Perfumer Workshop: Layering Natural Fragrances + Part 1 Draw  

Layering Natural Fragrances

counterclockwise: Tanja Bochnig spraying perfume, Mandy Aftel, JK  DeLapp, Mason Hainey and Tanja Bochnig

Layering perfumes. I first learned of the concept in 1990s with Jo Malone, but as I found out many fragrance lovers have been layering fragrances for years. Today, perfumistas discuss via social media and forums their own “custom blend”, sometimes layering up to three and four scents. In this two-part series which will include both natural and mixed media perfumers, we begin with layering natural fragrances, and the expert advice from these well-known independent natural perfumers. We are joined by  Award Winning author, “The Queen of Green” and perfumer Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes,  Award Winning perfumer Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics, Contributor and natural perfumer, Mason Hainey of Mizu Brand, JK DeLapp of The Rising Phoenix Perfumery  and Guest Contributor (and happy early birthday 6/30). -Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

mandy aftel of Aftlelier Perfumes on layering natural perfumes

Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes

Do you believe layering natural fragrances is a good idea?

 Mandy Aftel: I think that layering natural fragrances is a terrific idea. You need to reapply natural fragrances much more frequently because they do not last as long on the body as those that are constructed with synthetic essences. Plus, it’s fun to create a new perfume by layering and have the experience of making your own personal fragrance from two perfumes that you love.

Tanja Bochnig: If a perfume is already very complex, then layering another perfume on top of it, becomes overwhelming; at least for me I usually like things simple. But certain “soli flores” perfumes, with a single theme of flowers or aromatics, benefit greatly from layering. It’s almost like adding a base to a top and then a scent becomes whole and a completely different magical story.

Mason Hainey: Yes -In an unconventional way. Personally, I do not layer multiple fragrances, rather I prefer to layer a perfume with a certain environment. When mindfully worn in partnership with a specific mood or atmosphere of nature – the mountains, the forest, spring meadows, they provide greater context and depth to an experience that then deeply impregnates in our memory. What happens if you wore a grassy, sweet scent in the forest? How would that complement the refreshing, clean conifer aroma of the trees?

 JK DeLapp: In short … if it works, it works! You are the Master of your own Scent Universe!

Tanya Bochnig of April Aromatics

Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics

 

Do you personally layer fragrance?

Tanja Bochnig: It depends on the ingredients and also on the day and mood one is in. Certain days, I feel like less is more, others, I cannot get enough of a beautiful bouquet of aromatics. If a perfume is already very complex, then layering another perfume on top of it, becomes overwhelming; at least for me I usually like things simple. But certain “soli flores” perfumes, with a single theme of flowers or aromatics, benefit greatly from layering. It’s almost like adding a base to a top and then a scent becomes whole and a completely different magical story.

 Mandy Aftel: I like layering natural fragrances, often putting on a liquid perfume at home before going out and then taking a solid perfume with me in my purse and applying it when I am out. Because of the ways that a liquid natural perfume and solid natural perfume evolve on your skin they are wonderful for layering.  A solid perfume wears closer to the body and is a more intimate experience whereas a liquid perfume opens up and has lift and vibrancy when you smell it in the air. They are two different experiences that mingle mix and layer beautifully, to create a third fragrance.

JK DeLapp: Considering that my work is in artisan Sandalwood and Oud Oils, and compounded Attars that I make – yes, all the time. In my own line – I hear from an awful lot of folks that may wear one of my oils on one arm, and another on the other – and find that they pair quite nicely … which eventually leads to layering. I also have my Shibui Series, which is a Japanese aesthetic-inspired line that translates roughly as, “Simple, Subtle, Unobtrusive Beauty”. You can apply Oud or a Sandalwood oil first, and apply pretty much any fragrance to it as a means of enhancing or adding your scent / profile of choice

What is your advice to perfume lovers on tips to layer natural fragrances?

Mason Hainey: Natural perfumes tend to get drowned out when they are layered with their synthetic counterparts, but when mindfully worn in partnership with a specific setting or atmosphere of nature, they provide greater context and depth to an experience that deeply impregnates in our memory.

Mandy Aftel: Pick a perfume that has beautiful and rich base notes and layer with something that you want to add a stronger foundation to.  I always think the best layering comes from layering a solid with a liquid perfume for the as it capitalizes on the difference in textures and the different way they connect to your skin.  Try different combination by swiping one liquid and one solid perfume across the back of your hand to see how that marry.

Tanja Bochnig: I would first start to apply the “heavier” (base note), perfume of the two, (or three?) and then use the “lighter” (middle/top note), one on top. Let is air and reapply during the day as desired. Lighter in the morning, heavier in the evening. One can also layer perfumes on different parts of the body. One perfume in the hair, the other on either or all pulse points. I personally love spraying perfume directly on my heart chakra and throughout the whole day, I do gets wafts of the fragrance up into my nostrils. I would avoid using 2 fragrances that are initially “heavy”, they might become overpowering and in the end smell muddy and can lead into a headache.

JK delapp of the rising Phoenix Perfumery specializes in healing and perfumery

JK DeLapp of the Rising Phoenix Perfumery

What products from your line you recommend layering?

JK DeLapp: Man Musk – a green, mossy, woody Attar of mine – with my Jasmine Sambac Attar from the Shibui Series.

Mason Hainey: Palo Santo Perfume Oil with Palo Santo Eau de Parfum

Mandy Aftel: Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris is great to layer with absolutely any other perfume because it goes with any perfume and enhances it and makes it last longer. My favorite is to layer it with my Sepia perfume since they both convey a feeling of time passing and beautiful aging, and they are beautiful together.

Tanja Bochnig: April Aromatics Rosenlust and Precious Woods

For our Layering Fragrances Draw

Layering natural fragrances

photo Tanja Bochnig

Worldwide EXCEPT ITALY AND SPAIN: A sample of Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris solid perfume and a sample of Sepia perfume to one registered reader

Worldwide 15 ml of April Aromatics Rosentlust and 15 ml Precious Woods to one registered reader

USA ONLY: 2 Sets of Sample Sizes of: Osmanthus Attar, Shibui Series, Jasmine Sambac Attar, Shibui Series and Man Musk to two registered readers

 You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please comment upon you learned about layering natural fragrances, which fragrances you would like to win (you can enter for as many as you qualify for, but will win only one) and where you live. Draw closes July 2, 2021

Happy Birthday JK !!!!

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43 comments

  • Thank you so much for this post! I’ve wondered about layering fragrances, but have never tried. It seems quite an advanced technique to this beginner. I love the idea of using different textures (solid & liquid perfumes) as well as considering one’s environment as part of the layering. It it helpful to think of layering scents as we would in evaluating a perfume (top notes, mid, base), including weight. Of course I would like to try all these samples & follow the advice of their creators!
    1) Wow. Thank you Mandy Aftel, for existing! I am in love with your solid natural fragrances. Antique Ambergris might be the scent that calls to me most in the world right now. Sepia’s woody tobacco seems a lovely pairing.
    2) Tanja Bochnig’s Rosenlust sounds amazing, especially paired with Precious Woods (a path of rose petals in the deep woods).
    3) JK DeLapp’s Man Musk (green, mossy, woody Attar) the perfect compliment to Jasmine Sambac. Green scents are so appealing these days & Jasmine would be perfect to layer on during the summer night. I live in the USA.

  • jmmcmenamin says:

    I’ve never layered fragrance before, but a lot of it sounded like common sense. I would be thrilled to win any of the offerings. Located in Louisiana, USA.

  • Julesinrose says:

    Tanja’s comments and suggestions for layering got me thinking about the classical music structure of most perfumes and how by layering we can control how long we experience different aspects of a fragrance. I would be thrilled to win any of these sets! Am a fan of all these folks and their scents (and Mandy’s wonderful books). In Maine, USA

  • Before reading the article, I predicted that almost everyone will advise against layering so it was quite a surprise that at least Mandy and JK enthusiastically encourage it. My choice for this draw is April Aromatics Rosentlust and Precious Woods. I am in US

  • I enjoyed Mandy Aftel’s suggestion to layer solid and liquid perfume. Great idea that I will try. Thanks for the draw. I am interested in the Aftelier samples. From Canada.

  • Happy brirthday!I never tried layering before , most of my perfumes are alredy rich ambered but i would experiment with Antique Ambergris and Sepia perfume!Thanks for the tips and the draw,from Romania with love!

  • I am quite new in layering (and scared not to ruin both fragrances for myself by combining them into something horrible), so this article was really useful.
    I have learned that the perfumes we choose to layer should preferably be quite simple, to keep the combo from being too overpowering, and that layering one solid and one liquid perfume can be a good idea, due to how they react with the skin.
    Actually, I do have one solid perfume that’s not getting enough attention. Will try layering it today!
    Would love to win the Aftelier goodies or the April aromatics perfumes.
    I am in Europe.
    Thanks!

  • valentina says:

    I was so afraid about layering, but now I think I will give it a try with the solinotes!

    I would love to win Precious woods or Antique Ambergris!

    I live in Romania, European Union

  • Nom de Guerre says:

    Thank you for the informative article. I still have to try a solid perfume, I’ve always kind of brushed them off as a novelty. Would love to win any but my order of preference would be Precious Woods, Rosenlust, Antique Ambergris or Sepia. Greetings from Riga, Latvia.

  • Danu Seith-Fyr says:

    Sound advice from all of these beautiful people, Personally it depends what kind of mood I am in, so many factors like place, season, event. Within the article it is clear the most important thing is to trust one’s intuition and tastes. I would be thrilled to win April Aromatics Rosenlust and Precious Woods as all of Tanja’s creations love my skin and vice versa. I live in SW France.

  • NituNicolae says:

    I learned from this review that, in order to layer fragrances, you have to pick out the ones that are not exactly the same, more of a complementary bundle, in the sense that one fragrance should go in the direction of base heavy, woodiness and dryness, while the other one which would be fresher and lighter, to be put on top of the first one. I would like to win Precious Woods, but after all, any prize of the world wide giveaway is always welcome. I am from Romania, EU.

  • Great tips for layering from all three perfumers. I triedlayering a few times, but it didn’t woek too well, I got one perfume firstand after some time the other prevailed and that was it, no magic happened.
    I’ d like to win Aftelier perfumes or April Arimatics.
    I’m in EU

  • I’ve actually never tried to layer perfumes before – always too afraid i’d mess up! However after reading Mandy Aftel’s advice about using liquid and solid perfumes, that makes sense and i shall be trying that later! Thanks Mandy!
    I live in the UK and would like to win either
    – the April Aromatics Rosentlust/Precious Woods
    or
    – Aftelier Perfumes solid perfume & sepia perfume

    thanks a lot,

  • A great article about layering not something that I have tried before but I will try and test it further. If I am lucky to win I would love to win Aftelier antique ambergris. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • I have tried layering in the past but it hasn’t worked for me but I will try again a very interesting topic. If I am successful I would like to win Aftelier antique ambergris and sepia. Thanks a lot from the United Kingdom

  • zamir.azam says:

    I accidentally learn about layering in an office meeting, the service provider finally gave in when we enquire what perfume she’s wearing. Turns out she layers 2-4 different perfume at a time. Seems absurd to me then. It wasnt after my whole day expedition seeking for the perfect rose perfume that the same thing occurred, but this time the question comes from my friends to me, which I gladly share and have been experimenting diligently to this day. I agree that soliflores are the best and safest bet in stirring this wonderful witchcraft.
    I am from Malaysia and my choice for this draw is April Aromatics Rosentlust and Precious Woods.

  • macaroni023 says:

    Thank you for sharing opinions and tips on how to layer perfumes. Personally I rarely ever layer perfume but I never tried it with solid perfume, I think it is a wonderful idea so I will be definitely trying this strategy. I would live to get Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris or Precious Woods. I am from EU

  • What I learned is the technique of layering a solid perfume with a liquid. That is a great idea! I have a DSH soft musk that I love to layer with almost anything. I also sometimes do as Tanja Bochnig suggested and wear different scents on different parts of my body. I will put Providence Perfume Company’s Resonance behind my knees, Mandy Aftel’s Tuberose and Cepes on my wrists and the soft musk in my hair. That sounds like a lot, but they all waft in different ways. I would absolutely love to win the Aftelier samples, April Aromatics Rosentlust and Precious woods, or a sample set from JK DeLapp. I am in the US.

  • I am typically not one to layer! For some reason it always feels like defeating the will of the perfumer and not respecting the fragrance (again just my opinion). Interesting to see some perfumers here actively recommending it! I would love to win Antique Ambergris or Rosenlust / Precious woods. Thank you from Canada.

  • Elizabeth Ryerson says:

    I have recently been experimenting with layering different essential and/or perfume oils, mostly to see how they react together. I have kept it fairly basic, as not to get overwhelmed – rose, sandalwood, jasmine, etc. Mandy Aftel’s suggestion for using both a solid as well as liquid perfume is great.
    I would love to try her Antique Ambergris and Sepia fragrances. I also love April Aromatics and would be happy to receive Tanja’s perfume. I live in Canada.

  • patrick_348 says:

    I’m not sure that layering would be for me. I might be too fearful of having to scrub, but it might be fun to experiment. This article taught me to do so only with natural fragrances. I would most like to win the JK DeLapp samples or the Mandy Aftel samples. I am in the US, in North Carolina.

  • GennyLeigh says:

    I enjoy layering fragrances. I have several beautiful soliflores that mix well together or are enhanced by some amber, vetiver or wood notes, depending on my mood. I also have a few decants of Mandy Aftel’s fragrances. They are gorgeous and so well blended. I’ve never tried any April Aromatics but would love to. I’m most interested in the Aftel sample sets and either Rosentlust or Precious Woods from April Aromatics. Commenting from MD, USA.

  • I have never layered fragrance before but as Mandy Aftel says to create a new perfume by layering and making our own personal fragrance from two perfumes that we love is an interesting idea and as JK (Happy Birthday!!) says if it works, it works!. It is a great idea to experience different aspects of the fragrances we have in our shelves, even in on different parts of the body as Tanja Bochnig suggest but the work of the perfumers behind the scents we love can be derailed… in a sorcerer’s apprentice way! My choice for this draw are April Aromatics Rosentlust and Precious Woods or Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris and Sepia. I live in Spain, EU.

  • emorandeira says:

    Hi!
    I see the layering of perfumes a bit difficult. When I decide to buy a perfume is because I like the fórmula and the art work behind of It so for me It is not necesary. In adition I think like Tanjia that you can get overwhelming mixtures. Maybe with simple or Solinotes perfumes It is a bit easier. Even when I bought perfumes thought to layer I finally use them usually alone.
    I have not tried to mix liquid and solid yet but what I have done any time is to mix an attar with a alcoholic based perfume… Maybe an ambery attar with a fresh perfume.
    I would like to win Rosentlust by April aromatics because I LOVE their fragrances.

    I am Edgar and I am writing from Tenerife (Spain)

    Regards

  • I love the idea of layering. I often find that perfumes do not last on me very well, even ones that are considered longer lasting. So I like to layer scents, especially with complimentary lotions. I also tend to add scents as I go through out the day if the first has gotten a bit lost on me. I would love to try Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris solid perfume and the Sepia perfume. Especially the sepia as I am an artist and my favorite color I use is dark sepia. I would also love April Aromatics Rosentlust and 15 ml Precious Woods or any of the attars. I have never used an attar and am very interested in them.

  • I love Mandy Aftel’s positive personality and her enthusiasm on experimenting with layering fragrance. She’s such a talented creator! I would love to try her Antique Ambergris and Sepia perfume.

    I also liked JK’s advice on using a sandalwood or oud as a base and then experimeningt with different oils on top. I would love to try his attars. That’s new to me. Thank you for the giveaway. In the USA.

    Happy Birthday JK! 🙂

  • There was some good food for thought in this article. I am not much used to layering and, like Tanja, feel that perfumes can get over-complicated and overwhelming, especially if there are mu

  • I accidentally pushed the Post button before completing my comment – please ignore the incomplete previous comment.
    There was some good food for thought in this article. I am not much used to layering and, like Tanja, feel that perfumes can get over-complicated and overwhelming, especially if there are multiple complex perfumes being layered.

    Mandy gave some good ideas about solid and liquid perfumes, and JK on the Japanese wabi-sabi ethos. I have experimented with rose and oud and musk together and they make for some heady combinations.

    Appreciate the draw and the article. If lucky, I’d like to win a sample set of Osmanthus Attar, Shibui Series, Jasmine Sambac Attar, Shibui Series and Man Musk. Interested in how the wabi-sabi is expressed in the Shibui series. I am in the USA.

  • Happy birthday, Michelyn!

    While I’ve never been keen on layering, I have to say that doing it with natural perfumes makes sense: they seem to allow more freedom to be played with. I’m very curious about Tanja Bochnig’s suggestion to layer Rosenlust and Precious Woods, so naturally, – pun intended, – I’d love to win the prize from April Aromatics. Russia

  • notoginseng37 says:

    Yes, I layer fragrances all the time but it’s hard to layer oil compared to sprays without cross contamination. But I learn a lot.
    I’d like to enter all 3 drawings – the Atelier (Antique Ambergris/Sepia) and April Aromatics (Rosentlust/Precious Woods) drawings, and JK’s lovely oils.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thank you for the great review.

    It seems like there are no rules for layering – your rules are what works.

    Common sense dictates heavier molecules first and then lighter ones.

    I would love to win the fragrances that are available to the US.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • Francesca says:

    This was a wonderful article to read and I’ve learnt heaps from it. I was Especially inspired by the idea of pairing your fragrance with the environment. I was thinking of the streets of Brooklyn, New York and standing at the foot of the volcano on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu. It made my imagination pop. I also love Mandy’s suggestions of wearing a solid and liquid perfume, something I have also done which is extremely wonderful. I feel very inspired by having read this and I would so much love to win the worldwide choices, Mandy’s perfumes or April Aromatics. How would these be if one was to combine them? Thank you so much for this article and to the perfumers for sharing their inspirational ideas.

  • Bryant Worley says:

    I am not new to layering, as I have done it SO MANY times, but I enjoyed hearing the thoughts of all the interviewees on layering, especially Mason Hainey who gave an interesting thought I would have never considered: “When mindfully worn in partnership with a specific setting or atmosphere of nature, they provide greater context and depth to an experience that deeply impregnates in our memory.”

    I would like to win all 3 prizes, but for real-for real (as a Rose lover), the Rosentlust and Precious Woods combo makes my nose ‘perk up.

    I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • I learned to layer the heavier fragrance first and the lighter on the top. I would like to win the 15ml of rosentlust and the 15ml of precious woods. I’m really intrigued by precious woods notes. I would love to try it alone and also layered with rosentlust.
    Thank you for the opportunity.
    From Mexico.

  • wandering_nose says:

    I have been increasingly intrigued by the concept of layering perfumes and thus creating an entirely new composition, unique to the maker. I have tried layering with success ad am eager to try more. I love the idea of layering solid perfumes with liquid ones, and creating new compositions by applying one fragrance to the hair and another to pulse points.
    I love the sound of Antique Ambergris with its ambergris, civet, cypress absolute and coumarin. Sepia appears to me as a very multi-dimentional, mysterious and timeless beauty. Would be delighted to try both, Antique Ambergris being my first choice.
    Rose is gaining more and more appreciation from me over time so Rosentlust would be great to try, and Precious Woods has stolen my heart with its sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli.
    Thank you from Ireland, EU

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Great information!! I’ve wanted to layer, but didn’t know where to start. Now I can look at my small collection in a different way. I’ve only layered 2, I never thought to layer more than that. I would be happy to win any of these 3 kind offerings. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • Claumarchini says:

    Thank you very much for this post: I have been thinking about layering but as I am still not so experienced I didn’t know where to start from! I think I will start by following Mandy Aftel’s advice and layer a liquid and a solid: I think I cannot make mistakes in this way!
    I would there love to win Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris solid perfume and a sample of Sepia perfume.
    Happy birthday JK and greetings from Italy

  • JulietteC says:

    This is a great, great advice! I tend to follow it quite frequently, especially when travelling. I love the memories then attached to that place.

    “…when mindfully worn in partnership with a specific setting or atmosphere of nature, they provide greater context and depth to an experience that deeply impregnates in our memory”.

    This is so true!

    Thank you, Mandy Aftel, Tanja Bochnig, Mason Hainey, JK DeLapp and Michelyn!

    My favorite natural perfume so far is Rosebud, by Scents of Man. I layer that with a vanilla base.

    I would love to enter for – 15 ml of April Aromatics Rosentlust and 15 ml Precious Woods.

    I live in Europe.

  • It is interesting and makes sense that natural fragrance doesn’t layer well with synthetics. I’d love to win the April Aromatics Rosenlust and Prescious Woods, but would also enjoy the Aftelier or Rising Pheonix ones! In NC, USA.

  • ccwperfume says:

    Have never considered layering fragrance before. Would love to try with April Aromatics Rosenlust and Precious Woods! Thanks for the opportunity from California

  • Fragrance Capital says:

    Michelyn, thank you so much for this interesting Workshop! I do layering fragrances long ago. I used to layer essential oils with liquid perfumes, considering the weather. Since I love Mandy Aftel’s solid perfumes, I hope I can get any of them. So, layering her beautiful natural solid perfume with a liquid one is one of the best ways of layering natural fragrances, as she advised… a miracle scent happens, who knows!. I know, it is not a successful expectation always with those who are not professionals but it worth trying. The interesting thing with natural fragrances is their broadband of outputs and their weak longevity. It is absolutely helpful to think of layering natural scents as we would in evaluating a perfume (top, mid, and base notes), considering the weight and the temperature. Tanja’s idea of layering seems new and interesting to me. Of course, I’d love to try all suggestions of their line products in layering especially that one from Mandy Aftel. I’d love and hope to win the Aftelier Perfumes Antique Ambergris solid perfume sample and a sample of Sepia perfume, or the 15 ml of April Aromatics Rosentlust and 15 ml Precious Woods. Lovely greetings from Europe.

  • It seems so obvious Antique Ambergris would be perfect to boost another natural fragrance since ambergris is such a classic perfumery ingredient to use that way. I also loved Mandy’s advice on using a solid with a liquid. I’ll definitely have to give that a try with some of the solids I have.

    I’d love to enter all of the giveaways as they all sound lovely, but my preference is for the Rising Phoenix sample set, then the Aftelier set, and finally the April Aromatics set.

    I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaways and Happy Birthday to JK!

  • Happy birthday to JK! I’d love to try his scents. I don’t usually layer but I’ve certainly sampled on several different areas (inadvertently layering I suppose). Thanks for the interesting perspectives from these talents! I’m in the US.