Have you ever tried layering your fragrances? It's a neat trick for creating a complex (and totally unique) signature scent... but it can also be a total disaster. (Your mom probably advised you against wearing more than one perfume at a time, back in the day). Still, it's definitely possible to do — so we went to a couple experts for advice on how to get it right.
"Layering fragrances is like styling an outfit," says Erika Shumate, co-founder of Pinrose. "Doing this takes a creative and adventurous spirit, combined with a little trial and error." It also takes a little know how — so keep on reading for some more expert dos and don'ts for layering fragrances.
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Make sure you spray your scents in the right order
"When you want to create a distinctive, layered scent it's good to remember that different aroma molecules have different molecular weights," says Mariya Nurislamova, CEO and co-founder of Scentbird, a monthly perfume subscription service. The heavier an aroma molecule is, the longer it will take to evaporate — which is why you tend to see so many perfumes with light citrus notes such as grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, and lemon as top notes, explains Nurislamova. She also adds that heavier notes such as resins, vanilla, amber, and spices will stay longer on the skin and are best used as foundational scents in a perfume.
"When you're layering a scent, always make sure to spray the spicier, heavier one first and follow it up with a lighter, zestier, brighter citrus or floral scent on top," advises Nurislamova. If you layer a spicy perfume on top of a light floral or fruity fragrance, you run the risk of smothering the lighter, breezier quality all great light perfumes have, she explains.
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Layer scents so they complement each other
"Another useful trick in layering scents is to combine two scents that will easily blend together and provide what is missing between the two," says Nurislamova. For example, a spicy Oriental with lots of vanilla, patchouli, and amber isn't going to have a lot of citrus — so she would suggest pairing it with a light mandarin or bergamot-heavy fragrance to deepen the sheerness of the citrus and keep the spices from getting too ponderous.
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Layer your scent with a complementary (or unscented) body lotion
"The easy layering trick to keep your favorite fragrance going strong is to layer it on top of unscented lotion," Nurislamova explained. The moistness of the lotion will help to bind the aroma molecules to the skin and prevent them from evaporating as quickly as they would on dry, unmoisturized skin, she explains. You can even try this trick with a scented lotion, for the dual purpose of adding complexity to the scent profile as well as longevity.
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Alternatively, layer with lotions with the same perfume formula
"Another useful idea is to layer your favorite perfume with a body lotion or cream that contains the same perfume formula — in effect doubling down on your scent strength," says Nurislamova. As she points out, many designer fragrances sell gift sets with both a lotion and the fragrance included for just this purpose.
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