Fragrance Layering on the Rise

The way people approach fragrance is changing, with customers moving away from a single signature scent and instead experimenting with different combinations of fragrances. According to Karla Woolley, Head of Buying at The Perfume Shop, this trend, known as fragrance layering, is giving customers more ways to wear the fragrances they already own and adapt them for different moods and occasions.

What is Fragrance Layering?

Fragrance layering involves combining different scents and products, such as perfumes, body lotions, shower products, and hair mists, to create a unique fragrance. This can be as simple as pairing a scented body lotion with a favorite perfume or combining two perfumes with complementary notes. The Perfume Shop reports that social media has played a significant role in driving the discovery of fragrance layering, with scent communities sharing combinations, recommendations, and tips.

How Shoppers are Layering

There are no rules when it comes to fragrance layering, and the best approach is to experiment and find what works best for each individual. For customers new to the practice, a good starting point is to match products from the same fragrance house, where a coordinated shower gel, body cream, or aftershave lotion is designed to reinforce the same scent profile. More confident shoppers can pair fragrances with complementary notes across different brands.

Brands and Retailers Respond

The rise of fragrance layering is reshaping product strategy across the market, with brands and retailers launching new products and collections designed to be layered and combined. For example, Marks & Spencer recently launched its STUDIO fragrance range, a collection of eight unisex eau de parfums designed to be worn solo or combined, allowing shoppers to build a "scent wardrobe". Valentino Beauty has also launched a range of hair and body mists designed to layer over its existing eau de parfums. The Perfume Shop sees the opportunity in helping customers get more from the bottles they already own, while also opening the door to complementary purchases.

The trend is reflected in search and social data, with fragrance-layering searches and social media posts growing 63.9% year-on-year in 2025, according to Spate's 2026 Global Fragrance Trends Report. Pinterest's 2026 trend forecast also reports a significant increase in searches for "perfume layering combinations" and "niche perfume collection". The emphasis on personal expression aligns with The Perfume Shop's wider positioning, with research revealing that more than 36% of people associate perfume with confidence and 23% with identity.

Some examples of products that can be layered include:

Note: The prices and sizes listed are examples and may not be exhaustive or up-to-date.