Perfume indecision haunts me every single morning. So, when BeautyTok started dropping the phrase “perfume layering,” I was immediately hooked. Each glass bottle that lines my vanity captures a piece of my personality, so the idea that my entire essence could be bottled into a single scent was laughable, to say the least. I realised: Why settle for one when I can wear several? And just like that, I entered my artist era. My canvas? My skin. My paintbrush? My perfume.
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Turns out, perfume layering is more than just a fad—or my excuse to hoard fragrances—it’s actually incredibly practical. Sephora Beauty Director Myiesha Sewell tells ELLE that layering is the key to evolving your fragrance collection from trendy to curated. “You can push and pull scent stories in different directions by adding body butters, additional fragrances or perfume oils,” Sewell explains. “If you really love an ultra-popular fragrance, but aren’t so keen on the idea of smelling like everyone else, layering your perfume is the key to creating something unique to you.”
Below, we’ve curated some starter packs for layering perfume. From ethereal florals to alluring woody spices, your scent game is about to get a whole lot more captivating.
Flower Play
Sure, florals for spring aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but these four white floral perfumes bring an unexpected zest with their citrusy undertones. For a warm, subtly sweet floral kissed with candied citrus and vanilla, start with Dolce & Gabbana’s Devotion. It’s my go-to for those balmy days when I want something light and dreamy, not overpowering. Craving more sweetness? Armani Beauty’s My Way Perfume has your back with its timeless blend of orange blossom and vanilla.
If you’re feeling bold and want your florals with a juicy kick, look for pear-infused notes. “Pear is such an underrated note in fragrance, it literally makes your mouth water,” Sewell explains. “Definitely in my top 5 of all time.” Enter: By Rosie Jane’s Leila Lou, one of Sewell’s faves, or Bond 9. New York Flowers, a favourite of mine, to give your floral scents an extra punch.
Leila Lou, US$80 (about S$103.60), By Rosie Jane
Devotion Eau de Parfum, $259, Dolce & Gabbana via Sephora
My Way Eau de Parfum, $245, Armani Beauty via Sephora
New York Flowers Eau de Parfum, $650, Bond No. 9 via Selfridges
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Citrus-Kissed
Playing with clean citrus scents can be tricky since their delicate notes often whisper rather than shout. Craving a juicy citrus with soft floral undertones? Start with Libre L’eau Nue by Yves Saint Laurent for an effortlessly chic fragrance. Prefer a sharp, sunlit lemon burst? Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino is your dazzling go-to.
In terms of layering, Sewell is a huge fan of Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue Toilette, her “perfect summer fragrance.” She vouches that it brightens any fragrance it’s layered with. But if you’re looking to emphasise orange-forward notes, her go-to is Nest New York’s Seville Orange Perfume Oil. “Fair warning,” she told us, “don’t wear this unless you’re ready to field compliments from all day.”
Libre L’eau Nue, $252, Yves Saint Laurent
Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum, $455, Tom Ford via Sephora
Light Blue Eau de Toilette, $188, Dolce & Gabbana via Sephora
Seville Orange Perfume Oil, $145.10, Nest New York via Revolve
Sweeten Up, Buttercup
A good gourmand scent is the epitome of femininity. But when you can’t find that perfect balance of gooey marshmallow goodness and deep espresso grounding notes, it’s time to start layering. Personally, I can’t get enough of Sol De Janiero’s Cheirosa 71—decadent caramels layered over a salted chocolate chip cookie. It’s definitely sweet, but certainly also strong– just one spritz is more than enough.
Not in the mood for caramels? Sewell is a fan of Brown Girl Jane’s Casino. “The top notes give espresso martini, but the magic is really in the journey through the middle and base notes. The way the almond notes sit on the skin is so sexy and effortless.” For added depth, layer with Kayali’s Vanilla 28 (think velvety tonka and amber woods) or Angel’s Share by Kilian, a boozy, fireplace-ready cocktail of indulgence.
Cheirosa 71 Perfume Mist, $39, Sol de Janeiro via Sephora
Casino, US$102 (about S$130.14), Brown Girl Jane
Angels Share Eau de Parfum, $395, By Kilian via Escentials
Vanilla 28 Eau de Parfum, $200, Kayali via Sephora
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Spiced Perfection
Spicy fragrances aren’t for the faint of heart—they’re bold and intense before simmering into a sultry, smouldering warmth. My all-time favourite is Lush’s Lust perfume. This jasmine-forward scent is intense and soul-stirring, but like its namesake, it smoulders down into a smooth, romantic aroma. While technically a white floral, its spicy, animalistic depth makes it a perfect match for any rich, woody base notes. For something slightly lighter but still jasmine-heavy, Mugler’s Alien—with its dominant amber undertones—is a must-try.
To ground your spicy, curated scent with a true woody base, consider Phlur’s Vanilla Smoke or Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540. Vanilla Smoke, one of Sewell’s picks, blends aromatic, smoky vanilla for a sophisticated, grown-up feel. Meanwhile, Baccarat Rouge 540 is a bona fide perfume hall-of-famer, its airy, complex woody scent intricately laced with saffron and cedarwood. Yes, it’s wildly popular—but that’s why we’re layering: to craft something uniquely you.
Vanilla Smoke Body & Hair Mist, US$38 (about S$49.21), Phlur
Lust, $119, Lush
Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum, $461, Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Alien Eau de Parfum, $180, Mugler via BHG Singapore
What are the benefits of layering perfume?
Layering perfume is paramount to all-day scent longevity and projection. Spritzing different scents along different key areas—wrists, behind ear lobes, or at the base of your neck—not only creates a more complex scent profile than solo fragrances, but also transforms the way you smell throughout the day. “It’s also cost-effective because you are essentially doubling or tripling your fragrance collection by making small tweaks to how you wear them,” explains Sewell.
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Where should I start when layering perfume?
Layering scents starts before you reach for your perfume bottle. First, Sewell recommends ensuring that your skin is aptly exfoliated and hydrated—fragrance will not adhere properly to dry, flaky skin. “If your prep is on point, whatever you put on your skin will last much longer and can be much more robust,” explains Sewell. Products like Josie Maran’s Argan Oil + Sugar Balm Body Scrub and Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Vibezzz are her go-tos for skin prep.
In addition to maximizing how well fragrances adhere to your skin, prepping is a great way to establish foundation notes—such as vanilla, lavender, or citrus—to build off of as you experiment with different perfumes. “Everyone has their own recipes, but I really love starting with a scented body butter, spritzing fragrance and adding an oil if I’m feeling fancy.”
How do I choose which perfumes to layer?
Sewell recommends applying your perfume in steps, and assessing how you’d like to adjust the scent based on your favorite notes. “My mom has always been my personal fragrance influencer,” she explains. “She taught me that it’s helpful to think of fragrance layering like cooking. If something is feeling a little heavy, add a bit of citrus to lighten it up. If it lacks depth, add something creamy like vanilla.”
This article was first seen on ELLE UK.