OO LA LAB SHARES ITS GUIDE TO SUMMER SCENTING IN THE UAE

As summer temperatures rise across the UAE, award-winning fragrance design and sensory innovation studio Oo La Lab is spotlighting how heat and humidity can change the way scent develops and lasts on the skin, while sharing expert guidance around layering, fragrance selection and more intentional summer scent rituals.

Located in Dubai Design District, Oo La Lab was founded in 2017 with the aim of making perfumery more accessible, expressive and community-driven through immersive fragrance workshops and sensory experiences. Today, the studio invites guests to create custom scents inspired by their own personalities, emotions and memories, while exploring the connection between fragrance, creativity and self-expression.

According to Oo La Lab, warmer climates such as the UAE can significantly affect the way scent behaves, often causing certain notes to project more intensely or fade faster compared to cooler environments. As a result, the studio is encouraging consumers to take a more intentional approach to fragrance during the summer months, from lighter daytime layering to scents better suited to evenings, travel and warmer weather routines.

Dan Terry Jacobson, Founder of Oo La Lab said: “In warmer climates like the UAE, scent becomes far more reactive to both skin and environment. Heat, humidity and changing summer routines can completely alter how a fragrance develops and behaves throughout the day. During summer, fragrance should feel like part of the atmosphere around you, not something competing with the heat. We’re seeing more people become intentional about choosing scents that suit different moments, whether that’s daytime wear, travel, summer evenings or staycations, while also exploring fragrance as part of a wider wellbeing and self-expression ritual.”

Oo La Lab recommends taking a more adaptable approach to scent during summer, particularly in climates such as the UAE where fragrance can behave differently depending on heat, humidity and environment. The studio recommends:

Applying fragrance onto hydrated skin and allowing scent to dry naturally after application, as moisture levels and skin preparation can influence how scent settles throughout the day.

Exploring lighter and more transparent scents during daytime hours, such as fresher, cleaner profiles, for example, Citrus and Neroli, Mint blended with herbal aromatics, White Florals and transparent woods, or even Fig with salty marine notes.

Heat amplifies projection, so in warmer climates like Dubai, fragrance behaves very differently on the skin. Lighter layering and applying strategically to clothing, hair or cooler pulse points for longevity without overwhelming the senses.

There is also growing interest in fragrances that create a sense of emotional reset while travelling, scents that feel grounding, restorative or quietly energising rather than overly sweet or intense. Oo La Lab offers a workshop to create your own essential oil blend, which can be easily applied to pulse points, a format that may be well worth considering for the summer travel months.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that a stronger fragrance will automatically perform better in summer weather. In reality, heat magnifies scent dramatically, so heavy ouds, gourmand or overly sweet fragrances can quickly become overpowering. We recommend to pair back your scent choice to one that sits closer to the skin and evolves naturally through the day.

Alongside fragrance creation, Oo La Lab is also continuing to explore the growing connection between scent and wellbeing through experiences such as their new Fragrance, Frequency and Scent and Wellbeing workshops. Designed around mindfulness, emotion and sensory exploration, these sessions encourage guests to engage with fragrance more intentionally while exploring how scent can influence mood, routine and everyday rituals.

As residents increasingly look for more thoughtful indoor experiences, creative workshops and wellness-led activities during the summer months, Oo La Lab’s Dubai Design District studio offers a space to explore fragrance through creativity, personalisation and sensory connection, whether for date nights, solo experiences, gifting or something different to do this summer. Alongside fragrance mixology workshops, the studio also offers custom fragrance design services, gift vouchers and online options. Oo La Lab is currently offering 20% off selected signature workshop sessions and fragrance experiences for a limited time.