Hang tight while we make that change...
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Amid all the pre-launch flurry of getting Skylar off the ground last month (mission accomplished!), our team to got to know each other pretty well. Okay, very well.
One thing that came up again and again: Our fearless leader, Cat Chen, is also an unabashed “no-makeup makeup” person.
What started as a side comment turned out to be just one thread of an entire philosophy about beauty, health and well, life.
“Nothing’s more beautiful than confidence and health. A light fragrance, or a dusting of powder, are just ways to complement the best parts of you.”
What follows is a sort of “transcript” of that conversation. A first glimpse into the woman who’s upending everything we thought we could expect from a fragrance brand.
Did you always have this entrepreneurial spirit, or was Skylar a surprise?
Honestly, I think it’s been a long time coming. My dad was a tech entrepreneur in Taiwan in the ‘80s. He had 12 siblings and grew up with almost nothing. His influence always made me feel that anything was possible for me. That really set the stage for me from an early age.
What is the first thing you remember wanting to be as a little girl?
When I was four, I wanted to be a waitress. I loved food even then, and liked the idea of learning other people’s tastes and preferences.
How do you balance being an entrepreneur and mom?
I’ve learned how sensitive children are. The times I’ve gotten busy and wasn’t home for a week or two, it definitely affected her. So time together is key. I commit to cutting off around 6PM, and don’t look at work again until she’s asleep around 9PM.
Do you think being a mom has changed the way you approach work?
Definitely, for the better. I’m learning to let go of perfection. My time is limited, so I have to focus on the most important things. My relationship with Anne has taught me to be more empathetic, too. I try to remember that there may be something going on in someone’s life that I don’t know anything about.
What's your best beauty tip?
Never underestimate the art of subtlety. Fragrance is almost subliminal. It can go undetected by the conscious mind, yet it’s very powerful. It’s often about what’s not there.
Favorite self-care ritual?
Skincare. Lotion. Hydrating and moisturizing. Work that base!
You stand for clean scents, and clean living. What else?
Authenticity. Embracing what makes us unique, instead of hiding it. When I moved from Taipei to LA as a kid, I didn’t know English, or what band was cool, or what shoes to wear. I want to remind everyone that it’s not only ok to be different — it’s beautiful.
How is Skylar changing the scent scene?
We want to shift the conversation around fragrance by focusing first on what’s inside the bottle. After all, that’s what’s going on your skin. Hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, clean ingredients are the absolute top priority.
Scents should also be light and complementary. So many perfumes are heavy, sharp, and hard to layer. It’s hard to really make them your own.
Do you believe in a signature scent, or do you like to change it up?
I enjoy having a scent wardrobe. We’re all changing and evolving. How I feel today is not necessarily how I’ll feel tomorrow.
Speaking of core scents, do you have a favorite of the Skylar scent?
I love Arrow. It feels deep and sensual, yet feminine — not too girly. If I do want to lighten it, I’ll layer a spritz of Meadow to finish.
What do you hope Skylar can teach girls that you wish someone had told you?
Believe in yourself unconditionally. When you’re paid 80 cents on the dollar for the same work, when you’re systematically undervalued for your talents and efforts, there’s subliminal damage happening, whether we’re conscious of it or not. When you choose to trust your intuition over the existing framework, the sky really is the limit. And really, who could be better at that than women?
Remember your mom’s (and Grandma’s) signature scent? That one they always wore, almost without exception. There’s something comforting about it, and you have to admit: Their commitment was admirable.
But now more than ever, style is an ever-changing endeavor. Sticking to one look or scent can quickly go from classic to, well, a bit dated. And, to be honest, we all have more fun when what we wear reflects our mood. So why not have a scent wardrobe, too?
At Skylar Body, our scents are light and fresh enough for layering and wearing. To help you explore the possibilities, we put together some insider quick tips on how to mingle scents for a totally custom fragrance.
What exactly is scent layering?
Layering scents, or as we like to call it, “scent mingling,” allows you to create a new, unique scent that's as nuanced as your style — evolving according to your mood, the season, or the event you’re headed to that evening.
If layering perfume sounds intimidating, don’t worry. There are a few basics that can make it surprisingly simple.
Test first!
Before you start spritzing away, remember that this is an experiment, and sometimes experiments produce memorable, er, unusual results. To avoid getting stuck with those results all day, test every scent mixture on a piece of paper first. If it has potential and makes you smile, then try it on your skin. Pro tip: Spray each scent one after another without letting the base dry, as this creates the best blend.
Prep your skin.
Spray your scent just after you’ve gotten out of the shower and applied your lotion. Fragrance molecules are looking for something to bind to, so natural moisture helps each note ring true.
Remember that every fragrance counts.
It’s easy to think of fragrance, and fragrance layering, as limited to the perfume(s) you choose. But any scent that comes in contact with your body, including body wash, shower gel, and lotion, plays a role.
To keep your scents aligned, opt for unscented cosmetics - or make sure they closely mirror or complement your favorite fragrance.
Similarly to music, a well-composed scent has several notes that create a chord, or “accord” in this case. This can include a base note and a top note, and may also include a mid or “heart” note.
Stick to this basic structure to make sure your layered scent is harmonious and, well, makes “scents.” (Promise we won’t use that more than once.)
Striking accord.
Certain scent combinations are known to create a chord that’s very appealing, while others may make our noses wrinkle. Below are a few key hints on notes that work well together.
All about that base.
Your base note will be the “heaviest” of the scents you choose and should be applied first. Base notes play a few important roles. As the foundation of your fragrance, they give it a warm richness. And when selected well, they can actually improve the staying power of the lighter scents they’re paired with and shape the way you experience those scents, too.
Try playing with how heavy you’d like your base note to be. One spray will create a lighter overall scent, while a two to one ratio for the base note will create a deeper fragrance.
Base notes are usually grounding and comforting. Think vanilla, sandalwood or musk to start. Within the Skylar collection, Arrow offers grounding notes of vanilla and rose, while Coral creates depth with a subtle infusion of sandalwood.
Brighten up with your top note.
In contrast to your base, which is grounded and alluring, your top note should have fresh, fruity, floral, or water notes to balance out the base. Think light florals like Meadow and dewier, lighter scents like Isle as finishing touches that are versatile and largely season-agnostic.
Less is more.
You may hear of famous perfumers mixing three, four, or more scents. That can work well, especially with a finely-attuned nose. But to start, playing with two or three scents will create a distinctive bespoke fragrance you’ll love (and requires less product in the long run).
Transition throughout the day.
Once you’ve created a balanced layered scent, freshen it up mid-day with a spritz of your top note or add a bit more musk in the evening before you go out. Remember, this is all about experimentation and having fun. Your favorite scents will evolve over time, just like any style should!
Arrow + Meadow
Mingling vanilla and rose with a light floral scent is pleasant, highly versatile, and doesn’t smell quite like anything else we’ve come across.
Arrow + Isle
Adding Isle’s dewy, citrusy goodness to Arrow’s grounding notes creates a spectacularly mature, natural scent. The combination is refined, feminine, and light enough to wear any time of day.
Isle + Meadow
The sheer luminescence of Isle followed by a hint of Meadow will remind you of a sweet summer night with notes of orange blossom transporting you to a serene place.
Arrow + Coral
Because Coral already has subtler versions of the rich, grounding notes found in Arrow, combining them creates a scent that is citrusy but with greater depth and range. It flirts with the best of nature, giving you an exotic blend that balances deep and woody with bright and springtime.
Want to play?
Not quite sure which scents make the perfect layering pair? Try our Skylar Perfume Palette — all light enough to wear together or with your existing scent wardrobe — and start mingling. Even better and true to the word, invite your friends over for a night in of mixing and matching to customize scents that are sure to capture your tribe’s vibe.
Happy mingling!
Though you may love a wide range of scents, most of us have a specific scent family that we naturally gravitate to. You may notice it even when you’re out in nature or catch the scent of a friend’s perfume — there’s a certain type of scent that just instantly strikes a chord.
Narrowing down the scent category you love can save a lot of time and energy. When it comes to our scents, it’ll also point you in the direction of the scent you’d most enjoy.
Within the world of fragrance, there are thought to be as many as 14 scent families. Within those families, there are four essential categories.
We like to keep things simple, so we’ve distilled this process down to create four pinnacle scents that fall squarely into each category, so there’s a beautiful, versatile scent offering for every favorite.
Do you enjoy scents that are warm, grounding and a little sultry? Maybe even a touch “SLAM” (Smells Like a Man)? Muskier scents balanced out with light notes of berries and spices are your jam.
Skylar Match: ARROW
Spicy. Warm. Seductive.
“Sexy, woody, a smidge SLAM.”
ANATOMY OF ARROW:
Base notes: labdanum flower, patchouli, vanilla, rose
Why you’ll love it: ARROW has breadth and depth featuring an array of grounding notes that easily make it the most seductive. Ambery-scented labdanum flowers, sweet vanilla, and earthy patchouli create the perfect foundation for sultry scent that’s light enough to wear all day.
Top notes: jasmine, neroli flower
Why you’ll love it: A touch citrus-y and flowery, these top notes add dimension and lightness to a deeper scent. They’re what take ARROW from all “base” to just a hint of sweetness.
All notes:
You can’t get enough of a morning sea breeze, or the clean scent in the air after a summer storm. If you love these water scents, you’ll naturally gravitate to the fresh scent category.
Skylar Match: ISLE
Clean. Dewy. Fresh.
“Like a long walk on the beach.”
ANATOMY OF ISLE:
Base note: sandalwood
Why you’ll love it: Sandalwood is the go-to grounding, nourishing scent. Blended with lighter top notes, it’s balanced and calming, without being too heavy.
Top notes: bergamot, cardamom
Why you’ll love it: Both cardamom and bergamot are subtle, slightly spicy, and very uplifting. They have way of instantly waking you up, but without the jolt.
All notes:
Think juicy, bright and delectable. Usually marked by citrus-y, bright fruits and crisp green apple or pears that evoke a bright feeling of renewal.
If you love Spring and Summer months and bright fruity tones, this is for you.
Skylar Match: CORAL
Fruity. Floral. Flirty.
“Springtime, personified.”
ANATOMY OF CORAL:
Base notes: patchouli, sandalwood
Why you’ll love it: Patchouli creates an earthy quality that’s also a natural aphrodisiac (yes, really!). Though it can be misclassified as the ultimate hippy scent, patchouli mixed with other grounding notes like sandalwood makes the perfect counterpart to bright fruit scents.
Top notes: black currant, mandarin, grapefruit
Why you’ll love it: Citrusy, fruity goodness awakens the senses and instantly elevates your mood. Balanced with two grounding notes, it’s incredibly versatile and never sharp or overly acidic.
All notes:
Is one of your favorite places a garden with fresh flowers? Often, those who love floral scents are soft spirits, who enjoy long walks in nature and an afternoon with a good book. If you’re drawn to gardenias, geraniums, and white roses, floral is for you.
Skylar match: MEADOW
Floral. Elegant. Beautiful.
“Like fresh cut flowers.”
ANATOMY OF MEADOW:
Base notes: rose, patchouli
Why you’ll love it: Patchouli’s earthy notes blend with rose to create a soft, nurturing foundation. As a base that already contains floral notes, it blends seamlessly with lighter floral notes for a rounded, flowery scent.
Top notes: tuberose, baie rose (pink peppercorn)
Why you’ll love it: Sweet, subtle, and feminine, these flowers are known for their light, ephemeral quality. Much as you love your grandma, you don’t need to smell like her!
All notes:
Curious what scent would fit your personality? Try our Scent Quiz for fresh perspective.
