Nashville: Custom Perfume or Cologne Making Experience

The most unusual part of this Nashville experience is simple: you make the fragrance yourself. Tijon brings a French Caribbean perfume tradition to Tennessee, giving you access to about 300 hand-selected oils and a guided way to combine them. You are not just picking a bottle from a shelf. You are building a scent that is saved for future orders.

I like the small group of up to eight, since fragrance choices can become confusing when you have so many oils in front of you. I also like the three-sample process, which lets you test each blend on your skin before committing. The main consideration is time: the class can last anywhere from 90 to 150 minutes, and the $109 price is more than a standard shopping stop.

Key points

• About 300 oils: Start with one of 12 premixed blends, then adjust it with individual oils.
• Three skin-tested samples: Compare your creations on your own skin before choosing one to bottle.
• 55 ml custom fragrance included: Your final perfume or cologne comes in a full-size bottle.
• Hand-capped bottles: Each bottle is capped by hand to reduce the risk of oxidation.
• Small, instructor-led class: English instruction and a maximum of eight participants keep the process personal.
• Useful take-home extras: You also receive a certificate, French soap, an atomizer, a small Tijon fragrance, and a Nashville postcard.

From St. Maarten to a Nashville fragrance studio

Tijon began on the French side of the island of St. Maarten, which gives this Nashville activity a welcome sense of place. The brand is not presenting fragrance as a quick souvenir alone. Its focus is on the craft of making a scent and on giving you a formula you can order again later.

I find that detail important. A custom fragrance can be wonderful in the moment, but it is less useful if you cannot reproduce it. Here, your signature formula is saved in a database. If you find a scent that fits you, you have a practical way to replace it rather than trying to remember which oils you mixed.

You meet at the Tijon shop and tell a staff member that you are there for the class. Travel to the shop is not included, and food and drinks are not part of the experience, so plan this as a dedicated activity rather than a stop with refreshments built in.

Choosing a base from 12 premixed blends

The class begins with 12 premixed blends. This is a smart starting point because 300 individual oils can be too much for a first-time perfume maker. Instead of facing a wall of possibilities with no direction, you choose a base that already has a recognizable character.

Your task at this stage is to identify the general style you prefer. The supplied information does not name the individual blends, so I would not arrive expecting a fixed menu of floral, woody, citrus, or spicy options. The useful point is that you get 12 starting places, then shape one to your taste.

This opening step also gives the instructor a chance to understand what you like. The class is instructor-led, so you can ask for help as you compare options. That guidance matters most if you are unsure how different oils will work together or if you tend to lose track of scents after sampling several in a row.

Mixing from roughly 300 hand-selected oils

Once you choose a starting blend, you add oils from Tijon’s collection of approximately 300 hand-selected choices. This is the creative center of the class. You can keep the base close to its original form or change its balance with additional oils.

I like this mix-and-match approach because it gives you control without requiring you to know the technical language of perfumery. You do not need to arrive with a formula in mind. The instructor guides you through the process, and you can adjust your accord as you go.

The word accord refers to the combined scent created by several oils. In practical terms, you are trying to make the parts work together rather than choosing one oil in isolation. That is why the instructor’s help is useful. An oil that smells appealing by itself may behave differently once mixed with your base.

Allow yourself time here. The shortest version of the class lasts 90 minutes, but the full session may take up to 150 minutes. If you enjoy careful comparison, expect to use the longer end of that range.

Three samples, then a decision on your skin

You create three sample fragrances before choosing the one you want to bottle. Each sample is tested on your skin, which is a much better test than smelling the mixture only from a paper strip or container.

Your skin can change how a fragrance develops. The first impression is not always the final one, so testing three options gives you a more useful comparison. You can see which scent feels right after it has had time to settle, at least within the limits of the class.

This step also keeps the final choice from feeling rushed. You are not forced to bottle the first combination you like. You get three candidates, then decide which one best suits you.

The limitation is that fragrance is personal and the session has a fixed time. If you want a long pause between samples, the activity may feel short. If you enjoy making quick decisions, the process should fit comfortably within the scheduled window.

Bottling a 55 ml signature perfume or cologne

After selecting your favorite sample, you receive a 55 ml bottle of your custom perfume or cologne. The bottle is capped by hand to reduce the risk of oxidation. That is a small production detail, but it shows that Tijon treats the finished fragrance as a crafted product rather than a disposable class project.

Your formula is also saved in Tijon’s database for future reordering. This is one of the strongest reasons to consider the experience as a gift or special occasion activity. The bottle may run out, but the formula does not have to disappear with it.

You can also use your signature fragrance in other products, including body lotion, massage oil, hand cream, or a home and linen mist. The information provided does not specify the cost of these additional products, so treat them as optional possibilities rather than part of the $109 package.

What the $109 price really includes

At $109 per person, this is not the cheapest way to buy fragrance in Nashville. You are paying for a guided activity, access to a large oil collection, a finished 55 ml bottle, and the chance to recreate the formula later.

The extras add some value:

• A 55 ml bottle of your custom perfume or cologne
• A certificate of completion
• French soap
• A custom-designed Tijon Nashville postcard
• A small bottle of Tijon-branded fragrance of your choice
• An atomizer

The atomizer is particularly handy if you want to carry a smaller amount of the scent. The small Tijon fragrance gives you another ready-made option, while the French soap and postcard make the package feel more gift-friendly.

I would book this for the activity itself, not simply for the amount of fragrance included. If you only want a bottle of perfume, a regular retail purchase may cost less and take less time. If you want to make something personal and enjoy the process, the price is easier to justify.

Why the class size matters

The group is limited to eight participants. That is a useful size for a hands-on activity where each person is making different choices. You should have a better chance of getting help when you need it than in a large workshop.

The class is taught in English. The instructor is available throughout the process, which is important when you are comparing many scents or trying to adjust a blend. The owner is described as friendly and enthusiastic, and that personal energy suits an experience built around experimentation.

Still, a small group does not mean a private class. You will be sharing the instructor’s time with other participants. If you want one-on-one attention for every step, ask about the format before booking. The provided information confirms a maximum of eight, not private instruction.

Who will enjoy this Nashville activity

I would recommend Tijon to anyone who likes hands-on souvenirs, creative classes, or unusual gifts. It also fits couples, friends, and small groups looking for something different from Nashville’s usual music-centered activities.

It can work well for a birthday, anniversary, girls’ trip, or other occasion where you want to leave with an item tied to the day. The saved formula makes it more lasting than a basic keepsake.

You do not need previous fragrance-making experience. The instructor-led format is designed to take you through the process, and the 12 premixed blends give you a starting point. You only need to be willing to smell, compare, adjust, and make a final choice.

I would be more cautious if you dislike strong scents or become tired after repeated sampling. The activity centers entirely on fragrance, and the session may last two and a half hours. Also remember that no food or drinks are included, so plan a meal or coffee separately.

Practical details before you book

The activity lasts 90 to 150 minutes, with starting times based on availability. I would keep the rest of your schedule flexible, especially if you want time to compare all three samples carefully.

When you arrive at the Tijon shop, tell a staff member you are there for the class. Transportation to the location is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. It is offered in English, and the group size is limited to eight people. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

The listed experience provider is Tijon Charleston, while the activity itself takes place at Tijon Nashville. I would check the exact shop details and meeting instructions when booking so you arrive at the correct location.

The strongest reason to go

The best part is not just leaving with perfume. It is the sense that you made a real decision about the scent and can reproduce it later. The three-sample test keeps the choice personal, while the instructor helps prevent the process from becoming guesswork.

The hand-capped bottle, French soap, postcard, atomizer, and extra small fragrance make the package feel finished. The most positive account of the experience praised the owner’s friendly, enthusiastic approach and the final fragrance results. That matches the basic appeal here: the class depends as much on good guidance and encouragement as on the oils themselves.

Should you book Tijon Nashville?

Book it if you want a creative, small-group activity and a personal souvenir that can be reordered. The $109 price makes sense for someone who values the class, the finished 55 ml bottle, and the saved formula.

Skip it if you are looking for a quick, inexpensive shopping stop or if fragrance sampling sounds tiring. For most people who enjoy making something with their hands, Tijon offers a thoughtful change of pace from Nashville’s standard attractions, with a finished scent you can continue using long after the class.

FAQ

Where does the custom fragrance class take place?

The class takes place at the Tijon shop in Nashville, Tennessee. When you arrive, tell a staff member that you are there for the class.

How much does the Tijon Nashville experience cost?

The price is $109 per person.

How long does the fragrance-making class last?

The class lasts between 90 and 150 minutes. Starting times depend on availability.

How many oils can I choose from?

You can choose from approximately 300 hand-selected oils after selecting a starting point from 12 premixed blends.

What do I take home?

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

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.