If you have a 'signature fragrance', you need to read this.

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I used to think a signature fragrance was the ultimate luxury. That one bottle you'd be known for. The scent people would forever link with you. 

I remember watching Gossip Girl and being obsessed with the fact that Serena Van Der Woodsen wore her own bespoke patchouli scent that reminded Dan of her alone. 

But, of course, Serena Van Der Woodsen was a fictional gazillionaire heiress, bespoke scents are often mixed by the likes of Penhaglion for a million dollars, and I rock a journalist's salary. 

Chatting to some of the best-of-the-best in the beauty industry has its windfalls though, and my favourite new discovery is 'scent layering'. 

Scent layering is essentially the mixing of perfume, moisturiser, mists, and even balms until the blend feels like it's mine. 

I've been doing this for about a year now, and I've had so many compliments on how I smell, so I feel like there's something in it. 

I've even evolved from just one go-to combo — which for about three months was JLo's Limitless perfume and Victoria's Secret vanilla body spray (don't knock it till you try it) — to mixing new combinations to suit my mood each day. 

And it turns out brands are catching onto this new trend.

Watch: What is your favourite feel-good fragrance? Post continues after video.

So, what is going on in the world of fragrance?

Once upon a time, fragrance was all about loyalty. You picked your designer perfume in your twenties, wore it religiously, and maybe branched out to a "night scent" for special occasions.

But the truth is, most of us don't live so neatly anymore. We live in an era of fluid personal style. We change our nails every three weeks, rotate skincare routines with the seasons, experiment with hair colour on a whim.

Scent was always destined to follow. 

Consumers today (myself included) want their fragrance to be less about ownership and more about expression. Having a "wardrobe" of scents — even if it's just two or three — feels more modern and personal than a single cult fragrance (that 1,000 girls also swear by). 

And thanks to the rise of layering, it doesn't automatically mean buying multiple luxury perfumes. You can start with what you already own (say, your daily body moisturiser and a favourite eau de parfum) and build new combinations with affordable mists, oils, or balms.

Social media has amplified the fragrance layering movement. Platforms like TikTok are flooded with layering "recipes," with creators showing how to pair vanilla and musk, or how a floral mist can transform a woody base. 

@scenttakes How to layer your perfume tutorial! #perfumetiktok #fragrancetiktok #perfumelayeringcombos ♬ Relaxed (Sped Up) - MC Mablo Dos Paredões

So how do I actually do it?

The best part about fragrance layering is that there are no rules. However, there are a few simple tips that can help you get started. 

Think of it less like a science experiment, and more like a fun new ritual — the goal is to build your scent from the ground up.

Start with a solid base. 

If you want your fragrance to last all day, begin with a scented body lotion, a nourishing oil, or a solid balm. 

These products give your lighter mists and perfumes something to "stick" to, locking the scent in. 

For example, a vanilla-scented lotion can anchor a fresh, fruity mist and make it last for hours. Brands like Glasshouse Fragrances have made this easy with their 'personal fragrance' collection of body washes and lotions in their most popular scents, which are designed to build a foundation before you even reach for a perfume bottle.

Know your notes. 

A little table of notes. Image: Getty.

Fragrance notes are just a way of describing the ingredients that make up a scent. Generally, you can't go wrong pairing notes from the same family. 

Try combining a floral perfume with a floral body mist, or a woody balm with an earthy scent. 

If you're feeling adventurous, try a contrast. A classic pairing is a light, zesty citrus fragrance layered over a warm, woody, or amber base. 

The heavier base notes — like vanilla, oud, and sandalwood — ground the lighter, more volatile top notes (think lemon or bergamot) and keep them from disappearing too quickly.

Find your rhythm. 

Start with your heaviest product and finish with your lightest. Try a scented body balm on your wrists and neck, then follow with a spritz of your favourite perfume on top. 

Or, use a hydrating hair and body mist all over as a finishing touch.

The key here is to experiment. Play with a simple two-step combination first, and once you feel confident, start building out your unique "scent recipe."

Affordable layering options to shop. 

MCoBeauty Smoothing Almond Shower Oil, $25.

Image: MCoBeauty.

This one turns your morning shower into a mood. The oil transforms into a soft foam the second it hits water, wrapping your skin in sweet almond oil, sunflower oil and vitamin E. 

The result? Soft, hydrated, deliciously scented skin before you've even touched perfume. It's basically a pre-layering step — building a moisturised base that makes whatever fragrance you wear next last longer and smell richer.

Sundae Body Mists, $14.99.

Image: Sundae Body.

These six collectable fragrances are designed for scent-stacking, which help you create a unique vibe to match your mood. 

With playful names and notes like "Always Late" (dark cherry and burnt sugar) and "Soft Serve" (toasted pistachio and vanilla), they're an affordable and creative way to experiment with layering. It's a low-commitment, high-reward approach.

Victoria's Secret Body Wash (specifically Vanilla Orchid Sandalwood), $37.90.

Image: Victoria's Secret.

Consider this your shower shortcut to smelling like you've already layered. 

The rich cream wash is packed with Shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E, so your skin feels soft and nourished straight out of the bathroom. 

The scent — warm vanilla orchid blended with grounding sandalwood — is instantly comforting, like pulling on your favourite knit. Then you can add a mist, balm or perfume on top.

Maison Louis Marie Hair & Body Mists, $51.00.

Image: Maison Louis Marie.

Maison Louis Marie is elevating body mists with this new launch. These mists are also packed with skin-loving ingredients offering a lighter, alcohol-free way to wear fragrance.

They are the perfect top spritz in your scent layer cake. I love the Fleur de la Passion scent — and so does my colleague who stopped me to ask what I was wearing this morning. I think it's beautiful when layered over something more earthy, like Maison Margiela From The Garden, which smells like tomato leaf.

Luxurious layering options to shop.

Kayali Oudgasm & Discovery Layering Sets, $43.00.

Image: Adore Beauty.

It's important to note that scent layering isn't new: people in the Middle East have been mixing luxury perfume oils for centuries.

So it makes sense that Kayali is leading the charge, turning the tradition into an art form.

Mona Kattan's beloved fragrance house regularly shares her favourite layering combinations, like Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar + Eden Sparkling Lychee, which has quickly gained traction with fans and creators. 

By Yuliya Solid Fragrance Balm Compact, $89.00.

Australian newcomer By Yuliya is shaking up the game with refillable solid Fragrance Balm Compacts. It's a game-changer for longevity in your scent wardrobe.

The balms, which come in two signature scents, are crafted with nourishing ingredients like Vitamin E and Sweet Almond Oil. Pop these on your pulse points before you spritz.

Trudon Nuit Rouge, $289.00.

Image: Trudon.

For the true fragrance connoisseur, Trudon's latest collection, Nuit Rouge, offers a new level of sophistication. 

These are not your average perfumes; they boast a high 20 per cent fragrance concentration and are designed to be bold, enigmatic, and complex. 

With mysterious accords and carnal notes, the scents — crafted by world-class perfumers — are filled with intrigue and seduction. They're bold bases to layer on from.

PHLUR, $66.

Image: PHLUR

The highly anticipated launch of PHLUR at Mecca is a big deal, and it's easy to see why. 

Helmed by style icon Chriselle Lim, the brand has reimagined what a signature scent can be: a curated wardrobe of modern scents designed for every mood and moment.

From viral sensations like Missing Person to Vanilla Skin, PHLUR is a great way to 'accessorise' your existing favourite scents.

Rare Beauty Fragrance Layering Balms, $19.00.

Image: Rare Beauty

Leave it to Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty to find a genius new way to wear fragrance. 

These balm products are designed to be a completely new scent experience — you can wear them on their own for a subtle, close-to-the-skin fragrance, or use them to tailor and add dimension to a perfume. 

Each of the four scents melts into the skin with a soft, nourishing texture, and as Selena herself says, they're about making fragrance "fun and personal." 

Diptyque Solid Perfumes, $116.00.

Image: Diptique

Think of these as perfume's chic little sibling. Instead of a glass bottle, you get a compact, spill-proof balm you can swipe on with your fingertips and toss into your bag without a second thought. 

Because the formula is wax- or oil-based, the scent lingers longer and closer to the skin — more of a whisper than a shout — so perfect to layer on top of.

Glasshouse Fragrances 'Make It Personal' Collection Tahaa Fragrance, $139.

Image: Glasshouse Fragrances.

If layering is the trend, Glasshouse has nailed the everyday version. Their new Make It Personal line turns your shower routine into the first step of your fragrance ritual, with body wash, body lotion and body bars in the brand's most-loved scents (think Tahaa Affair, Kyoto in Bloom, Forever Florence…). 

So if you've been clinging to your "signature" fragrance, maybe it's time to rethink.

Smelling like you in 2025 isn't about one perfume sitting proudly on your dresser. It's about mixing, matching, and layering until it feels personal.

Like your own invisible outfit.

Featured image: Cassandra Green/Pinterest: Ra_bia.