Ever wondered why everyone’s suddenly talking about layering their favourite scents? In this special year-end episode, Karen dives into the layered world of fragrance - examining the trend that’s gone from perfume-enthusiast secret to must-try for, indie creators, everyday scent lovers and brands. Discover how scent layering is shaking up traditions, what it means for your personal perfume wardrobe, and why this mix-and-match approach is more than just a passing fad.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Scent layering isn’t a passing fad, it’s transforming how we wear perfume, from “one signature scent” to full fragrance wardrobes.

This new layering culture is about ownership: making scents personal, playful, and aligned with who you are, not what a brand tells you to wear.

TikTok and social media have blown layering wide open, but not every “hack” is safe or even smells good. Mixing random perfumes together can lead to skin issues.

Purpose-made layering scents are safer and smarter. They are building blocks that home users can combine to create their own unique scents.

Being a scent minimalist can make layering easier. A small, well-chosen collection often works better than shelves of half-loved bottles.

Sustainability, biotech, wellness, healing, and ritual will all play bigger roles in the future of fragrance.

AI and online tools can inspire ideas, but they can’t yet replace real perfumery skills or safety knowledge. Take the time to stay up to date with this and other tech.

BEST MOMENTS

“There's some interesting stuff going on with how people relate to scent now, as opposed to how they used to five, ten years ago.”

“There are companies that create, I suppose, what you would call a cord - simple fragrances that they actually actively sell as being able to be combined together.”

“It's about fragrance becoming something that people participate in, like cooking or mixology, rather than something that they are relying on an expert to tell them what to buy.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

In Person Classes: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/studio-classes

EPC layering sets - https://experimentalperfumeclub.com/pages/perfume-creation-sets

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Getting Started Guide: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/podcast-getting-started-guide

Artisan Perfumery Mastermind: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/artisan-perfumery-mastermind

Website: https://www.karengilbert.co.uk

ABOUT THE HOST

Fragrance expert, author, teacher, and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.

Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances.

With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques.

Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.

CONTACT DETAILS

Website - https://www.karengilbert.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karengilbert/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KarenGilbert.co.uk

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@KarenGilbertPerfumeMaking

Email - karen@karengilbert.co.uk

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Layering Like a Pro (or a Rebel): From TikTok Hacks to Indie Perfume