Doeslayering in cosmetics ring a bell? This technique, which consists of layering several skincare products, has also become popular for perfumes. If you're already panicking about playing perfumer's apprentice, don't worry: it's easier than it looks.
Olfactory layering, what is it?
Layering is an English word that means"superposition". Very trendy for a few years in perfumery, this technique comes straight from the Middle East. The aim is simple: to create a unique and different fragrance every day by layering several perfumes - so that you can say that you smell like nobody else!
We like to say that there are no rules in layering: try every possible combination, fail and try again until you like it. That said... we do have a few simple tips to give you, to avoid fashion faux pas.
Successful layering in 4 steps
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As a general rule, it is advisable to choose "simple" perfumes, i.e. without too many different notes. Why? Because the fewer notes you have to layer on top of each other, the more likely you are to get a nice end result.
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Choose perfumes of the same concentration: two colognes or two eaux de parfums. Otherwise, you risk having one that takes precedence over the other, at the risk of not smelling much at all.
- Apply the headier scent first. For example, if you want to combine a gourmand scent with a fresh scent that will naturally be lighter, spray the gourmand one, then the freshest.
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If you want to go a step further, try combining opposite fragrances: like the colors of the color wheel, opposites enhance each other! To help you out: gourmand scents (such as Un Deux Trois Soleil) go well with fresh fragrances, spicy with sweet, fruity with floral and, of course, "feminine" with "masculine" (you know what we think at Bastille : gender has no smell... and you need to get away from marketing clichés to find your olfactory identity!)
There you have it! If you have a few bottles lying around on your shelf, go for it. Think of layering as a playful art: try it and if it doesn't work for you, keep your solo perfume!
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Photo : Coralie Frébourg | Unknown | Margaux Corda
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