An Introduction to the writer - I’m Shelby and I write content for Perfume Direct. With a love for the beauty...
30 July 2024An Introduction to the writer - I’m Shelby and I write content for Perfume Direct. With a love for the beauty industry, I've certainly developed a keen interest in perfume and have tried and tested many over the years.
In the digital world of beauty influencers and at-home makeup artists, beauty trends are fast-changing. And in recent years the anti has been upped thanks to the soaring growth of a little platform known as TikTok. Thanks to creators from across the globe going viral from videos as short as 10 seconds, the industry has once again been flipped on its head.
In the world of fragrance and perfume, a small corner of the TikTok platform has formed, now fondly referred to as #perfumetok. On #perfumetok you will find an array of creators and videos protesting to have found the latest best seller, the most underrated scents, the perfumes that will attract dates and the newest fragrance and beauty trends.
One trend that caught my attention was the fragrance layering trend. This is a technique that is not necessarily new but has become popular with younger generations, discovering their own ways of curating their signature scent. Thanks to its popularity, I put it to the test, and here’s what I found…
Firstly, it’s important to note that in order to trial perfume layering and reach a point of creating your own signature scent, you need to be building or already have built a reliable and relatively substantial perfume collection. And while this may not be feasible for everyone, there’s a huge range of perfumes from budget-friendly to high-end and even celebrity lines that can help formulate your fragrance collection. These don’t all have to be expensive, designer bottles, in fact I found it useful to own a selection in order to trial various perfume notes, lasting powers and brands.
From the likes of YSL to Ariana Grande, I’ve tried my fair share of fragrances and have certainly curated a personal perfume collection that speaks to my own style.*
*Just for reference, some of my most loved perfumes include Chloe Nomade, YSL Libre, Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush and Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (a summertime favourite!).
There’s certainly an art to perfume layering, one thing I discovered rather quickly is that it does take a little more planning and researching to find two scents that will combine perfectly to create a pleasant and long lasting fragrance that not only you will enjoy but others will too.
One thing to bear in mind when layering your fragrances is the key scent notes of each fragrance. The art of perfume layering is in the details. Rather than just picking up two bottles and hoping for the best, I found that paying attention to the key ingredients of the perfumes I was choosing delivered the best results.
For example, combining fruity and floral scents seemed to be an obvious choice, but I found it necessary to delve deeper, making sure that the specific scent notes would match. Cherry and strawberry ingredients don’t always pair well with deeper floral notes such as rose or lavender.
However, after some various attempts and trialling various perfume samples, I was able to create a list of perfume combinations that I think combine well together to create a unique scent.
The iconic Carolina Herrera Good Girl is an oriental fragrance with key top notes of almond, coffee, bergamot and lemon. An iconic scent, which I mentioned is one of my favourites. Particularly for dates nights and evenings. I’ve been complimented on the scent many times, so I knew it was one I wanted to attempt to combine with another fragrance.
Reaching for Valentino’s Donna Born in Roma, this floral fragrance with some similar notes such as bergamot, jasmine, and vanilla, perfectly complements the musky, oriental scent of Good Girl, to add a lighter, floral touch.
A much more budget-friendly addition to your perfume collection, the youthful fragrance of Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy has been a popular perfume amongst avid #perfumetok users and creators. Many of whom have found this to be the perfect perfume layering scent. Blending well with a number of fragrances to add a layer of sweetness. With notes of whipped cream, blackcurrant, vanilla and bergamot, the fragrance is a simple yet dreamy scent that despite its lower price point offers a long-lasting perfume.
Combined with the sophistication of a more luxurious scent like Burberry Her, I was able to create a unique and powerful layered scent that combines floral and fruity notes.
Another popular fragrance that is regularly recommended on #perfumetok is the iconic YSL Black Opium. A great choice for nights out, its unique combination of orange blossom, pear, coffee and cedar, make it a darker, more energetic, gourmand fragrance type. And its lasting power has certainly made it a popular addition within the YSL beauty line. When combined with the aromatic fragrance of Burberry Goddess, I was able to create the perfect evening scent with lasting power for hours and hours. Even after a night dancing I woke up to the bold and sophisticated scent power of this perfect layered combination.
Finally, since we are in the midst of summer, I thought it appropriate to create a powerful summer scent combination that I could reach for year after year. Using my beloved Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, which I rave about to many of my friends and family, combining this with the lasting power of Tom Ford’s famous Soleil Blanc, I was able to curate a floral summer fragrance with undertones of rich amber and vanilla for lasting power even in the heat of the summer sun.
Overall, my experience of trialling the perfume layering trend was a positive one. And I've certainly finalised my journey by creating custom perfume combinations that work for a variety of occasions and seasons in my life. I’d certainly give this viral trend a positive review and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new way to experiment with scents and fragrances.
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