Your thoughts on layering

Hi everyone,

I can't get myself to layer my perfumes. I always feel as though I would insult the 'noses' that created the perfumes...

And besides...I imagine it to be so time consuming to try layer two...then maybe not feel satified, wash off, try something else...

What are your thoughts on layering? And how do you manage to find the best combinations?

Two or three years ago, I wrote some blogs on layering experimentations on this site.  While I still experiment with layers, I stopped writing because people were becoming rude, and I'm not sacrificing my mental health over it.  

My opinions: 

+ Layering is always trial and error.  Sometimes, a combination is great, and sometimes it's a disaster.  However, with experience and knowledge, it gets easier to find solid combinations.

+ People are free to do whatever they want with a fragrance they own.  If someone wants to layer their fragrance, go ahead.  If someone doesn't, that's fine as well.

I really wouldn't know where to begin with layering. I'm at the point in my perfume journey where I enjoy fragrances as they are. There are so many I haven't tried that experimenting in creating a custom combination is low on my priorities at the moment. That said, the only two I've layered are the ones designed by the perfumer to be layered, namely Juste Filthy and Scatamalis . The result, I must say, is awesome.

Hi @GeorgeReid, Oh, sad to read people became rude, I can't imagine people being rude here on Perfumo (fragantica is another thing, I left there because people are quite rude to eachother there ) But anyhow, thanks for the insight and I guess for me it indeed would be trial and error and maybe more error than trial in my case . And ofcourse people can layer if they want to, but to me it still feels a bit like cheating apart from all  the efforts it would cost. But that doesn't mean I would condemn people who do. Just curious how people feel about it. 

Smirky I really wouldn't know where to begin with layering. I'm at the point in my perfume journey where I enjoy fragrances as they are. There are so many I haven't tried that experimenting in creating a custom combination is low on my priorities at the moment. That said, the only two I've layered are the ones designed by the perfumer to be layered, namely Juste Filthy and Scatamalis . The result, I must say, is awesome.

Hi @Smirky,

Same here. I wouldn't no where to start either. The only thing I can imagine is that people may find a good layering by chance, like when they spray something on clothing that still smells of another scent and it turns out good for instance.

But also then I would feel not quite comfortable layering those.

I rarely apply perfumes in layers.

It takes experience, it's important to know how to combine them well. Sometimes I do and it can be really great. 
I usually have this combination and never more than two perfumes.

Xerjoff Accento Overdose and MKF Oud Silk Mood

As someone who likes to experiment layering is VERY fun for me even if I get an unsavory result, I find that cheapies are the ones to layer more to be honest, the fragrances will uplift each other and it can boost longevity sometimes, also a great way to use up a perfume that you don't reach for as much, since you're altering the scent to more your liking. 

More expensive ones are obviously curated with a lot more precision for the price point/quality of the ingredients, not to say they cannot be layered! endless possibilities! I completely understand why someone wont want to layer, if you don't know it'll take time to learn what combos you like and sometimes we don't have the time to be doing that with the risk of hating the combination when you've got work to do and places to be, as well as the fact that each perfume on its own is an art piece.... 

I am not a big fan of layering either. But when I try, I mix a single note scent with something more elaborated, like orange blossom + a more elaborated citrus or fresh perfume, or white musk + a floral.

I also accidentally discover a great match : "The Ghost In The Shell | Etat Libre d'Orange" + Goddess Eau de Parfum

I've never had any luck with it. Niche or not, there are some synthetics in the background of scents that won't play nice with each other or they're the same and they'll overdose. I keep hearing about layering with Encre Noire, but every time I do, the results are too sweet. I know, right? Encre Noire - sweet? But yeah. 

Same here! I find layering such a fun, experimental process. Like you, I take into consideration how complex the fragrances are and if something is already beautifully crafted and complex enough on its own, i'm less likely to layer it. 

How do you keep track of your layering tests ?

There was a similar topic at that "other site" and there was an interesting idea posted. Use the various Molecule perfumes as enhancers - make certain notes more prominent and/or enhance performance. I'm not going to be doing that anytime soon myself but thought it was an interesting layering concept.

Interesting! I would have thought there'd be many people who do layer, but apparently that's not the case. 

@Smirky, I can imagine these Molecule perfumes would be most suitable for layering, but I don't own any, the ones I smelled in the shops didn't thrill me...and from what I read about them, the chemistry involved is quite complicated (people being noseblind to some of their ingredients etc...).   

Yes @EvitaVilla, I can imagine that accidental good match. Maybe that's the best way to find out about a 'good layering'.

I tend to feel that high quality fragrances are better balanced, and I'd only layer them for a very specific purpose.

I feel more free to experiment with cheapies; occasionally they're lacking a certain something and it's fun to see if I can improve on them.

I really only layer perfumes if I want to enhance a certain profile in a perfume. For example if I want to make a perfume more creamy or milky I may add in Blanche Bête or Milk's Note. If I want to sweeten it up I may add Delizia di Marshmallow... things like that. It's fun to do at times but usually I just wear one perfume at a time.

I think of layering of fragrances works the same way you might style an outfit differently than the next person, or need garment alterations to fit your figure. Body chemistry and nose perceptions being different is comparable to having a styling preference or different body shape/size than the item was originally made for.

I think layering works great if you do it correctly, in my experience it’s hard, but when you get it right, that’s the pleasure!

Definitely agree

Definitely agree

I don`t really care for it. If I love a perfume, I feel like it should be enough on its own. I`ve only ever layered perfumes that I disliked and had to finish because they were gifted to me and felt bad to just throw away. I look down on those houses that make perfume enhancers like Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum or Eau de la Nuit. They are more expensive than some beautiful perfumes that I would actually consider investing in, so I really fail to see the point of them. Like, if you're a perfume designer, do your job, man! What, are you too lazy and greedy and trying to fool me by just selling me the base notes???

I think layering is fun. I don't do it too often myself but I think my partner @Mitchcraft is really great at it and does absolutely amazing layerings which I really enjoy smelling on him! If I'm trying layering myself, I usually test the combinations before I'm going to shower because in case the combo isn't enjoyable, I would wash it off soon anyway. I also like to test brands that are intended for layering, especially N.C.P. of which I wrote a blog article here.