Almost everyone has their signature fragrance, but wouldn't you like to know how it is made? During Artifex, pupils took part in a Perfume Making Workshop to discover the real Chemistry behind perfumes through small practical experiments and demonstrations. Pupils left the workshop with not only a greater understanding of everyday perfumes, but also smelling incredible! Jacob, First Year Specialist (Year 12) shares an insight.
The moment the doors opened and the aroma of vanilla, sandalwood, and neroli filled the air, I knew we had created something special. Perfumery has always been more than a hobby for me — it’s an obsession with memory, chemistry, and identity, all bottled into scent.
My passion for fragrances began years ago, inspired by the strange magic of how one drop of essential oil could transport you to a different time or place. I have enjoyed exploring the world of perfumery in my own time, but when the opportunity arose as Artifex came around, I saw a chance to share that obsession while grounding it in something more profound — Chemistry.
With the support of Mr Dickinson - Head of Chemistry, Science, and my Chemistry teacher - we planned out the workshop that didn’t just play with smells but brought to life the science behind them. We began with the theoretical side of perfumery, looking at what goes into perfumes: esters, alcohols, aldehydes, etc - all topics from the A Level Chemistry syllabus. Then we moved onto the hands-on session, where pupils could mix, experiment, and build their scent profiles. It was Chemistry, not on the page, but in the air.
The workshop was a space where science met creativity. From pipettes and beakers to blotter strips and atomisers, we gave pupils the chance to replicate iconic scents like Dior Sauvage or Miss Dior or go beyond and blend their signature scents from a curated palette of natural and synthetic ingredients. Some leaned into florals, others into woods, musks or citrus - it was fascinating to see how each perfume reflected a bit of the person behind it.
What meant the most, though, was watching others find delight in something I love. New discussions sprang up about molecules and memories, structure, and scent. People left with not only a bold imprint of citrus and patchouli lingering on their shirts, but with curiosity about the chemistry of what they breathe in every day.
If this workshop proved anything, it’s that science doesn’t have to be confined to textbooks. Sometimes, it can be held in the palm of your hand, and it can smell incredible.
