Living in NYC means being inundated with potential activities right and left. It can be hard to know which ones are actually worth it, which are tourist traps, & which are hidden gems. I was interested in Olfactory & creating my own perfume since they opened but was worried it was overhyped by tourists (let’s be real, everything is more fun and exciting when you’re traveling…) But, an opportunity to join @Kelsey Habla presented itself & I justified it through the facts that I never buy perfume and definitely need a custom scent for my 2026 wedding 😉 The process was straightforward but each decision felt so difficult! You start by choosing your “base” scent from the nine they have to offer. There was a great variety (but not enough female perfumers imo) and they had good descriptions and suggestions for each. You then head to the counter and share a bit about what you do and don’t like in your fragrances. The employee helping you then offers a bunch of potential combinations, sharing a bit about each, and you’re encouraged to narrow it down to your top 2-4. They then take those choices and put a bit on your skin for you to smell and decide which you like best, without knowing which is which 🙈 You then take some time to choose your favorite! It’s encouraged to head outside to decrease the distraction of all the other smells. Once you’ve made your choice they’ll tell you which one you chose and package it up nicely for you. The most stressful part? Choosing a name! Overall, the decision making and number and types of scents can be quite overwhelming. But there is no time limit on your appointment and I didn’t feel rushed at all! It’s not necessarily something I would do too frequently but it was a lot of fun once. 📍 NYC: West Village, Nolita, Williamsburg - book ahead or walk in 💰$85 pre tax & tip for custom 50mL (you can also get other products with your scent!) ALL LOCATIONS – Olfactory NYC