Thought body mists were only for teenagers? Think again. They’ve had a rebrand and are fast becoming summer’s biggest fragrance must-have.
When bodycare brand Sol de Janeiro launched its Cheirosa ’62 fragrance mist in March 2020, to bottle and honour the iconic Bum Bum cream scent, the company probably didn’t know that the product going viral on social media was eventually going to turn the head of the whole fragrance industry.
But five years later, it has.
No longer something ‘only little girls wear’, body mists have been reinvented and improved across the board, with big industry players such as Calvin Klein and niche perfume houses such as Phlur now joining the party.
Powered by the resurgence of Y2K fashion (as Millennial readers will remember, body mists were previously most popular in the noughties), you’ll now find body mists in the beach bags of plenty of grown-up beauty insiders, and it’s not surprising why.
With packaging that is lighter and less fragile than traditional fragrances making them perfect for travel, the scents also tend to be naturally summer-ready, with light and fresh notes that evoke sunny holidays.
Best of all, they’re designed to be applied liberally, not just at pulse points, but to your hair and clothes as well – echoing a holiday’s sense of frivolity. They’re also more affordable, which allows for experimentation and layering.
Interested in breaking up with your Eau de Parfum this summer? Here are seven of our favourite body mists that smell both incredible and expensive.
We had to start with the brand that started the resurgence in body mists – and all Sol de Janeiro's sprays are basically summer bottled! The iconic Cheirosa 62 is a classic, but our current favourite is the limited edition Agua Mistica that is already threatening to sell-out online. The uplifting notes of citrus and florals are light, airy and long-lasting, perfect for sun lounger days by the pool. Plus, at 90ml, it's suitable for carry-on and light packers too.
Another social media favourite (#PhlurMist has over 30 million views on TikTok), Phlur's latest body mist taps into another summer trend – 'good enough to eat' gourmand scents. The mist is a honeyed blend of papya nectar, peach blossom and whipped vanilla, which wraps your body in the same type of flattering warmth as a golden hour sunset. Prefer something softer? You can't go wrong with Beach Skin's floral and coconut blend.
Calvin Klein fragrances were the darling of the noughties so it is fitting that the brand has revamped its offering to include body mists for the new generation. Perfect for anyone looking for a scent that caresses rather than shouts, this favourite of four is a delicate floral and musk aroma that's kind to your skin as well.
For a sophisticated take on the body spray trend, look to luxury fragrance house Jo Malone London's Cypress & Grapevine mist – a unisex aroma that you might find yourself sharing with the men in your life. Woody, earthy and long-lasting (without being too overwhelming), it makes the perfect accessory for warm, balmy evenings, especially when out for dinner and summer parties.
If your summer schedule includes sporting events like Wimbledon, complete with strawberries and cream, this is the body mist to carry with you. A juicy sun-drenched twist on the classic dessert, the fruity yet not too girlish spray has the benefit of containing nourishing baobab oil, so any skin you spritz (arms, legs and pulse points) retains the aroma for even longer, even in the sunny heat.
When people talk about fragrances that transport you to sunny climes, Tom Ford's Soleil Blanc is an absolute classic that always gets mentioned. Now you can enjoy the floral and spicy notes of ylang ylang, florals and cardamom, in a travel-friendly body mist form, which easily evokes the scent of a tropical island wherever you are. You'll find you can't help but spritz it with almost reckless abandon.
While you can spray any body mist across your hair (which has the benefit of holding onto scent for longer), you might want to choose one that is designed for your tresses to avoid some formulas drying them out. This one is designed by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin so certainly ticks that box. Plus, the uplifting citrus and floral aroma (with a unique blend of dragon fruit and ocean breeze) is sure to get you lots of compliments.
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Lead image: Phlur
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