How I Layer My Favorite Fragrances
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Three years ago, in the throes of the pandemic, I moved from one tiny Brooklyn apartment to a slightly less tiny Brooklyn apartment. It was an upgrade to my quality of life, and I was excited to have more space to stretch out (literally and figuratively). Before the big move, though, my husband forced me kindly asked me to do a serious beauty product purge—a mass exodus, if you will—of every lipstick, moisturizer, and shampoo tube I owned. I complied and soon realized how many products had expired under my watch (ew). But what hadn’t expired? My extensive fragrance collection.
I loooove perfume. I always have. Some of my first fragrances were Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy, Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl, and DKNY Be Delicious. I also had a plethora of Bath & Body Works and Victoria Secret’s Pink body mists. At the time of the move, though, I managed to amass 50, maybe more, bottles of a variety of floral, fruity, warm, and solar scents. Have I actually worn them all? Of course not, don’t be silly.
Even to this day, I probably still haven’t worn them all. That’s because within the last few years, I've finally concocted my signature scent. After much trial and error and many, many mists gone awry, I've found the perfect combo of freshness and warmth with these two eau de parfums: The Harmonist Sacred Water and Dedcool Xtra Milk.
While Sacred Water brings light, refreshing notes of ginger and orange blossom, Xtra Milk adds depth with amber and white musk. When I say this elite pairing elicits compliments, I'm not kidding. I've had Trader Joe's employees stop me in the middle of checkout to ask about my perfume, and company colleagues chase me down the hall.
Here’s how I (chaotically) layer perfume:
Spritz two pumps of one scent onto each side of your neck.
Once dry, mist three to four spritzes of the other all over—your chest, hair, upper back, and neck (yes, even more on your neck!).
Before it dries, spray one final pump into the air in front of your body and quickly walk through.
My layered combo is lethal in the most non-lethal and incredibly delightful way. But if you're not sure where to start in choosing your dynamic duo, might I suggest trying a perfume mini set from Jo Malone, Maison Margiela Replica, or YSL (all currently on sale!), so you can mix and match until you find your own.
Reader Question
I've been dating this guy for a few months and he's checking all the boxes so far, but I just can't get over how horrible his cologne smells. I've tried gifting him one that smells less intense, but he keeps using the other one. How do I tell him I hate it without offending him?
— asks Allure Reader Lily
Dear Lily,
Oh, I love this question! To me, the obvious answer would be to roast him until he stopped wearing it, because I'm a child. But a much more mature response would be to try approaching the scent-uation (see what I did there?) from a more personal perspective.
For example: What don’t you like about the cologne exactly? Is it the actual fragrance notes? Do they remind you of a past memory you’d like to forget? Or are you like me and get an instant migraine from strong scents?
Whatever the reason may be, at the end of the day, I think it’s best to just be honest with the dude. A solid relationship requires open communication, so better to start off strong—even with something as silly as a strong scent.
Have a burning skin-care question? Send one in.
Editor's Pick
BEST DIFFUSER FOR EVERY ROOM: Lake & Skye 11 11 Diffuser
Soft, warm notes of white musk and amberwood
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News Alert
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Book Club
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
★★★★★
Buckle up and get ready for the emotional rollercoaster that is this delightful new novel. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll most definitely fall in love with the main character, Phoebe, who is a recently divorced woman in her 40s learning to love life again.
Originally Appeared on Allure
