If you’re anything like me, a self-confessed, social media-obsessed, chronically online Instagram, Facebook and TikTok user, you’ll no doubt have witnessed the recent flurry of influencer girlies screaming the benefits of perfume layering from the rooftops of cyberspace.
But is it just a fad, or does perfume layering really work? In this writer’s humble opinion, when you’re truly invested in having your scent wafting sweetly in the air like a field of fresh springtime blooms, layering your fragrance is a must.
Stay with us as we break down your essential guide to perfume layering.
Step One: Scent Starts in the Shower
As the saying goes, you wouldn’t wash your dishes in a dirty sink. In the same way, adding a perfume on top of stinky, unwashed skin certainly won’t do justice to your fragrance of choice, regardless of how concentrated its formula is. No, the key to smelling good starts in the shower.
There are several ways to tackle your shower skincare prep. But one step that’s often missed is to use an antibacterial shower gel before applying your sweet-smelling body wash. Yes, it might sound extra, but this additional step will ensure you’re ridding yourself of any nasty body odour, effectively prepping your skin for the fragrance layers to come.
Next, your body wash, and there are options. If you’re keen to start building your fragrance profile, now is a good time to use a scented shower gel that matches the scent family you’ll be layering on later. For example, if you’re a gourmand girly, you might like to reach for a vanilla-scented body wash that complements your perfume in the same fragrance category. If you prefer your shower scents not to interfere with your fragrance, opt for an unscented body wash instead.
Step Two: Acing Your Base with Deep Hydration
Now that your skin is clean, fresh and odour-free, you need to ace your base. Moisturising your skin with a high-quality body butter will not only ensure your outer layers are adequately hydrated, but it will also give your fragrance something tacky to stick to.
Again, just like your shower prep, the rule of thumb is: if you don’t want the scent of your body lotion to clash with your fragrance, use an unscented one. Otherwise, you may like to choose a body cream that’s in the same fragrance family as your scent of choice. Pro tip? Often, fragrance houses will offer matching gift packs that include a perfumed body lotion that pairs perfectly with your favourite perfume.
Step Three: Where the Fragrance Magic Happens
Arguably, the most important step: applying your final fragrance layer. Of course, for the extra girlies, this actually involves more than one step. If this is the case for you, you might like to first apply your eau de parfum (this fragrance type differs in consistency and formulation from much lighter, more diluted eau de toilette, which can also be layered). If you wish, you can also follow up your perfume with some spritzes of hair and body mist, again making sure to stay in the same fragrance family.
Of course, it must be said that perfume isn’t cheap. If you’re looking for a bargain, try hunting down your favourite fragrance in your local chemist’s perfume aisle, or if it’s particularly expensive or difficult to find locally, consider sourcing it online via perfume importers Australia.
Step Four: Optional or Essential For Optimal Results?
This final step is somewhat in contention: dusting powder. The Instagram girlies today swear it’s essential, but is this just an archaic, outdated ritual with no real fragrance benefit?
Basically, using a dusting powder as your final fragrance layer is said to seal in your perfume, making it last much longer throughout the day (or night).
Not quite sure whether it’s worth the extra effort? Let’s be real: if dusting powder is good enough for Victoria’s Secret Angels, it’s good enough for us.
