A favorite in Asia and poised for success stateside, solid perfume offers people of all ages a chic, new accessory and outlet for self-expression. Housed in beautiful vessels and twist-up sticks, nearly all of which are refillable, there’s an eco-friendly component, too. “Driving the trend is also their appeal as personal, indulgent luxuries,” says Jenine Guerriero, head of marketing and consumer insights, Fine Fragrance North America for Givaudan. “They are portable and convenient, yet crafted with premium quality.”
Like K-beauty’s influence on skin care, solid perfumes have been a big trend in Asia as of late, and the U.S. is next. “The telltale sign of growing consumer interest is the growth in search volume,” says Guerriero. “Data from SPATE shows the highest Google search volume for solid perfume in 2024 was from South Korea, with quarter-over-quarter growth of 299 percent. Japan also experienced 376-percent growth in the same time frame. And in the United States, TikTok searches for solid perfume are up 621 percent [as of press time].”
3 Things We Love
01 THEY’RE ALCOHOL-FREE
Alcohol-free fragrances have become a more popular request from consumers as of late, and solid perfumes are usually alcohol-free. “They’re made with a blend of waxes and/or oils that offer a different application experience,” says Guerriero. “You apply them directly to your pulse points, including your wrists, neck and behind the ears where the warmth of your skin helps to diffuse the scent.” Most formulas are made with nourishing ingredients, but it’s best to patch-test beforehand if you have sensitive skin.
02 THEY TEND TO LAST LONGER
Depending on the formulation, Guerriero says solid perfumes can last longer than sprays. “They typically have a high fragrance concentration, evaporate slowly and linger on the skin for hours.” This makes them great for layering or using them as a primer for sprays. The Chloé fragrance team at Coty adds that using both a solid and liquid fragrance together can enhance the overall scent experience. “Try applying an EDP for projection and a solid for touch-ups throughout the day.”
03 THEY’RE FUN
Solid perfume is an easy way to get a quick dopamine boost. There’s something very enjoyable about taking one of these fragrances out of your purse, and it looks like it should be makeup, but then there’s this moment of surprise and delight.
1. CHLOÉ “THE NOMADIC ATELIER” SOLID PERFUME ($93)
Launching in May, this little treasure comes in three Atelier Des Fleurs scents: Cedrus, Magnolia or Santal.
2. ĒMA FRAGRANCE CUSTOMIZABLE COMPACT ($40)
Choose from 30 different notes (bergamot, vanilla, etc.) to create your own signature, refillable blend. Pick one of five compact colors, too.
3. NOYZ THE SOLID FRAGRANCE UNMUTE ($42)
Rub this silky, amber-vanilla balm into your pulse points or use it as a primer for your eau de parfum spray.
4. SIDIA SOAKED SOLID PERFUME ($48)
Infused with olive oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E, this skin-friendly scent gives mystical forest vibes.
5. DIOR MINI MISS MISS DIOR EAU DE PARFUM ($85)
Though it looks like a lip balm, this chic, twist-up perfume evokes a feminine floral bouquet with hints of vanilla.
