Ever wondered what it would be like to create your own signature perfume? On the beautiful French Caribbean Island of Saint Martin, this dream becomes reality through an enchanting experience that combines traditional French perfumery with tropical island magic.
There are many reasons people wear perfume. For some, it’s something setting them apart as individuals. For others, applying scent is an automatic part of their morning routine. Fragrance can also alter moods and evoke pleasant memories. But imagine wearing a scent that’s completely, uniquely yours—created by your own hands on a paradise island.
What makes French St. Martin perfect for custom perfume making?
Why choose St. Martin for perfume creation over Paris or Grasse? On my recent trip to Saint Martin, I discovered a unique activity that left me spellbound. I wasn’t in the world’s perfume capital, but I could create my own custom fragrance right here on a French Caribbean Island.
C’est fantastique!
The Tijon Parfumerie has adopted the best practices from perfumeries in Grasse, France, and added a tropical twist. This isn’t just about creating perfume—it’s about capturing the essence of island life in a bottle.
The fragrances had to be true to the French perfume tradition while capturing the essence of the island,” said John Berglund, owner, in-house perfumer, and chemist.
How does the Tijon perfume experience work?
What can you expect from a perfume-making workshop in St. Martin? The Tijon Perfume Experience teaches the art of perfume-making through hands-on learning. We discovered the sense of smell and the science behind creating fragrances. The scents evoke the island’s natural beauty and are blended in the on-site laboratory.
Together with two other travel writers invited to St. Martin to experience the island’s magic, I was ready to create my own signature perfume.
What you’ll learn: The science and art of fragrance creation.
How do professional perfumers craft signature scents? Perfume has a rich and sweet-smelling history that dates back to the dawn of recorded time. Mimi, our trained Perfumologist, shared insights about the history of fragrances and the process of creating scents.
We had our first lesson in essential oils in front of the perfumer’s organ. With over 300 scents, it provides structure, order, and organization to the creative process.
Understanding fragrance structure:
- Top notes: The lightest scents that evaporate first
- Middle notes: The heart of the fragrance
- Base notes: The most important, longest-lasting foundation
Perfumes consist of layers of scent, including top, middle, and base notes. Fragrance notes are combinations that give perfume its character, and blended notes are called accords.
The four primary fragrance families:
- Woody – Cedar, sandalwood, vetiver.
- Floral – Rose, jasmine, lily.
- Oriental – Spices, resins, vanilla.
- Fresh – Citrus, green, aquatic.
While all the notes in a fragrance work together to create the desired scent, the base notes are the most important. The top notes are the lightest and, therefore, the first to evaporate.
Step-by-Step: How to create your custom perfume
What is the actual process of making your own perfume? Mimi explained our overall goal and how to start formulating our scent. We moved to the laboratory to create eau de cologne, which contains fewer fragrance oils and more water and alcohol.
The creation process:
Step 1: Laboratory Setup: Donning white lab coats, we moved to our workstations. In front of us were three beakers, a container of disposable droppers, and water. We created three scents, ultimately choosing our favorite.
Step 2: Base Note Foundation: We first added our base note formula mixture to each of the three beakers.
Step 3: Building Your Signature: We then added drops of three more oils from the perfume organ to each beaker. Narrowing down choices is difficult when there are so many scent options. Mimi encouraged us to explore aromas beyond our usual preferences and not be afraid to experiment.
Pro Tip for Scent Selection: A small bowl of coffee beans to sniff when we needed to clear our noses of previous scents was extremely helpful.
Mimi’s best advice? “Don’t think too hard about all the choices,” she said. “Just give them a sniff and choose the scents that speak to you. The final blended elixir will be completely original.”
Creating your signature scent: A memory in a bottle
How do you choose your final custom fragrance? By the end of the session, we’d created three fragrances and had a chance to try each on our skin. All were slightly different, each with its own character.
I chose mine: a fresh, unisex scent that lingers in the air long after I’ve left the room.
My custom creation — “Eau de Saint Martin”:
- Notes of beach and cashmere woods
- Warm amber and musk foundation
- Sweet vanilla finish
I have a copy of my custom formula on file with Tijon, in case I want to reorder it in the future. Voilà!
The naming challenge: The hardest part was choosing a name for my aromatic scent. I kept it simple — Eau de Saint Martin — evoking island breezes, turquoise waters, and blue skies: a memory of Saint Martin in a bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Perfume Making in St. Martin
Q: How much does the perfume-making experience cost?
A: The Tijon Parfumerie experience varies by package, with options for different group sizes and complexity levels.
Q: How long does the perfume creation process take?
A: A typical custom perfume workshop lasts 2-3 hours, allowing time for education, experimentation, and creation.
Q: Can beginners successfully create professional-quality perfume?
A: Absolutely! The guided experience is designed for all skill levels, with expert perfumologists providing step-by-step instruction.
Q: What makes St. Martin perfume making different from traditional French perfumeries?
A: The tropical island setting allows for unique scent combinations that capture Caribbean essence while maintaining French perfumery traditions.
Q: Can you recreate your custom perfume later?
A: Yes! Tijon keeps your formula on file, allowing you to reorder your signature scent at any time.
Planning your perfume-making adventure
Ready to craft your own signature scent in paradise? This unique experience blends the romance of French perfumery with the enchantment of Caribbean Island life, creating memories—and fragrances—that last a lifetime.
Every time I catch a whiff of my “Eau de Saint Martin,” I’m instantly transported back to that magical laboratory where science meets artistry. Learn more about Tijon Parfumerie’s fragrance experiences and discover hotels and activities throughout St. Martin to create your fragrant memories.
