I Have 50+ Perfumes, But I Keep Coming Back to These $28 Hair and Body Mists
Our take
The beauty landscape is perpetually shifting, a constant churn of new launches and fleeting trends. Yet, amidst this frenzy, a quiet rebellion is emerging: a return to the foundational, the reliable, the unexpectedly accessible. The recent piece detailing a beauty editor’s devotion to $28 hair and body mists, despite a collection of 50+ perfumes, speaks volumes about this evolving sensibility. It’s a fascinating counterpoint to the relentless pursuit of the exclusive and the high-priced, echoing a broader cultural movement toward mindful consumption and a rejection of overt displays of wealth. We’ve seen similar shifts in other areas of beauty, like the revival of early-2000s makeup trends [4 Early-2000s Makeup Trends That Are Back—With a Modern Twist], demonstrating a cyclical nature and a desire to reinterpret the past through a contemporary lens. The editor's choice isn't about lacking discernment; it’s about prioritizing comfort, familiarity, and a curated simplicity amidst an overwhelming abundance.
The power of these accessible fragrance options lies in their versatility and ease of integration into daily life. Perfumes, often reserved for special occasions or a carefully considered ritual, can feel weighty and demanding. These mists, however, offer a lighter, more casual approach to scent—a subtle layering throughout the day, a quick refresh after a workout, or a simple spritz to elevate a basic outfit. This aligns with a growing trend of "scent layering," a practice embraced by many seeking a personalized olfactory experience. Even bolder experimentation, like Rihanna’s recent bleached brows for *Elle* [Rihanna Dons Bleached Brows For 'Elle''s Latest Cover], highlights a willingness to play with personal style and challenge conventional beauty norms – a mindset that extends to fragrance choices as well. The beauty editor’s preference isn’t a downgrade; it’s a strategic refinement, a recognition that true luxury isn’t always about price point, but about the emotional resonance and practical utility of a product. The ability to master even something as seemingly simple as wavy hair [After 26 Years, I Finally Mastered the Perfect Wavy-Hair Technique for My Type 2B Strands] also speaks to a desire for achievable beauty goals, reinforcing the appeal of accessible and reliable products.
This shift also reflects a broader cultural conversation around authenticity and self-expression. The days of blindly following trends dictated by influencers and glossy magazines are waning. Consumers, particularly younger generations, are increasingly seeking products that align with their values and reflect their individual personalities. A carefully curated collection of affordable staples can be just as powerful, and arguably more meaningful, than a overflowing cabinet of expensive, rarely-used fragrances. It’s a move away from the performative aspects of beauty and toward a more intimate, self-directed approach. The beauty editor isn't signaling status; she's communicating a sense of ease, confidence, and a refined understanding of her own preferences. This is a powerful message, particularly in an industry often driven by aspiration and the promise of transformation.
Ultimately, the beauty editor's choice underscores a profound truth: true style is not about chasing the latest hype, but about cultivating a personal aesthetic rooted in comfort, quality, and intentionality. This isn't simply about fragrance; it’s a microcosm of a larger cultural shift towards mindful consumption, understated elegance, and a rejection of the relentless pursuit of external validation. As consumers become increasingly savvy and discerning, will we see more beauty influencers and experts embracing the power of the "basics" and championing accessible alternatives to high-end luxury? The future of beauty might just be found in the quiet confidence of a $28 mist.
As a beauty editor, I'm lucky enough to test hundreds of new product launches per year. I also consider myself a scent collector, which is why I currently have 50+ perfumes sitting atop my vanity. (Yes, I counted.) Some are classic floral fragrances. Others feature luxurious gourmand notes (vanilla, caramel, pistachio, you name it). Others still have a woody, smoky, or earthy quality. The point is that I have a lot of perfumes to choose from, including some that are worth a small fortune ($400 or $500+). Yet, despite my incredibly wide collection of scents, I keep coming back to the same $28 hair and body mists. Keep scrolling to see the exact ones and learn why they're currently causing my other bottles to collect dust.
Ouai St. Barts Hair & Body Mist
Notes: Dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and musk
Did you guess Ouai's Hair and Body Mists? I don't blame if you if not. After all, Ouai is first and foremost a haircare brand (it was founded by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin), but it does fine fragrance extremely well. It has a whole line of eau de parfums, which I've been wearing on and off for years, but lately, I can't get enough of the brand's lightweight mists.
Neither can the rest of the Who What Wear beauty team. Last year, I, along with my beauty-obsessed colleagues, crowned Ouai's St. Barts Hair & Body Mist with a coveted Who What Wear 100 Beauty Award. (That's how you know it's *really* good.) With notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and musk, it's basically an all-inclusive beach vacation, bottled. The warm-solar fragrance is tropical yet not too fruity or sunscreen-forward the way others tend to be. Instead, it's elevated, luxurious, and expensive-smelling—perfect for collecting all kinds of compliments when you wear it in the wild.
The sun-soaked scent is hands down my most-worn Ouai Hair and Body Mist. I can't get enough of it. That's why I also bought Ouai's other St. Barts–scented items, including the Leave-In Conditioner ($18), Moisturizing Body Cream ($22), and Gentle Body Wash ($18). I also highly recommend Ouai's Mini St. Bart's Body Set ($36). It's perfect for traveling.
Ouai Santorini Hair & Body Mist
Notes: Peach, orange, honeysuckle, and amber
If St. Barts is the warm, sun-soaked scent of summer dreams, then Santorini is the light, bright, and clean-smelling scent that's "as refreshing as a dip in the Aegean Sea." It's fresh and slightly citrusy, with notes of peach, orange, honeysuckle, and amber. I find myself reaching for it A) on particularly hot and humid days when I want to smell cool and refreshed or B) whenever I want to smell "clean" and not necessarily like I'm covered in a heady perfume.
When my sister smelled it on me, she asked (and I quote), "Why do you smell so good?" When I told her it was thanks to Ouai's Santorini Hair & Body Mist, she requested I bring her the bottle so she could test it on herself. When I did, she immediately placed a Sephora order on her phone. If that's not proof it's something special, I don't know what is.
Ouai Ibiza Hair & Body Mist
Notes: Cocoa, tonka bean, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and rum
As a beauty editor, I strongly believe there's a time and place for every fragrance category, and rich, sultry, date-night scents are no exception. This, dear reader, is an elite "come closer" concoction. It's the perfect mix of sugar and spice with notes like rich cocoa, creamy tonka bean, smooth vanilla, and warm cinnamon. Spray it on your skin, and it dries down to a soft, alluring, and radiant aura—never heady, obvious, or over the top. It's utterly beguiling. I must agree with the brand when it says, "[It] smells like dinners at midnight and dancing the night a-Ouai."
Ouai Melrose Place Hair & Body Mist
Notes: Champagne, bergamot, rose, lychee, pink peppercorn, and white musk
Last but not least, I have to talk about Ouai's first and perhaps most signature scent: Melrose Place. Inspired by the West Hollywood side street of the same name, it features sweet, sparkling notes of champagne, bergamot, rose, lychee, pink peppercorn, and white musk. Soft, airy, and traditionally feminine, it's a romantic, swoon-worthy scent for anyone who loves classic floral fragrances.
The Limited-Edition Mini Set
This limited-edition Mini Set contains travel-size versions of all four scents.
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