshmallows Hair & Body Fragrance Mist is milky, musky, and vibrantly vanilla. The scent is accented with notes like peach skin and patchouli and can be sprayed anywhere that needs a little warmth, including around your home. This fragrance lingers for a while, but reapply as often as you see fit.
- Scent family: gourmand
- Key notes: marshmallow, peach skin, caramel accord, orchid, musk, vanilla, patchouli Indonesia
- Sizes: 1.69 oz
Best Floral: Dior Miss Dior Silky Body Mist
Dior
Miss Dior Silky Body Mist
Why It’s Worth It: If you’re a fan of the original Miss Dior Eau de Parfum, then you’ll love this lighter take on the fragrance. Dior’s Miss Dior Silky Body Mist is ideal for a fresh aura to mist on before you go out, or keep in your purse for touchups—whether you’re wearing the namesake perfume or not. This fruity-floral fusion combines the essence of orange with earthy florals like rose, neroli, and patchouli. Hopping into the shower? Begin with the ever-soothing Miss Dior Moisturizing Body Milk, then towel off and spritz yourself with the body mist.
- Scent family: floral
- Key notes: bergamot, grasse rose, rosewood
- Sizes: 3.4 oz
Best Tropical: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ’62 Perfume Mist
Sol De Janerio
Cheirosa ’62 Perfume Mist
Why it’s worth it: If you’ve used Sol de Janeiro’s signature booty cream, the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, you’re likely a card-carrying member of the fragrance’s fan club. The brand blessed us by transforming the scent of their moisturizer into a line of body mists, which includes the Crush Cheirosa ’62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist. It features notes of pistachio and salted caramel that, when blended, create a delightfully sweet and indulgent flavor. Spray this mist on your lingerie to turn the unsexiest of undies into the hottest thing in your drawer.
- Scent family: gourmand
- Key notes: salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla
- Sizes: 8.1 oz, 3.04 oz
Best Powdery: Diptyque Do Son Body Mist
Why it’s worth it: If you weren’t into the overwhelming sweetness of bygone body mists, try taking a whiff of this grown-up, seaside-inspired pick. Diptyque’s Do Son Body Mist is a breezy scent with a subtle, powdery finish. It’s inspired by the shores of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, where the air is rich with the heady, spicy aroma of tuberose. Expect to smell rose, orange blossom, and red peppercorn as the mist dries down. If you’re using this mist in your hair, apply it after washing and rinsing with cold water. Doing so helps strengthen your hair’s fibers and amp up fragrance absorption.
- Scent family: powdery
- Key notes: tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, marine accord
- Sizes: 6.8 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
How do body mists work?
“Body mists are weaker in aroma strength than eau de parfums or eau de toilettes and often have less expensive aromatic essences in them,” says perfumer Mandy Aftel. Additionally, some body mists have skin and hair benefits that eau de parfums and eau de toilettes don’t. “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,” New York City- and Columbus-based hairstylist Mia Santiago previously told Allure.
What is the difference in concentration between body mists and eau de parfum?
Cosmetic chemist Ginger King explains that a true eau de parfum formula contains 20% fragrance and can last up to 24 hours, whereas a body mist typically contains only 3% fragrance and isn’t as long-lasting. Still, body mists are perfect for a subtle refresh throughout the day.
Why are body mists so popular?
The popularity of body mists comes down to three main things: affordability, versatility, and nostalgia. Thanks to their lower fragrance concentration, mists tend to cost less than their eau de parfum counterparts. They also tend to be alcohol-free—especially those marketed as hair-friendly—which makes them more adaptable. After all, spritzing standard perfume on your strands “would be very drying to your hair and can cause breakage,” per Santiago.
Meet the experts
Get to know other Allure editor-approved fragrances: