The art of mixing two or more fragrances together is not new, but not very common. Have you ever tried mixing your perfumes together? It can be an exciting way to create a completely custom scent, showing off your personality through your choice of fragrance. By being able to layer different scents, you can simply create a new fragrance out of your collection whenever the mood strikes.

Layering fragrances allows you to create a unique signature scent when a single perfume doesn't capture your ideal aroma. This method lets you combine the perfumes you already enjoy. In doing so, you can personalise your fragrance to suit your preferences perfectly.

Fragrance layering is also helpful if you just can’t find the ‘one’ perfume that you absolutely love. Instead, you have the chance to make your own signature scent using perfumes you already like.

However, when it comes to layering your fragrances for the first time, where do you start? How do you decide the right fragrances and in what order?

How to layer your perfumes

Layering your perfume doesn’t always mean spraying two different perfumes over each other. It can be achieved in a number of different ways; putting on scented body lotion after a shower and then perfume, or spraying different scents on different parts of the body. You could even experiment with products like hair mist alongside your usual perfume.

Although there aren’t really any rules in what you can and can’t layer, you might want to follow some general guidelines to try and achieve the best results. Remember to spray the heavier scent first, or it could overpower the lighter fragrance. By layering your perfume, you could help to make the overall scent last longer, as your skin won’t absorb all the fragrance oils as quickly.

Which scents are best to layer together?

Understanding the various notes and layers within each individual fragrance can help. The top notes of a fragrance are what you usually smell straight away when you spray it; they are usually fresh and light. Middle notes form the heart of the fragrance and often consist of warmer and soft scents. The bottom notes develop last and linger for hours.

Similarly, taking a look at the fragrance families may help you choose notes that naturally pair together better than others.

Choosing your layers

If you’ve never layered your fragrances before, consider combining two perfumes that share a common note. A good example of this would be jasmine, which is very popular and used in a multitude of different fragrances. If you’re feeling a little braver, choose two opposite fragrances; for example, a spicy note mixed with vanilla, or a woody note with something citrus-based.

In many cases, woody and musk-based fragrances are the easiest to layer with, as they can combine effortlessly with fruity notes, floral notes or even something spicy.

It may be helpful to remember that there is no right or wrong. Everyone’s perception of scent is different, so try experimenting until you find a combination that you love. It’s wise to avoid combining two heavy fragrances as this could result in an overwhelming blend. For example, Black Orchid by Tom Ford is absolutely best worn on its own as it’s already very intense and complex.

So, if you’ve got some time on your hands, why not spend some time creating new concoctions out of your perfume collection? You never know what you could end up with!