Thoughts on Scent and Fragrance: Layering

So I had thought of this topic for a while the last few weeks, almost going to store it at the back of my mind, but I thought I should be more strict with taking note and I end up jotting down drafts in my phone. I have been struggling with my blog for years, but it's these thoughts of wanting to share about my personal view on especially beauty and fashion that make me want to keep this blog. I was too afraid of running out of ideas that I resorted to list routine things (like a reviews on every f**king things I wore and use) that can be blog about, supposed so the blog is rich in content. However I just realized doing that, kind of dampen my passion when I actually sit down to blog . So I think of being more impulsive and stick to ideas that actually excites me instead of 'waiting' for the 'right time' to blog it just so because I want to post routine stuff first. 

So I love wearing fragrance very much. I even consider wearing it in bed (but I think I'll save that for when I'm married, lol). If I'm late, I rather go barefaced, even with just sunblock (no other skincare applied) but I always make time to properly spritz myself with fragrance.

Before I get on about layering, I thought I lay out a bit about myself on fragrance. 

1. In terms of notes and style should be along these lines; floral, bit of garden, spicy, a bit woody, oriental, then more of dark, strong and heavy but still feminine, some describe 'sexy', lol. It shouldn't be too woody or 'gardeny'.
2. Generally avoid EDT (eau de toilette)...waste of money and waste of time. Stick with EDP (eau de parfum) it might cost a bit more, but have more efficacy. EDP has higher aromatic compound concentration, last longer and has more of a 'waft' or sillage, kind of like when you pass by there's a trail of your scent. I like that when I put on my jacket there still remnants of yesterday's scent.
3. I admit at times I 'accidentally' sprayed too much and I might be one of those ladies that might make people around feel dizzy, lol, I find myself dizzy because of my own scent sometimes. Sorry. Moral of the story: Got to spritz tastefully.

 How to make my scent more personal?
I am one of those a bit peculiar about fragrance that at times I catch people wearing the same EDP, it's not pleasant, like when I find someone wearing the same dress. I wouldn't want to have the same EDP with close friends, my sis and even my mum. I always want to have my own scent that no one else had but the only way is to create your perfume without selling it.

Or some might suggest layering.

Layering 2-3 fragrance can work great and can be more personal since you kind of create a new scent. People practicing this to enhance a feature in their scent and balancing notes, like sweeter in something spicy, bit of masculinity in something feminine, etc. But I might end up being too 'analytical' about it.

So the most practical fragrance layering is by layering lotion before the EDP. Layering lotion or emollient before your fragrance help your fragrance last longer. Perfumes brands have perfumes sets for the purpose of layering. The standard set consists of bodywash, lotion and the fragrance. Then we have brands like Chanel that even offers deodorant and hair mist of the fragrance with the idea of truly enveloping you in this scent and maximising the 'waft' effect I mentioned. Then we have this universal body cream with no scent and has no effect (react) with your fragrant or some just use Vaseline.

So to personalise my scent, the key is to layer the right scented lotion. While having the lotion of the actual fragrant is good especially if you really like the that particular scent but it doesn't give that uniqueness you look for. I actually found the perfect lotion, but too bad it's discontinued even before I got it *got a sample at first*. But I remember that it is of 'woody' but still fresh with 'jasmine' and 'moss', kind of masculine. This would suit my style of EDP that is florally dark and strong.

these make me smell good :)

Bvglari Mon Jasmin Noir, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, Chanel Coco Noir, Fragonard Belle de Nuit

My ultimate favourites would be the Chanel Coco Noir and Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir.
I wish the Mon Jasmin Noir would have the body lotion, it would be perfect. I imagine layering that with my other EDP especially those super feminine one would give that 'personal touch' I've been looking for... haihhh...

Hugo Boss Boss Nuit, Dior J'adore

I got some ideas from a perfume blog I love, Perfume Shrine especially on best spots to wear fragrance. Then I adjust in a way that suits me as I wear hijab and I don't bring perfume with me to top up through out the day.
FRAGRANCE ROUTINE

1. Body lotion. Scented. I focus on lower arm, neck and feet. Then I wear my hijab and yes, I wear EDP on clothes. EDP on clothes actually bring the true notes and is true secret of longer lasting fragrance. 
2. Spritz your Eau de Parfum  to the BACK of both hands. I read that the back of your hand is better than inside your wrist, give better longer lasting sillage. Anyway I wear metal watch which could possibly react and distort the notes of the EDP.
3. From the back of my hands, I dab on the INSIDE of my ELBOW, then shoulder near the armpit, side of your torso (ribs) and down to the back, to CALVES. 
4. Again spritz back of the hand, this time dab to side of head down the arm, outer arm and back of head. Basically area that my friends like to lean on.
5. Last touch, a single spritz to the centre of the chest on top of hijab/clothes.

Things to remember

• always DAB, never rub. Rubbing could ruin the phases of top, middle and base note and just left you with 'barely' there scent in short time.
• never skip deodorant. EDP is not for masking perspiration

I actually learnt a lot from Perfume Shrine. Do check it out!

Perfume Shrine

They break all these myths about perfume such as the ' wearing perfume near your pulse (inside wrist, neck and behind ears), saying it would spread through out your whole body. I used to believe that... but how exactly? does it get absorb into your veins or vessel, distribute by blood and diffuse out again?It's a myth and I agree. It might work because it just happen to be place accessible for the fragrance to diffuse. Since I'm wearing hijab that's not practical for me. Another style is to spritz in front and walk into the perfume... that's wasting the precious EDP and it could be very expensive so I totally agree with that. 

As much I like the idea of leaving a trail of fragrance, I believe modest should be my goal, but that does not mean I should use my fragrance halfheartedly. At times I oversprayed and hopefully by putting up this practical routine I can control myself. Fragrance should only be sensed in close proximity and I believe this routine has not cross that line (unless you oversprayed). But again, this routine is not for the faint-hearted, so if you're looking for more subtle effect, just reduce to your own comfort.