What Is Scent Layering? A Guide to Pairing Men's Colognes

“You smell good.” Can you think of a better compliment? It references your aesthetic choices in a way that feels just a touch more authentic than “nice shirt.” Investing in your scent pays dividends, and while we all have a signature scent, it’s worth augmenting your usual cologne with a hint of something different from time to time; that’s the philosophy behind scent layering, anyway. As one might assume, the practice involves harmonizing the top, middle, and base notes of your daily soaps, sprays, and serums. Instead of overpowering one another, each fragrance works in tandem. The end result? A subtle and refined aroma that’s as unique as you are. Here’s all you need to know.

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Cologne for Scent Layering. — LEFT: LE MALE ELIXIR ABSOLU BY JEAN PAUL GAULTIER.
RIGHT: LE SEL D’ISSEY BY ISSEY MIYAKE.

Issey Miyake Le Sel d’Issey vertical lifestyle shot — LEFT: LE MALE ELIXIR ABSOLU BY JEAN PAUL GAULTIER.
RIGHT: LE SEL D’ISSEY BY ISSEY MIYAKE.

First off, start with your everyday cologne. In scent layering, this is the foundation. To sort out your signature scent, it’s important to get clear about the concept behind your daily spritz; most colognes are labelled with words like “musk,” “spice,” or “fruit,” and these terms will come in handy down the line. Ask yourself which qualities drew you to the bottle. Perhaps it’s the fiery fruitiness of Jean Paul Gautier’s Le Male Elixir Absolu, which steams with spicy plum and sizzles into amber and balsamic trail notes. Or maybe it’s the clean spritz of Issey Miyake’s Le Sel d’Issey, a salty combination of seaweed, oak moss, and cedarwood. Whether it’s aromatic, woodsy, or fresh, it’s essential to identify which category your cologne falls into — and which notes catch your attention. Understanding your primary scent will help narrow down your selection.

To avoid any overpowering combinations, we’d recommend starting with the classic pairings. Most of these are intuitive: woody elements like patchouli, sandalwood, and oud make an excellent base for playful top notes of citrus or floral. In fact, your foundational scent might offer a hint; Ferragamo’s Spicy Leather, for instance, anchors bright citrus and piquant pepper with earthy sandalwood. Should this be your base, check out secondary scents like the Lemongrass Tea Hand Moisturizer by Blind Barber. The sage green tube blends lemongrass with earthy touch of jojoba oil. Both products use similar formulas in opposite proportions; together, the combination emphasizes citrus elements while maintaining an earthy background.

Ferragamo Spicy Leather Cologne. Photo retrieved from SHARP September 2023. — LEFT: SPICY LEATHER COLOGNE BY FERRAGAMO.
RIGHT: BLIND BARBER LEMONGRASS TEA HAND MOISTURIZER AT HARRY ROSEN.

Blind Barber Hand Cream Scent Layering. Photo retrieved from SHARP Winter 2024. — LEFT: SPICY LEATHER COLOGNE BY FERRAGAMO.
RIGHT: BLIND BARBER LEMONGRASS TEA HAND MOISTURIZER AT HARRY ROSEN.

Unlike making candles or colognes, scent layering leaves plenty of room to play. Combinations can change as frequently (or infrequently) as your grooming routine; each pump of conditioner and swipe of deodorant offers the opportunity to alter your signature scent. In fact, that’s part of the appeal — scent layering empowers us to put a personal spin on off-the-shelf products. “Fragrance layering offers the ultimate freedom,” Interparfums CEO and chairman Jean Madar told Vogue. “It allows you to create a scent based on your unique mood and what you want to portray to the world on a particular day.”

With a slew of layering options, scent has become an invisible canvas self-expression. For Francis Kurkdjian, director of perfume creation at Parfums Christian Dior, crafting a cologne means telling a story. Each fragrance begins with an idea. “I start by the name or a potential name and then think about what I should do to build the story,” Kurkdijan explains. “Only once I have the name and the story, then I start working, meaning I start blending the raw materials together.”

Idris Elba Calvin Klein Eternity Cologne Interview — LEFT: IDRIS ELBA. IMAGE COURTESY OF CALVIN KLEIN.
RIGHT: FRANCIS KURKDJIAN, DIRECTOR OF PERFUME CREATION AT PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR.

While Kurkdjian creates products from the ground up, his philosophy applies to layering scents, too. When you wear your personal combination, you’re introducing yourself to the world. British actor Idris Elba put it best: “You could put your favourite suit on, or shirt, but when you throw on a certain fragrance, then it’s like ‘yeah, I’m in the room,'” he told SHARP. “People will know that I’m here. And they’ll smell something that’s complementary to how I look.” There’s no shortage of options — Jo Malone even offers a scent layering tool — but as you sift through them all, keep one question in mind: which scent smells like you?

Looking for more inspiration? Scroll on to see some of our favourite haircare products, lotions, & colognes for men.