Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
Whether you're leaving home for work or jetting off for vacation, the best solid perfumes are must-pack essentials. Instead of precariously toting around a fragile (and often hefty) glass bottle, chances are your favorite fragrance brands offer refillable compacts housing solidified, soap-like (usually wax-based) forms of their best-selling fragrances. TL;DR You can smell amazing while on the go without risking broken bottles and rollerball tubes—and ruining your personal belongings.
Using these solid scents is just as easy as conventional spritzing; simply swirl your finger around the waxy surface, dab onto your pulse points, and enjoy their subtle, long-lasting aromas. Below, take a look at every solid perfume that Allure editors never leave their homes without.
Our Top Solid Perfumes
- Best Overall: Noyz The Solid Perfume, $42
- Best Gourmand: Tocca Laila Solid Perfume, $50
- Best Warm: Sidia The Solid Perfume, $48
- Best Skin Scent: Glossier You Solid Perfume, $35
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What is a solid perfume?
- How is a solid perfume different from a liquid perfume?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Noyz The Solid Perfume
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Noyz
The Solid Perfume
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: We’ve tried plenty of solid perfumes that fall short when it comes to the formula—dragging on the skin, pilling, you name it—but Noyz’s Best of Beauty-winning The Solid Perfume is infused with hydrating squalane for an extra-smooth balm that glides on without tugging. Even better, each of the seven genderless scents comes in a refillable tube, so you can easily pop in a fresh bullet of your fave or try new scents as you please. You can wear The Solid Perfume solo, but the brand says these sticks double as the perfect base layer, helping whatever fragrance you spray on top smell even richer and last that much longer. (And of course, Noyz has a matching eau de parfum for each solid!)
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Noyz The Solid Fragrance
Jesa Marie Calaor
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Noyz The Solid Perfume
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“I want to smell amazing all day, every day. (Doesn’t everyone?) This set pairs two sensual solid fragrances that help my mission: Love Club blends floral, woody, and fruity notes with marshmallow, while Unmute swirls together vanilla, amber, and plum. This duo—which glides and melts onto skin—acts as a base for the fragrances I want to layer on top. I also reach for them when I need a refresh.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“I have the same scent, Only Human, at home in Noyz's new milky form, so whenever I wear that, I'll use the solid version in the same scent for mid-day touch-ups at my desk. It lasts all day long, and I head home smelling of warm vanilla and sweet cotton candy. Besides being perfectly office-friendly, the luxe reusable packaging makes me want to keep it out on display. The texture doesn't leave behind any sticky residue—in fact, I've convinced myself that it's making my skin softer. A plus: You don't have to rub your fingers all over the product to swipe it on, which is one of my pet peeves.”—Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Scent options: 7 (Shitty Day, Lost + Found, Love Club, Unmute, Only Human, 12:00, and Detour)
- Size: 0.24 oz
Best Warm: Sidia The Solid Perfume
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Sidia
The Solid Perfume
Revolve
Credo Beauty
Allure senior commerce editor Shanna Shipin talking about and applying the Sidia Solid Perfume
Shanna Shipin
Why it’s worth it: Sidia’s The Solid Perfume may be too gorgeous to be true—it’s housed in a matte-black compact that doubles as chic vanity decor. Made from softening jojoba oil and vitamin E, this silky balm melts into the skin as it releases one of three dreamy scents: Braless, Soaked, or Midas. Braless blooms into a soft, milky floral with violet, vanilla cream, and musk; Soaked is a warm, woodsy blend of cypress, cedarwood, and amber; and Midas mixes fig leaves, coconut water, sandalwood, skin musk, and suede for something a little more fresh and clean. Whichever you choose, the scents are subtle but long-lasting—making a statement without ever feeling over the top.
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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“It all starts with the packaging for me. This solid fragrance comes in this gorgeous onyx compact that opens up to reveal a solid perfume balm you can swipe anywhere—I like it on my wrists, under my jaw, or behind my ears. The scents last forever, but I still catch myself reapplying throughout the day just because. They’re so cute, so compact, and incredibly travel-friendly—I toss one in my bag or even my pocket. Braless is my favorite of the bunch—it’s a gourmand, but make it sophisticated, luxe, and a little sultry. I wear it every day.” —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“Inside the sleek black compact—which is smaller than my palm, but larger than a half-dollar—lives a solid scent. It’s made with a base of microcrystalline wax and nourishing jojoba oil; both ingredients give the texture a super-smooth, buttery finish. Like, it literally melts on contact. While there’s no real way to apply a solid perfume, I find I get the most scentful results by dipping and swirling my finger directly onto its smooth surface. Then I delicately rub that same finger into my pulse points (wrist, neck, and inner elbow).” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Scent options: 3 (Braless, Soaked, and Midas)
- Size: 0.13 oz
Best Skin Scent: Glossier You Solid Perfume
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Glossier
You Solid Perfume
Sephora
Glossier
Allure social director Kassidy Silva after applying the Glossier You Solid Perfume
Kassidy Silva
Why it's worth it: Glossier's You Solid Perfume is just as treasured by our zillennial team members as the original eau de parfum. Just like the original, this little baby pink disc features a blend of pink pepper, iris, and ambrox (a synthetic form of musk-forward ambergris) to create its warm, floral profile that smells like skin, but better. It's alcohol-free and anhydrous, with an instantly melting wax base that glides onto the skin without leaving a greasy feel—just a subtle trail of its lush, hazy scent.
Tester feedback from social media director Kassidy Silva
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"I fell in love with this fragrance seven years ago and have had it on hand ever since. With a musky blend of iris and pink pepper, it's a fragrance that never fails at turning heads. This sleek pink compact will always have a spot in my bag." —Kassidy Silva, social media director
More to know
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- Scent options: 1 (You)
- Size: .11 oz
Best Herbaceous: Longtake Basil & Vetiver Solid Perfume
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Longtake
Basil & Vetiver Solid Perfume
Amazon
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying Longtake Basil & Vetiver to her wrists
Sarah Han
Why it's worth it: At first, we almost mistook Longtake’s Solid Perfume for a hand cream—and then we did a double-take when we saw that it comes out as a gel that dries totally clear. Our favorite scent out of the two available is Basil and Veviter, which is infused with a delightfully crisp, herbal fragrance—combining fresh notes of herbaceous basil and tangy lime. The sandalwood base adds a warmth that makes this scent feel cozy, yet bright.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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"Some days my nose is more sensitive to scents than others, so I love being able to better control how much product I'm dispensing with a solid (or in this case, gel) perfume, compared to a traditional spray. Longtake's Basil & Vetiver strikes the perfect balance of woody and fresh, and makes me yearn for a stroll in the woods—or, as best as it gets in Manhattan, Central Park." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Scent options: 2 (Basil & Vetiver and Sandalwood)
- Size: 1.01 oz
Best Application: Dior Miss Dior Mini Miss Solid Perfume
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Dior
Miss Dior Mini Miss Solid Perfume
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure features director Dianna Mazzone Singh applying Dior Miss Dior Mini Miss Solid Perfume
Dianna Mazzone Singh
Why it's worth it: Rather than a usual compact, Dior cleverly packaged the Miss Dior Mini Miss Solid Perfume in a lip balm-esque tube so you can quickly swipe it on instead of using your fingers to swirl and swipe. (Hello, sanitary application.) Treat yourself to one of three of Dior's fragrance blends: the classic Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Mini Miss (Lily of the valley, spicy peony, and powdery iris), Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Mini Miss (damascus rose and white musk), or the Miss Dior Parfum Mini Miss (sparkling jasmine and ambry cedarwood).
Tester feedback from features director Dianna Singh
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"I'm not a big fan of sticking my fingers into products, and that goes double for the ones I use when I'm on the go. That's why Miss Dior Mini Miss Blooming Bouquet Solid Perfume is so brilliant: Twist it up like a lipstick to reveal a solid scent that can easily be swiped on the inner wrists, behind the ears, or anywhere else you want to impart its delicate floral scent. It's both super discreet (I've been known to apply it in the back of an Uber) and incredibly chic." —Dianna Singh, features director
More to know
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- Scent options: 3 (Miss Dior Eau de Parfum Mini Miss, Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Mini Miss, and Miss Dior Parfum Mini Miss)
- Size: 0.1 oz
Best Gourmand: Tocca Laila Solid Perfume
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Tocca
Laila Solid Perfume
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Not your average floral by a mile, Tocca’s Laila Solid Perfume is deepened with warm amber and toasted vanilla. The sweetness stays perfectly in check, thanks to soft florals like jasmine and lily of the valley, while a hint of desert rain adds an earthy twist. The result feels elegant and a little decadent—never overly sweet or juvenile. Plus, the white and gold compact looks so chic on your shelf or in your bag. Its small size makes it easy to slip into your pocket and swipe on your wrists, below your neck, or behind your ears anytime, anywhere.
More to know
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- Scent options: 1 (Laila)
- Size: 0.15 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a solid perfume?
"A solid perfume is a concentrated fragrance blended with a waxy base like beeswax or shea butter," says Isaac Lekach, cofounder of Flower Shop Perfumes Co. According to Lekach, solid perfume is meant to be applied directly to the skin, leaving behind a subtle, long-lasting scent.
How is a solid perfume different from a liquid perfume?
Daryl Do, senior perfumer at Delbia Do, says one of the biggest differences between solid and liquid perfumes is that the former (usually) doesn't contain alcohol. "Solid perfumes are an option for those who may be allergic to alcohol or don't like the vapor from it," he says. "This is a favorite for people who are concerned about the drying effects of alcohol on their skin."
Lekach adds that solids usually have a lower concentration than an eau de parfum, but that doesn't significantly affect their performance. "While some may contain a higher oil concentration and have a slightly better performance, the scent itself would smell the same as in other applications," he says.
Meet the experts
- Isaac Lekach, cofounder of Flower Shop Perfumes Co.
- Daryl Do, senior perfumer at Delbia Do
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best solid perfumes, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and Korean beauty experts to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
