Crafting the Perfect Fragrance at Tijōn Parfumerie Saint Martin

Bonjour Loves!

Class is in session! Today Professor Williams is going to show you what I have been concocting in the lab- the fragrance lab! During my time in Saint Martin, I had the amazing privilege to create my own fragrance! Before I give you the keys and gems of this unforgettable experience, I need to give you all the personal background tea on why this experience is so special to me. Yes, as private as I am, I am about to tell some of my business! Alright Loves, step into my office.

Background

My Love For Perfumes

I always believed that one of the most delightful compliments for a woman to hear is  “Sis, you smell good!” It is truly heartwarming whenever I witness the joy on another woman’s face after telling her how much I love her fragrance! The same goes for me when I am on the receiving end of the compliment. I love the beautiful exchange of appreciation for delightful scents.

My deep love for perfumes runs back to my childhood. I was a “Bath and Body Works” and “Victoria’s Secret” body spray and lotion girlie since elementary school. As I entered high school, I started wearing perfumes and my love for fragrances only intensified.

Fragrance Hiatus

Around 2009, something unexplainable occurred. The fragrances I adored became my worst enemy. My body chemistry shifted. Perfumes that I regularly wore triggered intense migraines that would ultimately make me sick. (Interestingly, this has also occurred with my Grandmother and Aunts and it is still a challenging mystery to figure out). For nearly the past 15 years, I have been unable to wear fragrances. 

This battle was an ongoing struggle, as I would constantly fall victim to debilitating migraines triggered by any fragrance I tried. This personal frustration soon impacted loved ones and friends around me, as they would forego wearing their fragrances because it would trigger an instant migraine. I honestly would not be able to function. I felt awful about this and could not figure out how to change these circumstances. For perspective, my migraines are so intense that I need to get monthly migraine shots to alleviate them. 

Throughout the years, I made several attempts to explore and sample fragrances, hoping that they would not lead to migraine-inducing nightmares. However, I was disappointed every single time. Regardless of the recommendations from friends or sales associates, I would still find myself grappling with debilitating migraines and getting sick. I honestly just gave up because it was extremely disheartening not being able to enjoy something that I loved and cherished so deeply, no matter what I tried. 

Reigniting my Passion for Fragrances

Fast forward to last year, I was shopping to select a perfect fragrance for my mom’s Mother’s Day gift. I wanted her to have something special and was very meticulous about what I was looking to purchase. While shopping, the store manager, who was assisting me, asked if I was considering purchasing a fragrance for myself as a Mother’s Day treat. I politely declined, explaining that I have a long history of struggles with fragrances that frequently triggered migraines. Surprisingly, the store manager revealed they have a background in fragrance studies and proposed a solution. I reluctantly agreed although, deep down, I knew they were going to fail after my unsuccessful attempts over the years. 

After asking me a series of questions, the store manager pinpointed in great detail the issues with the fragrances I named that triggered my migraines. The store manager then recommended various travel-size fragrances as a test run over the next month. To my delight and surprise, I had NO MIGRAINES!

It is important to note that these were fragrances no one suggested before and that I never heard of. This brought me on a journey to explore further possibilities and elevate my fragrance knowledge. A couple of months later, I crossed paths with another fragrance specialist who has been an angel in my life ever since. She blew my mind with her knowledge of fragrances and has been instrumental in the guidance of my rediscovery of scents.

Unveiling the World of Fragrances

As it turns out, there is an intricate science behind the fragrances I wear. (No worries, I will spare the details). Over the past year and a half, I have dedicated myself to researching and unraveling the world of fragrances with my newfound knowledge. The more I learn, the more I am fascinated with my fragrance rediscovery journey. 

Sadly, this journey is not without its challenges. I still get unwelcomed migraines from many fragrances, including the ones I used to wear in my past. To navigate this, I developed a systematic process when choosing my fragrances (I will not elaborate here, though there is a method to my madness). I can take a look at fragrance notes and have a good estimate on whether it will trigger a migraine. Additionally, I have identified certain perfumers and perfume houses whose fragrances are an automatic “no-go” for me. Regardless of the fragrance that is produced, it inevitably leads me to a migraine. As limiting as this may sound, it is actually a blessing in disguise and helps streamline my fragrance choices.

Curating My “Smell Good” Collection

Through extensive research and guidance from fragrance connoisseurs, I have carefully curated a collection of fragrances from all over the world that I absolutely adore. These fragrances make me feel amazing, and equally importantly, do not trigger those terrible migraines! After not wearing fragrances for almost 15 years, I now have an extensive collection. As to the exact size of my collection, well, let’s just say it is substantial. I will spare the details to maintain the judgment free atmosphere at Legal and Abroad™️.

I will say that my mom often jokes and says I can open my own perfume boutique with the bottles I have acquired. 

Since rekindling my love for fragrances, I have created another travel tradition: collecting a new fragrance from each country that I visit to commemorate the experience. This practice allows me to build a diverse fragrance collection that tells a story of my global travels. I also love finding hidden gem fragrances that will allow me to smell unique!

This journey has taught me that what I believe to be permanently lost, can be found in the most unexpected ways. Everything in my life has come to me at the perfect time- including the rekindling of my love for fragrances. I am so grateful, God is good.

Loves, with this backstory in mind, you now have a deeper understanding of why this upcoming experience means so much to me. Alright, that is enough of my business!

Without further ado, let’s get into some fragrance tea!

Tijōn Parfumerie

While exploring St. Martin, I had the opportunity to craft my own signature perfume at Tijōn Parfumerie! The experience was fantastic!  Tijōn Parfumerie was founded by Master Perfumer, John Berglund, and his wife Cyndi, back in 2007 in the charming town of Grand Case, Saint Martin. Tijōn is renowned for crafting exquisite perfumes and using the finest ingredients. Additionally, each fragrance is bottled by hand. 

Perfume-Making Classes

Tijōn has had over 16,000 people create fragrances from ages 4-94, and offers several perfume-making class options for fragrance enthusiasts:

Express: Fragrance in a Flash

This is a brief 20-minute class where participants will receive a (55ml/1.85 oz) bottle of their custom-made fragrance. Participants will choose 4 oils from Tijōn’s extensive selection of over 300 oils and Tijōn will blend two formulas. Afterwards, participants will choose which formula they like best to bottle to take home.

90-Minute: Mix & Match

Participants will receive a (55ml/1.85 oz) bottle of their personally handcrafted fragrance. Participants will mix and match from Tijōn’s extensive selection of over 300 oils to create three distinct formulas, and bottle the formula they like best. They will also receive a perfume workbook and certification, along with  a VIP gift bag of products totaling $45.

💎: This is the most popular class option.

Class 101

In this comprehensive 2-3 hour class, participants will receive a (55ml/1.85 oz) bottle of their hand crafted fragrance. They will blend fragrances from Tijōn’s extensive selection of over 300 oils, and create as many formulas that time will allow. Along with their personalized fragrances, participants will receive an Education on the History of Perfume, Sense of Smell, Raw Materials, and Composing  Fragrances. They will also receive a perfume workbook and certification, along with a VIP gift bag of products totaling $45.

💎: Tijōn offers private parties. These include Celebrations (Birthdays, Anniversaries, or Special Events); Bridal and Bachelorette Parties; Date Night (Sensuous Scents); Team Building/Corporate Events; Fundraisers (For A Cause); and Children’s Parties (Adventurous and Inspirational).

Class 101 Experience

As part of my ongoing perfume rediscovery journey, I definitely booked the Class 101. I was mostly excited about connecting and getting to meet new people during the class. As a solo traveler, I look forward to excursions to meet fellow travelers from around the world. To my surprise, I was the only one registered for this class. That was fine with me, as it turned my class into an exclusive one-on-one experience, making this experience even more special and personalized. 

Upon my arrival, I was warmly greeted by staff with beautiful and friendly smiles. The store is incredible and inviting.

Additionally, the store offers a wealth of introductory knowledge to the fragrance world.

After a tour of the store and choosing my complimentary mini fragrance, I was led to the back where the real fun begins! Tijōn really elevates the perfume enthusiast experience by providing participants with a lab coat and workbook with all the information needed for the fragrance creation experience. When I settled at my lab table, I was informed that in a few moments the table would be cluttered with numerous bottles, beakers, and pipettes. At the moment, I could not fathom how that would be possible. I later would find out they were right.

Perfume Lessons

Next, I received an introductory lesson from the personal perfumer on the enchanting world of perfumes and fragrances. Tijōn thoroughly trains the personal perfumers to ensure a sensational and informative perfume creation experience. The personal perfumers are beyond incredible. They explained the significance of various raw materials and their contributions to the fragrance world. These ingredients can be derived from a wide array of sources, such as flowers and petals (including rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, etc.); roots (including ginger, orris, vetiver, etc.); leaves, herbs, and stems (such as violet, patchouli, geranium, etc); peels and fruits of citrus, (including bergamot, lemon, nutmeg, vanilla, and cloves, etc.); or wood, bark, mosses, and lichens (such as sandalwood, cinnamon, oakmoss, etc.). This is not a comprehensive list, as there are many other raw materials since the world of fragrance is diverse. 

These oils are extracted from the raw materials through various methods, including steam distillation, expression, or extraction with solvents. The perfumer further explained the various perfume family classifications. Examples include  “The Citrus Family” characterized by scents like lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, etc.; “The Floral Family”, ( the largest family), which the principal theme is around flowers such as tuberose, jasmine, lilac, etc.; and “The Oriental/Amber Family” known for sweet, powdery, vanilla, and labdanum notes.

The class also gives a deeper understanding to the power of the sense of smell and how it play a crucial role in the perfume creation process. Additionally, the perfumer explained the concept of Top Notes, which is the first scent. These last 5-15 minutes, which evolves to the Middle Notes, serving as the heart of the perfume, lasting 1-2 hours. Lastly, they explained the Base Notes, which adds depth to the perfume and helps the scent to last longer. 

5-Step Process, 5-Star Perfume

I was then taken through a 5-step process to create my 5-star perfume.

Purpose of My Fragrance

I wanted a fragrance that embodied femininity, sophistication, and sensuality. It was important for this scent to be versatile, and suitable for any time of day.  Most importantly, I wanted to feel incredible when I wore my fragrance.

Vision and Inspiration

 I thought long and carefully about my vision and inspiration for this scent. However, I will not be revealing it on this blog.

Mental Exploration

I then needed to conduct a mental exploration of fragrances associated with that inspiration. From the selection of 12 pre-mixed oils, I needed to choose three – one for each of my scents. Next, I selected nine oils (three oils for each scent) from the impressive and extensive perfume organ, which houses over 300 fragrance oils.  I will admit, the wall was overwhelming, as I can be indecisive at times.

My knowledgeable perfumer guided me through this process.

I also conducted some test smells with certain oils to help with my selections. 

My selection of fragrance oils was driven by my desire to capture sensuality, a touch of sweetness, warmth, and an overall sense of sophistication. Once I selected my desired fragrance oils, it was time to head back into the lab. Well Loves, their predictions were right. Soon enough, my lab table filled up quickly with bottles, beakers, and pipettes as I was on a mission to create my perfect unique scent lol.

Fragrant Experimentation

This was the fun part of the experience, blending the oils together and tweaking the ingredients to my liking. It was a process filled with an olfactory adventure of creation and recreation. I followed the guidance of my perfumer and started grouping fragrances together to assess how the top, middle, and base notes would smell with the pre-mixed formulas. I went through multiple rounds of elimination, based upon whether or not I liked the combinations. If a blend did not hit the mark, I would swap out the oil. As tedious as this process is, it is rewarding and satisfying when you finally get the perfect scent.

Skin Testing

This was my favorite part. I loved sensing how my fragrance smelled immediately and then after it had dried down. If I did not like the scent, it was back to the drawing board. I tested different combinations on what felt like 10 different places on my skin until I got my desired scent.

Finalizing My Fragrance

By the end of the class, I successfully created three amazing scents that I absolutely adored. To my delight, some of these scents featured oils I never knew existed, expanding my fragrance knowledge. It was challenging trying to decide which fragrance from my custom formula sheet to bottle up. After I narrowed down my preferred formula, my perfumer gave me a few other chemical solutions to add to my mixture. Voila, my baby scent was born!

Naming My Fragrance

Picking a name is really the hardest part of the journey. I loved creating this fragrance and thought carefully about the name. I did not want anything complicated or extra, just simple. My fragrance can be described as sensual, semi-sweet, and bold with a surprising Caribbean twist that exudes irresistible and sensuous island vibes. I wanted the name to represent all of this so I named this beauty St. Martin Gyal. It is truly a gorgeous scent that embodies gratitude and love, preparing me for my next travel adventure! After naming my scent, Tijōn ended the class with a delightful champagne toast! Cheers to creating amazing fragrances!

I also received a Tijōn Certificate of Achievement for completing my class. 

🔑: It is helpful to think of scent names prior to the class to help streamline the process when creating your fragrance.

Ordering Additional Fragrances

I was glad to have the formulas for all three of my scents, knowing that  I would be able to order my other two scents in the future. Tijōn generously provides participants with  the formula to their  perfume and also stores a copy in their database. Guests have the option to reorder their signature scent as a perfume or cologne, lotion, body crème, body oil, massage oil, or a home and linen mist. The beautiful part about this process is that no two students will ever create the same scent. Your scent is UNIQUE! I love how they cater to their guests with the options.

💎: I love that they sell migraine oil as well.

As I mentioned earlier, this experience meant a lot to me for various reasons. Crafting this fragrance was a fun and memorable experience. Whenever I wear St. Martin Gyal, I will reminisce about my beautiful travel memories on the island. I definitely plan to return in the future. 

Tijōn Locations

The good news is you do not have to travel to the Caribbean for this experience! Tijōn also has stateside locations in Charleston, South Carolina, and New Orleans, Louisiana. There is also a mobile location option, where the Tijōn lab can come to you in certain locations and provide a  personalized perfume experience. 

Next Up!

Alright Loves, Professor Williams is concluding today’s class. I have one last experience to share from this trip. Sometimes during my solo travels, I decide to do some of the most random things, like visit  another country on my current trip (remember Saba?). Well I did it again, except I woke up and decided I was going to do it that same day. No plans,  just vibes and seeing what happens when I get there. Stay tuned for the next blog where I will be introducing a new mini-travel series! 

Until our next adventure abroad, 

Stay Grateful, Love Deep, Dream BIG, and Happy Travels!

oh… and smell good while doing it, Loves!