What is perfume layering?

Layering is the name given to the process of combining several fragrances to create a personalized scent. It is an assembly of scents to compose a fragrance that is unique to each person. In the Middle East, women and men have been mixing many fragrances for a very long time.

1. How does perfume layering work?

You can personalize the layering techniques according to your preferences. According to my experience as an Arab woman, I love layering following these steps:

• Start with taking a hot shower to open up the pores in your body. This way perfumes and oils will better penetrate your skin.
• Exfoliating is key! use exploiting balms and luffa to remove all the dead skin to prepare your body for all the perfumed creams, oils, etc.
• Layering scents starts with the scent of your shower gel. So when buying your shower gel think about a scent that goes with most of your perfumes. Personally, I always opt for vanilla or cotton flower fragrance.
• After your shower, start layering your body lotion/cream with musk or perfumed oil. I recommend Abdulsamad al Qurachi perfumed oil

Tip: opt for body lotions that are fragrance-free so you can layer them with any perfumed oil or musk

• On top of your lotion+musk or oiled perfume, layer spray a body mist
• Spray your favourite perfumes on your pulse areas and all over your clothes
• Apply the strongest or headiest perfume first and then the lightest one.
• For extra longevity, Arabs and middle easterners use bakhoor
  

2. Some advice if you are new to olfactory layering

As a beginner, limit yourself to two fragrances to be layered.

You have to be careful and try your first combination when you are home. don’t take the risk to try new combinations when you are going out for an occasion, meeting or date.

To combine two different perfumes, spray one fragrance on your right arm and the second one on the left arm then experiment with how both scents evolve together during the day.

• Fruity fragrances go well with floral fragrances.
• Vanilla marries well with oriental notes such as oud or patchouli
• You can lighten a dense and compact perfume with a very fresh cologne.
• Citrus notes go well with gourmand notes.

3. How to layer fragrances like Middle Eastern people?

Start with a Base

• Begin with scented body oil, lotion, or cream as your base layer. These moisturizing products will help retain the fragrance and make it last longer.
• Oud-based oils or sandalwood-infused lotions are commonly used as a base in Middle Eastern perfume layering.

I recommend the following base oils :

Swiss Arabian ladies layali rouge

Afnan Supreme musk

Al Haramain unisex musk

Add Middle Notes

• Middle notes are the heart of the fragrance and emerge after the top notes fade. Use a perfume with floral or spicy scents like rose, jasmine, or saffron as your middle layer.

Check out these Arabic notes perfumes and add luxury scents to your collection

Al Haramain unisex Amber Oud: Buy it here

Gorgio Armani private oud: Here