E! illustration/CYKLARScent stacking isn't a trend. It's a lifestyle. Whether you just discovered it because of Pinterest's 2026 trends prediction or if you've been unknowingly participating because you have a giant fragrance collection (like yours truly), scent stacking is here to stay.
Previously, we were all obsessed with finding the perfect signature fragrance. The one true scent to wear every single day. But for beauty and fragrance lovers, wearing just one scent forever is impossible. Plus, there are only so many unique perfumes out there for sale. It's likely you'll smell like someone else eventually. If you scent stack, though, that likelihood is way less.
According to Pinterest, scent stacking is like Gen Z and Millennials are playing potions with "bespoke notes, blending oils and perfumes to craft their very own fragrance formulas."
Take it from this beauty writer who has a fragrance collection of over 20 bottles (and that's just the full-sized ones, I haven't begun to count the travel sizes), scent stacking is easy and so much fun!
Curious? Keep scrolling to find out the details of what scent stacking is, how to do it, and the best fragrances to layer with—including some I swear by!
What Is Scent Stacking?
Scent Stacking is when you combine different perfumes, colognes, oils, body mists, and other types of fragrances from your collection to make a custom scent.
While this was already a common occurrence for people who have a big fragrance collection, it became popular recently thanks to TikTok (PerfumeTok, specifically). Because of this trend, fragrance and beauty brands have released products specifically formulated to stack effortlessly with other scents. These scents are usually subtle and fresh—although they can also be warm, spicy, gourmand, or earthy.
The magic of scent stacking is that you can truly make it your own.
How To Scent Stack
Scent Stacking is simple. All you have to do to participate in the trend is to combine two (or more) fragrances, oils, and body mists to create a custom scent that's entirely your own. First, select your base fragrance—this would be your most long-lasting, strongest scent, like an eau de parfum or oils. Then, select one or two other lighter, fresh sheer scents—like a body mist, a subtle eau de parfum, or eau de toilette.
The key is to not add too much as to overwhelm yourself or the people around you. Keep it to one to two sprays each. Remember, just because you don't smell yourself in a few hours, it doesn't mean the scent is completely gone. Still, there's no right or wrong way to scent stack. It's completely personal, so don't be afraid to be creative and experiment.
Best Perfumes & Fragrances To Scent Stack
CYKLAR Vanilla Verve Perfume Oil
Scent Profile: Sweet & Spicy
This sexy and sophisticated vanilla scent features notes of bergamot, amber, and Peru balsam, adding a spicy gourmand base to any perfume.
Glossier You Eau de Parfum
Scent Profile: Warm & Sheer
Whether you choose the OG or a new iteration of it, Glossier's You is a skin-enhancing scent with notes of pink pepper, ambrette seeds, ambrox, and iris.
Sol de Janeiro Água Mística Hair and Body Fragrance Mist
Scent Profile: Fresh & Citrus
This beachy fragrance is a perfect summer layer with its notes of neroli water, tangerine, white pineapple, peony, jasmine petals, white cedarwood, and salty skin accord.
DedCool Milk Eau de Parfum
Scent Profile: Warm & Sheer
This soft, fresh scent will have you obsessed—just like I was when I first discovered it years ago, and I still wear it daily. It features simple notes of amber, bergamot, and white musk.
PHLUR Cashmere Skin Body Mist
Scent Profile: Warm & Sweet
Looking for a milky skin-like scent that's sweet instead of fresh? This PHLUR mist is a perfect layer with its notes of almond, cashmere, cream, vanilla, santal, ambrette, and musk.
Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne
Scent Profile: Fruity & Floral
Perfect for spring (or lovers of fresh, fruity floral scents), this fragrance by Jo Malone features notes of fresh-picked pears, delicate freesia blossoms, and a base of patchouli.
Salt & Stone Bergamot & Hinoki Body Mist
Scent Profile: Earthy & Woody
This sophisticated body mist will energize and rejuvenate your senses with its fresh citrusy notes of Italian bergamot, grapefruit, hinoki, vetiver, eucalyptus, amber, and orange blossom.
Nosferatu Eau de Macabre
Scent Profile: Floral & Earthy
Impossible to describe, Heretic Parfum's Nosferatu is fresh, dark, floral, and wearable. It's a wild mix of lilacs, violets, ambrette, the earth after raining, chilly concrete, and a base of oud.
OUAI Melrose Place Eau de Parfum
Scent Profile: Floral & Fresh
Want to add a hint of feminine florals to your scent layering? OUAI's Melrose Place has notes of champagne, pink peppercorn, berry, lychee, peony, rose, freesia, jasmine, and bergamot.
House of Bō La Mar Parfum
Scent Profile: Floral & Solar
This is a truly sophisticated beachy scent, ideal for a touch of summer regardless of the season. It features notes of jasmine, pink pepper, seawater, gardenia, tuberose, coconut, and almond milk.
Looking for more fragrance recs? Shop our picks for the best gourmand scents!