Have you ever wondered what the secret is to upping your fragrance game? Like making it last longer? Or creating your very own bespoke scent? What about discovering new note combinations without having to buy new fragrances? Enter ‘fragrance layering’ – an art that requires wearing several different fragrant products (ie. EDPs, EDTs, body washes, body oils, body lotions, bath oils, hand creams and essential oils). There are no direct rules when it comes to creating scent pairings, just tips on which notes to pair and which ones might clash, and you can use as many products as you choose. And if you want to intensify your favourite scent, layer the products that contain the same notes. Let’s get layering…
Jo Malone London
The first stop on our fragrance-layering journey is with the brand most known for it – Jo Malone London. One of the things that makes JML so special is its scent pairing service, which encourages you to layer different scented products to create your own bespoke scent. We suggest combining two familiar favourites – Lime Basil & Mandarin and Wood Sage & Sea Salt. Start off with the Lime Basil & Mandarin body and hand wash in the shower, followed by the same body creme to intensify the scent. While you’re waiting for the creme to absorb, spritz your pulse points with the ever-so-dreamy Wood Sage & Sea Salt. The earthy, aromatic notes bring out the crispness of the clean, citrusy notes beautifully.
Clarins
Allow us to set the scene: Close your eyes. Picture yourself lying on the lush, green grass of a beautiful garden surrounded by your favourite flowers. Inhale. Exhale. Now – imagine bottling this particular scent. The Clarins Eau des Jardins Smoothing Body Cream contains all the notes of your dream garden, such as rich citrus, sweet rose and crispy freshness. Pair it with the Clarins Treatment Fragrance Eau Extraordinaire to lock in the scent all day long. What makes this fragrance unique is that it’s created with 95% essential oils, all of which have stimulating but softening properties to promote the well-being of your skin. Bliss.
Kiehl's
Here’s a duo you didn’t think you’d see on our list, but it works like a dream. The Kiehl’s Creme De Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter is like a dessert in a tub – the thick, creamy texture feels extremely decadent upon application. Not only does it seal in moisture thanks to its powerful combination of shea and jojoba butters, but it’ll keep your fragrance lingering longer too, sans greasy residue or fuss. Generously spritz your bottle of Kiehl’s Original Musk EDT Spray on your body to enhance the sweet, vanilla notes of the body butter. And here’s a tip – musk is a very versatile scent, so it pairs with the majority of notes, such as fruity, floral, spicy, citrus and clean green combinations. Spray it first before layering it with your favourite scent to develop your bespoke fragrance.
Elizabeth Arden
Using a thick-textured body cream with your fragrance layering is key, as it helps to intensely hydrate the skin and add longevity to your scent combination. Elizabeth Arden’s White Tea Pure Indulgence Body Cream is the ultimate pamper product as it contains antioxidants within the formula to help protect your skin and prevent it from further damage. The light floral scent of the body cream has hints of musk, which link it beautifully to either of these EDT choices: White Tea Mandarin Blossom and White Tea Wild Rose. In our opinion, both scents used together complement the body cream. Or you can just choose one if you’re not up for layering more than two products.
Molton Brown
Don’t underestimate the scent power of a fragranced body wash and an EDP. The key is to choose a heady EDP, such as the Molton Brown Delicious Rhubarb & Rose EDP – it opens up with notes of rhubarb leaf, litchi and grapefruit, followed by a rosey, pink peppery, peony heart and settles into a musk, vanilla base topped with cedarwood. After you’ve washed yourself with the ever-relaxing Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Body wash, dowse yourself in its EDP counterpart and revel in it. This combo truly is a feast for your senses. And you deserve the pamper.
Fenty Beauty
If Rihanna had to smell like something, we’d imagine it to be this: she’d first layer her body with the Fenty Beauty Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream – a deadly weapon against dry skin thanks to its blend of seven essential oils and other ingredients, such as cherry extract, a powerful form of Vitamin C and antioxidant to help get the skin glowing. Once applied, it leaves the skin with a healthy, velvet sheen. RiRi would then drench herself in Fenty Beauty EDP head to toe – obviously. The note line-up is undeniably intoxicating with Bulgarian rose, magnolia, musk and tangerine taking centre stage. No need for a SOS. We’ve got you covered!
