Sis, You Smell Good: Exploring Fragrance Notes and Tips

I joined this fragrance group on Facebook back in October 2021 and I haven’t been able to put my phone down since! There is definitely a science to this fragrance thing that I wasn’t aware of! From the initial spray vs. the dry down, sillage, and layering. I’m going to do my best to share most of the things I’ve learned in this group so far!

I started with 4 full size bottles, now I'm currently at 15, with 14 travel sprays, and countless Bath & Body Works sprays, lotions, and shower gels! And that’s not including body scrubs, body butters, and scented oils!

If I had to make a suggestion on how to start a fragrance collection, I would say research before purchasing. It is such a disappointment to know that you spent money on something that is just not pleasant to your nose. If you can choose what type of perfume that you prefer, then you shouldn’t have a hard time making a selection.

7 Types Of Fragrances

Citrus- Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon

Woody- Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and pine

Floral- Roses, Jasmine, and lavender, and lemongrass.

Musk- Earthy, Wood

Gourmand- Vanilla, Caramel, Honey

Aquatic- Marine, Sea salt

Spicy- cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom

Fruity- This will include all non citrus fruits like apple, pear, berries

Fragrance Language

Projection- The length of the fragrance of how far it reaches in the room. Example: If you have fragrance sprayed on your wrist and if you have to pull your wrist all up against your nose to smell it, then the projection of it is not strong. If you can stretch your arm up past your head and still smell the fragrance, then the projection is good.

Sillage- Is the scent trail after one leaves the room or walks away.

Notes- Top notes are what you smell when you first initially spray the fragrance. The middle notes are normally going to be the spice of the fragrance. Then your base note ( once the fragrance has dried) consists of musks, and wood scents.

Layering

So I thought that I was really doing something just by putting the perfume on! What I learned is that layering your perfume by using specific body washes, body oils, and lotion, can make your perfume or body spray more noticeable and last longer.

Below are a few of my favorite layering combinations. Feel free to tweak them to your liking!

Honey Body wash by Salt XO

EOS Lotion Vanilla Cashmere Mixed With Victoria’s Secrets PINK Honey Oil

Clinique Happy Cookie/ Can be switched with Prada Candy or Valentino Born In Roma

Coconut & Coffee Scrub and body wash

Johnson & Johnson body Oil

VS Pink Honey

Maison Marseila Coffee Break

Bath and Body Works Into The Night

Tom Ford Lost Cherry

Salt XO Bawdy Scrub

Salt XO Honey Bar

Salt XO Tropical Escape Body Oil

Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Perfume

Bath & Bath Body Works Strawberry Pound Cake

Burberry Her Intense Version

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Fragrance Tip

If you'd like to smell your perfume all day, try placing some Vaseline on your wrist then spraying the desired fragrance.

My goal was to leave the Facebook group at the end of February, but here we are one year and one month later taking suggestions on what to get next!

If you’re looking to grow your fragrance collection I highly suggest joining the Sis, you smell good Facebook group! I’ve also found great starter videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube using the hashtag #fragrancecollection.

Now I consider fragrance a part of my outfit! Just knowing you smell good just adds some extra confidence to go along with your fit! And there’s nothing like being able to smell your perfume all day, on top of receiving numerous compliments!

This is clearly a large topic and my plan is to have more posts about fragrances. In the comments below, let me know what you'd like to know about finding the perfect fragrance, or what fragrance is your current favorite?

-JL