How to Layer Perfume to Create Your Own Signature Scent

Perfume layering lets you create your own custom scent by combining two perfumes together. Whether you’re looking for a simple or complex blend, the art of layering allows you to wear a blend that fits your mood and/or aesthetic. Simply put, it’s a fun approach to fragrance that will have people asking, “What perfume do you have on?!”

How to Layer Perfumes 101

Layering fragrances involves more than just spraying one perfume on top of another. The experts we interviewed shared some valuable insights on how to layer perfume—from understanding how to blend complementary notes to where to apply perfume on your skin. 

• Understand the notes of a perfume. Before creating any mixture, it’s important to know the role each note plays in a fragrance. First, there’s the top note, which is the first thing you’ll notice with a scent, as it often has a fresh aroma (like bergamot, rose or orange). Then, there’s the middle note, also known as the heart of a fragrance, which is usually warmer (i.e., jasmine, cinnamon and apple). And finally, there’s the bottom note (often sandalwood, amber and vanilla),which usually stays on the longest and comes through more as the top note fades.
• Stick to similar scents in your body products. The more consistent you are with using the same fragrance throughout your body care routine, the more the scent will stand out. For example, if you want to smell like vanilla, don’t limit yourself to just perfume. Consider adding a vanilla-scented soap, lotion, body wash and/or body oil to the mix. 
• Don’t skip the moisturizer. Speaking of lotion, the key to making your scent last is to keep your skin moisturized. Weatherlake suggests applying a body lotion before putting on perfume, so the fragrance will cling to your skin better. 
• Spray on the strongest scent first. According to Weatherlake, start layering scents from heaviest to lightest. She says, “This prevents the base note with the heavier scent from overpowering the lighter scent. It also allows you to play with the ratio between the two.”
• Limit the number of perfumes you layer on. “When layering, we recommend starting with two scents. Once you’ve nailed the ratios down, you can consider bringing in a third scent,” says Macdonald. Start simple though. “It’s the same as mixing too many competing ingredients in a soup—often less is more.”
• Target specific areas when layering perfume. Where you spray perfume can make a huge difference in how your signature scent wears and how long it lasts on the skin. The best areas to spray include the wrists, the neck and inner elbows. 

Now that you understand how to layer perfumes, it’s time to experiment with some scents. Luckily, our experts provided some tips to get you started. 

• Scents That Balance Each Other Out: Citrus + Floral

It’s all about applying a lighter scent (like citrus) over a sweeter scent (like floral notes). The fresh citrus notes mixed with sweet florals leave behind a “lighter, invigorating and refreshing scent, while still staying true to the sweetness of the florals,” says MacDonald. 

Avoid combining two heavy perfumes together. Instead, find a simple scent (like jasmine or vanilla) and then add a more complex one to even it out. As the experts point out, stick with two perfumes to start, so you don’t overwhelm your senses or create an overpowering aroma. 

FYI, you don’t have to be married to the three combinations above. They’re meant to be a starting guide. The fun part about perfume layering is that you get to experiment. You can work with classic scents (like vanilla and rose) or combine unexpected aromas together (like pepper and rose). It’s about finding your scent, so let the notes guide you into making the best combinations. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Do You Make Your Scent Last Longer?

After taking the time to create a signature scent, the last thing we want is for it to fade as soon as we’re out the door. Thankfully, the experts shared three tricks for making your scent last longer.

• Check the perfume’s concentration. “The concentration of the scent affects how long any perfume lasts. Eau de parfums are usually 15 percent, while eau de toilettes are usually 5 to 15 percent,” explains Weatherlake. The higher the concentration, the longer the scent will last on your skin. 
• Understand the scent note profile. “In the natural fragrance world, certain notes burn off quickly (top notes like citrus and fruits) and others have a longer lasting effect like heart and base notes of woods, vanilla and amber,” says Weatherlake.
• Keep your skin moisturized. If you have dry skin, you’ll have a harder time keeping the scent around. After showering, apply a body lotion to damp skin so the scent has something to cling on to. Then, spray your perfume on top. 

Where Are the Best Places to Apply Perfume? 

“We recommend spraying your perfume in a few places, including behind the knees, the inner crease of your elbows, along your pulse points (wrists and neck), behind your ears and on your cleavage,” says MacDonald. Also, don’t rub in the fragrance, which can break down the molecules, and give your clothes a light spritz for good measure.