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How to layer leather with sweet vanilla

Leather is supple, smoky and slightly sweet. Sweet vanilla is creamy, sweet and enveloping.

Starting ratio

two sprays of leather to one of the vanilla

Best for

Autumn and winter evenings, and a confident, warm signature.

Note families

Leather and Gourmand

Why this combination works

Leather notes are smoky and slightly bitter, while vanilla is sweet and round. The vanilla softens the leather so it smells supple and expensive, and the leather keeps the vanilla from tasting like dessert.

How to layer it

1. Start on clean, moisturised skin. Unscented lotion helps both scents last.
2. Apply the leather first, since it is the stronger of the two. Use two sprays of leather to one of the vanilla as a starting point.
3. Wait about a minute, then add the sweet vanilla over it or on a different pulse point so it is not buried.
4. Give the blend 20 to 30 minutes to settle before judging it. Notes shift as they warm on skin.

The blend as a scent blueprint

This is how the combination maps across a fragrance's top, heart and base. Use it to look for individual scents, or to describe the result you want.

• Topsaffron, bergamot
• Heartleather, iris
• Basevanilla, tonka, amber

What to avoid

Avoid heavy tobacco or sweet gourmand blends on top, which can make the blend too thick.

Frequently asked questions

Does leather and vanilla smell masculine?

It reads as warm and unisex. The vanilla keeps the leather soft.

How many sprays should I use?

Both notes are strong, so three sprays in total is usually enough.

More layering guides

• Layering sweet vanilla with fresh floraltwo sprays of vanilla to one of the floral
• Layering sweet vanilla with bright citrusone spray of vanilla to two of the citrus
• Layering lavender with sweet vanillaone spray of lavender to one of the vanilla