Layer blend modes let you combine and display the content of one or more paint layers in combination and change the visual characteristics of the final composite paint layer (texture map).
Layer blend modes do not change the underlying image data of paint layers, letting you modify or tweak the paint layers non-destructively.
To set blending modes for layers
When a blend mode is set for an individual layer, the effect of the layer blend mode is updated on the material in the 3D View.