Part 2: Layering Fragrances : More French Elle Suggestions
There are two schools of thought on layering fragrances. The Purist school holds that the fragrance is a finished work and any tempering with it would destroy the perfect balance that the creator tried to achieve. The Experimentalists, on the other hand, see an interesting potential in layering fragrance in being able to come up with interesting combinations and to personalize one's fragrance choices.
The Experimentalists have a great perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena on their side, who has even suggested interesting layering combinations. A longtime fellow perfume lover and an excellent researcher, Bela has kindly shared with me excerpts from Elle magazine on the topic of perfume layering, which were translated by her from French.
NB: I also highly recommend Bela's website, which includes recordings to help pronounce French perfume names.
The Rules of Successful Layering according to French ELLE magazine:
The safest way to do it is with citrus notes. They blend easily with floral, woodsy and even ambery fragrances. Such combinations enable you to associate two different 'scent worlds' and prevent either of the two fragrances being redundant. How to go about it: spray the stronger perfume first so that the notes from the second perfume get added to the heart and base notes of the first one.
COMBOS PUBLISHED IN FRENCH ELLE (21 July 2003)
Sweet:
Comptoir Sud Pacifique Eau Vanille Abricot + Chanel Coco
Adds a gourmand note to the ambery/woody base of Coco
Unisex:
Kenzo Flower + YSL M7
Adds floral notes to the muskiness of M7; turns it into a feminine scent
Light:
L'Artisan Navegar + Annick Goutal Des Lys
Lightens the ambery notes of Navegar and adds a fresh note to them
Fresh:
Sisley Eau de Campagne + Kiehl's Cucumber Spray
Two green scents together. Creates a very soft, summery perfume.
Daring:
Chanel Cuir de Russie + Shiseido Féminité du Bois
Creates a very rich and sensual fragrance.
Kindred spirits
Guerlain L'Heure Bleue + Eau de Cédrat
Adds a fresher note to L'Heure Bleue.
Rich:
L'Artisan Parfumeur Un Zeste d'Eté + Clinique Aromatics Elixir
Adds a fresher note to the ambery and chypre accords of A. Elixir
Original:
Thierry Mugler Angel + Hermès Eau d'Orange Verte
Adds fresher notes to the gourmand and slightly oppressive accords of Angel.
PERFUME COMBINATIONS SUGGESTED BY JEAN-CLAUDE ELLENA (FRENCH PERFUME CREATOR) - PUBLISHED IN FRENCH ELLE MAGAZINE
No5 de Chanel
[to enhance the] Iris: Après l'Ondée (Guerlain)
[to enhance the] Masculine notes, aldehydes and lavender: Tabac Original
Shalimar de Guerlain
[to enhance the] Lavender: Pour un Homme (Caron)
[to enhance the] Spices: Pour Homme (Cacharel) or Comme des Garçons
[to enhance the] Patchouli: Etro, Santa Maria Novella
Arpège de Lanvin
[to enhance the]Ylang-ylang: Beauty (Sarah Schwartz)
[to enhance the] Lily of the Valley: Diorissimo
Joy de Patou
[to enhance the] Rose: Ombre Rose (Jean-Charles Brosseau) or Rose Muskissime (Maître-Parfumeur et Gantier)
[to enhance the] Green jasmine: Diorella
Trésor de Lancôme
[to enhance the] Leather: Cuir de Russie (Maître-Parfumeur et Gantier) or Centaure (Cardin)
[to enhance the] Violet: Violette (Berdoues or Floris)
[to enhance the] Rose: Evelyn (Crabtree & Evelyn), Tea Rose (Perfumer's Workshop), Rose du Jardin Retrouvé
Ysatis de Givenchy
Smells wonderful with Féminité du Bois (Shiseido)
Angel de Thierry Mugler
[to enhance the] Fruit: Fuzzy Peach (The Body Shop)
As a contrast: L'Eau d'Issey
L'Air du Temps de Nina Ricci
[to enhance the] Pepper: Poivre (Caron)
Femme de Rochas
[to enhance the] Clove and Cardamom: 4 parts Femme, 1 part Comme des Garçons
Anaïs Anaïs de Cacharel
Daytime: Acqua di Gio
Nighttime: Gio (Armani)
Diorissimo de Christian Dior
[to enhance the] Fresh marine notes: Cool Water for Woman (Davidoff), or Pleasures (Estée Lauder) Blackcurrant: First (Van Cleef & Arpels)
Opium d'Yves Saint-Laurent
[to enhance the] Fruit: Orange Sanguine (Jean-François Laporte), Orange Cannelle (Fragonard)
[to enhance the] Orange blossom (Moroccan effect): Fleurs d'Oranger (Serge Lutens)
[to enhance the] Masculine notes: Old Spice (Shulton)
COMBINATIONS CREATED BY "REAL" FRENCH WOMEN - PUBLISHED IN ELLE MAGAZINE
Iris Silver Mist (Serge Lutens) + Bouton d'Or (L'Artisan Parfumeur)
Aromatics Elixir (Clinique) + Mitsouko (Guerlain)
Aromatics Elixir (Clinique) + Blenheim Bouquet (Penhaligon's)
Aromatics Elixir (Clinique) + Tea Rose (Perfumer's Workshop)
L'Eau du Ciel (Annick Goutal) + Shalimar deodorant
Après l'Ondée (Guerlain) + Violette de Parme
A few drops of Cuir Mauresque (Serge Lutens) + Mitsouko deodorant
Cerruti 1881 + Pino Silvestre
Mûre et Musc (L'Artisan Parfumeur) + White Musc (The Body Shop)
Habanita (Molinard) body lotion + Shalimar (Guerlain)
24 Faubourg (Hermès) + Eau de Campagne (Sisley) bath oil
Lolita Lempicka + Eau Trois (Diptyque)
Thank you again, Bela!
Image: beautiful layering of colors and brush strokes by painter Séraphine Louis (also known as Séraphine de Senlis,) Musée Maillol, from flickr, some rights reserved.
I love this post! I will definitely put these principles to work. I layer quite frequently but not with such a scientific nose; Coty Wild Woods is my basic bring out the wood notes scent, and Keihl's Musk is my amplify the musk notes scent. I am esp intrigued by the Shalimar/Commes des Garcons idea and will have to try that soon! Actually, I was surprised by how often CdG was mentioned. It's one of my favorite scents but not one I've thought of layering as it's so powerful on it's own. I recently acquired a bottle of Theo Fennell Scent and adore the middle & drydown, but it's too floral for me in the opening. CdG might be just the thing to amplify the spice notes. Interesting to me also is the French combination of wearing scented deodorant with a different perfume. Lots of fun things to try! Thanks as always, V.
Posted by: rosarita | March 05, 2011 at 07:01
I saw this in French Elle when I was there over Christmas. I don't layer. Yet. Except right now I have remnants of Sarrasins on my shirt mingling with my sample of vintage Messe de Minuit on my sweater. But they're not blending, just dancing together.
Posted by: Carla | March 05, 2011 at 07:58
I haven't had enough confidence to do any layering; I'll have to give some of these combinations a try. Mitsouko + Aromatics Elixir sounds like a powerhouse. Too much for me, though--those women are brave!
Posted by: Ann C | March 05, 2011 at 08:57
Uhm...I am a purist, I fear! Just reading about these combinations makes me feel quite overpowered,voir sick; imagine smelling like them!
At most, I imagine changing the accent of a composition by adding a sheer and simple "solinote" spritz, possibly choosing a note already present in the fragrance. Or blending a couple of fragrant oils for a homemade/custom-made concoction.
(Since many niche lines produce sketches/studies on a single note, I see some of their fragrances working well together - often because they are not really complex enough and balanced to begin with...
For similar yet different reasons, the SL line lends itself to some experiments, I think; I'd love to add a base to "a la Nuit", if I knew how to do it!)
But "don't mess with Mitsy" is my motto.
Posted by: Zazie | March 05, 2011 at 09:53
Wonderful perfume ideas + wonderful image from an artist I was unfamiliar with. I am planning on watching the movie about her as soon as I can. Thank you from the heart.
Posted by: Mellisu | March 05, 2011 at 10:07
Thank you for the link to Bela's website. Had I known how much time I would spend attempting to pronounce French perfume names, and how poorly I would do, I would have taken French in high school. This should dramatically reduce the frequency with which I reveal myself to be an uncultured swine in front of snobby SAs.
Posted by: Elaine | March 05, 2011 at 10:28
I only layer soft, light scents, like most Ellena creations actually, I was delighted to read his suggestions. Definitely a post to bookmark, thank you! :)
Posted by: Olfactoria | March 05, 2011 at 10:51
V, what an interesting post.
I rarely layer, but when I do, I layer Coco with a spritz of Coco Mlle. on top. It's a whole new fragrance sensation!
Hugs!
Posted by: violetnoir | March 05, 2011 at 12:16
I get a kick out of combining high- and lowbrow scents, and enjoyed seeing the same here. I often 'brighten' or 'balance' heavier perfumes with various scents from BBW, L'Occitane, and Crabtree & Evelyn.
Today I'm trying Estee Lauder Private Collection + BBW Wild Honeysuckle. As a girl named Maria once said, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."
Posted by: axum | March 05, 2011 at 12:47
We recently experienced a spell of some unseasonably -and oppressively humid-summerlike weather.What happened to spring? Did I blink?
I experimented by layering Goutal's Le Chevrefeuille with some inexpensive Coty L'Origan (the one with the crown cap). Well, it struck just the right notes....pun intended.
Posted by: Gitcheegumee | March 05, 2011 at 15:40
Thanks so much for this article. I've always been intrigued about layering and this article has given me a lot of tips. Thanks also for the link to Bela's website, it's fantastic. I've so often wondered how to correctly pronouce the names of some of my favourite perfumes.
Posted by: Tara | March 05, 2011 at 15:54
So interesting to see how Ellena thinks about this, and to see how many hard-to-find and/or discontinued/reformulated perfumes he has on his list...
Posted by: sweetlife | March 05, 2011 at 16:33
I very rarely layer perfume, I have to admit, mostly because I am either busy learning how to compose accords or sampling and studying fragrances on the market. However, these ideas are really inspiring.
I love your idea to layer Wild Woods to bring out the woody notes. I like Escentric Molecules (the first one in the series) for this. Works so well!
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:18
One time, I was wearing Iris Silver Mist and by accident I sprayed Eau des Merveilles on top. I got perhaps 5 comments on how good it smelled together--a leathery, ambery iris!
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:19
Ann, I am with you: Mitsouko + Aromatics Elixir is not for the faint of heart! I am certainly not brave enough to try that on my skin. Maybe, on the blotter... Now, I am actually intrigued!
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:20
Sometimes, there is hardly time to wear what I have, much less trying mixing it all together. However, I admit that the idea intrigues me. Especially some of the odd suggestions.
SL fragrances do layer well. I have a friend who layers Ambre Sultan + Vetiver Oriental, and it is a fantastic composition.
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:22
I actually saw the movie "Seraphine" a few of days ago, and I could not think of anything else for a long time after I finished watching it. The power and the emotional intensity of her images is simply astounding. I recommend it highly!
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:23
Bela's site is a fantastic reference for French pronunciations! I am glad that you liked it as much as I did.
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:25
B, you are most welcome! Which Ellena's scents do you layer?
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:25
Oh, that sounds wonderful! I am off to find my bottles of both and try it right away.
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:25
BBW Wild Honeysuckle is a very nice, crisp floral. I can imagine that it would add a bright, luminous note to Private Collection.
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:26
Today I was thinking that the spring is finally here, which was such a delight, such a refreshing feeling after the cold we have been having!
Another interesting idea I would love to try--Le Chevrefeuille + Coty L'Origan
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:28
You are welcome! I am glad that you liked what Bela shared (and Bela's site!)
I liked how the article outlined how the layering needs to be done. Sometimes one needs to understand the logic of what works together to get most success. In the end, it is a bit like creating fragrances.
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:30
I believe that when the article was published, some of these were in a much better condition. Not all of them, of course! Many of these are such classics!
Posted by: Victoria | March 05, 2011 at 17:31
Somewhat off topic,but FYI ,I ordered Bellodgia,upon the strength of your recommendation from a previous thread.
Posted by: Gitcheegumee | March 05, 2011 at 19:12
Nice article! I always felt like layering was cheating. But now that you mention it, I might try mixing Kenzo Flower with YSL M7. I find the latter a bit bland without an accent anyway. Maybe it won't turn out like a Renoir splashed with a Pollock after all.
Posted by: Joan | March 05, 2011 at 20:22
I saw the movie today - and yes, I too am astounded. I also read M+M (and watched most of the movie on youtube). You are having a great influence on me - cultural and fragrance-wise. Thanks again.
Posted by: Mellisu | March 05, 2011 at 20:26
Very interesting! I have attempted it a few times with unwanted samples. Citrus + rather sweet bases works nice generally. I am reading translated "Le parfum" (Collection QUE SAIS-JE?) by Jean-Claude Ellena now, this post is very good timing. (BTW, The collection is very good.)
Kaori
Posted by: k-amber | March 05, 2011 at 23:16
I love layering and Jean-Claude's suggestions are fascinating.
Posted by: Angela Cox | March 06, 2011 at 01:59
Thank you for this article. I am very timid about layering fragrances but I am going to try some of these combos.
Posted by: Donna Patterson | March 06, 2011 at 09:24
I tried Apres l'Ondee + no. 5 today, very skeptical because it sounds like a weird combination, but intrigued. My faith in JCE is vindicated! It's great, bringing out the floral in the Chanel and adding a little more heft to Al'O, which would otherwise be too gentle for such a chilly day. Next up: Cuir de Russie and Feminite du Bois!
Posted by: capillary | March 06, 2011 at 11:19
And of course, having written this, I now remember layering Apres on top of Bois des Iles, and liking that quite a bit too - not such a stretch to no. 5, I suppose!
Posted by: capillary | March 06, 2011 at 11:22
Jean Claude mentions Floris violets , I am positive I wore it in the 1970s yet I asked Floris and they denied ever having it then .The only ones were much older .Anyone else remember it ?
Posted by: angie Cox | March 06, 2011 at 12:30
V, I think Voyage d'Hermes or Eau de Merveilles are great bases for most other Hermes creations, like the Eaux or Jardins. They last a bit better that way, it seems to me. I also like to layer Eau de Campagne and Rose Ikebana.
Posted by: Olfactoria | March 06, 2011 at 13:38
Interesting reading! I have 3 combinations I layer. Cannot wear Philosykos without a base of Tam Dao. Kilian's Pure Oud is excellent next to Back to Black and wafts great combinations all day.
Lastly is one I only wear at home because I suspect it's rather strong - a drop of vintage Joy extrait with a swipe of tribute attar;delicious.
Posted by: aotearoa | March 06, 2011 at 14:50
I hope that you enjoy it. It is the most classic of carnations!
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:30
I think that it would be an interesting combination. In general, many of these are quite unusual.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:31
Thank you for letting me know. I was so moved by this film. Now, I want to see her work in person.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:32
I am enjoying the book very much. I re-read it several times already.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:34
I like his suggestions very much, quite unconventional.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:35
I'm glad that you liked it. It is nice to have some guidance for layering. There is some art to it.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:36
Oh, so good to hear from someone who try this combination! I tried it last night too and found it just splendid. :)
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:38
Yes, you are right. That's in the same spirit for me.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:38
Mmm, the last combo you mentioned sounds wonderful! I must try it. Thank you for sharing, B!
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:43
What creative layering combinations! Pure Oud would layer well with many florals too.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:44
I do recall that Floris had a fragrance called English Violet. It was discontinued, but I am not sure when. I need to check my notes. I remember smelling it and writing something down.
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 20:49
I've just started experimenting with layering, and I'm really enjoying it. It was a surprise to find out that certain combinations "smooth" out the more difficult parts in both halves to make something really unique and gorgeous. And I LOVE that JCE is all over the map with his combos - I certainly never expected to find a Body Shop perfume mentioned alongside MPG fragrances, that was delightful.
Count me in as another person who has definitely used and loved Bela's website. You don't want to know how I used to pronounce Hermès.....
Posted by: Dionne | March 06, 2011 at 23:40
Bela has done a tremendous job with her site. It is a fantastic resource!
I was also delighted by some of these combinations. Such unconventional, clever way of thinking about scents!
Posted by: Victoria | March 07, 2011 at 10:08
Victoria,
Thank you for reprinting the entire post!
As we previously discussed, I belong firmly in the Experimentalist camp and 2 of my favorites were:
1. Joy edp + Apres L'Ondee edt (Joy on top). This one picked up a few immediate fans when I suggested it on an NST thread.
2. Joy edp + AG Rose Absolue edp. It's my wedding day blend and I still love it.
Posted by: OperaFan | March 07, 2011 at 13:58
I told you this before, your combinations are genius! :) Love both of them!
Posted by: Victoria | March 07, 2011 at 14:28
My version of layering is always either beside each other or one on the left and another on the right side of the body, neck, arms, rather than on top of each other. Often I have found this works well within the range of certain perfumers, like Tauer or Parfumerie Generale. You are bold creatures putting one on top of another, and I admire your nerve!
Posted by: Lucy | March 07, 2011 at 22:51
That's another way I layer sometimes too. It works well! ;)
Posted by: Victoria | March 08, 2011 at 10:27
I don't see Serge Lutens discussing perfume layering in Elle magazine the way JC Ellena and Frederic Malle do it. Lutens wouldn't stoop that low in a million years.
Posted by: Emma | August 18, 2011 at 16:37
Good for him then! I prefer Ellena or Malle's writing anyway.
Posted by: Victoria | August 18, 2011 at 17:07
I like layering. I put Lancome's Tresor (EDT) first, and then I spray La Rose de Rosine over it. When I wear this I get a lot of compliments about the way I smell, mostly from opposite sex. One time I even had a man, I just passed, running after me to compliment me and asking what I had on.
Posted by: marie-claire | October 28, 2011 at 09:07
Wow, what a great combination! Thank you so much for sharing. I must try it too.
Posted by: Victoria | October 28, 2011 at 09:20
I have just found this fabulous thread, a great interest of mine. I have just tried the Coco layered with Coco Madamoiselle and it is terrific, more Coco than Mademoiselle but I shall see how it wears. I am going to have fun tomorrow experimenting. Thanks
Posted by: csarina | December 30, 2011 at 18:30
me again. anyone know would No 5 layer well with Coco Mademoiselle or just Coco, with Allure, for instance. I have Jo Malone WIld Bluebell and it is not quite WILD enough for me, so what would love it up? I also own Parisienne and Tresor in Love and would love to know what would be suitable for these. I was thinking if I got a bottle of Jo Malone's Grapefruit this might mix very well with all of the above. Any opinions? Thanks
Posted by: csarina | December 30, 2011 at 18:34
Oh, Grapefruit would be good with rose fragrances! You can try it on a piece of paper first, just to experiment.
Good luck! :)
Posted by: Victoria | December 30, 2011 at 18:45
Dior Addict and Alien layer beautifully. Spicy vanilla and amber, mmmmmm. This combo draws many compliments.
Posted by: Eirin | March 07, 2012 at 19:40
I would never have dared to try it, but now I am curious! Will definitely experiment.
Posted by: Victoria | March 07, 2012 at 21:10
Thank you for the post! Lovely suggestions, but I am probably a Purist :) I presume that it comes from the uncertainty that I have enough knowledge about perfume. Should I try? I do not know. But sometimes I would love certain notes to last longer and yes, to be enhanced.
Posted by: Yulya | March 08, 2012 at 11:40
Thanks for this post! Great read + all the ideas in the comments. I have a question I'm hoping you could help me with: I was given a bottle of Onda Edp, lucky me, but, I find I want something more from it sometimes and am wondering if anyone has tried layering it or if you would have an idea of what might go well with it?? I would so appreciate some ideas on directions I could go in in terms of what would compliment it. Sometimes the passsionfruit note is quite pronounced and I'd like to add something that would mellow or transform it a bit. I look forward to your reply -Thank you! I enjoy your blog very much.
Posted by: clarissa | March 11, 2012 at 20:35
Mmm, I am imagining all of the possibilities... What do you want more out of Onda--leather, vetiver, florals? This would help me give you some ideas for layering.
Posted by: Victoria | March 11, 2012 at 21:11
Dear Victoria;
"All of the possibilities"! Fantastic. Regarding direction, any ideas you have would be fascinating to hear, but, I guess either leather or florals while steering clear of anything too powdery. Thanks for your reply!
Posted by: clarissa | March 12, 2012 at 00:25
How about Diptyque Do Son or Jo Malone Orange Blossom? I would pick a simple floral for layering with Onda as it is a very complex fragrance. To amplify leather, I would try Knize Ten. Again, just a tiny spray. Do try it first on paper though. Layering can be unpredictable.
Posted by: Victoria | March 12, 2012 at 10:55
Do Son and Jo Malone OB are both accessible to me in stores, here, so I will try! I've never tried Knize Ten, though I"ve heard of it over these last years many times. I'll have to try a sample finally. (On me, Onda EDP isn't complex, if complex means that it develops on the skin. ? It stays pretty constant. It has a lightness, but, a firm ...edge, like a warning not to get too close. On me there's no "erotic readiness" as there is for Ms. Kern. This is what some people call an "amulet" perfume, I think.)
I like your suggestions, thank you, and look forward to experimenting with this beautiful fragrance.
I am just discovering layering for myself and am thinking that layering a perfume that you love could be like expressing your own different moods. It's maybe a way to have a signature perfume that isn't static, yet, there's a continuity. Plus, I'm thinking that layering will allow me to enjoy many perfumes that I wouldn't otherwise, if they were just on their own. A whole new world! And now I have a use for all the samples I have piling up! Thanks again for a great, fun post!
Posted by: clarissa | March 13, 2012 at 01:11