As someone who is a self-confessed perfume obsessive, layering fragrance is one of my favourite ways to wear scent. I 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—sandalwood, juniper, and fresh green scents are mostly my vibe—then finishing off with a few sprays of 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 also 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.
Typically, perfume oils are much more concentrated than eau de parfums and eau de toilettes, with a fragrance concentration of 15-30%. Plus, because of their oil bases, they can be gentler on the skin and not so drying (since they contain no or little alcohol).
There are a lot of 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.
Soothing and comforting, but also uplifting and revitalising, this warm and woody scent is inspired by the natural landscape of the Austrian mountains.
I love to roll on this stress-soothing scent before bed. With the notes of cardamom and palo santo, 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 favourite Byredo EDP is Bal d’Afrique, but I actually like layering Mojave Ghost rollerball on top as it brings out the amber and musk notes with a sweet warmth.
This solid perfume houses Glossier’s iconic skin scent, You. It’s perfect for travel and the chic pink shell can be refilled when empty.
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.
Use this Laura Mercier scented oil in your bath and as a body oil, and your skin will be scented with a comforting blend of amber and vanilla all day long.
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 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.
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.
