The Science of Scent at SunnieFest: Inspiring Girls to See Themselves in STEM Through Fragrance

Science doesn't always announce itself with beakers and lab coats. Sometimes it arrives as a 10ml bottle of custom fragrance called Sunnie—citrus-bright at first spray, blooming into soft rose and frangipani at the heart, and settling into warm vanilla and amber on the skin. And sometimes, that small glass vial becomes the gateway to helping a room full of girls realize they've been doing chemistry all along!

At this year's SunnieFest STEM celebration, Malibu Apothecary had the honor of leading an immersive workshop designed to reframe what science looks like—and who it's for. Instead of textbooks and formulas, we used luxury candles, custom fragrance, and cosmetic chemistry to show that STEM isn't distant or intimidating. It's woven into the things girls already love: perfume, skincare, makeup, and memory.

The goal wasn't just to teach fragrance facts. It was to help young women see themselves as scientists, creators, and innovators—simply by being curious.

A Storyteller Who Found Science Through Scent

The session began with founder Claire sharing her own story—one that resonated immediately.

"I was not a science kid," she told the room. "I wanted to be a travel journalist. I loved storytelling, writing, and exploring the world. Science felt like something I'd never use."

But then came the twist: "The funny thing is—I actually get to travel every day now… through science."

Before launching Malibu Apothecary, Claire worked in film at NBCUniversal and Sony, crafting creative content that transported audiences into new worlds. Now, she does the same thing—but through fragrance. Perfume is storytelling through molecules, she explained, and the science behind why scent makes us feel something is what allows her to create that sense of escapism.

Suddenly, science didn't feel cold or clinical. It felt creative. Emotional. Personal.

What Happens When You Smell Something: Chemistry Meets Emotion

The workshop dove into the biology of scent—but not in a textbook way. Claire painted a vivid picture:

"When you smell something, you're activating one of the fastest and most emotional systems in the human brain."

Here's what happens:

• Tiny scent molecules float into your nose and bind to receptors in your olfactory epithelium.
• Those signals shoot to the olfactory bulb, then travel directly into the limbic system—the part of the brain that controls emotion, memory, instinct, and stress.
• Scent bypasses logic. It goes straight to feeling.

This is why one fragrance can instantly transport you back to your grandmother's kitchen, a summer vacation, or a moment you thought you'd forgotten. That reaction? It's neuroscience and chemistry happening in real time.

For the girls in the room, this was the first "aha" moment. The nontoxic fragrances and sustainable candles they'd seen at home weren't just pretty objects—they were portals into biology, sensory science, and emotional intelligence.

How Perfume Is Built: Fragrance as a Three-Act Film

Perfume is structured like a pyramid — three layers that unfold over time through top, heart, and base notes. 

Top Notes = The Opening Scene

Bright, energetic, attention-grabbing. Citrus, fruits, herbs. These are the molecules that evaporate first because they're small and light. Just like the first minutes of a film, they set the tone quickly.

Heart Notes = The Storyline

This is where emotion lives. Florals, spices, soft woods—these are your plot, your character development, the depth of the narrative. Jasmine, rose, lavender. The heart unfolds slowly and carries the fragrance's identity.

Base Notes = The Ending That Stays With You

Warm, heavy molecules like vanilla, amber, sandalwood, and musk. They appear last but linger the longest. This is the feeling you walk out of the theater with—the final message that stays on your skin for hours.

"Just like a great film," Claire explained, "a great fragrance unfolds over time, scene by scene, molecule by molecule."

This framework helped students understand that creating bespoke candles or custom fragrance isn't random—it's structured, intentional, and deeply creative. Just like coding a program or designing a building, perfumery requires logic, experimentation, and problem-solving.

The Interactive Demo: Smelling Science in Real Time

Then came the hands-on moment everyone had been waiting for.

Each student received a 10ml bottle of Sunnie, a custom scent created exclusively for SunnieFest. Claire walked them through the experience:

"First whiff—that's your opening scene."
Bright mandarin, earthy bergamot, zesty ginger. The top notes were immediate, energetic, unmistakable.

"After 10 to 15 seconds—the storyline reveals itself."
Soft Moroccan rose and creamy tropical frangipani bloomed on the skin, creating a more emotional, layered experience.

"After a few minutes—the ending appears."
Sweet vanilla, clean airy musk, warm resinous amberwood. The base notes grounded the fragrance, creating a sense of comfort and warmth that would last for hours.

But here's where the real science lesson landed:

"Every single one of you will smell this differently."

One girl noticed the rose louder than the citrus. Another found the vanilla overpowering. A third said the ginger lingered longest on her skin.

Why? Because fragrance interacts with body chemistry - pH levels, skin hydration, hormones, diet, temperature, even the lotion used that morning. What they were witnessing wasn't just a pretty perfume moment. It was chemistry in action, personalized by their own biology.

This wasn't abstract science anymore. It was science happening on their skin.

Cosmetic Chemistry Demo: Why Oil and Water Don't Mix (Until You Make Them)

Next, Claire demonstrated real-world cosmetic formulation using simple ingredients:

• Fragrance oil
• Water
• An emulsifier

"Oil and water don't naturally mix," she explained, pouring fragrance oil into water. The two liquids separated immediately, the oil floating on top.

"This is where science comes in."

She added an emulsifier—a compound that binds water and oil together—and mixed. The solution turned cloudy, then uniform. The separation disappeared.

"That's chemistry in action. This is the same science behind lipstick, foundation, lotion, body spray, shampoo—it's everywhere."

Suddenly, their bathroom cabinets became laboratories. Every product they used daily—skincare, makeup, haircare—was built on cosmetic chemistry. And chemistry, they realized, wasn't something distant or intimidating. It was accessible, creative, and already part of their lives.

STEM Is Everywhere: Cooking, Makeup, Skincare, and Scent

Claire then reframed the everyday:

"You interact with science constantly."

• Cooking? The Maillard reaction—heat rearranging molecules to create flavor and color.
• Makeup? Pigment dispersion and emulsion chemistry.
• Skincare? pH balance, molecular delivery, active ingredient stability.
• Perfume? Volatility curves and molecular weight.

"If you've ever mixed your mom's lotions or perfumes—I definitely did—you were doing chemistry."

The message was clear: STEM shows up in the things you already love. It's not separate. It's foundational.

Sustainability Through Science: The Future of Fragrance

The workshop also explored how science is making fragrance more sustainable.

"It takes 226,800 jasmine petals to create just one pound of jasmine essential oil," Claire shared. "That's not sustainable."

But today, thanks to biotechnology and green chemistry:

• Lab-grown sandalwood replicates the scent without harvesting endangered trees.
• Fermentation-based vanilla creates identical molecules using biotech processes.
• Oceanic notes from algae research capture the smell of the sea without impacting marine ecosystems.

"Science and sustainability go hand in hand," Claire said. "And we need more women in STEM to push it forward."

This wasn't just about perfume. It was about innovation, ethics, and the planet. It was about showing students that science can solve real-world problems - and that they could be part of that solution.

The Closing Challenge: Imagine Your Own Fragrance

To end the session, Claire invited each student to close her eyes and imagine:

"If you could create a fragrance that captured you—your culture, your mood, your happiest memory—what would it smell like?"

Some envisioned tropical florals inspired by family heritage. Others imagined warm vanillas tied to baking with loved ones. One student wanted to bottle the smell of her school library—a mix of paper, wood, and quiet concentration.

"Congratulations," Claire said. "You just used the scientific method."

Imagine. Experiment. Adjust. Observe. Refine.

"Science isn't about textbooks. It's about curiosity."

Why This Workshop Matters: Redefining Who Belongs in STEM

The purpose of this SunnieFest workshop wasn't just to teach fragrance science. It was to redefine what a "science person" looks like—and to help girls see themselves in that identity.

Too often, STEM fields feel exclusive, clinical, or intimidating. But when science is taught through beauty, creativity, sensory experience, and storytelling, it becomes something girls can claim as their own.

Perfumery is chemistry.
Candle-making is physics.
Scent is neuroscience.

And all of it is powered by the same curiosity that drives innovation in every field.

By using luxury candles, coconut and soy wax candles, bespoke candles, perfumery classes, and custom private label fragrance products as the entry point, Malibu Apothecary is helping young women realize that STEM isn't separate from the things they love - it's the foundation of them.

The Future of Science Needs Their Voice

Malibu Apothecary was honored to be part of SunnieFest, and we remain committed to work that empowers the next generation of scientists, creators, and problem-solvers.

Whether it's through candle-making classes in Dallas, perfumery classes in Dallas, commercial scenting, or custom fragrance for hotels and brands, we believe in making science accessible, beautiful, and deeply personal.

The girls who walked through our workshop left with more than a bottle of Sunnie—they left with the knowledge that they already belong in the world of STEM.

And that's the most powerful transformation of all.

 

Ready to explore the science of scent yourself? Discover our luxury candles, book a perfumery class, or create your own custom fragrance at Malibu Apothecary. Explore our signature scents and immersive workshops today.