Nashville: Custom Perfume or Cologne Making Experience

Tijon Nashville turns perfume shopping into a hands-on workshop. You begin with one of 12 premixed blends, then build your own scent from about 300 hand-selected oils. I like that you leave with a real 55 ml bottle, not just a tiny sample, and that your formula is saved for future orders. The friendly, enthusiastic owner-led approach has also helped make recent classes feel personal and fun.

The main drawback is that scent-making takes patience. You create three samples, test them on your skin, and wait for your nose to sort out the differences. At $109 per person, this is not a quick souvenir stop, but the small class size, gifts, instruction, and finished bottle make it a stronger value for people who enjoy creative activities.

Key points to know before you book

• You build a custom scent from about 300 oils: The large collection gives you room to make something personal rather than choosing from ready-made bottles.
• The class starts with 12 premixed blends: These provide a useful base, especially if you do not know much about fragrance.
• Three samples are tested on your skin: Your final choice is based on how the scent works with you, not just how it smells from a paper strip.
• Your formula is saved for reordering: You can return to the same scent later, and the formula can also be used in body or home products.
• The group is limited to eight people: This keeps the workshop small enough for questions and hands-on help.
• You take home more than perfume: The package includes a 55 ml bottle, atomizer, soap, postcard, certificate, and a small Tijon fragrance.

A fragrance workshop with a French island beginning

Tijon is not a standard department-store fragrance counter. The brand began on the French side of St. Maarten, and its Nashville location carries that French-inspired perfume-making idea into a guided retail experience.

You are not simply handed a menu and asked to pick a bottle. The class gives you a role in the process. You smell, compare, adjust, and decide. That makes the finished fragrance more meaningful than an off-the-shelf purchase, especially if you enjoy gifts with a personal story.

The experience lasts about 90 to 150 minutes. That wide time range matters. Some people will settle on a scent quickly, while others will want more time to compare oils and test the samples. I would plan for the longer end rather than squeezing this into a tight schedule.

The class is taught in English and is limited to eight participants. That small group is useful here because fragrance choices can become confusing. You can ask for help when two oils seem similar or when a blend smells different on skin than it did in the bottle.

Starting with 12 premixed blends

The first step is choosing from 12 premixed blends. This is a smart way to begin because the sheer number of individual oils could otherwise feel like too much.

Think of each blend as a starting direction. You may prefer one base over another, then add extra oils to shift its character. The premixed options give you a working foundation without forcing you to understand perfume structure before the class begins.

I like this setup for beginners. You do not need to arrive with a favorite scent family or a technical vocabulary. The instructor leads you through the choices and can assist as you narrow things down.

Still, the first choice is not the final answer. You are not locked into the initial blend. The purpose is to provide a base for the next stage, when you add individual oils and create what Tijon calls a custom accord.

Choosing from approximately 300 hand-selected oils

The heart of the class is the oil collection. With about 300 hand-selected oils available, you have a broad set of ingredients from which to shape your fragrance.

The supplied information does not list every oil, so you should not expect a precise catalog in advance. What matters is the method: you select additional oils and adjust your starter blend until it fits your taste.

This is where the instructor’s role becomes important. A large collection can be exciting, but it can also tire your sense of smell. You may find that one oil seems appealing by itself but overwhelms the blend once added. Having someone available to guide the process keeps the activity from becoming a guessing game.

My practical advice is to make your choices slowly. Smell each option, take notes if the class provides a way to do so, and avoid deciding only because a particular oil smells strong at first. A fragrance needs to work as a whole.

The goal is not to make the most complicated scent. It is to make one you will actually want to wear or use at home.

Testing three samples on your skin

You create three sample fragrances before selecting the one to bottle. These samples are tested on your skin, which is one of the most useful parts of the activity.

Fragrance can change once it meets your skin. A blend that smells excellent in a container may develop differently after a short time, while a scent that seems ordinary at first may become more appealing. Testing three choices gives you a better basis for your final decision than smelling bottles alone.

This step also adds time to the class. You may need to wait and compare the samples rather than choosing immediately. That is a good reason not to book this experience directly before a hard appointment.

The process is personal without being overly formal. You are guided through the choices, but the final call is yours. The instructor can help you understand the options, yet you are the one deciding which scent feels right.

Bottling your 55 ml signature fragrance

Once you choose your favorite sample, it is bottled as your custom perfume or cologne. The included bottle holds 55 ml, a useful size for regular use rather than a decorative sample that sits untouched.

Each bottle is capped by hand to reduce the risk of oxidation. That small production detail fits the brand’s hand-crafted approach and shows that the bottle is treated as a finished product, not just a class exercise.

You also receive an atomizer, which makes the fragrance easier to apply. The package includes a small bottle of Tijon-branded fragrance of your choice as well, so you can compare your custom creation with one of the brand’s prepared scents.

A certificate of completion and a custom-designed Tijon Nashville postcard round out the keepsakes. The French soap adds another small gift, though the main value remains the fragrance you make yourself.

Saving the formula for a future order

Your signature formula is saved in Tijon’s database. This is one of the strongest practical features of the class.

Custom fragrance experiences can be fun but frustrating if you cannot reproduce the result later. Saving the formula means you have a path to reorder the same scent instead of trying to remember which oils you selected.

The same signature fragrance can also be made into other products. The available choices include body lotion, massage oil, hand cream, and home and linen mist.

That gives your creation more uses than a single perfume bottle. If you prefer home fragrance or body care, the formula can follow you into another product type. The information provided does not specify reorder prices or shipping details, so ask Tijon about those before you leave if you think you will want more.

How the $109 price holds up

The price is $109 per person. That is a considerable amount for a 90 to 150 minute activity, particularly if you are comparing it with a simple fragrance purchase.

The value becomes clearer when you count what is included. You receive instruction, access to about 300 oils, three custom samples, a 55 ml bottle, an atomizer, French soap, a postcard, a certificate, and a small Tijon fragrance. Your formula is also saved for later orders.

I would consider the price fair for someone who wants an activity as well as a product. You are paying for the creative process, the guidance, and the personal result. If you only want a bottle of perfume and do not care how it is made, a conventional shop may be cheaper and faster.

For a birthday outing, couples activity, small group event, or thoughtful Nashville souvenir, the cost is easier to justify. The group limit of eight also helps explain the price. This is not a crowded demonstration where you watch someone else mix a fragrance.

What the small group changes

The class accepts up to eight participants. That is a practical size for a scent workshop because each person needs attention while selecting oils and comparing samples.

You should have room to ask questions and request help. The format also lets the instructor guide the pace without trying to manage a large crowd.

The experience is still social, so it may suit you if you enjoy sharing a creative activity with other people. If you want a completely private fragrance consultation, the supplied details do not promise a private class, so ask about that before booking.

A recent owner-led class was described as friendly, enthusiastic, and very helpful. You should expect an instructor-led format, with assistance available throughout the process, though the specific instructor may vary.

Timing, access, and simple planning advice

You meet at the Tijon shop and tell a staff member that you are there for the class. Travel to the location, food, and drinks are not included, so plan those separately.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. It is offered in English, and the English instruction covers the full process from the opening blend to the final bottle.

Starting times vary, so check availability when booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you keep your plans flexible.

I would avoid treating this as a quick filler between fixed appointments. The activity can take two and a half hours, and the scent-testing stage works best when you are not watching the clock.

Who will enjoy Tijon Nashville most

I would recommend this class to you if you like hands-on activities, personal souvenirs, beauty products, or small-group workshops. It also makes sense for a couple or a small group of friends who want to create something together without booking a full-day excursion.

It is a good fit for someone who has always wanted a signature fragrance but never knew how to begin. The 12 starter blends make the process approachable, while the 300 oils offer enough choice for a more personal result.

Families should consider the age and interests of everyone attending. The activity is built around smelling, comparing, and making careful choices, so it may not suit anyone looking for fast entertainment.

You should also think about scent sensitivity. The provided details do not state how the workshop handles allergies or strong fragrance reactions. If that is a concern, contact Tijon before reserving.

Should you book the custom fragrance class?

Book it if you want more than a Nashville souvenir. The strongest part of Tijon is the combination of a guided creative process and a useful final product. You leave with a 55 ml custom perfume or cologne, and your formula is saved so you can order it again.

Skip it if you need a short, low-cost activity or if you prefer choosing a ready-made fragrance without spending time experimenting. At $109, the class makes sense when you value the making of the scent as much as the bottle itself.

For the right person, this is a distinctive Nashville experience with a French connection, a small group, and a result that belongs to you.

FAQ

Where does the custom fragrance experience take place?

It takes place at the Tijon shop in Nashville, Tennessee.

How long does the class last?

The experience lasts approximately 90 to 150 minutes.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $109 per person.

How many people can join the class?

The class is limited to eight participants.

What language is the class offered in?

The instructor-led class is offered in English.

How many oils can I choose from?

You can select from approximately 300 hand-selected oils.

Do I make more than one fragrance?

You create three sample fragrances and test them on your skin before choosing one to bottle.

What do I take home?

You receive a 55 ml bottle of custom perfume or cologne, an atomizer, French soap, a certificate of completion, a custom Tijon Nashville postcard, and a small bottle of Tijon-branded fragrance.

Can I order the same fragrance again?

Yes. Your signature formula is saved in Tijon’s database for future reordering.

Can my fragrance be made into another product?

Yes. The signature scent can also be made into body lotion, massage oil, hand cream, or a home and linen mist.