I firmly believe that there is magic in perfume that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.
For something seemingly frivolous, it can project expression, evoke feelings, and encapsulate memories.
If you’re also a fragrance fan, you’ve no doubt heard that you “shouldn’t mix scents”, and I am on a mission to dispel this unimaginative beauty rule.
The first time I came across this notion was at a friend's birthday party in my early teens, I’d gone all out for the occasion and mixed a body spray with a stolen spritz of my mum's perfume (classic teenage behaviour).
Long story short, a friend complimented my concoction, and when I revealed my scent secrets someone else wrinkled their nose and let me know that “I wasn’t meant to do that and mixing perfumes is like a total no-go.”
I’d like to say I didn’t care, but since it was the first thing that came to mind when this topic rolled across my desk, I’ll admit it may have stung my little teenage ego.
Anyway, I’m here years later with an inner-child-fuelled announcement — Break. All. The. Beauty. Rules. You. Want.
Layering fragrance is such a playful way to explore what you like in a perfume— it’s also a way to use your existing collection of body washes, fragrances, body sprays, and lotions to make a whole variety of new scents.
Honestly, the article could probably end here with an enthusiastic call for everyone to go experiment.
But if you’d like some guidance on the confusing and often wordy world of fragrance read on.
Oh and it goes without saying, I’ll be dropping in some layering recommendations as well.
A Fragrance Refresher.
Let’s begin with a quick swim through some terminology — it’s the whole ‘give a man a fish’ vs ‘teach a man to fish’ quandary. If you know what you’re looking for, it’ll be easier to find it.
Scent strengths:
Fragrances are generally made up of a concentrated perfume oil that’s mixed with a carrier, usually an alcohol or an unscented natural oil.
Perfumes that have a high concentration of pure fragrance will usually have a longer lasting time and be a bit on the pricier side.
Saying that, more perfume oil doesn’t always mean better — it’s all subjective to your taste, but do keep the concentration in mind when you’re spritzing.
The first time I used a parfum I did three gluttonous sprays right before a road trip and not only could I still smell it HOURS later, we had to do most of the drive with the windows down.
Parfum or extrait: 20-30%
Eau de parfum: 10-20%
Eau de toilette: 5-15%
Eau de cologne: 2-4%
Fragrance Families.
PSA, if you’re a fragrance professional, I apologise for using scent, fragrance, and perfume interchangeably.
Maybe don’t read the next bit — but while you’re here if I’m wrong about anything, I am willing to pay for my metaphor-laden descriptions by attending free fragrance education classes (the sacrifices I’m willing to make).
Although there are exceptions to the rule, most fragrances can be categorised under at least one (and more often than not, multiple) of the four fragrance families (below).
Understanding which fragrance families you’re drawn to is a really good way to work out what you like.
Floral: classically feminine, flower heavy, soft, powdery.
Amber: warm, herbal, spicy and includes scents like vanilla and myrrh.
Fresh: bright, clean and light, covers notes such as citrus, aquatic, and oceanic.
Woody: warm and opulent, scents like sandalwood, patchouli, and moss.
How to Layer Fragrances.
Fragrance layering doesn’t have to only include perfumes, you can also experiment with body sprays, scented body washes and lotions .
Fragrance layering tips:
Prepping your skin with a moisturiser will make your fragrance last longer.
If you’re beginning with a body wash, make sure it’s the last thing you use in the shower — so the scent isn’t washed off by any shampoo or conditioner.
If you’re layering multiple perfumes, spray the strongest fragrance first and layer the less concentrated or less powerful scents afterwards.
Pulse points like the backs of your knees, your elbow, or your neck will be slightly warmer and may intensify the scent.
The oils in perfume can cause sun sensitivity, so be careful about spraying fragrance directly on the skin.
You can layer complimentary, linear, or contrasting scents. The world is your oyster.
The Scent Combination That I Wear Almost Every Day.
Aesop Karst Eau de Parfum 50mL x Compagnie De Provence Hand Cream Black Tea 300ml
I’ve been leaning towards woodier fragrances lately and Karst has reigned supreme.
Its woody-seriousness is offset by a citrus and pink pepper top note.
It’s light and herbaceous and grounded with sandalwood and juniper, while still offering up a bit of salty aquatic goodness.
The Black Tea moisturiser has a soft tea-and-blackberry scent that lingers longer than any other scented lotion I’ve used.
Combine them, and it’s like you’re in a magical place where sandalwood and cedar forest meet the sea.
You’ve just gone for a dip in the ocean, and as the seafoam is still dripping off you, you walk up to a beautifully presented picnic complete with piping hot black tea and fresh berries.
Also, it’s somehow in France.
Now, I could have kept recommending fragrance combinations that I loved, but it would have turned into an ode to smoky, spicy, woody scents and lacked some variety.
Instead, I went and found Liz, our Junior Fragrance Category Manager.
She's the kind of person who can slip terms like ‘sillage’, seamlessly into conversation.
Also, she’s hectically funny and carries the essence of a breakfast radio personality — watch her and our Beauty Editor Jas talk through 2023’s most popular scents below.
