Scent is a powerful and personal part of our wardrobes, and one that can shift drastically with changing seasons or even times in our lives.
But unlike buying a new lipstick or a new pair of shoes to bring some vibrancy to your outfits, overhauling your perfume collection isn't realistic or possible. Making them last and feel different is one way to get the most out of our favourite smells.
As part of Brown Thomas's Iconic Beauty event, which took place in the Dublin department store this morning, digital creator and fashion and fragrance expert Kwanele Nomoyi was invited to choose his top ten iconic fragrances available in the shop.
We caught up with the glamorous creator to hear his tips on making the most of your scents and to hear which fragrances he picked.
"I really chose fragrances that I thought could stand the test of time, a fragrance that I think if someone owns it feels like it's something of value, and it can work for both men and women as well", he told RTÉ Lifestyle.
His first port of call for creating something unique: layering.
"Rule number one, there are no rules. You can always layer the fragrances you enjoy", he said.
"If you are layering, try use your body as regions. So use one fragrance at the top and use another fragrance towards the bottom. You don't necessarily want the fragrances to physically mix [with] each other, so you want to maybe avoid that."
There's nothing as frustrating as running through a bottle of your favourite (and possibly expensive!) scent because it doesn't last, but Nomoyi suggested an easy - if controversial - workaround.
"Spray on your clothes", he said. "I know, I know, sacrilege, it's terrible. But it's an age-old knowledge to always spray fragrance on your body, because that mixes with the oils in your skin.
"However, just to be very conscious, if you want your fragrances to last the whole day, put a bit on your clothes. Especially where people are going to give you a hug and a squeeze, you'd better do that!"
As for his own blend for the day, Nomoyi wore Amouage Existence - a fresh, open fragrance with a lily of the valley note - layered with Oud Maracuja from Maison Crivelli - an immediately arresting oud with passion fruit.
"It's not what you're expecting when you see or hear 'oud', you're thinking, 'strong!' A lot of my Brazilian friends say it reminds them of Brazil, reminds them of Carnaval!"
If you're looking for a fragrance for your boyfriend, husband or dad, Nomoyi had the perfect suggestion: Oud Immortel from Byredo.
"You think it's going to be punchy, however this is probably the freshest interpretation of oud you can find. It's super memorable.
"Sometimes you need a fragrance that's going to do all the work for you. Sometimes you want a fragrance for work that's easy and clean, but sometimes you want a fragrance that's going to make an impression."
If you want a truly iconic fragrance, however, Nomoyi pointed to Angels' Share by Killian, the very same perfume that Beyoncé as photographed buying multiple bottles of.
"An icon that's been an icon for a time", Nomoyi said. This scent is heavily inspired by whiskey, with the name coming from the evaporation that happens inside whiskey barrels.
"This is a compliment stealer. Even the people who don't like you, the people who hate you and they don't want to tell you you smell nice? They'll tell you you smell amazing."
