Help / FAQs

If you have a question, please consult our list of frequently asked questions before reaching out for assistance.


Contact us: You can call or text us at 646 609 1991 for support. By texting this number, you agree to receive SMS messages from Olfactory NYC related to your inquiry. Message frequency may vary. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for help.

About the Custom Scent Process

How do I create a custom fragrance?

When you visit our studio, you'll smell our selection of core fragrances and choose your favorites. Based on your preferences, our scentologists will guide you through the process of adding a variety of different fragrance accords to each core scent until you discover your perfect blend. As we freshly bottle your custom scent, you'll choose your fragrance's label color and whatever name you'd like stamped on the front!

Begin the at-home process here! 

Do I need an appointment to create a custom scent?

If you know when you'll be visiting, we highly recommend making an appointment. However, walk ins are always accepted.

How long does it take to create a custom scent?

For 1-2 people, the process usually takes about 30 minutes. Add 10 minutes for each additional guest.

How do I prepare for creating my custom scent?

We recommend coming into the studio with a clean slate - avoid wearing personal fragrance before your visit, especially on the arms and wrists.

Do I have to create a custom fragrance, or can I purchase your fragrances as-is?

Customization of our fragrances is not required - all of our core fragrances are fully finished blends, designed to be worn alone.
Here's where to find our core fragrances.

What other products do you offer?

In addition to fragrance, we offer body wash, body lotion, rinse-free hand wash, and soy-blend candles in many of the same scents as our core fragrances.
View our whole collection.

What are the prices and sizes of the fragrances you offer?
  • 50ml core fragrance: $55 (scent purchased as-is, without customization)
  • 50ml custom fragrance: $85
  • 15ml core travel spray: $25
  • 15ml custom travel spray (online only): $38
What is the cost of label customization?

Label customization is free and offered on the 50ml fragrances as well as on our candles.

Does it cost the same to create a custom scent at home vs. in store?

Yes! It costs $85 to create a custom scent both in our store and at home.
When creating at home, the process is split into three steps:

Step 1 - Explorer Box: $20, ships free, and includes an $20 credit toward step two.

Step 2 - Tinkerer Box: $5 (after applying your $20 credit), ships free, and includes a $25 credit toward step three.

Step 3 - Full Size Custom Scent: $60 (after applying your $25 credit).

Altogether, the 3 steps cost $85, which is also the cost of the in-store custom scent experience.

I care about what I put on my skin and how my product was produced. Are your fragrances safe, cruelty-free, or vegan?

Olfactory NYC is  cruelty-free. All of our products are vegan (except our candles, which are primarily soy but also contain beeswax), phthalate-free, and paraben-free. Our fragrance oils are sustainably sourced and contain ingredients certified safe by IFRA - learn more

Are any of your scents unisex?

Yes! All of our scents are unisex; we believe scent is not gendered and anyone should be able to enjoy whichever scents they like. Some scents do skew more traditionally male and female though, so if you have any questions we're happy to assist.

Do you offer samples of your fragrances?

We do however have sample boxes available for purchase of our core scents. This also happens to be the start of an online custom scent journey!

I want to gift a custom fragrance - what should I buy?

If the recipient is creating at home: gift the At-Home Custom Experience, which includes the Explorer Box to start off the custom scent process, plus an $85 gift card to cover the remainder of the process.

If the recipient is creating in our NYC Scent Studio: gift the Gift Bottle, which is a personalized empty bottle for the recipient to bring to our studio and fill up with their custom scent.

We also offer regular gift cards. See all of our gift card options.

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As we freshly bottle your custom scent, you'll choose your fragrance's label color and whatever name you'd like stamped on the front!\u003cbr\/\u003e\u003cbr\/\u003eBegin the at-home process \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/products\/start-here-explorer-box\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehere\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need an appointment to create a custom scent?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eIf you know when you'll be visiting, we highly recommend \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/pages\/reservations-2022\" title=\"making an appointment\"\u003emaking an appointment\u003c\/a\u003e. However, walk ins are always accepted.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does it take to create a custom scent?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eFor 1-2 people, the process usually takes about 30 minutes. Add 10 minutes for each additional guest.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I prepare for creating my custom scent?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eWe recommend coming into the studio with a clean slate - avoid wearing personal fragrance before your visit, especially on the arms and wrists.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I have to create a custom fragrance, or can I purchase your fragrances as-is?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eCustomization of our fragrances is not required - all of our core fragrances are fully finished blends, designed to be worn alone. \u003cbr\/\u003eHere's where to find \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/olfactorynyc.com\/collections\/fragrance\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eour core fragrances\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What other products do you offer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eIn addition to fragrance, we offer body wash, body lotion, rinse-free hand wash, and soy-blend candles in many of the same scents as our core fragrances.\u003cbr\/\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/olfactorynyc.com\/collections\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eView our whole collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the prices and sizes of the fragrances you offer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e50ml core fragrance: $55 (scent purchased as-is, without customization)\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e50ml custom fragrance: $85\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e15ml core travel spray: $25\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e15ml custom travel spray (online only): $38\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the cost of label customization?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eLabel customization is free and offered on the 50ml fragrances as well as on our candles.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Does it cost the same to create a custom scent at home vs. in store?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eYes! It costs $85 to create a custom scent both in our store and at home.\u003cbr\/\u003eWhen creating at home, the process is split into three steps:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 1 - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/products\/explorer-box\" title=\"Explorer Box\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplorer Box\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e $20, ships free, and includes an $20 credit toward step two.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 2 - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/collections\/sample-box\/products\/tinkerer-box-1\" title=\"Tinkerer Box\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTinkerer Box\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e: \u003c\/strong\u003e$5 (after applying your $20 credit), ships free, and includes a $25 credit toward step three.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep 3 - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/products\/test-custom-scent\" title=\"Full Size Custom Scent\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFull Size Custom Scent\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e $60 (after applying your $25 credit).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAltogether, the 3 steps cost $85, which is also the cost of the in-store custom scent experience.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "I care about what I put on my skin and how my product was produced. Are your fragrances safe, cruelty-free, or vegan?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eOlfactory NYC is  cruelty-free. All of our products are vegan (except our candles, which are primarily soy but also contain beeswax), phthalate-free, and paraben-free. Our fragrance oils are sustainably sourced and contain ingredients certified safe by IFRA - \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ifrafragrance.org\/self-regulation\/introduction#.WzEwiRJKiMI\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"learn more\"\u003elearn more\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Are any of your scents unisex?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eYes! All of our scents are unisex; we believe scent is not gendered and anyone should be able to enjoy whichever scents they like. Some scents do skew more traditionally male and female though, so if you have any questions we're happy to assist.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you offer samples of your fragrances?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eWe do however have \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/collections\/sample-box\"\u003esample boxes available for purchase\u003c\/a\u003e of our core scents. This also happens to be the start of an online custom scent journey!\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "I want to gift a custom fragrance - what should I buy?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eIf the recipient is creating at home: gift the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/products\/gift-an-online-custom-scent-experience\" title=\"At-Home Custom Experience\"\u003eAt-Home Custom Experience\u003c\/a\u003e, which includes the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/products\/explorer-box\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Explorer Box\"\u003eExplorer Box\u003c\/a\u003e to start off the custom scent process, plus an $85 gift card to cover the remainder of the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf the recipient is creating in our NYC Scent Studio: gift the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/products\/physical-custom-gift-card\" title=\"Gift Bottle\"\u003eGift Bottle\u003c\/a\u003e, which is a personalized empty bottle for the recipient to bring to our studio and fill up with their custom scent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe also offer regular gift cards. See all of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.olfactorynyc.com\/collections\/gifts\"\u003egift card options\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e" } },{ "@type": "Question", "name": "Topic heading", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "\u003cp\u003eDescriptive topic content body text\u003c\/p\u003e" } }

About Olfactory NYC

What is Olfactory NYC?

Olfactory NYC is a new concept in modern fine fragrance. We work with
the world's top perfumers to eliminate the guesswork behind personal
fragrance creation by allowing you - the one wearing the scent - to
decide how it should smell. Learn more about our philosophy.

Where are you located?

Our studios are located at :

281 Mott Street, New York, NY 10012 - Reserve here!

355 Bleecker Street, New York NY, 10014 - Reserve here! 

101 N 10th St, Brooklyn, New York, 11249 - Reserve here!

85G Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210 - Walk in only! 

Are you hiring?

If you're interested in joining the Olfactory team, feel free to send along your resume and a short note about yourself to hello@olfactorynyc.com. We'll reach out to you if you're the right fit for any roles we have open!
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Ordering and Shipping Details

What is your return policy?

See our return and exchange policy.

Is shipping free?

We offer free shipping over $100 and on our sample boxes. See more info about shipping

Can my shipment be delivered outside of the US?

We currently do not ship outside of the US, but we're working on it!

I'm loving my custom scent and am almost out! How can I reorder it?

To view your previous purchases and re-order, you must have an account created with us. Login to your account (or create your account here) with the same email you used at checkout.

If you're having difficulties finding your custom blend, don't worry! We keep all our formulas on file so you can find your previous custom blend.
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