Bonding over fragrances at weekend scent socials

Time of India

01-08-2025

Through scent-making workshops, the intention is to bring individuals together for unforgettable explorations of fragrance
Y
ou know that moment: a specific aroma hits, and suddenly you're not just smelling – you are reliving a memory. That's the magic of scent, and why perfumes are incredibly personal.
Sounds like you? Imagine this: spending a weekend with your friends, surrounded by an array of oils and extracts. 'Scent exploration opens people up, both emotionally and creatively,' say perfumers, as they suggest that with the boom in the homegrown perfume sector, scent-making has become big in the immersive experiences sector. An artisanal perfumery workshop isn't just an outing – it's an olfactory adventure waiting to happen.
'Workshops offer a chance to explore scents more intimately'
'Workshops offer a chance to explore scents more intimately'
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These workshops serve as an introduction to perfumery. 'Through these workshops, the intention is to bring individuals together for unforgettable explorations of fragrance. People want to smell a certain way, and so they explore perfume workshops where they can create a scent which is uniquely theirs,' says Pune-based perfumer Vrinda Dhakane, founder of Casa De Vayu.
'In a perfume-making workshop, you slow down, smell everything with intention and discover what notes make you feel something. Whether it's nostalgia, calm, seduction, or pure joy. In an age of hyper-curation, there's something deeply luxurious about making something that's just yours,' says Vineet S Arora, founder of Rad Lvng – a brand that organises perfume workshops across the country.
Scents connect us back to memories
Noopur Lidbide, head of content, Trove Experiences, which organises workshops across metro cities, says, 'With perfumery in particular, hosts and participants are drawn to how it activates our olfactory sense.
Scents are deeply personal and nostalgic. They unwittingly connect us back to memories. That inherent fascination has always been there, but workshops offer an opportunity to explore scents more intimately, by understanding the craft'.
'These artisanal perfumery workshops open up the once-guarded world of scent creation to people who are curious, passionate, and willing to trust their noses,' says sixth-generation perfumer Pallavi Bhatia.
Added advantage – you make new friends who love new scents as much as you do.
Scents are deeply personal and nostalgic
What's in store at a perfumery workshop
The workshop is designed as an immersive journey through the art of perfumery – approachable, hands-on, and sensorial, says Vineet, as he shares what the workshops entail:
The workshop starts with an introduction to the fragrance pyramid. Understand the top, middle (heart) and base notes and how each layer unfolds over time
Then the host dives into scent families. Participants explore up to 12 olfactory categories, from fresh citrus and dreamy florals to deep woods and warm gourmands.
The session also teaches fundamentals of blending, that is, how to balance notes, avoid overpowering combinations and create depth. It's not just technical; it's intuitive
From attars and to eau de parfum, participants get to learn the difference in strength, composition and application of scents
Create your perfume, guided by expert tips and led by instinct. Give it a unique name
The session also teaches fundamentals of blending, that is, how to balance notes, avoid overpowering combinations and create depth. It's not just technical; it's intuitive (Location: Unlocked, Gurgaon)
Tips for a curious beginner
Avoid over-sniffing. Smell coffee to reduce olfactory fatigue
Take time with each scent, decipher the notes
Use the fragrance strips and the fanning technique to smell
Enquire about the sillage, projection and longevity of the scent you create
Store your DIY scent in a dark bottle
The idea is to make the scent-making process accessible and easy by introducing them to common notes like rose, lavender, sandalwood
Rachit Verma, who recently conducted a workshop by Vivre Experiences in Gurgaon
'Workshops break scent prejudices'
'We often assume that someone with an extroverted personality will gravitate toward loud, intense perfumes.
But that theory falls flat within the first ten minutes of any workshop. People don't just choose scents based on who they are,' says Vineet. 'It's not always about personality; it's about memory, context, and desire. So much of it is about breaking scent prejudice and that moment of exploration is what makes the workshop so magical,' he adds.
Pallavi Bhatia, founder of Olfa Originals, says, 'People are drawn to scent memories they didn't know they missed.
We had someone once recreate the exact smell of their grandmother's shawl without realising it: vetiver, saffron, and a hint of clove.' Perfumer Akash Sharma says, 'We have observed that either participants want to create something new or create a version of a branded perfume they like.' Vineet adds, 'The workshop isn't just about blending oils; it's about self-expression.
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A perfume workshop isn't just about blending oils; it's about self-expression
'Women increasingly gravitate towards relatively woody scents like cedarwood, or ones with refreshing scents of spices like cinnamon, star anise, and even cumin,' observes perfumer Vrinda, who conducts perfumery workshops across the country
An artisanal perfume that I made myself is the best gift I can give to my friends
Avantika, an attendee at a recent perfumery workshop
Popular scents
Floral:
Jasmine, rose, lavender, lily
Woody:
Sandalwood, oud, patchouli, cedarwood
Aqua:
Mandarin, lemon
Spicy:
Pink pepper, cardamom, clove, cinnamon
Fruity:
Berries, orange, apple, peach
Gourmand:
Vanilla, coffee
A scent atelier (Pic: @radlvng)