Throughout my years as a beauty journalist, I’ve picked up a lot of tips when it comes to perfume. From learning the blueprint of smelling great from Cartier’s perfumer (she told me to avoid these perfume mistakes, FYI) to finding out how to make your perfume last longer, I’ve been let it on a lot of insider hacks and secrets all the way.
However, in more recent years I have been on a quest to find my ultimate signature fragrance and smell totally unique. And through since speaking to perfumers and fragrance experts, I’ve finally unlocked the cheat code to smelling expensive—and that’s by using fragrance enhancers.
What Are Perfume Enhancers?
“An enhancer is a perfume specifically made to blend and augment other perfumes. If done well, they can be worn alone as a sheer skin fragrance,” says David Moltz, co-founder of D.S. & Durga, which has created one of the most well-known fragrance enhancers, I Don’t Know What (£155).
They’re designed to be layered with your perfume to enhance the scent even further while making it feel more personalised. “Perfume enhancers are typically used in conjunction with fragrances. It is used as part of ‘layering’ and provides depth and more projection to a fragrance,” says Aamna Lone, fragrance expert with a background in chemistry.
How Do Fragrance Enhancers Work?
“They are designed to help support a fragrance (act as a foundation), envelope the user in a bubble or cocoon of a specific scent and make fragrance personal to each wearer,” says Lone.
“In classical perfumery, fragrances have been structured around three main components: top, middle and base notes,” says Lone. “However, enhancers tend to be stripped back or completely minimal, and the scent profile is linear throughout wear. It is ingredient-focused and relies on a maximum of four notes or a maximum of two accords.”
Some of the most common enhancer ingredients are ambroxan, cetalox or Iso E Super (the key component of Escentric Molecules Molecule 01) and sandalwood. “Iso E Super is probably the most popular enhancer, it has a musky, ambery smell, that works harmoniously with a lot of people,” says Lone. “It can also act as a fixative, and it remains on the skin for a substantial time whilst not overstimulating the wearer with its smell.” For that reason, it’s an ideal fragrance note for migraine sufferers.
How To Use Fragrance Enhancers
Whether you choose to wear them alone or layer with other fragrances, the oppoirtunities are endless.
“Enhancers can be used on their own or, more commonly, as a layering tool to amplify a fragrance’s depth and longevity,” says Lone. “If you want to add extra ‘oomph’ to your scent, enhancing its projection and presence for a special occasion, fragrance enhancers are an effective option,” she says.
More recently, some enhancers have been developed in roll-on form, such as Cyklar oils, allowing for precise application to various pulse points. These are typically used by themselves and have a weaker projection in comparison to using a fragrance by itself. . They can be used for intimate wear by applying them to lower body pulse points, such as the inner thigh, ensuring that only those in proximity can detect the scent. Finally, enhancers can be used by themselves, if wanting a minimal, clean skin scent sort of profile. In this use, they could be used in professional settings as the sillage isn’t huge and projection remains intimate to the user.
The Best Fragrance Enhancers
1. Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
Escentric Molecules
Molecule 01 Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Iso E Super
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 is perhaps the most well-known perfume enhancer (it’s often regarded as the ultimate skin scent) which smells clean and airy worn alone or adds extra muskiness to any fragrance you pair it with. Not only does it have several fans amongst our team, but it’s often one of our most complimented perfumes, too. It creates a halo-like trail of scent that might not always be noticeable to you, but it certainly will be to those nearby. You’ve been warned, if you don’t want compliments, don’t wear this.
Editor review: “I am pretty sure all my colleagues (and friends, and family, and boyfriend) are sick of me talking about Molecule 01 but honestly, I cannot express how much I love it,” says Who What Wear UK managing editor, Poppy Nash. “I think I get at least one compliment daily (yes, daily!) and there’s no denying the little confidence boost that gives me. It is woody, musky and ever so slightly sweet, but the beauty of the fragrance is that it smells different to everyone, so it’s like your own personalised scent. It really is one of my absolute favourite beauty products, and I don’t think I will ever stop wearing it!”
2. D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What
D.S. & Durga
I Don’t Know What
Key notes: Bergamot essence, Iso E Super, Vvetiver acetate, civettone, firsantol, ambrox super
If you’re someone who likes to layer your fragrances, the this one should be a staple in your collection. It enhances and amplifies the notes of any perfume—it’s like turning up the volume on your scent. “I Don’t Know What has no heart notes, so whatever you spray over it becomes the heart—even if it’s just your own skin scent,” says Moltz.
I have the I Don’t Know What Rollerball (£75) which is handy for top-ups and adds a little extra oomph to whatever fragrance I’ve worn that day. It’s also a nice addition if you don’t want to disturb others while topping up your scent, as it creates more of an intimate cloud that clings close, but makes any fragrance you wear sing. It’s magic.
3. Glossier You
Key notes: Pink pepper, iris, ambrette seeds, ambrox
Glossier You is another fragrance I totally adore. Whilst it’s not strictly marketed a perfume enhancer, it has a similar skin-enhancing effect—it makes you smell like ‘you’, but even better. It’s a cosy, warm and creamy scent that you can where anywhere and everywhere. It’s like wearing a fluffy cashmere jumper laundered in expensive detergent. Glossier since launched two new version, You Rêve (£62) and You Doux (£62) which are designed to be layered with the original Glossier You, but in all honesty this is one fragrance you can safely layer and combine with other fragrances to give it a warm, fuzzy cosy vibe.
Editor review: “Since wearing Glossier You, I’ve been stopped on the street and even questioned on the train about the scent I’m wearing. It’s described as skin-scent enhancer, and from the reactions I’ve had I can attest that it does feel like a scent that suits the wearer. Truly, I’m Glossier You’s biggest fan, and I’ve also put the roll-on perfume, the body cream and even the candle to the test to see if they live up to the hype of the eau de parfum. I’ll save the anticipation—they do. Even when I feel like the scent has faded, I still get compliments on it, so its definitely doing the work even when I’ve become used to the notes. Trust me, you’ll fall for it just like I have.”
4. DedCool Dedcool Milk Layering + Enhancer
Dedcool
Milk Layering + Enhancer Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Amber, bergamot, white musk
DedCool Layering Fragrance Milk is another perfume enhancer that can be worn on it’s own to cocoon you in skin-like musk, or layered with other scents to breathe in a musky alter-ego into your current perfume. It’s like the white T-shirt of the perfume world. The addition of amber makes it warm, while bergamot adds a refreshing zing that makes you feel so clean and fresh whenever you wear it.
5. Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume
Juliette Has a Gun
Not a Perfume Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Cetalox (ambroxan)
As its name suggests, this is no ordinary scent. Not A Perfume one centres on just one fragrance note, Cetalox (otherwise known as ambroxan). It’s traditionally used as a base note but in this scent it’s the main character. It smells ambery, a little woody and a little musky that makes you smell just like you, but even better. Due to its minimalist formula, it’s also a hypoallergenic scent, which makes it great if you’re sensitive to most fragrances or want something minimalist that won’t overwhelm your nose. However, as it’s a single note, it also pairs well with literally any other perfume so you can mix and match with any scent you already own.
6. Frédéric Malle Acne Studios Par Frédéric Malle
Frédéric Malle
Acne Studios Par Frédéric Malle
Key notes: Aldehydes, rose, peach, vanilla, sandalwood, musk
This recent launch had the entire beauty team utterly hooked. Acne Studios Par Frédéric Malle isn’t advertised as a perfume enhancer, but it does indeed make a great scent for layering. It smells like freshly laundered linen drying in the sun, soapy bubbles and a dose of creamy sandalwood and musk. In short, if you want to smell like a glossy soap bubble, this is the scent for you.
Editor review: “While this stuff isn’t marketed as a perfume enhancer (and I do wear it on its own more often than not), when I do fancy layering my perfumes, this is the first thing I reach for,” says Who What Wear UK beauty director, Shannon Lawlor. “The super-soapy, fresh-laundry-like scent gives a sparkling kick to anything else I layer under it—making those deeper, woodier scents I love so much a little fresher and more palatable. In my opinion, this fragrance makes anything it touches smell way more luxe and expensive—whether it be my natural skin scent or another fragrance. If I could only repurchase one fragrance out of my entire collection this season, it would be this by a long shot.”
7. Phlur Missing Person
Phlur
Missing Person Fragrance Oil
Key notes: Musk, bergamot nectar, jasmine, cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower, sandalwood, blonde wood and white musk
The subtlety of this Phlur fragrance makes it all the better for layering with. It was originally designed to capture the feeling of missing a loved one or the musky scent of a lover’s skin. It’s a floral musk that clings closely to the skin and whispers rather than shouts. I personally favour the rollerball in the oil formulation as I find it’s easier to layer with and top-up when you feel you need it, and the oil makes the scent last that little bit longer too.
8. Le Labo Another 13
Le Labo
Le Labo Another 13 Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Ambroxyde, jasmine, moss, ambrette seeds absolute, Iso E Super
I’d also categorise Le Labo’s Another 13 as a great perfume enhancer if you want a scent that smells just as phenomenal on its own as it does layered with others. It’s one of those scents that I almost can’t detect when I initially apply it (it kind of smells like just my skin), but it takes me by surprise as it warms with my skin and reappears every couple of hours with its muskiness and clean, cocooning aura. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s the most stunningly silent fragrance. This would be amazing layered with your favourite scent to put your own personal stamp on your signature perfume.
9. Byredo Blanche
Key notes: Aldehyde, rose centifolia, peony, violet, musks, sandalwood
You’ll meet many beauty editors who adore Byredo perfumes, but this one is particularly beautiful. Blanche is was inspired by the scent and texture of skin, bodies twisting fresh white bedsheets and laundry detergent. Both clean and sultry, you’ll want to dose yourself in this musky, creamy sandalwood scent that will make you smell irresistibly clean and fresh. A perfect scent to layer with.
10. Zara Energetically New York
Zara
Energetically New York Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cardamom, jasmine, sandalwood
Zara perfumes are brilliant if you’re looking for an affordable fragrance, but this is is my favourite by a mile (and was created by none other than perfumer Jo Malone CBE). It has an airy and watery feeling to it that is fresh and inviting, before paving the way for creamy jasmine and warm sandalwood. Because of its beautiful simplicity, you could easily layer this with your usual scent and keep the 30ml size (£16) in your bag to refresh it throughout the day,
11. Jones Road Shower
Jones Road
Fragrance in Shower
Key notes: Neroli, orange blossom, sea spray
You know the feeling of an everything shower? This is that, bottled. It’s smells just like a lathered bar of soap with a hint of citrus and breeze of sea spray. It’s quite strong, so I’d use it sparingly if you’re layering it with other perfumes. I mist this whenever I want to smell squeaky clean from head to toe. It lasts and lasts for hours on end, too.
