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!
One thing I’ve learned with time is the importance to invest in things that make you happy. With so many of us spending time in our homes how do we switch up?
It doesn’t have to cost an arm or a leg but the intention and meaning behind these things or actions are so valuable. I love bringing things to my life to add beauty and luxury. Here are 5 easy ways to add a bit of luxury to your life.
Fresh Flowers
Adding flesh florals is an instant way to add color and luxury to your home. I remember while away at college I would treat myself after acing a test to some fresh flowers. It was an expensive treat for a college kid. I promised myself that when I was older I would always have fresh flowers in my home. It’s an instant pick me up.
Wear a Silk Robe Around the House
Cloth yourself in this soft silky fabric to immediately elevate any night at home. I love my pink silk robe and instantly feel like my net worth goes up as I watch Netflix on my couch.
Wear Perfume You Save for Special Occasions
Don’t wait one second more to wear that fragrance you only whip out for an anniversary or date night. Every moment alive is a special occasion and deserves to be treated as such. So go ahead and dab some of the special scent to the nape of your neck. You’re worth it.
Light Candles
Growing up, candles were associated to preparing for inclement weather. We never lit them unless the power went out during a hurricane. I was missing out on all the vibes scented candles bring to your space. Whether I’m working at home, watching TV or taking a shower; lighting candles have become a main part of my lifestyle.
There’s something about taking a bath by candle light that feels extra plush and so luxurious. Add essential oils and flower petals to the water to elevate your bath time too.
Play Jazz & Drink Wine While Cooking
Creating the perfect Jazz playlist took me years but it’s so worth it when you can just hit play, pour a glass of chianti red and whip up a delicious pasta dish at home. Rich Auntie Vibes for sure.
This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle. All opinions are my own.
The perfect perfume can stir up memories and emotions in a way that brings you right back to that moment in time. It’s really amazing how the brain works that way.
I remember when I first discovered Byredo scents while visiting New York City a few years back.
I was in the Nordstrom flagship store in Manhattan and the hustle and bustle of the beauty department immediately drew me in but it was simple black and white, minimal packaging of this bottle that caught my eye.
The beauty girl helped me out by spritzing it on cardstock and I breathed in the most intoxicating scent like I’ve never experienced before.
It was Bal d’Afrique. The fragrance Totally transformed my idea of what my signature scent would be like. It’s mature, adrogenous and luxurious and you can discover it for yourself along with the other fragrances from Byredo at Nordstrom.
Nordstrom has been a go to place for years to find the brands I know and love but also discover new ones across home, fashion, beauty and more. When you shop Nordstrom and become a part of the Nordy’s Club, which is totally free to join, you become a part of an exclusive club that is filled with perks. Not only will you find brands you know and love, earn points towards Nordstrom Notes with every purchase, (it’s free money to spend however you like!)
Plus you get curbside pickup, early access to the NSale and beauty events, free shipping and returns and so much more.
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.
