Dubai’s perfume culture is shaped by two worlds coming together. On one side, there is a long-standing heritage of oud, resins, spices, and Arabic fragrance traditions. On the other hand, a growing ecosystem of modern fragrance labs, international perfumery schools, and contemporary scent design studios. The result is a city where you can experiment with perfume making in a one-hour workshop or commit to a multi-level technical programme designed for aspiring professionals.
This guide explores the best perfume-making courses in Dubai, covering professional schools, immersive workshops, typical pricing, and how to choose the right option based on your goals and experience level.
- Top perfume-making courses and workshops in Dubai
- Other notable perfume experiences in Dubai
- Types of perfume courses available in Dubai
- How to choose the right perfume-making course
- Comparison of perfume-making courses in Dubai
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
Top perfume-making courses and workshops in Dubai
Dubai’s perfume courses generally fall into two categories. The first focuses on professional training, covering fragrance evaluation, raw materials, and formulation. The second centres on experiential workshops, where the goal is to create a personal scent in a guided, time-efficient session.
Grasse Institute of Perfumery (GIP) Dubai
The Grasse Institute of Perfumery Dubai is the most academically rigorous perfumery training option available in the city. Officially opened in mid-2024 as a branch of the historic French perfumery school, it offers structured programmes designed for those seeking a serious technical foundation in fragrance, rather than a casual or experience-led workshop.
Location
- Dubai (courses delivered in curated professional laboratory and training venues across the city).
- The final level of the Intensive Technical Training is completed in Grasse, France.
Contact
- WhatsApp: +33 (0)4 92 42 34 92
- Email: f.maillot@prodarom.fr
Upcoming course dates
Introduction to Fragrance Evaluation (2 days): January 30–31, 2026
Fees
- Introduction to Perfumery (2 days): €1,400
- Introduction to Fragrance Evaluation (2 days): €1,300
- Intensive Technical Training (Levels 1–3, held in Dubai): €2,800 per level
Focus
- Introduction to Perfumery covers around 30 raw materials, focusing on olfactory recognition, fragrance structure, and formulation fundamentals.
- Intensive Technical Training is structured across four five-day levels, with over 50 raw materials studied per level.
- Levels 1–3 are delivered in Dubai, while Level 4 takes place in Grasse, France, reinforcing the school’s French perfumery heritage.
- Small-group teaching prioritises laboratory practice, evaluation techniques, and mastery of raw materials.
- Clear progression pathways are built into the programme, particularly for students committing to the full four-level technical track.
- Enrolment and payments are handled directly through the Institute, maintaining alignment with GIP France’s academic standards.
Best for
Aspiring perfumers, fragrance professionals, and serious enthusiasts who want technical depth rather than a casual experience.
Oo La Lab
Oo La Lab takes an immersive, experience-led approach to perfume making, positioning itself as a creative studio rather than an academic training institution. Its workshops focus on guided blending and personal expression, offering an accessible entry point into fragrance creation in a relaxed studio environment
Location
Unit 204B, Building 4, Level 2, Dubai Design District (d3), Dubai, UAE
Contact information:
- Phone: +971 58 504 7186
- Email: info@oola-lab.com
Workshops and pricing (indicative)
Pricing varies primarily based on the volume of perfume created during the session.
- Introductory fragrance session (1 hour): from AED 320 for a 20ml bottle
- Standard fragrance session (1–1.5 hours): from AED 470 for a 50ml bottle
- The Chemistry of Oo workshop (1.5–2 hours): from AED 400+, bottle size varies (often 50ml)
- Themed or seasonal events (duration varies): pricing and bottle size vary
Focus
- Guided, hands-on fragrance creation with no prior experience required.
- Expert “Scent Designers” introduce fragrance families, note structures (top, middle, base), and blending techniques.
- Participants work from a curated library of ingredients before bottling a personalised Eau de Parfum.
- The d3 studio environment is designed to encourage creativity and social interaction
Best for
Beginners seeking a low-pressure introduction to perfume making, couples or groups looking for a shared creative experience, gift buyers seeking something distinctive, and casual fragrance enthusiasts who want a bespoke souvenir without committing to an academic or technical course.
Melanie Jane – Bespoke & Signature Perfume Experiences
Melanie Jane offers an exclusive, high-end approach to perfume creation that sits closer to private perfumery training and luxury experiences than to standard workshops. Her work is best known for rare, invitation-led events and bespoke sessions, with a strong emphasis on depth, storytelling, and premium raw materials.
Location
- Dubai (live events hosted at curated luxury venues rather than a fixed studio).
- Signature sessions are held at locations such as the Burj Al Arab (27th floor) and The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai.
- Private and corporate sessions can also be arranged at residences or offices.
Contact information
- Phone / WhatsApp: +971 (0)50 336 7073
- Email: mjn@bymelaniejane.com
Focus
- In-depth exploration of perfume structure, moving beyond basic note pyramids to cover the perfume triangle and classic fragrance families such as Chypre and Fougere.
- Access to an extensive palette of rare and exotic oils, typically ranging from 80 to more than 100 materials.
- Strong emphasis on sensory training, storytelling, and olfactory refinement, prioritising depth and quality over speed or retail-style output.
- All sessions are led directly by Melanie Jane, ensuring a highly personal, mentor-driven learning experience.
Experience format
Public masterclasses are deliberately infrequent and carefully curated, while private and corporate sessions form the core of the offering. Alongside live events, Melanie Jane has expanded into mentoring and authorship with The Perfumery Playbook, an interactive guide that complements and extends her in-person training.
Best for
Luxury clients, collectors, serious fragrance enthusiasts, corporate groups, and aspiring perfumers seeking rare, premium experiences led by an expert, rather than standard workshops or academic-style courses.
Other notable perfume experiences in Dubai
Skilldeer operates as a booking platform rather than a perfume school, listing multiple perfume-making workshops delivered by different instructors across Dubai.
Common perfume workshops listed include:
• Perfume making workshops (beginner level)
• Private perfume-making workshops
• Art of Perfumery workshops
• Two-day perfume-making masterclasses
Indicative price range
- Short workshops: from around AED 300
- Advanced, private, or multi-day formats: can exceed AED 1,000, depending on provider and scope
Locations
Listings vary by workshop and include venues such as DIFC, Dubai World Trade Center, Al Jaffiliya, Al Warqa, and Mirdif
Types of perfume courses available in Dubai
- Short workshops (1–2 hours)
Designed for beginners and gifting. These focus on guided blending and result in one personalised fragrance created during the session.
- Mid-length vocational programmes
Often delivered over multiple sessions or full days. These include fragrance history, raw materials, and basic formulation, alongside hands-on practice.
- Professional perfumery training
Structured programmes that cover fragrance evaluation, accords, raw materials, and lab work, usually with certificates and clear progression pathways.
How to choose the right perfume-making course
- Start by defining your goal. Are you looking for a creative experience or technical training?
- Consider your time commitment, from one hour to several weeks.
- Check what you take home, including bottle size and number of fragrances created.
- Assess the teaching style, whether experiential or curriculum-driven.
- Align your choice with your budget, as prices in Dubai range from a few hundred dirhams to professional-level fees.
Comparison of perfume-making courses in Dubai
| Provider | Course type | Duration | Price range | Best for |
| Grasse Institute of Perfumery (GIP) Dubai | Professional perfumery training | 2 days to multi-level | €1,300–€2,800 per level | Aspiring perfumers and serious professionals |
| Oo La Lab | Experiential fragrance workshops | 1–2 hours | AED 320–470+ | Beginners, gifting, social experiences |
| Melanie Jane | Luxury bespoke perfumery experiences | Varies | From ~AED 445 to 1,000+ | Luxury clients, collectors, corporate groups |
| Skilldeer (marketplace) | Aggregated perfume workshops | 1 hour to multi-day | AED 300 to 1,000+ | Flexible, entry-level learning |
Key takeaways
Dubai offers a wide spectrum of perfume-making experiences, ranging from short, creative workshops to academically structured professional training. The Grasse Institute of Perfumery Dubai stands out for those seeking technical depth and a clear pathway into professional perfumery, while studios like Oo La Lab focus on accessible, experience-led scent creation suitable for beginners and gifting.
For luxury, bespoke experiences, Melanie Jane occupies a distinct niche with expert-led, premium sessions hosted at high-end venues. Platforms such as Skilldeer provide additional flexibility by aggregating workshops across multiple formats and price points, though depth and outcomes vary by provider. Choosing the right course ultimately depends on whether your goal is creative exploration, vocational learning, or professional-level training.
FAQs
The Grasse Institute of Perfumery (GIP) Dubai offers the most academically rigorous training, with structured programmes focused on fragrance evaluation, raw materials, and formulation.
Yes. Studios such as Oo La Lab and workshops listed on Skilldeer offer beginner-friendly sessions that require no prior experience and focus on guided scent creation.
Prices vary widely. Short workshops typically start from around AED 300, while luxury or private experiences can exceed AED 1,000. Professional training programmes are priced in euros and are significantly higher due to their technical depth.
Most experiential workshops include a personalised perfume to take home, with bottle size depending on the session.
Yes, but only certain programmes are designed for that purpose. Professional tracks like those offered by GIP Dubai are better suited to career-focused learners, while workshops are primarily experiential.
Yes. Bespoke and corporate formats are available, particularly through luxury providers such as Melanie Jane, as well as selected private workshops listed on booking platforms.
