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    Olfactory NYC

    4.5 (64 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    Alexis S.

    Had a fantastic visit to olfactory. I love perfume and really enjoyed the process of selecting a base and going through the notes based on different ingredients/materials. The perfumist was very knowledgeable and I ended up with an absolutely delectable perfume. It's $80 for the perfume making class and it comes with a 50ml bottle of perfume that you can re-order when it runs out.

    Custom Perfume, Oil, and body lotion
    Ziera H.

    Our host Landon (I pray I spelled his name right) was phenomenal! He listened to our wants and don't wants, had us laughing, took pictures/videos, and was overall a great host!

    Leslie S.

    Another enjoyable experience. This is my second visit to Olfactory but a first to this location. We didn't have a reservation but walked in and our party of 3 were assisted quickly. We were all happy about our custom perfumes!!!

    Victoria W.

    I had the pleasure of visiting Olfactory in the west village with my boyfriend this past week and had a blast! As someone prioritizing non-toxic living, I was appreciative of the clean scents and fun personalized experience. First, you pick your "base" fragrance from 9 curated scent blends (I picked Rae, my boyfriend picked Ross) and then you get asked questions about your favorite scents. You're then handed 7 different test strips/paper with your base fragrance + one added top note blend per test strip. You narrow that down to 4 favorites, then test those on your skin, and then bam! Personal fragrance! I did think it was going to be more customized than base + one drop of something else, but that drop held custom blends of ambrette, vanilla, fruit, citrus, lemon, tea, mate, etc. I'd say the lasting power is good for a few hours, but dissipates. They said they "last all day" which I don't think to be the case, but hey, they're non-toxic and do last a solid few hours. I did wish maybe it was a taaaad more custom in like crafting your perfect scent meticulously, but it's a bit more like replicable in that it's more like base + top. Olivia was very kind and knowledgeable when crafting the blends. The final product is about $100/bottle. Be prepared for: * strong smells when you first walk in (pleasant ones but a tad overwhelming at first) * Being able to pick a name for your fragrance!! 9 characters max per word. I think that was so cute. I named mine CINNY RAE after my bunny Cinnamon Raisin and the base note "Rae" haha :). * Good music and good vibes overall * Lots of smelling and smelling and more smelling * No bathrooms in the facility, nearest one is 787 coffee!

    Yvonne D.

    Took my boyfriend to Olfactory for his birthday and we had a fantastic time! The personalized experience and attention to detail made it really special. Cali/ Kali (sorry I forgot how it's spelled) was so helpful and knowledgeable! We had a reservation but missed it (thanks mta) and were still able to walk in on a Friday night! However, the space could use better ventilation--stepping outside (in the cold) was necessary to get a true sense of our scents. Despite that, it was a great experience and we both really enjoyed it!

    One of the core scents to start with.
    Samantha B.

    Went with a group to celebrate a birthday on Monday and we all had such a fun time. Super cool to customize your own fragrance, even get to name it and choose a bottle color! there was a moment when I felt a little overwhelmed and lost on my scent journey, but alas! Our Scentologist, Fiona, reeled me back in and saved the day. She was super helpful and an absolute gem! Highly recommend, and will def return. Heads up- no bathroom.

    Charlene E.

    Came here with my sister because as a fragrance girly who makes candles, room sprays, and collects perfumes as a hobby, it was only right! We visited in the evening and the store is so bright and colorful. Upon entry, the mixture of fragrances hit you in the face, as expected. They have a perfume wall full of base fragrances created by some notable perfumers who have worked on known brands. We chose our base fragrances then were seated and got to work adding in other layers at the counter. The experience was fun and interactive. I thought the packaging was cute but I do wish there were different font/labeling options to make the perfume bottles a bit more elevated. Don't get me wrong, I have no issues with the cute bottles, but the labels just could've been better. Additionally, the time spent there was a bit shorter than anticipated (35 mins at most). I almost felt like the experience was rushed. I am happy with my fragrance, although it doesn't last long on the skin (I typically mix with other fragrances) but I will definitely be reordering my custom fragrance whenever I run out. Definitely check olfactory out if you're a fragrance lover, it's such a cute, fun activity!

    Bags upon purchase with individual colored bags
    Jazmine H.

    I had a reservation (which I definitely recommend doing) for a party of three with my mom and sister. I noticed they also host private events in the back, which I'd love to book in the future with friends. From the moment we walked in, the staff was so welcoming. One team member explained the scent wall and stayed nearby in case we had any questions. There was a short wait--about 10 minutes--but it went by quickly. Our scent specialist was Landon, and he was amazing! He was tall, wearing heart-shaped glasses, and had the best energy. Before we even sat down, another guest came over to tell us how incredible he was, and they weren't wrong. Landon was funny, genuine, and made the whole experience feel personal. He created scents that matched each of our personalities perfectly, and we even left with compact purse-sized scents. On top of that, he gave us great recommendations for nearby eateries, which we tried and loved. Thank you, Landon, for making our experience unforgettable. Overall, I'm so happy with my visit and can't wait to come back!

    Perfume
    Keemy U.

    It's a great concept. My perfume turned out ok; it's not as fruity as I'd like and it doesn't stay on long. I feel like my host didn't want to be there and was rushing the process. Besides that I'd go back.

    Monique M.

    In a nutshell, Olfactory is a unique and fun experience, but the process could use some work. Firstly, I visited this location as part of a birthday celebration for a close friend. I booked a reservation for a 2pm Saturday experience for 3 ladies. Booking was very easy and we received a reminder a few days prior, which was helpful. Perhaps it was crazy of me to assume, but we thought it would be a bit more of an intimate experience given the need to make a reservation. Upon arriving however, it felt a bit chaotic. The space isn't huge but it's enough for people to walk through and around with ease. There is a front bar-like area and we saw some of the scentologist attending to groups. We stood at the entrance waiting for someone to greet us for about 2-5 minutes. Another group walked in after us and asked if we were waiting, that's when we decided to find a staff member and inquire what we were supposed to do. The staff member came over and asked how many people were with us and briefly told us what the process would be. I could barely hear her because it was so much going on in the background. Essentially, we were directed to find our base scent from an array of premade scents on a colorful wall. There were about 11 or 12 scents, all ranging from soft, subtle, floral, and then strong. We sampled each one and chose at least one for a potential base. We were then lost as to who would help us next or what happens next, so we found a staff member to help. We were directed to a counter with a delightful scentologist by the name of Olivia. She really turned the experience around for us as she gave a rundown of what to expect. We revealed our favorite base scents and she curated several samples of new scents based on our scent profiles. She did a great job creating and explaining each one. Eventually we narrowed it down to just 3 and sampled them on our skin. Once we figured out THE one, we chose a bottle and then named our masterpiece. My scent is a floral one with peach undertones. It's perfect for everyday wear and I named it "Bad Gal" lol. All in all, the process was about an hour, including the wait time for our finished product. In addition, the perfume is $85 plus tax. They offer other products like body washes which you can order at the same time, as well. The actual process of creating the perfume was a lot of fun and I enjoyed our scentologist, Olivia. She was fun, personable, and knowledgeable. Moreover, she took the time to get to know us and really interact, which I appreciated. I like my finished product and will be using it as a daily scent when I go to work. Furthermore, I enjoyed seeing the staff create some of the perfumes. There is a scentologist titrating the perfumes and another labeling the bottle, which was very cool. On the flip side however, I think they need to work on the initial welcome process. For what they are offering to be such a personalized experience, they should have someone at the door waiting to welcome guests and show them what the process is. Notably, as we sat down to start curating our scents, there was a group sitting down waiting on the couches. The room was getting a bit crowded. A staff member asked them if they were waiting for their perfume to be finished and they said no, they had actually been waiting all that time to start the experience. How does an entire group walk into your establishment and no one notices or assists them? Now that's just my assumption, but it is concerning. Another honorable mention, we did not get asked about our reservation until it was time to pay. This makes me wonder if reservations are actually necessary. To step it up a notch, it would be great to pair guests with a scentologist at the very beginning. That way they could orient the guests and follow them thru the whole process. In the end, it's a unique and memorable experience. Overall, my friends and I enjoyed it. I personally would not return as I think it's one of those experiences' that you can say "I did it and I'm good, no need for more". I would recommend to others but be mindful of orientation process. Might even be worth it to try a different location.

    First time in New York, so I thought to come here to do something fun. The overall process took around 30 minutes with little to no wait since I visited on a Monday afternoon (with no reservation). Jake helped me throughout the whole process, providing me a variety of options to choose from before I narrowed them down to four scents. Then, he dropped each scent on my arms and wrists to perform a scent test so that I can be sure of the scent I want. Overall, the process was fun and I would definitely come back in the future. Jake informed me that my customized scent is saved on my profile so that I can easily refill it once I finish my current bottle. I would recommend this experience to anyone interested.

    Alexis B.

    I visited Olfactory to make a custom perfume a week or so ago when I was in NYC for a solo Labor Day weekend. I had been wanting to go to their new location in Georgetown but I can never get a reservation on the weekends I'm in DC! It's a fun concept: choose a base scent and then customize it with another scent to make a custom perfume. I probably spent an hour there making my perfume. It was a really fun process, and the staff member who helped me was really helpful and sweet and fun. My only complaint is that the process when you walk in is pretty confusing. I didn't know if I should check in somewhere (I had a reserved time slot), who to talk to, where to start. I ended up just walking up to a staff member and asking for some guidance, but it was a little bit awkward and confusing. But a fun experience overall and I'm enjoying the perfume I made.

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    20 days ago

    Landon was so great , had a good time and he got my scent down packed ! I will be going back and asking for him for my next scent !

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    1 year ago

    Came here yesterday to celebrate my bday. Me and my friends had a great time! The perfumes were amazing and the staff was excellent.

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    9 months ago

    Lauren was so wonderful and helpful in creating our fragrances! Highly recommend her.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Olfactory NYC

    What is the cost to create your personal scent?

    $85.00

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Olfactory NYC

    Then, he dropped each scent on my arms and wrists to perform a scent test so that I can be sure of the scent I want.

    Mentioned in 20 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Fragrance Shop New York  - Creating their signature scent !

    Fragrance Shop New York

    4.7(153 reviews)
    0.9 miEast Village
    $$

    10/10 WILL BE COMING BACK! I called early for two perfumes- One for myself and one as a surprise…read moregift for Mother's Day. I had two people help me. Let me just say first and foremost, they absolutely brought in the energy, and not only that but everybody who came into the store was carefully attended to as well. I had SUCHH a great time, I felt like I was creating something with my friends. Otso and a girl who I am SO SAD I don't remember her name! (I hope the shop owner can please credit her in a reply!) I do in fact remember she is from Texas, and she was an absolute ANGEL! Specifically, she helped me with my Mothers perfume and being that we have opposing tastes, she was absolutely on par with helping me choose the correct layering fragrance oil. Extraordinarily knowledgeable, able to curate something that I truly would've never thought of myself. Thank you for the conversation, patience, suggestions, and just being a true human soul. I hope she gets to see this, let me tell you, it was a complete success and she LOVES IT! (We named the fragrance Embalming Fluid!) Otso, you are so kind and funny! If I remember correctly, you've been there for a while but you clearly train second to none! Thank you so much and I will be back!

    Mia was really awesome and helpful with coming up with our own perfume. I didn't think I would walk…read moreout of here with my own unique scent , but I decided to get my own smell and it was such a fun process to make the perfume. Lots of scents to choose from which can be a bit overwhelming especially for those who have a sensitive nose but it was a great experience and the process was super easy and fun!

    Photos
    Fragrance Shop New York
    Fragrance Shop New York  - Making their custom perfume

    Making their custom perfume

    Fragrance Shop New York  - Welcome to Fragrance Shop New York create your signature scent!!

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    Welcome to Fragrance Shop New York create your signature scent!!

    Olfactory NYC - Date with my girls!

    Olfactory NYC

    4.7(237 reviews)
    0.9 miNolita
    $$

    Fortunately, my friend reserved a time for us! There were so many walk ins (overheard it was ~20min…read morewait time for walk ins) early in the morning, around 11:30AM on a weekend. The entire experience was really fun and informative. Big shout out to Joanna who was super friendly and helpful! Very knowledgeable and I could tell she genuinely loves what she does and was eager to help us. She helped us every step of the way, from picking a base scent to giving us many options to explore with the base scent. It was definitely a treat for myself. It was ~$80 per person, $20 more for intensifying the perfume smell, and $45 for the solid palette (the base + 2 scents). It was an absolute steal with their promotion today! They had other promo items such as body wash, shampoo, diffusers, etc that were on sale today. I'm very happy with the options and loved the outcome of my special perfume! Crossed this off my bucket list!

    Torn between a three or four star rating for my experience. This is more of a 3.5 star review…read more It was one of my best friend's first time in NYC and I thought how fun will it be to create our own fragrances? It's not like we have this in our hometown. Making a reservation is available but I figured we'd be okay as walk-ins especially on a weekday. Upon walking in, we were greeted and felt welcome. Our 'scent specialist' led us to the wall where there's about 11 base scents to smell and pick one that suits our liking. My friend EASILY was able to choose quite a few that she loved. I, however, struggled. Nothing stood out to me. It was either way too light where I can't smell it or way too strong and masculine. I love light florals, beachy, clean/fresh and none of the base scents were any of that. In the end, I settled for "Rae" (smells mainly citrus?) as my base while my friend choose "Reed." After choosing our base, our scent specialist started adding different drops of other scents they believe you'll like on top of your base scent. They combined plenty of different options (like over five different combos). I ended up choosing a mix of hydrangea, geranium and lilac. Sounds good to me...hey, remember I like fresh, light florals. Sadly, even with all the scents of florals mixed in my finished bottle, I ended up only mainly smelling the citrus from my base scent. This was a cool experience but left disappointed. You're essentially mixing pre-designed perfumes/scents together to make "your" blend, you're not creating a perfume totally from scratch. I've read some reviews about weak staying power. I also have a friend who made her own bottle before and also said the same thing. However, I can smell my freakin "Rae" headache inducing scent HOURSSSS later. Go figure, right? The total was about $93 and that's tax included for a 1.7 fl oz. bottle.

    Photos
    Olfactory NYC - Mixing and bottling

    Mixing and bottling

    Olfactory NYC
    Olfactory NYC - Custom perfume!

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    Custom perfume!

    Olfactory NYC - perfume - Updated May 2026

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