I've Tried So Many Perfumes, But It's This Underrated Scent That Earns Me the Most Compliments
Body sprays are the most wearable way to smell amazing this season, and these go beyond just a fresh spritz.
Grace Day
When it comes to the best perfumes for women, body sprays are often overlooked. I don't know about you, but until recently, whenever I would think about body sprays, I would be taken back to the Victoria's Secret Bare Vanilla Body Mist that I would layer on as a teenager before heading to school. However, this underrated fragrance category has had a serious upgrade in the past few years, with brands such as Tom Ford and Diptyque creating high-end, luxury body sprays for women that are now front-runners in my perfume collection.
You see, just like hair perfumes, body sprays happen to be a much more affordable way of trying out your favourite brands. For example, a Byredo perfume may set you back a cool £150, but the brand's body spray retails for £65. Not only that, but they're also a lot easier to throw in your handbag, meaning that you can easily top up your fragrance throughout the day.
In fact, body mists are my secret weapon to smelling good all day long, as I can easily give myself a quick spritz without the scent becoming overbearing or proving to be a very costly price per pump. They're also a great way to ensure your scent lasts throughout the day, especially when layering over a scented body lotion too.
According to Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves, body mists can be used alone or layered to create a scent that is completely unique to you. "I have always loved body mists and travel everywhere with them," she says. "You can spritz as many times as you like, as they aren’t going to overpower you with fragrance. I love the easy way you can refresh your scent throughout the day, wherever you are."
If you want to try out this underrated fragrance trend for yourself, then you're in luck, as I've tried and rounded up my favourite body sprays for women below. Keep on scrolling for some of the best scents to shop now.
The 11 Best Body Sprays for Women, According to An Editor
- Best Overall: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist (£20)
- Best Affordable Body Spray: The Body Shop Shea Body Mist (£12)
- Best Luxury Body Spray: Byredo Bal d'Afrique Body Mist (£70)
- Best Body Spray for Evening: Jo Loves Tuberose A Fragrance Body Mist (£55)
- Best Fruity Body Spray: Tom Ford Lost Cherry Body Spray (£88)
1. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist
Key Notes: Pistachio, salted caramel, vanilla, jasmine petals, sandalwood
If you prefer sweeter scents, then this is the body spray for you. Another great option for summer, this Sol De Janeiro fragrance features notes of salted caramel and pistachio. Trust me, it smells almost good enough to eat (but we definitely don't advise that).
2. Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist
Key Notes: Pink pepper, lily, jasmine petals, vanilla, sandalwood, benzoin
Phlur's fragrances are all stunning, but don't sleep on Phlur's body mists, which are incredibly long-lasting. My favourite is Vanilla Skin, a heavenly gourmand scent which leaves your skin drenched in the creamy scent of vanilla that is utterly addictive.
3. Byredo Bal d'Afrique Body Mist
Key Notes: African marigold, bergamot, buchu, cyclamen, violet, vetiver, cedarwood
Is there anything chicer than a Byredo body spray? Based on the iconic fragrance from the brand, this woody-floral scent diffuses a delicate mist that leaves you smelling expensive from top to toe. It's a great way to top up on the eau de parfum without having to carry the bottle in your handbag.
4. Jo Loves Tuberose A Fragrance Body Mist
Key Notes: Tuberose, ylang-ylang, musk
For something a little richer, I recommend the Tuberose A Fragrance Body Mist by Jo Loves. Notes of tuberose are mixed with ylang ylang and sweet jasmine, which makes spraying this scent feel like a walk in a garden.
5. Tom Ford Lost Cherry Body Spray
Key Notes: Black cherry, bitter almond, rose, jasmine sambac, Peru balsam, tonka bean
Although this fragrance sounds like it would be overwhelmingly fruity thanks to top notes of cherry, it has a hint of spice to keep things interesting. Think: cedar, cinnamon and sandalwood. It's truly unique, not to mention it looks beautiful on display.
6. The Body Shop Vanilla Fragrance Mist
Key Notes: Shea butter, sandalwood, musk
Another great high-street option. The Body Shop's Shea Fragrance Mist smells as delicious as you would expect, but I like the fact that it feels like a grown-up version of your classic body spray, thanks to the fact that it's not too overpowering.
7. Dior Miss Dior Scented Body Mist
Key Notes: Grasse rose, bergamot, white musk, patchouli.
I love the original Miss Dior perfume, so when I saw that the brand also did a body mist in the scent, I had to try it. It's not as powerful as the perfume itself, but I love how light it is, as it means I can layer it with other scents if I fancy something a bit different.
8. Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Sheer Moisture Mist
Key Notes: Grapefruit, quince, jasmine, white musk
If you've smelt the Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Eau de Toilette, then you'll know how beautifully fresh and floral this fragrance is. It's such a sophisticated everyday scent, and the mist is no exception. The clever thing about this is that the mist also works to moisturise the skin, so you're getting two benefits in one.
9. Caudalie Thé des Vignes Fresh Fragrance
Key Notes: White musk, neroli, ginger, orange blossom, jasmine
As much as I love Caudalie skincare, it's actually the brand's fragrances that I favour the most. Out of all of the body sprays on offer, this scent is my favourite, as it reminds me of sunny evenings spent on holiday with friends. Notes of neroli and orange blossom give it a fresh, citrusy kick, whilst white musk and jasmine add a sensual finish.
10. The White Company Seychelles Hair & Body Mist
Key Notes: Bergamot, amber, coconut, vanilla
The White Company fragrances are so chic, and the Seychelles mist features creamy vanilla, warm amber and fresh bergamot and coconut, making it ideal for the summer months. It's a perfect summer perfume.
11. Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hair & Body Mist
Key Notes: Peach nectar, sparkling lemon, orange flower, and black pepper
With notes of jasmine, lemon, and tonka bean, this clean but cosy scent is like an olfactory comfort blanket. It's also incredibly long-lasting, lingering on skin, clothes, and hair all day long.
Why Is Body Spray Better Than Perfume?
Body sprays are a great alternative to perfume if you like something a little lighter, but how do they actually differ? "The difference between a body mist and a perfume is the formula of concentrated oil to water and alcohol," explains Malone. "Body mists have a lower level of concentrated perfume oil, whilst perfumes will have higher levels and less water." So, if you're looking for a more subtle, everyday choice, body sprays are the way to go.
Why Use Body Spray Instead of Perfume?
There are many reasons why I love using a body spray instead of perfume. Firstly, as mentioned above, they're a lot lighter, so they're perfect if you find certain perfumes a little too intense. Not only that, but a lot of body sprays come in slimmer packaging, making them easy to travel with or to throw in your handbag when you're heading out the door. Last, and by no means least, these sprays are much more affordable than perfumes, and allow you to try out those luxury brands at a fraction of the cost.
How to Apply Body Spray
Body sprays are designed for both your body and clothing, so you can apply them quite liberally. Malone recommends putting yours in the fridge on a hot summer's day for a quick, cooling burst of fragrance.
How We Tested
A fragrance-obsessed beauty editors, we put these body sprays through their paces to find the very best. We tested them for their scent as well as their longevity, and tried a range of scents from gourmand to floral so you can find the best body spray scent for you. The ones in our list have been tested first-hand by our discerning beauty team, so you know these are the best of the best.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
