The Ultimate Guide to Creating Perfume from Scratch at Scentopia-Singapore

Have you ever picked up a bottle of perfume and wondered how those beautiful, complex scents come together? At Scentopia-Singapore, we believe everyone should have the chance to experience the art of perfumery firsthand.

That’s why we’re passionate about teaching visitors how to create a perfume from scratch—transforming raw ingredients into something uniquely personal. Whether you’re a fragrance lover, an adventurous tourist, or planning a team-building activity, this is your invitation to explore a world of scent like never before.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how to make your own perfume step by step, share expert tips, and show you why our workshops in Sentosa, Singapore are the perfect place to unleash your creativity.

The Basics of Perfume Composition

Before you start blending, it’s helpful to know how perfumes are built. Perfumers use a time-tested structure known as the fragrance pyramid, which includes:
✅ Top Notes – The first impression of your perfume. Light, bright, and quick to evaporate. (Examples: citrus, mint, light florals)
✅ Heart (Middle) Notes – The core of your scent. Fuller, more lasting, and often floral, spicy, or green.
✅ Base Notes – The foundation. Deep, rich, and long-lasting. These notes give your perfume staying power. (Examples: sandalwood, musk, vanilla)
A good perfume balances these layers to create a story that unfolds over time on your skin.

How to Make a Perfume from Scratch: Step by Step

1️⃣ Get Inspired and Define Your Theme
All great perfumes start with a concept.
Ask yourself:

What mood do I want? Fresh, romantic, mysterious?
Who is it for? Yourself, a partner, a gift?
What ingredients do I love?

At Scentopia’s perfume workshop in Singapore, we use a fun personality quiz to help you discover your scent style. This step is all about finding your creative direction.

2️⃣ Choose Your Ingredients
Fragrance oils or essential oils are the building blocks of your scent.
Examples of popular notes:

Top: Lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, peppermint
Heart: Orchid (a Scentopia specialty!), jasmine, lavender, rose
Base: Sandalwood, musk, amber, vanilla

Our Orchid Perfume Workshop in Sentosa is especially beloved for showcasing Singapore’s national flower in beautiful, sophisticated blends.

3️⃣ Select a Carrier
You can’t wear pure fragrance oils directly on your skin—they need to be diluted in a carrier.
✅ Alcohol – The classic choice for spray perfumes. Fast-drying and professional-quality.
✅ Carrier oils – Like jojoba or sweet almond, for oil-based roll-ons.
✅ Water-based sprays – Light, skin-friendly, and refreshing.
At Scentopia-Singapore, we use high-quality perfumer’s alcohol for the perfect spray consistency.

4️⃣ Create Your Formula
A typical perfume formula looks like this:

20–30% fragrance oil blend
70–80% carrier

You’ll also balance your top, middle, and base notes for complexity. A classic approach might be:

30% top notes
50% middle notes
20% base notes

In our workshops, our team guides you through this balancing act so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

5️⃣ Blend Carefully
This is where the magic happens.
✅ Add your chosen oils drop by drop.
✅ Mix thoroughly after each addition.
✅ Test on fragrance strips or your skin.
✅ Adjust as needed—more top notes for brightness, more base notes for depth.
Our experts at Scentopia’s perfume making class in Singapore help you refine your formula until it’s perfect for you.

6️⃣ Let It Mature
Professional perfumers age their blends so the notes can meld beautifully. You can do this at home:

Seal your blend in a dark bottle.
Store in a cool, dry place.
Shake gently once a day.
Wait a week (or more) for a more harmonious result.

Our workshops explain this aging process and give you tips to perfect your blend after you leave.

7️⃣ Bottle and Label
Your perfume deserves a beautiful presentation!
✅ Pour your finished blend into a spray or roll-on bottle.
✅ Add a personalized label with your name, scent name, or date.
✅ Enjoy it yourself or give it as a meaningful gift.
At Scentopia-Singapore, your creation is professionally bottled and labelled before you leave—making it a true keepsake.

Why Choose Scentopia-Singapore for Perfume Making?

Making perfume at home can be rewarding—but doing it in person at Scentopia’s Sentosa location offers so much more:
🌿 Singapore’s Largest Orchid Perfume Collection – Use locally inspired notes.
🌿 Interactive, Hands-On Experience – Learn from experts in a relaxed setting.
🌿 Augmented Reality Tours – Discover the history of perfumery and Singapore’s rich botanical heritage.
🌿 Stunning Beachfront Venue – Create your scent with ocean views.
🌿 Personalized Guidance – Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
🌿 Professional-Quality Results – Leave with a beautifully bottled, custom-labelled perfume.
Our workshops are designed for everyone—from tourists seeking a special souvenir to locals wanting a new hobby or companies planning unforgettable corporate perfume workshops in Singapore.

Perfect for Special Occasions and Corporate Events

Our workshops aren’t just for individuals.
✅ Corporate team building – Strengthen collaboration and creativity with a shared goal.
✅ Birthdays and anniversaries – Make memories while crafting unique gifts.
✅ Hen parties and bridal showers – Fun, classy, and meaningful.
✅ School trips and family outings – Educational and engaging for all ages.
We tailor our experiences to suit your group’s size and goals.

Bringing Singapore’s Fragrant Heritage to Life

Singapore’s biodiversity and culture offer rich inspiration for perfume makers. Our signature Orchid Perfume Workshop in Sentosa pays tribute to the nation’s iconic flower while offering a modern, interactive experience.

By blending traditional ingredients with innovative technology and local storytelling, we help you create a scent that’s truly Singaporean.

Book Your Perfume Workshop Today

Ready to turn your fragrance ideas into reality?
Scentopia-Singapore is waiting to welcome you at our scenic Sentosa location. Discover the joy of crafting your own scent, learn from passionate experts, and take home a bottle of memories.
✅ Book online in advance for guaranteed slots.
✅ Options available for solo visitors, couples, families, and corporate groups.
✅ Gift vouchers available for special surprises.
Visit Scentopia-Singapore – Where Your Story Becomes a Scent.

Conclusion

Creating your own fragrance is an art and a science. The art comes from selecting the right ingredients, and the science comes from understanding how to blend them. At Scentopia, we promote the art of perfume making while indulging in a self-gratifying experience, making it one of the best free things to do in Sentosa and an ideal field trip experience for preschoolers in Singapore.

Join Scentopia, Sentosa's latest tourist attraction wonderful orchid scent crafting, fragrance tour, bridal shower or corporate team building which includes perfume making onsite and offsite, beach activities and more. We also serve primary school learning journey, secondary students and pupil on industrial excursions. Know more about our orchids perfume bar or therapeutic orchid scents and other wellness aromas. Conatct Perfume workshop or book a scent crafting session here.