I’ve written at length about how much I love scent layering. I love to start my scent journey in the shower, using body cleansers that give a delicate perfumed base before moving on to body creams to solidify my chosen notes—cedarwood, vetiver and figgy scents are mostly my vibe—then finishing off with a few sprays for my perfume. This has worked for me over the years, and I can trust that my scent will carry throughout the majority of the day. However, as someone who has an obsession with the beauty benefits of oils, I knew it was only a matter of time before I delved into the world of perfumed oils, and it has honestly changed my scent longevity.
There are a lot different types of perfume oils to pick from, and all of them have their benefits. Rollerballs are often highly scented and react with the warmth of your pulse points, so I normally pop a complementary or matching scent of whatever perfume I’m wearing in my handbag and apply it throughout the day as a little scent boost. I also use rollerballs in the evening before bed as a calming scent before falling asleep. It feels less aggressive than spraying on an eau de toilette, and if I ever wake up in the middle of the night, it’s a comforting smell. Solid perfume balms work in the same way and melt into your scent beneath. I find they last slightly longer than a rollerball thanks to the waxy formula. Then there are perfumed body oils and shower oils. These are super indulgent and definitely amplify any scent you choose to spray on after. If you want impact, perfumed body oil is often more pungent, whereas a shower oil needs to be carried by other scented products such as a cream or a mist, as they tend to be subtler. These are my top-tier perfume oil picks.
I love to roll on the Yemoja scent before bed. With the notes of ylang-ylang and frankincense, it’s calming and comforting, just the right mix to get you off to sleep.
This rollerball is tiny enough for even the smallest clutch bag and is an instant scent freshener. It smells clean and soft, like nuzzling into cosy, fresh sheets.
My chosen Byredo EDP is Bal d’Afrique, but I actually like layering Mojave Ghost rollerball on top as it brings out the amber notes and musk but with a sweet warmth.
This perfume oil is more of a spray alternative, as it is so potent. It’s a great pick if your skin reacts to the alcohol in eau de parfum or toilette. Add a few drops of this on your pulse points or mix in with your body cream post-shower.
This a dry oil, so I recommend it more for the hair than the body. It adds a lovely sheen and smells of soft jasmine and saffron.
Of the high-street perfume offerings, the & Other Stories scents are my favourite. The rollerball perfume oils are strong and long-lasting.
The Jo Malone Solid Palettes allow you to mix and match your favourite scents to layer complementary notes. I like to pair Pomegranate Noir and Wood Sage & Sea Salt.
This silky oil is perfect for applying to damp skin straight after a hot shower, as it absorbs in quickly and helps the scent linger for longer.
The argan oil in this formula actually makes it great for added sheen and softness for the hair. As someone who would never use perfume hair spray, I think this is a great alternative. Next, seven makeup looks that are easy to re-create.
This collection contains the oils of the brand’s key scents including cashmeran velvet (which you’ll love if you’re a Santal 33 fan). You can mix and match the oils on your skin to create a bespoke scent or use a single oil to amplify your fragrance pick.
