Bespoke beauty is something all of us need. You have to realize that people are different and have varying needs, and not every product will work the same. This is why brands like Clinique and Kiehl’s came up with services that personalized skincare based on customers’ skin types.
Another branch of bespoke beauty that’s becoming big again is personalized fragrances. This allows you to create signature scents that match your preferences, as well as help you find the right one that goes well with your body’s chemistry. As InStyle noted: “Specific notes and fragrances can also become very unique to you simply by the way they mix with your body chemistry. What works with your own essence could smell completely different on someone else. Finding your perfect fragrance match can feel like a special experience, encouraging you to revisit the same scents time and time again.”
Of course, you’re not going into it blindly. Many fragrance shops will provide guides on which notes (head, middle, and base) would go well together. They would also have their own recipes you might like to start with.
Making bespoke perfumes can be fun and educational. If you’re looking for a place where you can do this—be it for yourself or for a gift, refer to our list below.
Scentsmith Perfumery
Located at 2/F Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Ayala Center, Makati City
Scentsmith is a fairly new store which opened in 2018. It lets customers choose from their unique scents and create bespoke perfume. According to Forbes, “Instead of picking out a bottle, customers inside its shop are encouraged to explore a wide selection of essences. Attentive staff guide you through the orientation and selection process and it’s nothing like rocket science. Blends are then made to fit into one’s scent profile and lifestyle.” The best part is each fragrance comes in a dark glass bottle.
Chemworld Fragrance Factory
Located at Bonifacio Stopover, 31st Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Upon entering any Chemworld branch, you’ll immediately see a table of sample bottles and perfumed films, along with a jar of coffee beans to cleanse your olfactory palate. What will surprise you are their versions of perfumes from brands like Chanel and Calvin Klein. But if you’re not into that, you can ask to DIY your own scent/s using their many fragrance oils.
Smitten Fragrances
For orders, email shopsmittenph@gmail.com
Smitten has a wide selection of perfumes, colognes, and bath and body products. It also offers bespoke services that not only lets you customize the scent, but also the packaging. You can also order in bulk in case you need party favors for your corporate event or wedding. Just check their available scents and products to see which ones you can utilize for your own product.
UNIQUE Fragrance
Available online
UNIQUE is based in the US, but they have a useful guide online for international customers. All you need to do is choose a scent type and up to six fragrances, and lastly, personalize your perfume bottle. UNIQUE also gives a curated selection of fragrances which makes it easier to find the right scent for you.
Jo Malone
Located at G/F Greenbelt 5, Legazpi Street, Ayala Center, Makati City
If you’re obsessed with Jo Malone’s perfumes, here’s some good news: The brand has a “Fragrance Combining” guide where they help you find a scent that’s tailor-fit for you. On their site, you have to choose one of their main fragrances. Then, you’ll have the choice to make them either warmer or fresher—here, you’ll be given choices from their collections. Once you’ve made your choice, you can click the Boutique Finder so you can pick it up. This makes it easier for you to choose your fragrance based on your preferences, and also, you can test out the ones you haven’t tried before.
Art by Tricia Guevara
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