Bespoke Fragrances by You
How to Layer Fragrances
Layering fragrances, colognes and perfumes, is a creative way to personalize and expand your scent wardrobe as well as a way to create your own signature fragrance, custom-blended by you. We offer some tips below to guide you on crafting new and unique olfactory experiences!
Method 1:
Custom Blends by You
The other approach to layering involves layering two or more different fragrances, in any combination of forms. This method invites creativity and allows your mood and personality to guide you. Choose as many layers and use as many techniques as necessary to achieve your goals, which may be to create your very own signature scent or to build a custom scent tailored to a special occasion or to fit a specific mood.
Next we provide some tips to get you started creating your own fragrance cocktails.
Keep it in the Family
Complementary Notes
Complementary fragrances share similar notes and often belong in the same scent family. When layered together, complementary scents enhance each other, creating a harmonious and balanced aroma. Common layering techniques include layering different floral eau de toilettes, brightening floral fragrances with fresh fragrances, or enriching woody fragrances with amber fragrances.
Spotlight Your Favorite Note
Single Note + Complex Blends
Single note, or linear, fragrances have stable scent profiles that maintain a consistent aroma from the initial application to the dry-down. Layering a linear fragrance with a more complex perfume or eau de parfum allows you highlight and amplify a favorite scent note. Think of this as transforming a light floral fragrance by adding the warmth of sandalwood. Alternatively, layering complex amber and woody fragrances on top of citrusy verbena scents can increase the complex scent's versatility by adding a fresh lightness to the olfactory experience.
Honeysuckle and Sandalwood Eau de Toilettes shown blended.
Experiment & Have Fun
Contrasting Scents
After blending complementary and single note fragrances with complex perfumes and eau de parfums, you may wish to try your hand at layering multiple complex fragrances together. Two contrasting scents, and we recommend layering no more than 2 complex fragrances at a time, have different olfactory profiles composed of "opposite" scents. Broadly, amber scents are contrasting fragrances to fresh scents, and floral notes oppose woody notes. As a consequence, this layering technique seeks to highlight the differences between two complex blends by creating unexpected and bold scent combinations.
Number Six and 2571 Eau de Parfums shown blended.
Method 2:
Scents in Different Forms
The first method to layering fragrances involves the common practice of using multiple body products, like soaps, body lotions, and body washes as well as men's grooming products like shave creams, that are infused with the same or similar scent notes as your chosen perfume or cologne. This method allows you to build a fragrance foundation before applying your perfume or cologne of choice. We recommend this method for two reasons.
in all its forms
Embrace Aromatherapy
First, this method simply gives you more ways to indulge in your favorite scents. We're known for our bar soaps for a reason. Your daily shower or bath should be a moment to look forward to, and our soaps enhance that experience with their exceptional fragrance. And of course, after your cleanse, hydrating lotions provide another avenue for indulgent but necessary self-care.
And gentlemen, shave creams, beard care, and all other grooming & styling products also count, so take care and layer appropriately.
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Strengthen & Amplify
Extend Longevity
Second, this method of layering can help build a longer-lasting scent and will extend its wear throughout the day. This technique is so popular in fact, we recommend layering the same fragrance in multiple forms to maximize its staying power.
Start with the classic soap plus perfume (or cologne) formula!
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PRO-TIP: Moisturize
Hydrate SKin
Add a hydrating lotion while skin is still damp to create the ideal foundation. Scents adhere much better to moisturized skin as opposed to dried-out skin.
More application tips below.
Shop LotionTechniques for Custom Blending
Tips for Layering
Order Matters
1) When layering fragrances, apply the stronger, or heavier, fragrance first and then apply the lighter fragrance. This prevents the lighter fragrance from being overpowered. Plus, you can re-apply the lighter scent later throughout the day as needed to give an extra lift to those more delicate notes.
Where Matters
2) Experiment using different application points. Apply fragrances to different pulse points on your body to ensure they blend harmoniously. Common application points include the wrists, neck, behind the ears, backs of knees, and inner creases of the elbows.
When Matters
3) You skin will best absorb fragrance when it is warm and pores are open, meaning right after showering or bathing. Make sure to dry skin first and then apply to pulse points without rubbing. And as a reminder, moisturized skin is the ideal canvas to begin layering.
Build your Collection & Start Layering
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