Spray perfume, solid perfume, body mist, hair perfume… Perfumery keeps expanding the ways we can enjoy fragrance and enrich our sensorial rituals.
Have you ever tried applying your favourite scent directly to the skin? Solid perfume brings a uniquely intimate feeling.
A historic gesture, reinterpreted for today
Though they may seem new, solid perfumes (in stick or balm form) have ancient roots, from the perfumed ointments of Ancient Egypt to aromatic balms across Asia.
What's new is how today's fashion and fragrance houses are reimagining them, blending sophisticated formulas and design-led packaging for consumers who value exclusivity and practicality.
Compact, sustainable, and visually striking, these small olfactory treasures redefine everyday luxury. How do they differ from traditional liquid perfume? Solid perfumes offer a more intimate fragrance experience and introduce a modern beauty gesture–practical and easy to carry–that perfectly fits a fast-paced lifestyle.
Thanks to their high concentration of oils and the protection offered by their solid format (shielding them from air and light), their scent lasts longer. Just one application lingers for hours, and you can discreetly reapply at any moment.
Compact fragrance: the luxury of scent anywhere
One of their greatest appeals is portability. With no risk of spills and no liquid restrictions for air travel, they slip easily into an evening bag, a car glove compartment, or a coat pocket.
In a world that never stops moving, solid perfume becomes an indispensable olfactory accessory.
More than fragrance: maximum sensorial pleasure
Made with natural waxes and oils, solid perfumes act like a hybrid between fragrance and moisturising balm, offering comfort as well as scent. This double function, perfectly aligned with the trend toward multitasking cosmetics, explains their popularity among those seeking a more intimate, conscious sensory ritual.
A nod to sustainability
Lightweight, compact and requiring less bulky packaging, solid perfumes help reduce waste and materials. Many formulas also feature a higher proportion of natural ingredients, positioning them as a chic, eco-friendly choice.
The solid perfume can be considered a hybrid between a fragrance and a moisturising balm, as it brings softness and comfort to the skin, as well as scent.
Design objects
Brands have turned this format into a true object of desire. Jewel-like packaging, couture sticks, and capsule designs echo fashion accessories. Among the standout creations, brands such as Dior, Diptyque or Jo Malone offer perfume sticks to complement their liquid fragrances:
- Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Mini Miss Perfume Solid: a stick enriched with rose wax and 82 % natural-origin ingredients.
- Diptyque Do Son: airy, floral, and sophisticated.
- Glossier You: minimalist and designed to merge with your skin chemistry for a "your skin but better" effect.
- Jo Malone London Solid Scents: perfect for layering multiple fragrances.
- Aerin Rose de Grasse: a delicate rose touched with pink pepper.
Solid perfumes: trend, fashion, or revolution
Fleeting fashion statement, rising trend, or a true revolution? Perhaps a little of all three. Their versatility, striking aesthetic, and sustainable ethos have made solid perfumes one of the most coveted formats in modern perfumery: a refreshing way to play with scent and experience fragrance in countless new ways.
