This Exact Fragrance Technique Is Why People Constantly Tell Me I Smell Amazing (2025)

I border on obsessive when it comes to smelling good. Even at school, it was my main concern after PE. Now, people tell me daily how good I smell, and no, it's not just down to a single perfume—it's my unique fragrance layering technique. It’s lengthy, but also a lot of fun.

I take great enjoyment in choosing bath, body and fragrance products, that all complement each other, before applying them in a mindful way. I like to give my body care routine a theme each time, so one day it might be a gourmand theme, and the next it might be a luxury floral theme. The possibilities are endless, and some are seasonal, helping to ground you in the current time of year.

Before I share some of my favourite fragrance layering routines with you, I spoke to some fragrance experts—MarieAnna Ferdinand, EVP of fragrance development at Le Monde Gourmand, and Hayley Jones, head of buying at The Fragrance Shop—to help explain what fragrance layering is and how to do it well.

What Is Fragrance Layering?

"It’s the art of combining different scented products to create a truly personalised and unique scent that reflects your mood, style and individuality. It's about building your own signature aroma by blending complementary notes,” says Jones.

“An entry point for layering that is straightforward is to use different products that have the same scent,” says Ferdinand . This will enhance the staying power and intensity of that one scent. She says, “A more advanced layering concept involves different fragrances or fragranced products worn together to create a custom signature.” And this is what I do with my themed routines.

How Do You Fragrance Layer?

"Start with lighter scents and build up to stronger ones," says Jones. "Begin with a scented body wash or scrub, follow with a matching or complementary body lotion, and then finish with your chosen fragrance. You can even mix different perfumes by spraying them on different pulse points to let the layers naturally blend on the skin throughout the day,” she adds. My personal routines are lengthier than that, and involve more steps, but don’t worry, I won’t gatekeep.

“There is no wrong way to layer fragrances," says Ferdinand. "Some days, you may opt for a simple layering story using a lotion that complements your perfume. Other days, you may be in the mood for an everything shower and body routine that includes scented body wash and scrub, body oil and/or lotion, deodorant, perfume and a body mist to touch up throughout your day. It all depends on your mood and preference.”

My Tried & Tested Vanilla Fragrance Layering Technique

1. Body Wash

2. Body Scrub

3. Body Cream

4. Deodorant

5. Body Mist

6. Fragrance

My Tried & Tested Rose Fragrance Layering Technique

1. Body Wash

2. Shower Oil

3. Body Cream

4. Deodorant

5. Hair Mist

5. Perfume

Opening image: @emmahoareau

Laura Pearson is a freelance beauty editor and broadcaster that has been writing about beauty since her first published article in 2003. For over 20 years she has been putting beauty products and treatments to the test, to help readers understand what to spend their money on. In that time, she has had a column in The Scotsman, been a beauty journalist for Metro UK and Yahoo! Style, and even written the luxury beauty and style pages for the now-extinct Caledonian Sleeper train on-board magazine. With hundreds of beauty articles to her name across print and digital, she has amassed a huge bank of product and ingredient knowledge. She has appeared many times on television and radio sharing her beauty tips, such as for the BBC, and she has a strong Instagram following who love her makeup and skincare content there too.

She has a particular love for luxury beauty and can never say no to a new lip balm or lip oil. She lives in Glasgow. Scotland with her husband and tiny Chihuahua.