How to layer perfume? Here are the rules to know
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How to layer perfume? Here are the rules to know

09 june 2022

Fragrance matching is a personal way of expressing individuality and complementing your body's natural chemistry. Whether you're a newbie or a perfume expert, this guide will help you create a signature scent that's uniquely you. The layering principle consists of combining several fragrances to obtain a personalized fragrance. It's a set of aromas that create a unique scent. Fulfill your desire for a bespoke perfume without paying the price that this exceptional service entails. 

This demand comes mainly from perfume lovers. In the west, perfumers and purists are opposed to this practice; understandably, a perfumer who takes a year or two or even more to perfect a successful artistic composition would not want to see his creation mixed with a second one. The layering trend took off under the influence of a common practice from the Middle East, where men and women have long blended fragrances.

Different layering styles

The classic layering in perfumery consists of applying body milk or body cream, talcum powder, shower gel, and deodorant and then extracting into vibrant areas and then Eau de perfume on clothes for the guard (fragrance for others). This layering technique allows you to intensify hold and trail.

Layering principle in perfumery

The practice of layering is widespread in the Middle East. It is a ritual in which women first apply a musk-based cream to their skin and then perfume their clothing and skin with their blend, customized each time to be called bakhour, cassolettes with oud wood, and various resins are burned over embers.

An oud-based perfume is applied, and finally, on top of all these scents, a western aroma. Middle Eastern men are not afraid to wear very feminine Western fragrances. They can't just wear one perfume; they have to wear a unique and mysterious scent. The preferred raw materials in the Middle East are leather notes, oud wood, saffron, and rose.

Some advice on the olfactory layering

Be creative and try different combinations because when the desire to play with perfumes is strong, you can quickly create a chaotic scent. It can be like mixing a piece of Brahms with a bit of Mozart. Experiment with different overlays, and use your intuition, knowing that a beautiful perfume must match your olfactory heritage.

A few layering ideas to avoid the worst

You can combine a vanilla-scented fragrance with a spicy one (check the best smelling spicy perfumes); fruity scents go well with floral scents. Opposites sometimes attract; you can accentuate a property from the same olfactory family and add almost pure vanilla to an oriental aroma usually called vanilla. 

Boost the character with an oriental scent; add a note of patchouli or an oud-based scent. A thick, compact perfume can be brightened up with a very fresh cologne being layered upon one another. Fresh citrus notes pair well with gourmand notes (check the top rated gourmand perfumes).

Rules to be respected for the layering

A first rule is to apply the strongest or most intoxicating scent first and then the lightest. It will prevent the more pungent odor from overpowering the lighter one. Avoid mixing two fragrances with very strong or too multifaceted and complex personalities. Limit yourself to two scents that you can layer.

How to layer the fragrance?

The fragrance layer is the first layer of the body. The higher the number of layers, the more intense and long-lasting your fragrance. Even layering does not have to stop at two perfumes. Once you get comfortable with the layers, try out up to three for even more impact. Here are some tips for creating a distinctive scent.

Keep it light

There is no need to use too many fragrance combinations. The easiest way is to start with a light pace. You should apply stronger scents first, so they don't overwhelm their lighter counterparts. This way, you can judge how much of the more delicate scent needs to be used – and how often.

Understanding Combinations

Before we get started with the different combinations, it's helpful to understand which combinations work together. The top note of any perfume is the smell that you perceive immediately, which is usually a fresh burst, like floral or citrus (check the best rated citrus perfumes for women). The heart note is also known as the "heart of the fragrance" and tends to be much softer. The base note develops at the end of the process and lasts the longest.

Conclusion

The benefit of layering fragrances is you can create something truly unique to you. If you're looking to design a perfume that hits your sweet spot, layer two or three together to create an individual result. 

And what's more fun than making a bespoke scent! Feel empowered and enjoy the freedom of mixing, matching, and layering fragrances. Layering fragrances doesn't always mean spraying perfumes on top of each other; You may prefer to spray one scent on your neck and a second on your wrists. I'll recommend layering fragrance over lotion, and I like to start by applying it all over.

OSMOZ team

OSMOZ team

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