Perfume Layering: How to Create a Scent Uniquely Yours

How to Layer Perfumes?

To ensure that perfume layering delivers pleasurable results, it’s worth following a few guidelines. First, pay attention to the cosmetic products you use: if your body wash, lotion, or cream is scented, it becomes the first layer of fragrance. Therefore, to experiment more with perfumes, it’s better to opt for unscented or lightly scented products. For high-quality layering of body care products with perfumes, we’ve created the fragrance-infused body care line, consisting of hydrating body oils and an intensively nourishing hand cream.

Use two, at most three, different fragrances when layering. For those just beginning their journey to create a unique scent, we recommend combining perfumes with overlapping notes as this approach practically guarantees success. Look for common notes between perfumes and wear them together.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, explore combinations of perfumes with completely different notes. In this case, focus primarily on the base notes, as they emerge the latest and last the longest. Look for complementary notes within the same fragrance family or in adjacent families. For example, floral family notes pair well with each other, while gourmand notes blend beautifully with woody scents. Such combinations enhance and strengthen the overall character of a fragrance. Contrasting layering results can be achieved by combining notes from opposite sides of the fragrance wheel: floral notes with woody ones, or gourmand notes with spicy or floral aromas.

When layering perfumes, start with a more intense, heavier fragrance, and give it a few minutes to unfold. In the maar collection, this could be PARADOX IN A BOTTLE, TEMPLE OF SENSUS, NIGHTS IN MOROCCO, or SPRING OF YOUTH. However, even a relatively light scent like INCOGNITO can serve as a heavier base when layered with UNDER THE SHEETS, so it’s important to consider the specific fragrances you choose. Once the base notes of the first perfume begin to unfold, introduce the next fragrance. For application tips and layering techniques, see the final section of this guide.

Layering maar Body Oils and Cream with Perfumes

If you’re new to perfume layering, we recommend starting with pairing fragrance-infused body oils with perfumes. Body oil scents are subtler and less intense than perfumes, making the combination softer and allowing you to experiment by adding more or less of the perfume layer. Both sprayable perfume extracts, which last longer when applied to moisturized skin, and oil-based perfumes, which blend directly with the oil’s notes on pulse points, work well for layering with body oils. For tips on which perfumes to pair with body care products, check the individual product descriptions.

When experimenting with fragrance combinations using the UNDER THE SHEETS hand cream, always apply the cream first, even though its scent is mild. Moisturized skin becomes significantly more receptive to perfumes, allowing them to unfold more vividly and last longer. Don’t hesitate to apply the hand cream to other areas you’d like to scent with perfume later.

P.S. A ritual for those who prefer not to layer but are devoted fans of the UNDER THE SHEETS fragrance: combine the matching body oil, hand cream, and perfume for an integral sensory experience.

maar Products for Fragrance Layering

Driven by a love for the art of perfume and distinctive aromas, we have created a variety of sets to encourage exploration and discovery, helping you take your first steps or dive fully into layering experiments:

1. Discovery Sets: FULL DISCOVERY SET and PICK 6 DISCOVERY SET allow you to explore the full or partial maar collection, discover combinations that best highlight your personality, and receive a 20% discount on any selected perfumes.

2. Individual Perfumes: the entire collection in perfume oil (10 ml) or extract (15 ml) form, or select six fragrances of your choice.

3. Body Oil and Perfume Sets: LAYERS OF THE EGO (featuring perfume oil) and THE ULTIMATE RITUAL (featuring perfume extracts).

Perfume Layering Techniques

When using multiple oil-based perfumes, try applying them to different parts of the body (for example, one on your wrist and another on your neck). You can also try this technique with sprayable extracts: this way, the scents won’t mix too closely and can unfold independently while creating a subtle, harmonious overall impression.

The scent cloud method, where perfume is sprayed into the air instead of directly onto the skin, allows you to walk through the mist. This creates a soft, even layer of fragrance that serves as a delicate base for further layering. For gradual layering, start by applying a more intense fragrance as the base, allowing it a few minutes to develop, and then add a lighter scent. This allows the base notes to settle and blend harmoniously with the top notes of the new fragrance.

When experimenting with contrasting aromas (e.g., gourmand and fresh scents), try layering at different intervals—use one scent in the morning and the other in the evening—allowing each fragrance to fully develop during separate periods.

Common Perfume Layering Mistakes

Using too many scents at once (more than 2–3). This can result in chaotic and overwhelming blends.

Incompatible notes: fragrances that completely clash (e.g., a very sweet gourmand scent mixed with smoky or sharp aromas) can create dissonance. Choose scents that share a common note, belong to the same family, or are opposite on the fragrance wheel for contrast.

Overpowering fragrances or incorrect layering order. Strong scents like incense, agarwood, or tobacco can dominate lighter fragrances, especially when applied after them.

Perfume layering is not just a creative process but also a delightful ritual that allows you to discover your unique scent, express emotions, or adapt to a specific mood. The key is to embrace experimentation and explore scents and techniques, which offers endless possibilities. By using the right techniques and following subtle layering principles, you can create a scent that becomes your signature. Treat these guidelines as flexible suggestions rather than rigid rules—perfumery is an art, and art knows no boundaries. Experience the fragrances, try different combinations, and enjoy the process.