Let’s be real: who doesn’t love a scent that people get to ask such as, “What perfume are you wearing?” The world of creating layering in fragrance is something fun, and creative, and results in an amazing signature scent. Essential oils are the endless, natural options for building your own custom perfume. If layering techniques sound like your type of thing, or if you’ve never thought about creating your own unique scent combinations then no worries. And I’m here to get you started (with HBNO’s best oils as your guide!)
What is Fragrance Layering? (And Why Should You Care?)
Fragrance layering, kind of: If you’ve ever spritzed two different perfumes on at the same time, hoping to combine them for something magical, you’ve already done this. The reality of the real deal, however, is much more fun and intentional! Fragrance layering is the term for putting together multiple different essential oils to make your perfume both multi-layered and custom to you.
Imagine it as if you were mixing your favorite colors to paint something totally original. The goal? Stacking top notes, middle notes, and base notes in harmony in order to build a scent with depth, complexity, and character. This is the secret to developing a scent that transforms all day — from morning rush to late-night chill.
Why Essential Oils are Perfect for Layering
So, perhaps you are asking: What’s the big deal about essential oils? Couldn’t I just use my favorite perfume?” While you can either layer store-bought perfumes, essential oils allow you to have more control and creativity. HBNO oils are pure, powerful, and rich in authentic enough aromas for a layered scent, making them an ‘extra plus’ when adding scents together.
The variety is endless. Want something fresh? Orange Essential Oil is one of those things. If you’re craving something woody, hold your horses and grounding, you’re in luck. Cedarwood Essential Oil, we call to you, hello. Essential oils are magical because you can blend them to match your mood to fit the season, or even the mood you want people to see you in at work or going out.
How to Start Fragrance Layering (It’s Easier Than You Think!)
It seems intimidating to start, but layering essential oils is quite simple (and a lot of fun)! Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you nail your first personalized fragrance:
- Choose Your Base Note:
Your anchor, or the base note, is your fragrance. That’s what lasts with you and how long the scent is drawn out. Both of these essential oils by HBNO will provide a good foundation; the Cedarwood Essential Oil and Tobacco Vanilla Essential Oil. Rich, and grounding, these are nice oils for when you want the fragrance to feel cozy and luxurious and a nice perfume to throw on when you want to make yourself feel cozy and luxurious—like during cooler months or evening out events.
- Pick a Middle Note:
The magic, though, takes place on the middle note, or heart note. This is the main scent they will then pick up when the top note has dissipated. Think floral or spicy vibes. Great choices from HBNO for this are Jasmine Essential Oil or Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil. Adding these oils to your blend will give it warmth, and complexity.
- Add a Top Note:
The cherry on top, or top note! This is the first smell you will get from your fragrance when applying. It’s very fresh, brilliant, not overwhelming, and kind of fades away very quickly, it just sets the stage for what’s to follow. To keep things bright and energetic use Citrus oils like Lemon Essential Oil or Bergamot Essential Oil.
- Play with Proportions:
Here’s the key: Your base (50%) if you start strong (and about 30% of your blend if you go medium and 20% if you keep your top note subtle) adds up to a balance of scents that works like a layered and multidimensional fragrance with none overpowering the others.
My Favorite Essential Oil Combinations (You’ve Gotta Try These!)
Ready to get started? Here are some proven HBNO essential oils combinations I like adding. These blends are perfect for beginners or anyone looking for something new to wear:
1. Bright & Refreshing: Orange, Jasmine, and Cedarwood
Let’s start light! Orange Essential Oil gives off a sweet citrus top note that’s very day-wearable. Cedarwood Essential Oil in the middle keeps things grounded, and woody, earthy; Jasmine Essential Oil in the base lends it a romantic, floral heart. This is the one I go to for workdays or casual outings, it’s fresh, clean, and not overpowering.
2. Earthy & Spicy: Frankincense, Cinnamon Bark, and Bergamot
If you prefer warm, earthly scents you will like these together. Since Frankincense Essential Oil is so rich and resinous, it will fill your fragrance base with a strong, grounding note. To perk it up a bit add some Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil for that spicy warming effect and finish off with Bergamot Essential Oil for a sweet citrus touch. This blend is one I tend to wear in fall or winter because of how warm it feels like you’re wrapping yourself inside of a warm comfy stylish blanket.
3. Floral & Woody: Jasmine, Pine Needle, and Lemon
It’s for the nature lovers. Pine Needle Essential Oil smells like a pine forest, whereas Jasmine Essential Oil releases a beautiful, but soft floral note. For a bit of zesty finishing, just add a splash of Lemon Essential Oil and you have yourself a scent that will be ideal for spring or summer mornings. The name suits, it’s fresh, woodsy, and just a little sweet.
4. Sweet & Warm: Tobacco Vanilla, Bergamot, and Frankincense
Tobacco Vanilla Essential Oil is amazing for a sweet, luxurious vibe. It’s sweet, but not too sweet not too rich, and not too warm, but not too cold. It layers beautifully with Bergamot Essential Oil for a fresh citrus note on top, and Frankincense Essential Oil adds a deep, resiny base. That’s great if you want to wear it in the evening or if you want to feel extra sophisticated and bold.
Why Layering Essential Oils is a Game-Changer
Fragrance layering is all about you, and the best part about it. Use essential oils to give you a totally unique something different every day—no more cookie-cutter perfumes! And, the good news is, essential oils are all-natural and not irritants to your skin like synthetic fragrances can be.
Another bonus? Layering your scents will make them last longer. The top notes will immediately wow you but the deeper base notes will stay well for hours. HBNO has such an extensive variety of oils you have so many options, you can really make something for every season, any occasion, or even everyday mood.
My Personal Experience with Fragrance Layering
The layering of fragrance was simply something I had gotten bored with my usual perfumes, so I started. Or they were too strong or didn’t last through the day. I started mixing different scents and turned to essential oils. My first successful combo? Jasmine and Cedarwood Essential Oils along with Orange. I got fresh, a hint of floral, earthy, and woody finish. But since then I’ve been experimenting with new blends!
Final Thoughts on Essential Oil Fragrance Layering
Essential oils give you a cool way to fragrance layer with options to take control of your scent and create something all your own, with a fun and creative twist. Layering gives you an opportunity to experiment with new, original scent combinations based on what your thing is and smells like. On top of that, HBNO essential oils are naturally pure, so you can count on your fragrance to be high quality, long-lasting, and gentle to your skin.
Ready to try it out? Pick from a few of my favorite combos (or mix a blender of your own combinations) from HBNO’s essential oils. Perhaps you’re going to invent your next signature!
