Smell Amazing All Day: My Foolproof Scent Layering Routine
Bestie…listen,
If there’s one thing I love, it’s getting stopped and asked, “What perfume are you wearing?” And let me tell you—there’s a secret to making your scent last all day (and getting all the compliments). It’s called ~scent layering~, and it’s a total game-changer.
The key? Prepping your skin the right way, layering your fragrance for maximum longevity, and applying it to all the right spots. Follow my simple steps below to keep your perfume lingering from morning to night. Trust me, once you start layering, you’ll never go back!
STEP ONE: Prep Your Skin
I always start with a body oil—scented or unscented, totally your call. The key is applying it right after you shower, while your skin is still damp. This locks in moisture and creates the perfect base for your fragrance to cling to, making it last longer and keeping your skin soft. Win-win!
STEP TWO: Hydrate!
Moisturizing is a must, especially in the spots where you’ll be applying perfume. Hydrated skin holds onto fragrance better, so after your oil has absorbed, layer on a good lotion or body cream. This not only boosts your scent’s staying power but also gives your skin a little extra TLC. *Bonus points if the lotion shares the same notes as your perfume!*
STEP THREE: Perfume Application
Now for the fun part! Focus on your pulse points—chest, back of the neck, behind the ears, wrists, and even behind the knees (tell your partner I said you’re welcome😉🌶️). These spots naturally warm up, helping your perfume diffuse beautifully throughout the day. One rule: DON’T RUB IT IN! Let the fragrance dry naturally so the scent stays true. And if I’m feeling extra? A little spritz of scented hair mist for that all-over moment.
Now go forth and smell dreamy all day long!
Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered.
Shop my must-have fragrances below, and get ready for endless compliments!
My love for perfume goes way back. I mean so many of my earliest memories are of my mother and trying on her clothes and shoes and playing in her pretty bottles of Givenchy, Chanel and Chloe.
I remember it made me feel special and fancy and it still does. I secretly love when people know that I’m around because they can recognized my scent.
When it comes to my signature scent I want it to make you smile. It’s always soft, clean, fresh and feminine but not over powering; just pleasant and lovely.
Fragrance should never make people wish they had a gas mask in their back pocket. It should create a positive experience for you and for the people around you.
Perfume also has a close relationship with fashion. Think of the countless beautiful fragrance ads you see as you flip through a magazine; it’s usually full to the brim with couture: think Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawerence or Charlize Theron dripping Dior.
Perfume is also the final touch to your look. It completes your outfit creating this intangible way to tell the world how you feel today if they are ever so fortunate to walk in your scented aura.
So I’m here to help you navigate your way down the aisle endless bottles of perfume so you can narrow down and rock your signature scent.
Oh and it’s okay to be drawn to two or more groups. Sometimes I’ll want to wear a bolder scent so I’ll spritz on a more oceanic/masculine scent where on other days I’m in a fruity mood. The majority of the time I’m going to stick to my clean, soft and floral signature scents.
CLEAN/OCEANIC
Just picture it: you’re on a beach rocking an amazing bikini with perfectly tousled beach waves a la Kristin Ess and a sun kissed glow.
Can you see it?
Now, can you smell it?
Think aromatic notes of fresh crisp nature. These scents are androgynous and typically are described as clean linen, mountain air or ocean spray and will have you planning your next mountain getaway. Lake Tahoe anyone?
Do you have a thing for a freshly mowed lawn? Okay, cool! Me too! I love the smell it creates and instantly it brings me back to my childhood and playing with my brothers and friends.
These scents are naturally energetic. They make you feel alive, in bloom and one with nature. Galbanum is an ingredient that is often found in green scents and is responsible for the “freshly-cut-grass” earthy smell.
Green fragrances would be perfect to wear for an outside event like a cookout or sporting event.
For the (wannabe) good girl next door and hopeless romantic these scents are sweet, powdery and ultra feminine.
Floral scents are typically made up of one base flower or it can me accompanied by other accent florals to create bouquet fragrance that creates that feminine romantic appeal.
These are my ultimate faves and depending on the occasion you can wear the perfect floral scent for Girls’ Night Out or date night with your special guy.
Fruity scents are fun, flirty and oh so familiar to your thankful nose because they remind you of delicious ripe and perfumed produce.
🍏🍎🍐🍊🍋🍌🍉🍇🍓🍈🍒🍑🥭🍍🥥🥝
There was a lot of alliteration in that sentence.
The base floral scent is still very much there but accents of fruity notes of apricot, apple and berries create and delicious and delectable fragrant duo.
Just use sparingly!
You don’t want to overwhelm anyone with the entire produce section but you want them to kind of do a double take and want to take in more of your subtle sweetness because most likely they recognize the fruity notes of your perfume but can’t quite put their finger on it. It’ll be on the tip of their tongue.
The familiar, warm, alluring and well, er spicy scents make you think of ooey gooey baked goods smothered in creamy icing and loads of cinnamon sugar. These scents are nostalgic and incorporate notes of vanilla, pepper, nutmeg. clove, ginger, cardamon and cinnamon that take you back to your childhood eating gingerbread cookies in front of a roaring fire.
Who am I kidding, that never happened to me when I was kid but let’s pretend.
These scents are great to wear for any outdoors-y event and guys love it for some reason. Maybe because it makes them think of warm pastries.
Fierce and unexpectedly feminine, woodsy fragrances are definitely for the confident, no holds bar kind of gal that loves the great outdoors but is totally in touch with her sexuality.
Think Katniss Everdeen. Can you picture and imagine the smell now?!
Heavily influenced by bark, oak moss, patchouli, and bergamot, these scents combined with earthy floral notes create a soothing and sultry fragrance that can be worn by both men and women.
