The -ber months are coming, and with the changing season comes the urge to switch things up—even when it comes to fragrance. Whether they’re dressing for a certain mood, outfit, or simply the version of themselves they want to channel that day, the MEGA editors and writers prove that a scent rotation can be just as personal as a wardrobe.
RELATED: Proven and Tested: MEGA’s Guide for Flawless Makeup—Rain or Shine
Peewee Reyes-Isidro, Editor-in-Chief
MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro admits that it took her some time to find a signature scent. “It took me a while to have a signature scent because I think fragrances represent a time in your life, a mood, or even a memory,” she said. Having had the opportunity to experience and test out a wide range of fragrances—from designer to niche, each with its own distinct profile or DNA—she eventually narrowed her collection down to just four scents that have earned a place in her rotation.
For someone who values functionality, Peewee chooses her scents based on more than just how they smell. She considers how well they interact with her skin chemistry, as well as their projection, longevity, and how they wear in different weather conditions. For her, only the fragrances that truly perform make the cut.
Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon, Beauty Director
For Beauty Director Agoo Azcuna-Bengzon, her mood and outfit often dictate what scent she’s wearing that day. Dressier outfits call for more sophisticated scents, with deep and intoxicating notes, while more casual ensembles have her reaching for simpler, fresher scents.
“These scents are my usual type as they’re all sort of unisex and unique in their own way. I like scents that make a statement and often serve as conversation starters,” the beauty director said.
Sean Castelo, Social Media Editor
Social Media Editor Sean Castelo only has three scents in his rotation, each chosen according to his mood. As a fashion writer, he sees perfume as a little like getting dressed: “You choose what feels right for the version of yourself you want to put forward that day,” he explained. There are days when he wants something clean and composed, and others when he wants to feel a little more dangerous. Either way, he’s never getting out the door without a scent.
But these aren’t scents merely for his mood—they also capture different sides of his personality. “I like having that range instead of committing to one signature scent. My mood has enough personalities already, so the fragrance rotation might as well be the same,” Castelo added.
Mara Go, Print Beauty Writer
A believer in fragrance layering, Print Beauty Writer Mara Go would rather have an arsenal of scents that she can mix and match depending on her mood. Lately, she’s been gravitating toward green and vegetal scents, as well as ambers and gourmands to embrace the colder season. Beyond these, she loves to keep second-skin scents in her rotation. “For me, they are the LBD of my fragrance collection,” she pointed out.
While the beauty writer plays it by instinct, she also believes that her current scent rotation is a form of manifestation—an expression of the energies she wants to invite into her life. “Green and vegetal scents attract peace of mind, while gourmand speaks of power or romance. Citrus is something I’d wear if I need a quick serotonin boost,” Mara explained.
Moira del Rosario, Digital Writer
I’ve always believed in having scents that can both stand on their own and complement my other fragrances. Personally, I gravitate toward musky, second-skin scents, mostly because they create a clean base for layering. Lately, I’ve also been drawn to gourmands, which I find perfect for making more of a statement.
Most of the time, I choose scents based on my mood and outfits. GRAMIIX’s Mandarin Caramel, for example, is often paired with my all-black fits, while NISHANE’s Meant to Be Seen is reserved for sexier moods and longer days. But for more casual days when I still want to feel sophisticated and put-together, I reach for Dolce&Gabbana’s Light Blue—specifically the Pour Homme, for its extra depth and warmth.
There’s no need to commit to a signature scent, as MEGA’s editors and writers have shown. If anything, each spritz can be as personal and intentional as getting dressed. And as the seasons and our moods change, so can our scents. After all, the best scent rotation is one that smells like you—in all your different versions.
Art by RAKI LUCAS
Frequently Asked Questions
MEGA Editor-in-Chief Peewee Reyes-Isidro has narrowed her rotation to four scents, chosen not just for how they smell but for how they perform: skin chemistry compatibility, projection, longevity, and how they wear across different weather conditions.
MEGA’s beauty team is gravitating toward green and vegetal notes, ambers, gourmands, and second-skin musky scents for the colder “-ber” season, with some editors treating fragrance layering as a way to mix and match moods.
Fragrance layering means combining multiple scents that can stand alone or complement each other. Print Beauty Writer Mara Go builds an arsenal of green, vegetal, amber, gourmand, and second-skin scents she mixes and matches based on mood.
Digital Writer Moira del Rosario rotates GRAMIIX’s Mandarin Caramel for all-black outfits, NISHANE’s Meant to Be Seen for sexier moods and longer days, and Dolce&Gabbana’s Light Blue Pour Homme for casual yet put-together days.
No. MEGA’s editors and writers show that a rotation of scents can be just as personal as a single signature fragrance, changing with mood, outfit, and season rather than committing to one defining scent.
Recommended Video
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
