Layering, and the one rule that makes it work

Layering is spraying two fragrances on top of each other so they read as one. The failure mode is obvious — you get a muddle — and the rule that prevents it is simple.

Heavier first, lighter second. Spray the deeper, more resinous fragrance on your skin, let it settle for sixty seconds, then add one spray of the lighter one on top. Never the other way round.

Ambré Lumière is the house base. It is warm, resinous and low on sharp edges, which makes it a foundation rather than a competitor. Underneath Noir Absolu it rounds the oud and takes the bite out of the saffron. Underneath Fleur de Nuit it warms the tuberose and stretches the dry-down by hours.

Keep the ratio uneven. Two sprays of the base, one of the top. Equal amounts of two strong fragrances is how you get a muddle.

And test on skin, not on paper. Layering is a chemistry experiment and your skin is one of the ingredients.