Fragrance 101: Layering Scents Made Easy
Fragrance is like a work of art. It is an experience that is as individual as each of us and equally as personal. As you expand your scent wardrobe, it is natural to become bored of the same scent and find yourself searching for ways to change it up. Or maybe you’re seeking to add some longevity to the formula of a signature go-to. As we know, some formulas lack the Holy Grail of optimum staying power, which becomes a nagging pain point for frag fans. Wouldn’t it be awesome to find the creative hack to reinvent your old faves or craft a unique creation all your own? Make a splash in your olfactory journey with fragrance layering.
Fragrance layering blends two or more scents to make a curated bespoke new fragrance. The result is a smell that is all your own and an individualized experience. Layering scents has many benefits including promoting longevity of your perfume. Which also helps with overall projection and performance of your perfumes and colognes.
Surprisingly, it doesn’t take being a perfumer or an afficionado to craft an individualized scent. Fragrance layering is for everyone. Exploring new scent families is also great for becoming a more savvy fragrance wearer. Don’t miss out on the fun and enjoyment of wearing a signature smell that sets you apart from the crowd.
How do I get started with scent layering? First, try to find a fragrance with a simple composition like a single note base. Think about the family the scent belongs to. And what notes you prefer. If you love woody scents, go for amber, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, oud, or sandalwood. The floral lover might go for a soliflore, or a single floral note perfume. Some common floral notes are rose, tuberose, magnolia, peony, and jasmine.
Florals
For a fresh take, try a citrus family note like bergamot, lemon, mandarin, lime, and grapefruit. These scents cut through with a brightness and sunny perspective.
Citrus
Gourmand fans take your pick of sweets, including scents with vanilla bases, pink and brown sugars, salted and unsalted caramels, and even chocolates. Try out fruity notes such as strawberries, raspberries, and cherries.
Gourmand
One suggestion is to add scents according to the depth or heaviness of the notes. Lighter, more delicate scents may be best applied before bolder richer scents. It helps provide a nice overall projection and artful application. Following this step ensures a longer-lasting fragrance with a perfumer’s attention to detail.
Just as a refresher, let’s take a quick mini crash course in fragrance composition. Top notes are the lighter airier notes in a fragrance. These typically don’t last as long as other notes. Top notes are the attention grabbers when you first spritz on your perfume or cologne. These tend to dissipate in 30 minutes or so. The heart notes, or middle notes, are usually the stars of the scent. They are medium weight in comparison to the heavier base note and the headier top note. Heart notes are thoughtfully added to scents to complement the mixture and create that signature feeling and emotion of a perfume or cologne. The base note ties the other notes together with a rich, dense, longer lasting quality. Base notes linger and possess “staying power” that is so sought after in upscale designer or niche perfumes.
Another tip is keeping fragrance families together that correspond and work well. Such as white florals with fresh citrusy notes like bergamot or yuzu. Or vanilla with spicier scents with notes like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, or coffee. Or fruity notes with fresh or spicy elements. With a vast lexicon of scent choices on the market (and here at LUXSB), you are only limited as your imagination! Start with some of your LUXSB finds and you’ll soon discover the secrets to fragrance family mixing and matching!
Moisturize
For a longer lasting scent experience, be sure to remember to moisturize your skin. This step uses body lotions and creams in conjunction with scents. This step gives your fragrance a stronger barrier and layer to grab and adhere to. You can purchase scented body creams sold that are part of a brand’s fragrance wardrobe specifically designed for layering. For another way to keep your scent going, look for body oils and hair perfumes. If your favorite brand doesn’t sell a partnering body cream or lotion, try using a regular drugstore unscented body lotion or cream. If skin sensitivity is an issue, look for dermatologist tested products (such as CeReve, Nivea, or Lubriderm) as your base to lock in the goodness and potency of your favorite scent. LUXSB’s CEO, Co-founder and fragrance expert Leila Zagwolsky suggests this hack for a scent that stays with you from daytime to nightfall. “Moisturizing and layering is the key for a longer-lasting fragrance. The drier the skin, the less longevity.”
Don’t forget to check out some of the perfume oils and essential oils that are on the market when searching for a single note formula as that all- important base ingredient for your layering project. Perform a spot skin test for allergies or sensitivity to any new product to be on the safe side.
Remember to have fun with it as you dive into fragrance and scent layering. Any new DIY can easily become one part of your regular beauty routine when made into an enjoyable creative experience. There are no hard fast rules when making your bespoke niche creation. Who knows what you will discover during this new addition to your current self-care and wellness ritual? Here at LUXSB, we fully encourage you to discover new scents and delve into your individualized scent journey with enthusiasm.