Fragrance Layering with Miller Harris

Spring is the season for layering, and we don't only mean your clothes. Just as you switch up your wardrobe, you can layer your perfume to give yourself a fragrance refresh while you're waiting for the warm weather to kick in.

Not sure where to start? We’ve done the homework for you and figured out the do’s and don’ts of fragrance layering. All that's left is to find a scent you love. Fortunately, our range of Miller Harris perfume available online and in store is perfect place to start. 

Fragrances are, in essence, just a combination of layered aromas pre-packaged and ready to go. While we all love the idea of having a signature scent, in reality, we’re a changeable bunch and tend to find more resonance with a fragrance tailored to suit our mood and style. Layering different perfumes is the ideal way to create an individual scent, and once you know the in's and out's of how to layer, it couldn’t be easier. Here are our four top tips:

1. Keep things simple

Layering can be done with any fragrance, but as with most things in life, we generally find that keeping things simple works best. When you blend a more complicated fragrance with a lighter one, you’re introducing a fresh element to an existing combination. With this in mind, focus on either adding two fairly simple scents together, or layer one complex fragrance with a lighter one. Less really can be more. 

2. Prepare your skin

Start with clean, hydrated skin. Dry skin won’t hold onto a fragrance as well. Lotions with a creamy consistency work best, although if you use a scented body wash or moisturiser, remember this will act as the first layer of your fragrance. We love the Austin Austin Neroli & Petigrain Body Cream with its top notes of orange and grapefruit. The all-natural ingredients soothe, moisturise and protect the skin beautifully. 

Our pick of the best moisture-boosting bases:

Austin Austin Neroli & Petitgrain Body Cream

Malin+Goetz B5 Body Moisturizer

Austin Austin Palmrosa & Vetiver Hand Cream

 

3.    Build your fragrance

This is the creative bit. To give yourself a good start, opt for the heavier scent or the one you want to be more prominent first, and apply one spritz at a time. The more sprays you use, the more intense the fragrance will become. Don’t be tempted to rub it in as this will turn it bitter. Patience is a virtue here. When your base is in place, top up with lighter or complementary notes. 

Florals can be a great place to start. They’re versatile and pair brilliantly with citrus, ouds, and fruity fragrances. For example, Miller Harris Rose Silence layered over Vetiver Insolent. Rose Silence cuts through the deep and spicy aroma of Vetiver Insolent adding just a touch of rosiness and creating a fresh, comforting fragrance – bridging the gap between seasons and making it an ideal combination now.


Rose Silence Parfum

Vetiver Insolent Parfum

Poirier d'un Soir Parfum

 

Another suggestion is Miller Harris Poirier d'un Soir sprayed over Tea Tonique. This combination creates a great balance of sweet and smokey, with notes of Italian Bergamot, ripe pear and dusky Turkish rose –  a fresh, natural aroma that will bring warmth to a crisp Spring day.

 

Tea Tonique and Lumière Dorée both make great base fragrances and layer well with lots of other scents in the Miller Harris range. The complex woody, citrus and marine fragrance of Hydra Figue works particularly well with the star notes of green tea, bergamot and birch tar found Tea Tonique, just as the aromatic warmth of Le Cèdre pairs well with the summery unisex fragrance Lumière Dorée


Tea Tonique Parfum

Hydra Figue Parfum

Le Cèdre Parfum

 

4.    Get spritzing

Don’t be shy! For real impact, spray perfume onto pulse points such as wrists, neck, and behind the ears, then spritz the ends of your hair or your scarf – these areas catch the air and carry the fragrance beautifully. Then all you have to do is sit back and relax. It will take about 30 minutes for the fragrance to mature on your skin before you get the true gauge of whether you like the result. Given the complexity of each fragrance, limit the layering of Miller Harris to two different perfumes.


Shop our full range of fragrances here

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