Smell like you is possible in Nashville. Tijon is a make-your-own fragrance class with a twist: you build a custom accord from a huge oil collection, and the whole brand traces back to an original shop on the French side of St. Maarten. It’s instructor-led, small-group, and designed so you’re making something personal—not just stamping a souvenir.

I especially like two things. First, you start from 12 premixed blends and then add from roughly 300 hand-selected oils, so the process feels guided but still creative. Second, you create three sample fragrances, test them on your skin, and only then decide what gets bottled for you. One thing to consider: the class runs about 90 to 150 minutes, so it needs real time in your schedule.

Tijon Nashville: Why This Is More Than a Smell-And-Go Class

Most fragrance workshops toss you a few bottles and send you off like a DIY party. Tijon works differently. It’s a retail-style, instructor-led experience focused on helping you turn preferences into an actual formula you’ll want to wear.

The origin story is part of the charm. Tijon’s first location was on the French side of the island of St. Maarten, and that detail matters because the brand’s built around hands-on craft, not mass production. You’re not just picking a scent off a shelf—you’re building one.

You also get thoughtful safeguards baked into the process. Tijon caps each bottle by hand to reduce the risk of oxidation, which is the kind of behind-the-scenes detail that can affect how fragrance smells over time.

Pick Your Direction: From 12 Blends to a Custom Accord

The experience usually starts in the shop with the Mix & Match format. Here’s the practical part: you don’t need to know perfume vocabulary to begin. You’ll first choose favorites from 12 premixed blends. Those blends act like a starter map, so you’re steering toward what you like instead of guessing blindly.

Then comes the fun work: you add additional oils from a collection of about 300 hand selected oils. This is where the class turns into something genuinely custom. Think of it like composing music—your blends give the theme, and the oils let you add your own notes.

Your instructor guides you through the steps. That guidance is key if you’re unsure what you like yet. The goal isn’t to make you sound like a perfumer. It’s to help you narrow down what works on you.

What you should pay attention to while choosing

You’ll be making choices in layers, and your nose might trick you at first (it happens). Try to:

• Pick blends you already naturally lean toward
• Notice which added oils change the vibe quickly
• Stay open to the idea that your final favorite might not be your first pick

Creating Three Samples: The Skin Test That Actually Helps

After you’ve built your accord, you’ll create three sample fragrances. This is one of the most valuable parts of the class, because fragrance almost never behaves the same way on paper or in the air as it does on skin.

The instructor-led testing is built into the experience. You’ll apply the samples to your skin to see how each one develops. This step helps you avoid the common disappointment of loving the scent in the shop and then not liking it later.

And because you’re testing three options, you’re not stuck making one decision under pressure. You can compare how each version settles, and that gives you a much better chance of leaving with something you’ll actually wear.

My practical take on the skin test

If you tend to buy perfumes and regret them later, this is the fix. You’re matching the formula to your chemistry. It’s the difference between liking a smell and liking how it wears.

Bottling Your Formula and Keeping It for Reordering

Once you’ve chosen the winner from your skin tests, you bottle your custom fragrance. This is where the class becomes a real takeaway, not just a one-time craft.

You get:

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

There’s also a big long-term perk: your signature formula is saved in the database for reordering. That means you can repeat your scent without starting from scratch if you fall in love with how it wears after a few days.

Why “saved formula” is smart value

A lot of experiences are fun, then you never do them again. Tijon’s approach helps you keep using the result. For $109, you’re not only paying for the class—you’re paying for a bottle you can keep coming back to.

Other Products You Can Make with Your Signature Scent

Your custom fragrance isn’t limited to just perfume/cologne. Tijon lets you create your signature fragrance in other forms, including:

• Body lotion
• Massage oil
• Hand cream
• Home & linen mist

That matters because scent is more useful when it fits your life. Lotion or hand cream can feel gentler and more wearable day-to-day. A linen mist is easy for gifting and for making your space smell like your signature.

You’ll still start with the core formula, and then you can extend it into the product type that matches how you want to use the scent.

The Hand-Capped, Oxidation-Aware Detail

A small detail can change your experience later. Tijon caps each bottle by hand to avoid the risk of oxidation. Oxidation is one of those fragrance problems you may not notice right away, but it can affect how the scent holds up over time.

I love that the class doesn’t ignore the technical side. It’s a craft workshop, yes, but it also cares about the outcome staying true after you leave.

Price and Time: Is $109 Worth It in Nashville?

Let’s talk value plainly. At $109 per person, you’re paying for:

• A guided, small-group class (limited to 8 participants)
• Building a custom accord from about 300 oils
• Three sample fragrances plus skin testing
• A 55 ml bottle of the final fragrance
• Extras like an atomizer, certificate, soap, postcard, and a small bottle of another fragrance

For many people, that cost is worth it because it buys you a product you’ll keep using. You’re not just spending money on an hour of entertainment. You’re walking away with something you can wear, gift, or reorder later.

The duration is listed as 90 to 150 minutes, so your best value comes if you plan your day around it. If you’re rushing between venues, you may not get the full benefit of the selection and skin-testing process.

Who this fits best

This class is a great match if you:

• Like fragrances and want something personal
• Want a gift that doesn’t feel generic
• Prefer guided making over trial-and-error DIY
• Appreciate learning how scent changes on skin

If you dislike strong scents or want quick shopping with no time commitment, you might find it more than you bargained for. You’ll want to choose wisely before you start mixing.

Logistics That Keep It Easy: Where to Go and What to Expect

The meeting point is simple. When you arrive at the Tijon shop, tell staff you’re there for the class. That’s it.

The class runs instructor-led in English and is wheelchair accessible. It also stays intentionally small, with a maximum group size of 8 participants, so you’re not lost in a crowd.

You’ll likely want to plan around the fact that food and drinks aren’t included, so eat beforehand if you’re prone to getting cranky on a schedule.

Should You Book Tijon in Nashville?

Yes, if you want a real take-home result and you’re curious about how scent changes on skin. The biggest reasons I’d book are the three-sample selection process and the fact that you leave with a 55 ml bottle you helped create, plus your formula is saved for reordering.

I’d think twice if your schedule is tight (90 to 150 minutes matters), you don’t like smelling lots of notes during the session, or you’re the type who only likes buying a fragrance after you’ve lived with it for weeks. This experience is best when you’re ready to try and compare on your own skin in real time.

If you’re deciding between another Nashville activity and this, I’d put Tijon near the top—because it turns a fragrance preference into something you can actually use.

FAQ

How long does the Tijon custom perfume or cologne class take?

The class lasts about 90 to 150 minutes. Starting times depend on availability.

What is the price per person?

The price is $109 per person.

What is included in the experience?

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

Can I make something besides perfume or cologne?

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

How many oils can I choose from?

You choose additional oils from a collection of approximately 300 hand selected oils.

Do I choose from pre-made options first?

Yes. In the Mix & Match class, you start by selecting favorites out of 12 premixed blends, which gives you a starter base.

Are the classes instructor-led?

Yes. Every class is instructor-led, and the instructor guides you through the entire process and is available to assist.

What group size should I expect?

The class is limited to 8 participants, so it stays small.

Is there free cancellation and a way to pay later?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now & pay later, meaning you pay nothing today.

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