Perfume Direct has shared its great ‘insider tip’ for updating your signature smell – layering.
We’ve all been there. You love wearing your favourite fragrance but you can’t smell it on yourself – which is quite simply a bit annoying (plus it might end up that your smell is a little ‘over-powering’ to others around you as you!)
So if you’re looking to update your signature scent, or perhaps just want to get more from your current perfume collection, then ‘the secret art of fragrance layering’ could be just what you’re looking for.
And according to Perfume Direct’s recent survey, on average people in the UK have five bottles of perfume open at any one time so mixing two scents together to make a new and unique fragrance is the ideal way to maximise your current scents …and it won’t cost you a penny!
Jonny Webber from PerfumeDirect.com explains how to subtly layer your scents to create a fresh new fragrance. “Mixing your perfumes together can be an exciting way to create a completely custom scent, showing off your personality through your choice of fragrances. By being able to layer different scents, you can create a new fragrance out of your collection whenever the mood strikes.
“Fragrance layering is also ideal if you just can’t find the ‘one’, a perfume that you absolutely love. Instead, you have the chance to make your own signature scent using perfumes you already like. By layering your perfume, you can also help to make the overall scent last longer, as your skin won’t absorb all the fragrance oils as quickly.”
So, when it comes to layering your fragrances for the first time, where do you start? How do you decide the right fragrances and in what order?
“Although there aren’t really any ‘rules’ in what you can and can’t layer, you might want to follow some general guidelines to try and achieve the best results”, says Jonny.
“Always spray the heavier scent first, or it could overpower the lighter fragrance.
“Understanding the various notes and layers within each individual fragrance can also help. The top notes of a fragrance are what you usually smell straight away when you spray it; they are usually fresh and light. Middle notes form the heart of the fragrance and often consist of warmer and soft scents. The bottom notes develop last and linger for hours.
“If you’ve never layered your fragrances before, consider combining two perfumes that share a common note. A good example of this would be jasmine, which is very popular and used in a multitude of different fragrances. If you’re feeling a little braver, choose two opposite fragrances; for example, a spicy note mixed with vanilla, or a woody note with something citrus-based.
“In many cases, woody and musk-based fragrances are the easiest to layer with, as they can combine effortlessly with fruity notes, floral notes or even something spicy.
“Everyone’s perception of scent is different, so try experimenting until you find a combination that you love. It’s wise to avoid combining two heavy fragrances as this could result in an overwhelming blend. For example, Black Orchid by Tom Ford is absolutely best worn on its own as it’s already very intense and complex.
“So, if you’ve got some time on your hands, why not spend some time creating new concoctions out of your perfume collection? You never know what you could end up with!”
Some examples of perfumes that layer really well together include:
- Anything Jo Malone! Jo Malone is all about fragrance layering and there are many combinations of its perfumes and creams that go well together including Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body Crème with its Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne.
- Floral scents provide a great anchor for mixing so start with a classic floral boutique like Viktor + Rolf’s Flowerbomb and combine it with a sophisticated scent like Cartier La Panthère for a more refined fragrance
- Another good way of amplifying your fragrance is to layer two scents from the same family, or scents with the same notes – e.g. try teaming Gucci Bloom (a floral with notes of jasmine) and Mugler Alien (a wood-based fragrance with jasmine).