A Unique and Memorable Gift Idea
Whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, a milestone birthday, Christmas, or any other occasion worth celebrating, finding a unique and thoughtful gift can be a challenge. If you’re searching for something personal, creative, and truly special, a perfume-making workshop at 4160 Tuesdays in London is a perfect choice. This experience allows you to create your own signature fragrance without the need to travel to the perfume capital of the world, Grasse—though that remains a dream for many perfume lovers!
Celebrating Love Through Fragrance
As my partner Rob and I neared our one-year anniversary, which falls close to Valentine’s Day, I wanted to plan a memorable date for us in London. We both share a deep appreciation for all things scented—whether it’s perfume, body washes, scented candles, or even the fragrance of laundry detergent (Rob is an expert when it comes to laundry!). For us, fragrance plays a huge role in everyday life and our relationship. So, a perfume-making workshop seemed like the perfect way to celebrate our milestone.
A Lifelong Love of Fragrance
I’ve always been fascinated by the art of fragrance. Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a keen interest in creating perfumes, though my first attempts—using rose petals from my grandparents’ garden—were less than successful. Over time, my passion for fragrance only grew, and I often daydreamed about making my own perfume. When I received an invitation from Sarah McCartney, the founder of 4160 Tuesdays, to attend one of her workshops, I was thrilled!
The Magic Behind 4160 Tuesdays
Sarah McCartney is a British perfumer with an artisan perfume studio in Hammersmith, London. At 4160 Tuesdays, Sarah and her team create small batches of handcrafted perfumes, ranging from 50 to 200 bottles per run. They also offer bespoke fragrances for clients with special occasions. These beautifully crafted scents are shipped all over the world, making Sarah’s creations a cherished global sensation.
When we arrived at 4160 Tuesdays, Sarah was busy working on one of her latest creations. She took the time to explain the fascinating process of blending synthetic and natural ingredients to achieve the desired scent. Contrary to popular belief, Sarah explained, natural ingredients aren’t always safer than synthetic ones. For example, fruits produce acidic compounds as a defense mechanism, which means their natural essences must be used in carefully regulated amounts to avoid irritation. This delicate balance between safety and scent is what makes perfume-making both an art and a science.
Behind the Scenes: A Look Into Sarah’s Journey
During our time at the workshop, I asked Sarah how she started her career in perfumery. Before founding 4160 Tuesdays, Sarah spent 14 years working for LUSH, where she was affectionately known as “Auntie Pamela” and contributed to writing for The LUSH Times. Her passion for fragrance led her to open her own perfumery, where she now crafts unique scents and hosts workshops for fellow fragrance enthusiasts.
Immersed in the World of Scents
Our perfume-making session began with Sarah introducing us to a wall of perfumes, featuring a vast array of scents she had collected over the years. She even showed us her prized possession: a 1947 bottle of the original Chanel No. 5! Sarah then provided us with sheets of paper to record the fragrances we liked, but we quickly got lost in the world of delightful smells and forgot to take notes.
The workshop wasn’t just about making perfume—it was about learning what makes our personal preferences tick. I discovered that I’m particularly drawn to woody and oriental scents, especially those featuring amber, oud, cedar, vetiver, musk, and sandalwood. Perhaps this connection to earthy fragrances has something to do with my being a Virgo and an autumn baby!
Rob, on the other hand, gravitates towards fragrances with tobacco, bergamot, and vetiver notes, much like those found in brands like Dunhill, Le Labo, and Tom Ford. Though, I must admit, I occasionally borrow some of his fragrances when he’s not looking!
Creating Memories Through Fragrance
Fragrances have a powerful way of evoking memories, and in our case, it was no different. When Rob and I first met, I was wearing Tom Ford’s Black Orchid, a scent that reminded him of an ex. Needless to say, I now wear that perfume on my own, but it reminded me of how intimately fragrances can connect to emotions and memories.
That’s why this perfume-making workshop was such a meaningful date experience. Not only did it allow Rob and me to create our own unique signature scents, but it also gave us the opportunity to forge new memories together. If you’re looking for an unforgettable and unique date idea in London, I can’t recommend the 4160 Tuesdays perfume workshop enough. It’s the perfect way to bond with a loved one while indulging in the captivating world of fragrance creation.
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