Smelling great should be a hands-on hobby. Tijon in Nashville turns perfume shopping into a custom make-your-own fragrance class, with roots on the French side of St. Maarten. I liked the sheer range, about 300 hand selected oils, and I especially liked that you test three formulas on your skin before you bottle the one you want. One catch to plan for: you are in the shop for 90 to 150 minutes, and food and drinks are not included.

The vibe is small and practical, limited to 8 people, with an instructor who guides you step by step. When you’re done, you leave with a 55 ml bottle plus a smaller branded bottle, an atomizer, and even a French soap and postcard.

Key things you will love about the Tijon Nashville class

• 12 premixed blends as your starting point, then you build from there with added oils
• About 300 hand selected oils to shape your own accord
• Three sample fragrances tested on your skin before choosing your final bottle
• Signature formula saved for re-ordering later
• Hand-capped bottles to reduce oxidation risk, so your scent stays truer over time
• A complete take-home kit, including a 55 ml bottle, atomizer, and branded mini bottle

Why a custom fragrance class works better than a perfume counter

Most perfume experiences in town look like this: you sniff a lot, someone talks fast, and you leave with a guess. This Tijon class flips that script. You are not just tasting scents, you are actually making an accord, then checking how it behaves on your skin. That matters, because fragrance is one part smell in the air and another part chemistry with you.

What makes Tijon interesting is how it is positioned like a retail brand, but run like a workshop. The brand traces back to the French side of St. Maarten, and that international origin shows up in the feel of the shop and the care in the process. You are getting something you can keep and reorder, not just a sample to forget at the bottom of a tote bag.

The other big difference is precision. Instead of random picking, you start with premixed blends, then you fine tune. And later, you test multiple options on your skin rather than committing right away.

Entering the Tijon shop and getting set up for making your scent

When you arrive, you simply let the staff know you are there for the class. After that, you are guided through everything. I like this part because it reduces the fear factor. If you have ever stood in front of a perfume wall thinking, I have no idea what I’m doing, you will feel better here.

You are working with an instructor in English, and the class is limited to 8 participants. Small group matters. It means you can ask questions without waiting your turn for 20 minutes while everyone else is making decisions you do not even understand yet.

Also, the class is designed to be wheelchair accessible, so the space and setup are intended to work for different guests. If you are planning around mobility needs, that is a helpful detail to know up front.

The Mix & Match method: how you build from 12 blends into your own accord

The core of the experience is the Mix & Match class. Here’s the simple logic that helps you get a scent that feels like yours:

First, you choose from 12 premixed blends. Think of these as starter tracks. They give you structure right away, instead of forcing you to construct everything from nothing.

Then you add oils from the larger collection, about 300 hand selected oils. This is where your choices stop being about guessing and start being about shaping the final feel of the fragrance. You can lean more floral, more fresh, more warm, more crisp, or more mysterious, depending on what you select.

An instructor stays with you the whole time. That is not just for show. It is the practical support you want when you are combining multiple oils and trying to predict how they will play together once on your skin.

And here is the subtle value: by starting with premixed blends, you get results faster, without requiring you to be a scent expert. You still make real choices, but you are not starting from a blank page.

Creating three sample fragrances and testing them on your skin

After you build your custom accord, you make three sample fragrances. This part is the smartest step in the whole process.

Why? Because fragrance changes when it meets skin. The same bottle can smell different on two people, based on body chemistry. By testing three samples, you get a mini experiment instead of a one-shot bet.

You test on your skin, then you decide which formula feels best to you. I like that the decision comes after real wearing, not only after smelling in the air like a science fair experiment.

This is also where the class turns into something personal. You are not just buying a scent, you are choosing a relationship with it. If you like things to feel intentional, this step delivers.

Choosing your final bottle, then watching the details get handled with care

Once you decide on your final formula, you bottle it. The included product is a 55 ml bottle of custom perfume or cologne. That size is meaningful, because it is not a tiny novelty bottle. You can actually wear it, layer it, and see how it performs over time.

One detail I really appreciate is the way the bottles are capped. Each bottle is capped by hand to help avoid the risk of oxidation. Oxidation is the kind of behind-the-scenes issue that can dull or shift fragrance over time. Hand-capping may sound small, but it aligns with the overall approach here, which is care and consistency, not chaos.

You also get a certificate of completion. It is not mandatory in a practical sense, but it makes the whole thing feel official, like you built something real. You will also receive a French soap and a custom designed Tijon Nashville postcard, plus a small bottle of Tijon branded fragrance of your choice.

And yes, the scent comes with tools. You get an atomizer, so you can spritz right away without hunting for a converter or extra supplies.

Your signature formula is saved, so you can reorder later

One of the most valuable parts for me is this: your signature formula is saved in a database for re-ordering in the future.

That matters more than people think. Custom fragrance is personal, and if you love what you made, the hardest part is often repeating it. Here, the hard part is handled for you. You can get it again without trying to recreate the blend from memory, which is usually how custom scents end up disappearing.

If you like having a go-to scent for workdays, date nights, or special events, this gives you a reliable way to keep it.

And if you want to expand beyond spray, you can create your signature fragrance in a body lotion, massage oil, hand cream, or a home and linen mist. The data does not say those are included in the base package, but it clearly states you can make them.

What you take home: the included kit and why it is not just a bottle

At $109 per person, the big question is value. For me, value here is not only the custom scent, it is the bundle of usable items that you walk away with.

Included items:

• 55 ml bottle of custom perfume or cologne
• Small bottle of Tijon branded fragrance of your choice
• Atomizer
• Certificate of completion
• French soap
• Custom designed Tijon Nashville postcard

That is a lot of take-home stuff for one sitting. And the biggest practical win is the 55 ml bottle. Many custom experiences give you a small vial. This one gives you a real product size, so you can actually wear it without treating it like a display piece.

Also, the option of making additional items like lotion or mist is a strong follow-up path. If you find your scent is instantly wearable, you can turn it into a whole scent routine, not just a single spritz.

Timing, group size, and what to expect from the pacing

The class runs 90 to 150 minutes. That range likely reflects your pace and how quickly you zero in on the blends and samples. Either way, it is enough time to make choices, test on skin, and finalize a bottle.

The group is limited to 8 participants, and the class is instructor-led. That combo matters for comfort and speed. You should be able to get help when you need it, especially if your scent tastes are specific or you are comparing options.

English instruction is offered, so you can plan on an explanation of the process in English throughout.

One practical drawback to keep in mind: food and drinks are not included. If you are pairing this with other Nashville plans, I’d treat it like a real activity block. Eat beforehand, bring water if you think you will want it, and don’t plan on grabbing a meal mid-class.

Where Tijon’s St. Maarten origin shows up in the experience

Tijon’s original location is on the French side of the island of St. Maarten. You might not need that detail to enjoy the workshop, but it helps explain why the experience feels like more than a casual hobby booth.

Brands with international roots often bring a more intentional sense of presentation. Here, you see that in the care steps, like hand-capping the bottle to help prevent oxidation risk, and in how the class is built like a guided process, not a casual free-for-all.

In other words, the origin is not just trivia. It supports the sense that this is a retail brand with a real method behind it.

Price and value: what $109 buys you beyond the scent

Let’s be honest. $109 is not cheap for a single in-shop activity. But for me, it earns its cost when you break it down.

You get:

• A custom-made 55 ml bottle that you keep
• A branded small bottle
• An atomizer
• Several extras like a postcard and French soap
• A guided class with skin testing and instructor support
• Your formula saved for re-ordering

So you are paying for education, personalization, and tangible products, not just access to sniffing supplies. It also saves you time later. If you like the scent, you can reorder without spending extra effort trying to match a memory.

If you are the type who spends money on candles and body products anyway, this can be a smarter purchase because it is tied to your own preferences, not mass-market guessing.

Tips so your custom bottle feels like you

You do not need to be a fragrance nerd to enjoy this. But a few decisions can make the experience smoother.

• Plan to wear and test scents with care. The class tests samples on your skin, so be ready for a few different smells before you finalize.
• Bring your preferences to mind before you start. If you know you love fresh, woody, floral, or clean styles, it will help you move faster during selection from the blends and oils.
• Expect a real decision process. The three-sample testing step is not a formality. Your favorite will often be the one that smells best after it settles.

And one practical note: you will likely smell like a walking perfume experiment when you leave. If you have dinner or drinks right after, you might want to plan for it.

Who should book this class, and who might skip it

I’d recommend this experience if:

• You want a personal scent that feels made for you, not chosen off a shelf
• You enjoy hands-on activities and small-group instruction
• You like the idea of testing options on skin before committing
• You think you might reorder later and want the formula saved

You might skip it if:

• You are looking for a classic Nashville sightseeing stop. This is a shop-based experience, focused on fragrance creation.
• You want food and drinks included. They are not part of the package.

It also makes sense as a gift idea since the result is a real product, and you leave with more than a single small sample. (Just note the process is still an in-shop class, so the recipient should be comfortable spending the time there.)

Should you book Tijon Nashville for custom perfume or cologne?

If you like the idea of making something you will actually wear, I think this is a strong booking. The reason is simple: you are not just trying scents, you are building an accord, testing three options on your skin, and walking out with a real 55 ml bottle plus a take-home kit.

Also, the practical details add up. Small group size means you get real guidance. Your signature formula being saved means you can repeat the result. And hand-capping to help reduce oxidation risk shows they care about longevity, not just first impressions.

The only reason to hesitate is time and logistics. You’re committing about 90 to 150 minutes in the shop, and food and drinks are not included. If that fits your day, it’s a fun, focused, and genuinely personal Nashville experience.

FAQ

How long is the Tijon Nashville Custom Perfume or Cologne Making Experience?

The class lasts 90 to 150 minutes, depending on the start time and how your session runs.

How much does the experience cost?

It costs $109 per person.

What happens during the Mix & Match class?

You start by choosing from 12 premixed blends, then add additional oils from a collection of about 300 to create your custom accord. You make three sample fragrances, test them on your skin, then bottle the fragrance you choose.

What should I do when I arrive?

When you arrive at the Tijon shop, let a staff member know you are there for the class.

What is included in the price?

You receive a 55 ml bottle of 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, and an atomizer.

Is the class instructor-led?

Yes, every class is instructor-led and includes guidance throughout the process.

What language is the instructor?

The class is instructed in English.

Can I create products besides perfume or cologne?

You can also create your signature fragrance in body lotion, massage oil, hand cream, or a home and linen mist.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

What is the group size?

The group is limited to 8 participants.

Is food and drinks included?

No, food and drinks are not included.