Perfume layering. A step-by-step guide

Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

If I had to name one of the most popular perfume trends on TikTok, I would, without hesitation, say: layering. This modern way of thinking about luxury and self-expression has become a viral method of personalizing fragrance. Everyone’s talking about the art of layering - influencers, perfume lovers, and even manufacturers eager to meet their customers’ evolving needs.

Perfume layering explained

For the uninitiated, layering is the practice of applying scents in layers - either by wearing several perfumes at once or by following an entire scented ritual: the right shower gel, lotion, oil, and body mist, all topped off with your favorite perfume. Sounds easy? Well -yes and no. The essence of layering lies in carefully selecting products and perfumes to create a unique scent that becomes your own signature, harmonious composition.

Individuality and personalization are at the heart of layering. And what other benefits does it bring? First and foremost - longevity. Apply a strong base scent first, such as amber, oud, or vanilla, on well-moisturized skin, then layer a lighter fragrance - say, citrus - on top, and magic happens: the lighter scent clings better to the skin thanks to the heavier scent molecules. Have a perfume you love but that fades too quickly, and another that’s ultra-long-lasting but lacks the wow factor? Combine them, and you’ll get a scent with a full evolution (opening → heart → base), making it last longer and smell more interesting. Layering can also “fix” a perfume that’s too sweet or sharp, or adapt a fragrance to the season. All pros, no cons.

Before it blew up on TikTok, layering had a very different character. The practice originates from Middle Eastern culture, where a full sequence of products was used: first balms, then oils, followed by perfume, and finally bakhour smoke. Carefully composed scents accompanied daily life and were an integral part of prayer and holiday celebrations. In modern perfumery, layering made its debut in the 1990s thanks to Jo Malone, a brand that designs fragrances to be mixed and matched for a complementary effect.

How to layer?

While layering offers vast creative freedom, there are a few rules worth following to get the best results. It matters where, how, and which scents you apply. There are two main techniques:

1. Layering in the same spot (classic version). Apply two, maximum three fragrances on the same area of skin - wrists, décolletage, neck, or the crook of the knee -waiting 30 seconds to 2 minutes between each so the layers settle without fully fixing. The result? Something entirely new and unique.

2. Layering on different spots (distributed layering). Spray different perfumes on different parts of the body - for example, one on the neck, another on the wrists, and optionally a third on the hair. Apply them at the same time or with short breaks, avoiding “conflicts” and creating a scent that’s dynamic and multidimensional.

So, what scents should you combine? YouTuber and TikToker Emma, a fragrance design student and creator of perfumerism - an Instagram account with over half a million followers - suggests:

1. Similar scents. Choose perfumes that share common notes or character, e.g., vanilla with caramel, lemon with green tea, or oud with amber. This reinforces and prolongs the scent.

2. Simple and complex. Emma identifies two kinds of “simple” perfumes: mono-note scents like vanilla, and “clean musky” scents - skin-like aromas based on musk or ambroxan. When paired with a complex, multi-note fragrance, the simple acts as a booster, enhancing depth and longevity.

3. Notes known to blend well, such as:

- Fruits with flowers

- Saffron with leather

- Flowers with fresh accords

- Rose with lychee

- Green notes with citrus

- Mossy notes with citrus

Mixing aromas this way unleashes your inner fragrance artist, crafting something entirely your own. Layering fits perfectly into the “smellmaxing” trend - maximizing your personal scent - so popular among Gen Z and Millennials, who are focused on expressing their identity and individuality. Perfume is perfect for that - it follows no strict rules and becomes a laboratory for personality.

If you’d like to try some tested layering combos, here are suggestions using our own Rêve de Chantelle perfumes:

Set 1: Floral sensuality for lovers of feminine, seductive fragrances

Lady Rêve – rose notes

Xavier – warm amber, sandalwood

Absolu – sensual orchid and coconut

1. Spray Lady Rêve on wrists and neck

2. Add one spritz of Xavier on top

3. In the evening, apply oriental Absolu to the décolletage and nape

Set 2: Freshness with masculine energy for those who value elegant scents with character

Caspian – refreshing mint and citrus

Samir – spices and cedar

Omar – akigalawood and amber

1. For daytime – Caspian solo or with one spritz of Samir

2. For evening – Samir + Omar for a more oriental, sensual vibe

Layering is a little perfume magic - simple yet endlessly fun, giving you the feeling that you’re not just wearing perfume but creating something uniquely yours. You don’t need to buy new fragrances to smell different, and you can compose entirely new blends every single day. Ready to play fragrance alchemist? It’s absolutely worth it.