Things I Tell My Friends by Cheryl S. Grant

The art of layering, aka “cocktailing,” is simply learning how to combine scents in order to create something that can be uniquely yours. Since the possibilities are endless it will take a little trial and error for you to find matches that blend harmoniously and appease your sense of smell. Plus, the combination you choose can have an impact on your psyche. “The effect of scent is really interesting, It can create a mood and change a feeling immediately,” says Aerin Lauder, founder and creative director, AERIN AERIN.

Here’s how you layer your fragrance to create a signature scent.

Make it Personal

Before investing in a new fragrance, try creating something new with what you already have on your dresser. If you find that you like musk scents, then lighten it up with a little coconut. “There’s something magical about tropical island life and the feeling of time standing still,” says Lauder. For a taste of the Caribbean, combine Aerin Hibiscus Palm and Amber Musk. They contain notes of coconut, vanilla, musk, rose and heliotrope which can recreate a warm and happy feeling that you experience at the beach. Apply on days when you need a quick pick me up.  

Create a mood

It has been said that fragrances can influence our attitudes. The effect of odors on our olfactory system has been studied, and scientists have found that there are scents that can help us feel relaxed, alert, and even may reduce the effects of stress. For a sultry and romantic experience, start with a lotion-like Nest’s Indigo Body Cream, which contains hints of wild fig and bergamot. Follow that up with a few spritzes of Edition 04, Orchard by Goop, which blends apricot, hay, sandalwood, and orris root. Together they create an earthy aroma that’s synonymous with cuddling on a chilly fall day.

Skip the guesswork

If you feel intimidated by the entire process but still want something unique, you can try perfumes that have notes meant to combined. Clinique created six fragrances that you can opt to use or blended: My Happy Cocoa & Cashmere, Peace & Jasmine, Blue Sky Neroli, and Lily of the Beach. You can also try Thierry Mugler’s collection of five mixable unisex scents: Come together, Love you all, Run free, Take me out, and Fly away. They are not just light and colorful, but they also environmentally conscious. The packaging is made using recyclable packaging and boxes made from cardboard sourced from sustainable forests.

Create a complete cocktail

To add depth and lengthen the life of your fragrance, do so by starting with baseline in the shower. If your floral scents are your thing then wash your hair with EO Pure Performance Protective Shampoo and Conditioner Rose Chamomile. Then cleanse the rest of your body with a soft petal soap such as The Body Shop’s British Rose and top off with the light feminine notes of L’Occitane Terre De Lumière L’Eau.

Totally D.I.Y.

Keep in mind that even the best chemist goes through several rounds of testing when trying to create something new. You may get frustrated, but when you get the right combination, it won’t be something that is already marketed to the masses. It will be your very own customized signature scent. If you like citrusy scents, then look for notes of bergamot, lemon, oranges, and limes. For floral palettes, try geranium, rose, lilac, sandalwood, and jasmine. If you are drawn to herbaceous woodsy aromas, then experiment with vetiver, peppermint, amber, and neroli.