You’ve already got a lot of fragrances: perfumes, colognes and Eau de toilettes, scented lotions, body oils. They all smell great on their own, but once you start to layer your scents — make your own “perfume cocktail” so to speak — you discover a whole new world.

layering fragrances

Why should you layer your fragrances?

Layering scents can help you create a signature scent that captures both your personality and your mood. And it doesn’t just mean spraying two perfumes on top of the other. Instead, you choose fragrance notes in your body washes, lotions, and your perfumes and colognes so they enhance and transform each other.

The result: your scent lasts the whole day, but isn’t overwhelming or heavy. It also has that mysterious, elusive quality. People can’t “capture” your scent: you smell amazing, but they can’t just say, “Hey, you’re wearing that new Calvin Klein perfume” or “Hey, you smell like vanilla.” It’s layered, deep, intriguing, unique — just like you.

Here are some simple tips on how to layer your fragrances.

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Choose a common note

Are you using a strawberry-scented shower gel? Then pick a perfume with fruity-floral notes. Just check out perfume sites like Fragrantica, which lists all the notes and even has a forum where you can ask for recommendations from fragrance collectors. Then you shop for bath products that will work with your perfumes (or vice versa).

Build your fragrance wardrobe

Think outside of the box — or should we say, the perfume bottle! Gt different kinds of sets that you can work with:

  • Shower gels
  • Soaps
  • Essential oils (which you can add to your bath water or an unscented lotion)
  • Lotions
  • Shampoos
  • Colognes
  • Perfumes

Get bath sets

This is the easiest way to layer your scent! Many brands like The Body Shop sell an entire range around one scent, from body washes to eau de toilettes. Lush also has really concentrated scents in its bath bombs that are the perfect base for your perfumes.

Don’t mix two heavy scents

It’ll be way too overpowering! To avoid this, spray your heavier scent first, and let your nose guide you on how much more to add. If you’re just starting out with layering fragrances, start with a light cologne or a perfume that you’ve been using for a long time. You’ll know how strong it is, and how the scent lingers and changes throughout the day.

Play with simple fragrances

Some perfume brands like Jo Malone are really designed for layering. Each fragrance only has a few notes, so it’s easy to select the ones that appeal to you most. This may be an easier starting point than a more complex perfume which already combines notes from different fragrance families. (Or, if you will use that kind of perfume, just pick one note and build on it.)

Or to put it in another way: some perfumes like Jo Malone are like the classic white shirt, and some perfumes like Thierry Mugler are like bold geometric prints that need to be carefully matched.

Educate your nose

Look at the fragrance notes of different perfumes. You’ll see some classic combinations that can inspire your scent experiments! For example, many perfume brands combine vanilla and musk, or green tea with light florals. If you have a favorite note (for example, I adore orange and citrus scents) look at how different perfumes use it to create different moods.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

Spray away! The great thing about fragrances is that you can always wash off your mistakes in the shower. Try playing with your fragrances at night or weekends at home. (Why save for your perfume for special occasions, anyway? It’s not like you can actually use up a whole bottle overnight).

Just have fun, and think of perfumes as a chance to play.