One thing is to go shopping for your favorite perfume, but it is a whole other thing to create your own trademark aroma, which involves a lot of trial and error. Perfume layering, also known as "fragrance cocktailing" by TikTokers, is the process of combining two different fragrances in order to produce a unique fragrance that is tailored to your preferences. Uncertain about how to get started? We asked two professionals to show us how to layer perfume, and they also provided us with some advice on how to make your new fragrance linger longer.
Meet the Experts
Vahy is a fragrance brand that was established by Anna Weatherlake and Kate Macdonald. The firm's products are made using materials that are entirely natural, such as sandalwood, orange oil, and clove. After Macdonald had successfully completed his career as a corporate lawyer, the lifelong friends established the brand in the year 2020. Earlier in her career, she focused on labeling laws, where she discovered that many firms did not list the substances that were used in their perfumes or conduct safe tests to ensure that they were suitable for use in personal care products. They worked together with the goal of making a difference in the world by developing cleaner recipes while maintaining open communication with their customers.
What is Perfume Layering?
Through the process of perfume layering, you are able to create your own unique fragrance by blending two different scents. The skill of layering enables you to wear a mix that is tailored to your mood and/or aesthetic, regardless of whether you are seeking for a straightforward or intricate combination. Simply said, it is an approach to scent that is both exciting and engaging, and it will cause others to inquire, "What perfume are you wearing?!"
How to Layer Perfumes 101
It is not enough to just spray one perfume on top of another in order to get the effect of layering perfumes. The perfume specialists that we interviewed provided us with some insightful information on how to layer perfume, including how to combine complementing notes and where to put perfume on your skin.
- One must be familiar with the notes of a scent. It is essential to have a thorough understanding of the function that each note serves in a scent before attempting to create any blend. To begin, there is the top note, which is the first thing that you will notice about a fragrance since it often has a fresh perfume (such as bergamot, rose, or orange). Then there is the middle note, which is generally referred to as the heart of a scent and is typically warmer (for example, jasmine, cinnamon, and apple). And last but not least, there is the bottom note, which often resonates the longest and becomes more noticeable as the top note begins to fade. This note is typically composed of sandalwood, amber, and vanilla.
- In your body items, try to stick to smells that are comparable.The longer you use the same fragrance throughout your body care regimen, the more noticeable the aroma will be. This is because consistency is key. If you want to smell like vanilla, for instance, you shouldn't restrict yourself to merely having perfume on your body. Give some thought to including a body oil, body wash, body lotion, or soap with a vanilla aroma into the mixture.
- The moisturizer should not be skipped. Regarding lotion, maintaining a hydrated skin is essential if you want your fragrance to remain for a longer period of time. The use of a body lotion prior to the application of perfume is recommended by Weatherlake. This will allow the aroma to adhere more effectively to the skin.
- First, spray on the smell that is the most potent. It is recommended by Weatherlake that you begin layering smells from the most intense to the least intense. "This prevents the base note with the heavier scent from overpowering the lighter scent," she adds. "It eliminates the confusion." Moreover, it gives you the opportunity to experiment with the proportions of the two.
- Don't use too many fragrances at once. We advise beginning with two smells while layering. You may think about adding a third perfume after you've perfected the ratios, advises Macdonald. But start off easy. It's similar to adding too many different components to a soup—usually, less is more.
- Layer perfume, focusing on certain regions. The location of your perfume spray may have a significant impact on how long your trademark aroma remains on your skin. The inner elbows, wrists, and neck are the finest places to spray.
Which Scents Go Well Together?
Now that you've learned how to layer fragrances, it's time to experiment with other smells. Fortunately, our experts gave some advice to help you get started.
Scents that complement one other: citrus and floral.
It's all about layering a lighter perfume (like citrus) over a sweeter scent (such as floral overtones). According to MacDonald, the combination of fresh citrus notes and sweet flowers creates a "lighter, invigorating, and refreshing scent while remaining true to the sweetness of the florals."