Looking for something gentle and kind for a sensitive nose? The new gen Z brands have you covered
For someone who makes no secret of her obsession with fragrance, I’m always surprised by how frequently people ask me to recommend one for someone who hates the stuff.
Sometimes wearing more potent fragrances is impossible for those prone to allergies or migraines, but mostly it’s an instinctive aversion to being held captive all day by scent too pervasive for one’s liking. And in these instances, I invariably suggest the layering of two more subtly scented products with compatible aromas, to add depth and interest without the same strength as a power perfume.
The result is a sort of olfactory watercolour painting – gentler, translucent, less defined and kinder to a scent-sensitive nose, easier to wear and more appropriate in some settings.
Rare Beauty have run with this concept for its new Layering Balms, £18. There are four ungreasy balms to choose from: Woody Oak (my favourite), Amber Vanilla, Floral Peony Blossom and Bergamot, each created to stroke on to pulse points. They form a fragrant foundation on which to spray another scent – specifically, Rare’s own signature (£71), but I’ve experimented with others and they are versatile. The effect is longer-lasting without being overpowering and greater than the sum of its parts.
