A workshop instructor
A day with a workshop instructor of a scent making workshop – Mr. Long, who has been working here for 2 years, is passionate about scent and loves working in a laboratory at The Scent Note.
Mr. Long Nguyen
Mr. Long Nguyen who is a workshop instructor at NOTE
Can you share about the process of preparing for a scent making workshop?
The workshop preparation process will include many steps: Mixing incense, preparing incense, setting up tools etc,.
Moreover, each step is carefully and thoughtfully prepared; the scents are mixed and the incense burner needs to be prepared some time in advance.
The perfume made at Note’s workshop is mixed to an EDP concentration equivalent to 20% of perfume essence and incubated for about 30 days. The incense will then be extracted into smaller bottles for guests to use in the workshops.
What challenges do you often encounter during the process of leading scent workshops?
The most difficult challenge during the workshop process is how to help attendees find their favorite scent. That requires the instructor not only to remember clearly the scents in the workshop but also to connect those scents with each person’s ideas about the perfume they want.
How does a workshop instructor maintain inspiration and energy in each workshop?
The best thing about making perfume is that when you change just one ratio of an ingredient, you can create a new scent. Furthermore, the ingredients will create countless flavour combinations that you cannot predict.
Consequently, each time instructing customers to make perfume is a new experience and generates a new scent, so there is never a dull moment.
What factors are most important for a scent workshop and a workshop instructor?
To be honest, the attendee’s smiles are the most important factor in determining the success of a workshop. As an instructor, helping people find their own signature scent is its own reward.
People come to the workshop with a desire to find their own unique scent; when they find themselves through that scent, it proves that the workshop has been very successful.
Can you tell us about any memorable or special workshops you have organized?
There is a special workshop I once instructed for a German participant who was both deaf and mute. Nevertheless, scent was the only common language between myself and her. I was happy to assist her in creating a scent that she could call her own. Also, there was a nice memory in another workshop when a participant suddenly cried when smelling a scent that reminded her of her mother. Those memories will always stay with me.
Do you have any tips to help participants experience the best scent?
Participants should prepare to participate in the workshop and follow the instructor’s instructions during the workshop.
Do you have any advice for people who are interested in becoming a scent workshop instructor like you?
To become a workshop instructor, you need to train your nose to recognise many scents. Besides this, you need to have a little humor, calmness and imagination to help attendees feel comfortable and visualize their scent.
Can you share a few of your favorite scents and why they are special to you?
Hmm… to me, I love scents that have a clean, cool, liberating effect such as Oakmoss, Ocean… some woody notes like Patchouli, Cedarwood.
Gallery: Mr. Long's workshop, 2024
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