Louise McSharry: If you want your fragrance to last longer, you have to try scent layering

When I hear the phrase ‘layering scent’, what I usually think of is something akin to sitting at home in a white lab coat, spraying various fragrances over each other to figure out what results in something new and gorgeous. “Eureka!” I would exclaim, upon creating a new and stunning concoction, before launching myself over to Grasse in France (the perfume capital of the world) to become one of the leading minds in international fragrance.

Sometimes, that sort of is what people mean when they talk about layering scent. No one’s stopping you from combining fragrances. In fact, some brands encourage it (Jo Malone, for example). Today, however, I want to talk about layering scent via several products with the same fragrance.

“Louise”, I hear you saying, “are you seriously suggesting that one product is not enough?” No, I’m not. Obviously, you can make yourself smell stunning with one product (or frankly, you can smell stunning without any product, our pheromones are magical).

However, applying multiple layers of the same fragrance can improve the longevity of the fragrance’s presence on your body. If you want it to feel like the fragrance is actually coming from within your skin, this is the way to go.

There are no specific rules for this process. Some people like to begin with their shower gel. However, it is my personal position that it’s not worth investing in products which are only on your skin for a short time. Thus, I begin with a body cream.

My personal favourite for this process is Laura Mercier’s Almond Coconut Serum Body Cream (€65.54 via cultbeauty.com) both because I live for a tropical scent and because this cream is lightweight but impactful when it comes to softening and moisturising the skin. It’s expensive, but I find it spreads easily and a little goes a long way.

Body oil is a great way to lock in moisture, whether you’re layering scent or not, so this is the next stop I’m suggesting on the journey to “No seriously, this is just what my body smells like” town.

L’Occitane’s Amande range is a great option for layering scent as there are so many different products within the range, including Amande Supple Skin Oil (€44 via ­loccitane.com). Apply this over your body cream or moisture for maximum scent and moisture.

At this stage, it’s time for a spritz of perfume in whatever scent you’ve chosen. Or if there is no accompanying perfume, a complimentary one.

If you’re taking the Amande route, for example, you may want to apply l’Occitane’s Amber Almond Eau de Parfum (€125 via loccitane.com). Laura Mercier’s body products include an Eau de Parfum (€81.93 via cultbeauty.com), so you can moisturise, oil and spritz with the same scent throughout.

Other options for this practice include the Maison Margiela Replica range which includes body lotions for many of their scents (€67.80 via cultbeauty.com), as do many classic fragrances like Chanel No 5 (€51 via boots.ie) or (5) Angel by Mugler (€52 via chtralee.com).

I never believed there was any need to invest in a cream that matched my perfume — until I gave scent layering a go. I still don’t believe it’s a necessity but I do believe doing so will make your fragrance last longer, and feel more inherent to you.

Lost in translation

You may have heard of silicon-based products but today, I’d like to explain why it’s useful to know what that means and if it applies to what you’re using. Most skincare products and foundations are silicon, oil or water-based. This refers to the product’s base ingredient, usually integral to its texture.

Why do you need to know? Because if your foundation is oil-based, it might not play well with your water-based primer. So if you find you’re not getting the results you want from your foundation, do a little research and see if it’s actually your skincare or primer causing problems — and if using products which share the same base ingredient makes a difference.

Something old…

When makeup artist Pat McGrath announced she was launching her own products, I was immediately on board. McGrath’s years of experience and immense impact on the makeup industry from an editorial perspective meant I was confident anything she produced would be special — I was right. It started with a lipstick – Pat McGrath Labs Mattetrance Lipstick, to be precise.

When I received the product, my mind was blown. The light and silky texture of this matte lipstick was like nothing else I’d ever tried. Up to this point, matte lipsticks had always been uncomfortable, with a tendency to feel thick and crumbly. Not so with this product, which felt light and comfortable but delivered opaque, matte colour.

It’s no surprise many other brands have subsequently followed with changes to their own matte formulas. But I still love what I consider to be the OG.

… Something new

MAC knows a thing or two about matte lipstick, with Ruby Woo in Retro Matte being one of the most popular lipsticks of all time. At one stage, there wasn’t a burlesque performer on the planet who didn’t have at least one on the go. Unfortunately, the formula wasn’t always comfortable.

Now though, they’ve changed it up. The new formulation of MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick means it glides on easily without compromising on texture or colour.

Intensely pigmented and comfortable to wear, MACximal Silky Matte Lipstick is available in 44 shades, including many of MAC’s most iconic shades. My favourites are Lady Danger, an orangey red; Velvet Teddy, a universally flattering nude; and Whirl, a rosy-brown. Available from February 28, these will be priced €30.

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