Perfume layering has been a big buzz phrase of late and there are hundreds of videos of TikTok or #perfumeTok all talking about how to layer fragrances. So we thought we’d take a look and offer up our opinion on this trend.
So, What is perfume layering?
Perfume layering is a fun and creative way to personalise your fragrance and make it truly unique to you. The process involves blending usually 2 or 3 three scents together to create something that is more unique to you. This layering trend is all about creating something unique. But doing this in a way where you don’t smell like you have just had a head-on collision with a fragrance counter isn’t quite as simple as people make out.
Understanding Perfume Notes
So most people will understand top, middle and base notes to be the fragrance notes you can smell at the start or opening of the scent, the middle being the notes that emerge after the top notes fade away and finally the base notes which are more often than not the deep, rich scents that linger on your skin long after the perfume has been applied. Understanding how these notes interact with one another is key to creating a harmonious scent profile and is key to understanding fragrance layering.
Choosing Complementary Scents
When it comes to perfume layering, the key is to choose scents that work well together. Mixing floral, fruity, woody and spicy notes can create a complex and intriguing fragrance that is truly one-of-a-kind. Experimenting with different combinations can help to find the perfect balance that resonates with your personal style. Here’s our mini guide to complementary fragrances.
How do We Create New Perfumes?
What are the best perfume layering combinations?
1. Vanilla & Spicy or Woody Scents
Why It Works: Vanilla’s warmth and sweetness blend effortlessly with spicy or woody notes, creating a rich, cozy, and long-lasting scent.
For a beautifully layered fragrance, consider starting with vanilla as a base. Pairing vanilla with oud brings a sensual depth and smoky richness, perfect for a bold and alluring scent. Combining vanilla with sandalwood creates a creamy, comforting blend that has a soft woodiness, ideal for a warm, cozy vibe. If you’re in the mood for something more gourmand, layering vanilla with cinnamon or nutmeg adds spicy warmth, resulting in a deliciously inviting fragrance. These combinations highlight vanilla’s versatility, allowing you to create a scent that suits your mood or occasion.
2. Citrus + Florals
Why It Works: Bright, zesty citrus notes complement the soft, fresh nature of floral fragrances, creating an uplifting and energetic combination.
Bright citrus can help to balance the lush sweetness of jasmine whereas bergamot can add a fresh, sharp edge to the classic romantic rose. An unusual take on the citrus floral combination could include grapefruit & lily which creates a crisp, vibrant combination with a green touch.
3. Amber + Musk
Why It Works: Amber’s resinous, sweet and warm character blends beautifully with musk’s smooth, clean, and sensual qualities, producing a long-lasting, seductive fragrance.
Amber and Musk are perfect together, creating a soft and warm combination that feels sensual and elegant, whereas adding patchouli to the mix adds a deep, mysterious scent with hints of earthiness. Looking for a sweeter take on the deep and glowing amber Amber? Why not add a touch of Vanilla, for a sweeter more gourmand nuance.
4. Fruity + Gourmand Scents
Why It Works: Fruity notes such as berries or apples pair well with gourmand elements like caramel, chocolate, or praline, creating a playful, indulgent scent.
Well could can dislike a fruity/ gourmand combo when it combines juicy and tangy Apple with sweet and sugary caramel. Think delicious, mouth-watering toffee apples goodness. But the fruit/ gourmand direction doesn’t have to be dominated but the sugar sweet vanilla and bright berries, it can also include, chocolate, plum and dark berries, creating a deeper and darker scent.
5. Green + Woody Notes
Why It Works: Green, fresh notes like vetiver or galbanum combine well with woody notes like cedar or sandalwood, creating a grounded, forest-like scent.
Well no surprises here; woody and green notes are an obvious partnership. Whether it be Cedarwood and Vetiver with a sharp, grass-green scent or Galbanum and Patchouli giving earthy and grounding vibes, there are plenty of great layering options with this combination.
6. Floral + Gourmand Scents
Why It Works: Floral fragrances like rose, jasmine, or ylang-ylang mix beautifully with gourmand elements like vanilla or tonka bean for a modern, feminine combination.
This combination has been a major trend for the last few years as we pair light and delicate florals with more honeyed, sweeter and mouthwatering notes. Jasmine and Vanilla is a perfect example of how simple (and sometimes polarising scents) can be layered together to create something sweet and creamy yet with a delicate floral touch. The richness of chocolate paired with rose highlights the deep, romantic quality of rose. We’ve recently seen the rise of honeyed notes and we love it being combined with gardenia for a sweet yet indulgent scent.
7. Aquatic + Citrus Notes
Why It Works: Aquatic or marine notes, which evoke a watery, oceanic feel, blend well with citrus for a refreshing, breezy combination that feels light and invigorating.
Another no surprise in terms of fragrance combinations. This one is as old as the hills. Going back as far as the birth of early perfumery, when the first cologne was created, aquatic and citrus notes have blended perfectly together to create refreshing and crisp fragrances. Marine notes, salted notes, lime and grapefruit all sit very happily together adding zesty, brightness and freshness to water-inspired scents.
8. Leather + Floral
Why It Works: The deep, rugged nature of leather complements soft florals like rose or violet, creating a balanced contrast between tough and tender.
Due to the strength of many leather fragrances, the addition of floral touches brings a softer, powdery nuance to a fragrance creation. Rose, Violet and Iris all bring a slightly softer quality to the bold, rugged and animalic leather fragrances.
9. Patchouli + Citrus
Why It Works: The earthy, slightly sweet character of patchouli pairs surprisingly well with fresh citrus notes, creating a vibrant yet grounded scent.
Patchouli is another powerful fragrance with a very polarising scent, but with the additional citrus fruits it can brighten and energise fragrances. Orange Lemon and Bergamot all bring different aspects to the earthy and deep patchouli.
10. Woody + Floral Scents
Why It Works: The softness of florals and the depth of woods create a balanced and well-rounded fragrance.
Creamy and exotic florals are strengthened and softened by deep woody scents. Sandalwood and Jasmine combine to create a sensual and creamy floral touch, whereas Cedarwood paired with Rose provides depth with romantic softness. For a slightly different take why not try merging oud with tuberose for an exotic and luxurious floral-woody blend.
Longevity and Sillage
One of the advantages of perfume layering is that it can enhance the longevity of a scent, allowing it to linger on your skin for hours. Understanding sillage, or the trail of scent that a perfume leaves behind, is also important when layering scents. Finding the perfect balance between longevity and sillage can help you create a scent profile that is both captivating and long-lasting.
Layering Techniques
Now that you’ve chosen your scents, it’s time to start layering. Apply different scents to various pulse points on your body, such as your wrists, neck, and behind your ears. Experiment with the order in which you apply the scents to see how they interact with each other and evolve over time. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try out different layering techniques until you find the perfect combination.
General Tips for Layering:
- Start Light: Apply a lighter scent first, then layer a stronger scent on top to avoid overpowering one fragrance.
- Match Notes: Look for fragrances with complementary or shared notes for harmonious blends.
- Opposites Attract: Sometimes, contrasting notes (like fresh and spicy or floral and woody) can create a dynamic combination.
- Use Unscented Lotion: Layer unscented body lotion between scents to make them last longer.
Fragrances that are great for Layering
Bulgari Allegra – Magnifying Essences
Molecule 1
About Carvansons
Carvansons is a world-leading manufacturer of mass-market and bespoke aroma compounds for the UK and international markets. Founded in 1941, Carvansons design, test and manufacture fragrance oil for various industries. Our fragrances can be found in industrial and home care products, fine fragrance, room scents and personal care. We comply with IFRA guidance around the use of fragrances and can provide all safety information where required. Our experienced and dedicated team of fragrance experts are well placed to support and advise on the latest trends and research. We provide a bespoke and tailored service perfumery creation service that supports your needs. Working in partnership with our customers, we help create the perfect fragrances for their products and build long-term relationships.
We work with many different companies throughout the world, which include both household names and smaller, niche industries. As a result, we look to advise and consult with you on the perfect scents for your product through market research and new product development.
To contact our team, please click here.
