Profiles in American Perfumery: Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co + Moon Lotus Giveaway

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co.

 Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co.

 Profile: Growing up in the late 80’s and early 90’s in Ocala, Florida as an only child raised by great-grandparents, creative self-entertainment in my childhood was mandatory. Without much money nor a large home, I’d often spend my days outside discovering the natural world and novel ways to interact with it. My great-grandmother loved landscaping and gardening, but she was also a talented artist. While her eyes were still good, she often spent her afternoons painting serene landscapes and nature pieces, some of which still adorn the walls of my house today. I admired her ability to have multiple passions and outlets for her creative energies. Always a STEM student at heart, I remember stealing some of her flowers and sticking them in a mason jar with some rubbing alcohol and thinking I was making the world’s finest perfume in my own backyard.

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co parents

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co with his dad and mom

Given the large age gap in our household, I was often left to my own devices and needed to find ways to entertain myself. I helped my great-grandmother in the garden and developed an early appreciation for scent and aesthetics. I taught myself computers and began developing early versions of websites and rudimentary graphic design – I still maintain MS Paint is the best computer program ever created. I inherited her eye for art and used to draw and sketch quite frequently. I took up music when I was in middle school and followed in the footsteps of my uncle who is lifelong professional drummer. If there was a way to express yourself creatively – I was all for giving it a try.

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co with his great-grandmother

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co ‘s Great-Grandmother

My great-grandfather passed away from cancer when I was a sophomore in high school, leaving me to run the household. Realizing I had to grow up fast, I looked for ways to set myself up for success. On a whim, I took the ASVAB one day in high school and scored well. Recruiters came calling. The Navy approached me about a new program that allowed someone to go to college before they were shipped off, and seeing a viable path forward I gave it a shot despite never initially thinking military life would be for me. Initially I wanted to be an English major because I loved literature and had a soft spot for the classics, but the Navy mandated a technical field. A physics major seemed a great choice – you get to learn the “why” of the world, but you weren’t an engineer, so the details of the “how” were someone else’s problem. I attended the University of Florida from 2001 to 2005 during the glory days of Gator football and played guitar in a rock band on the weekends.

Band in College during early 2000s

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co Had a Band In College

I went on to serve ten years total of active duty as a Naval Nuclear Engineering Officer. In my heart I always knew I wanted a family – especially since I grew up in such a unique way, largely by myself – and military life isn’t well suited for one, so I got out before I crossed the “point-of-no-return” 10 year halfway mark to a military retirement.

  Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co was a lt. in the navy

 Lt. Southard on the deck of the USS GEORGE H W BUSH (CVN-77)

I ended up taking a hybrid engineering management and sales role with an industrial products company and got to work on some of the most unique applications in the world, from NASA rockets to power plants, and from oil refineries to chemical companies, including fragrance raw material manufacturing firms. I moved back to Florida at the beginning of COVID with my two kids and my wife at the time. Perfumery started as a divorce hobby. After my divorce I decided my style needed an upgrade. New clothes – new look – new me. I noticed my fragrance collection still housed the 2000’s classics – A&F Fierce, Hugo Man, CK One, etc. There had to be better scents by now. A quick trip to Macy’s and I was in love. Smelling Sauvage (stop laughing) for the first time blew me away. My collection quickly grew from there – designer to niche and beyond.

Will, Stacy, Keegan, Lilia, and Micah

Will with his family Stacy, Keegan, Lilia, and Micah

I needed a hobby to do after my kids went to bed that wasn’t TV or video games and could be done from home since my kids were little. Throughout life I had already explored most creative things you can think of – written and played music, painted, woodworking, landscaping, computer building – so I looked at my fragrance collection and wondered if I could finally make good on my stolen-roses-and-rubbing-alcohol dream as a child. We had to find out.

Beginner Perfume Organ

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance first perfume organ

I started with some beginner equipment, a few materials, YouTube, and a dream. The first attempts were awful, but over time and with practice, concepts started to come together. Pairing a structured engineering approach with an inquisitive, creative and open mind, I started studying successful fragrances and GCMS reports looking for patterns and synergies. At what levels are my materials commonly used by professionals? What sorts of materials are often paired together? Perfumery is equal parts art and science, but also a ton of patience and trial and error. I had one singular goal: to make a fragrance that housed all my favorite notes in one place. Three years and hundreds of batches later, I finally arrived at my first finished fragrance, Red Rum, showcasing dark cherry, plum, tobacco, immortelle, vanilla, spiced rum, and rich woods.

Third Eye Fragrance Co

Third Eye Fragrance Co Brand logo

The greatest part of this entire journey was the unexpected community and friendships along the way, and the same ones that now form the cornerstone of Third Eye Fragrance Co. It was the encouragement of the community and new friends in fragrance groups to give me confidence that I could launch a brand with my creations and be successful. It was the mentoring of perfumer and industry friends such as the incredible Darren Alan, Jana Menard of Fragrance Vault, Michael Salazar, Hez Binkowicz, Niles Ramadhin, Dustin Lujan, Chris Martin of Statik Olfactive, Paul Kiler, Harry Sherwood and others who gave me  the confidence that I could do this and do it in an IFRA compliant and professional way.

I seek to make fragrances that are accessible, approachable, and wearable, but also incredibly memorable and unique. I believe that over-blending and market-testing leads to fragrances that are forgettable and simply smell like “perfume”. Fragrances, like people, need a soul, energy, and passion to thrive. That’s also where the name comes from. To me, the concept of “Third Eye” is about leading a mindful, present, and aware life. Thinking for yourself and living authentically. Scent is an extension of our unique individuality, energy, and confidence. My hope is that our fragrances allow as many people as possible to identify with a scent that allows them to celebrate and further express who they are. Additionally, as a community-focused brand centered on customer service, focus, and quality, I feel that means creating fragrances using rich, natural, high-quality materials, maintaining IFRA compliance, and being available at accessible price points.

Art Designed by Earl Funk for Third Eye Fragrance Co

Additionally, I also believe that fragrances are art and want the brand to reflect that. Rather than using AI, we partnered with Earl Funk who is a local 20-year accomplished artist and co-owner of The East Tattoo in Orlando to bring our scents to life. All our fragrances have unique, vibrant, hand-drawn art that captures the imagery and overall vibe of each scent, incorporating the notes, Third Eye logo, and reinforcing our belief in keeping humanity in art and supporting local artists.

I believe that sustaining a successful fragrance business for the long term relies equally on good people as much as good fragrances.

perfume studio

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co studio

On American Perfumery: To me, American perfumery is about freedom. While traditional styles, heritage and history are important to study and appreciate, I love the freedom to take scents in new directions – both stylistically and with novel interpretations of notes and scent profiles. Perfumery to me is truly a blank canvas. I challenge the idea that you need a great brief to create a scent for yourself. I enjoy starting with a simple accord or combination of notes and having the scent direct me to where it wants to go. It’s an exciting time in American perfumery with so many free available resources to learn and such a resurgent consumer interest in fragrance. The community aspect is also incredible. Perfumers and enthusiasts alike are happy to offer advice, feedback, and support, and watching people enjoy experiencing a new fragrance is incredibly rewarding. America is also a welcoming environment with less restrictions than overseas on acquiring materials and regulations which offers more people the opportunity to enter the space if they choose.

Maynard James Keenan

Maynard James Keenan IMDb

Favorite American Artist: I’ve always really admired anyone who can express themselves and create with a variety of mediums. Modern day Renaissance artists, you might say. To me, it shows not only the positive work ethic and dedication required to become proficient in various crafts, but also freedom and desire to live authentically and without constraints. Maynard James Keenan embodies that completely—whether through music (the lead singer for TOOL), winemaking, writing, comedy, art, jiu-jitsu, or the performing arts, he approaches each discipline with the same intensity and intentionality. Nothing he creates is accidental; it all feels deeply considered, yet unapologetically his own. His refusal to be boxed in, cater to social norms, and his incredible proficiency over a variety of crafts is something I try to emulate in my life.

Will Southard, perfumer and founder of Third Eye Fragrance Co

Moon Lotus by Third Eye Fragrance Co

Third Eye Fragrance Co new for 2026 Moon Lotus (THE DEMAND IS SO HIGH, WILL HAS TO CREATE A NEW BATCH, SO DON’T MISS OUT)-Michelyn

Thanks to perfumer Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co we have a draw for a registered reader in the EU, USA, UK and Canada for a 50mL bottle of the newest release Moon Lotus. To enter the draw, you must be a registered reader. Please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co’s path to perfumery, a quote that resonated and  where you live. Draw closes 4/8/2026

Notes: Mandarin, Peach, Pineapple, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Blue Lotus, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ambergris

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ARTISAN PERFUMERS AND BUY DIRECTLY FROM THEIR WEBSITE

Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co is the 183rd in our American perfumer series, which officially began in 2011 with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes.

All photos belong to Will Southard of Third Eye Fragrance Co unless otherwise noted.

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44 comments

  • Jeremi says:

    What I found fascinating: Will Southard’s path is a full-circle story – from childhood “perfume” experiments (stealing garden flowers and mixing them with rubbing alcohol) to a decade as a Naval Nuclear Engineering Officer, then industrial sales, and finally launching Third Eye Fragrance Co. as a self-taught hobby after his divorce. He brought engineering precision and patience to artistic scent-making, turning a personal reinvention into an authentic, community-driven brand.
    A quote that resonated: “Fragrances, like people, need a soul, energy, and passion to thrive.” I live in Poland, EU

  • TheScentedPage says:

    From an Army vet to a Navy vet–Well done Will. I’m genuinely impressed by your vision and the artistry you bring to perfumery. You’ve built something thoughtful and original.

  • Sybelle16 says:

    Will Southard’s pre-perfumery background and how he started in perfumery, is interesting and how he has worked in various fields—-he truly is a jack of all trades. Bringing the foundation of STEM into his craft is astute: from the artistic element of perfumery to the technical aspect of creating unique olfactive profiles, both rely on the building blocks of real-world application and technical skill. His brand is about creating scents that while being unique and memorable, also are wearable and accessible.
    CA USA

  • John says:

    Will is a great guy and a good friend. I just know he will do even better things in the future, but he is already making waves now. I love his Iris Obsidian.

  • David F says:

    Sounds like the season, summer is on the horizon and this has the bright, sweet, and freshness to make it through the heat. Collabing with a tattoo artist for graphics makes sense and adds a personal touch. Would like to try and wear this summer. From USA

  • zibbyz says:

    I really enjoyed Will’s story of his journey to perfume and all the stops along the way. I’m truly impressed with all the things he has accomplished! The notes for Moon Lotus sound wonderful and I would love to try it, and his original Red Rum with all his favorite notes. In the US, thank you

  • LindenNoir says:

    What I found most fascinating about Will Southard’s path to perfumery is how he embodies the very definition of a modern Renaissance man someone who has explored “most creative things you can think of: written and played music, painted, woodworking, landscaping, computer building” before finally returning to that childhood dream of making perfume with stolen roses and rubbing alcohol. The quote that resonated most with me is his description of perfumery as “equal parts art and science, but also a ton of patience and trial and error.” That willingness to fail, to learn, to spend “three years and hundreds of batches” to arrive at his first finished fragrance speaks to a level of dedication I deeply admire. His admiration for Maynard James Keenan someone who approaches music, winemaking, writing, comedy, art, and jiu-jitsu with “the same intensity and intentionality” tells me everything about the kind of perfumer Will is: unapologetically authentic, refusing to be boxed in. The fact that he partners with a local tattoo artist for hand-drawn artwork rather than using AI shows his commitment to keeping “humanity in art.”
    EU

  • AromaAdventurer says:

    As someone who also comes from a STEM background, I was immediately drawn to Will’s story. The quote that stopped me was his description of approaching perfumery with a “structured engineering approach combined with an inquisitive, creative and open mind,” studying “GCMS reports looking for patterns and synergies” and asking questions like “at what levels are my materials commonly used by professionals?” This is exactly how I think—analytical but hungry for beauty. Yet what fascinates me most is that he didn’t let the engineering mindset stifle his creativity. He started with “beginner equipment, a few materials, YouTube, and a dream,” and his first attempts were “awful” but he persisted. His philosophy that “fragrances, like people, need a soul, energy, and passion to thrive” and that “over-blending and market-testing leads to fragrances that are forgettable and simply smell like ‘perfume'” is a truth I wish more brands understood. And his definition of American perfumery as “freedom”: “the freedom to take scents in new directions” resonates deeply with me. I am from the EU.

  • Lastochka says:

    What touched me most in Will’s profile is his emphasis on community and mentorship. The quote that resonated deeply is: “The greatest part of this entire journey was the unexpected community and friendships along the way, and the same ones that now form the cornerstone of Third Eye Fragrance Co.” In an industry that can sometimes feel closed-off and secretive, Will’s openness about learning from perfumers like Darren Alan, Hez Binkowitz, Paul Kiler, and Chris Martin of Statik Olfactive is refreshing. The fact that it was “the encouragement of the community and new friends in fragrance groups” that gave him “confidence that [he] could launch a brand” speaks to the power of genuine connection. His own desire to pay that forward creating fragrances that are “accessible, approachable, and wearable, but also incredibly memorable and unique” shows he understands that perfumery is ultimately about people, not just product. His belief that “sustaining a successful fragrance business for the long term relies equally on good people as much as good fragrances” is wisdom I wish more brands carried. EU, Germany.

  • FragranceFrenzyS says:

    Will’s entire journey resonated with me, but the quote that I keep coming back to is his definition of the brand’s name: “To me, the concept of ‘Third Eye’ is about leading a mindful, present, and aware life. Thinking for yourself and living authentically. Scent is an extension of our unique individuality, energy, and confidence.” This idea that fragrance isn’t about following trends or impressing others but about celebrating and further expressing who you already are is exactly why I fell in love with niche perfumery. His path from a childhood of “creative self-entertainment” in Ocala, Florida, raised by great-grandparents, to serving ten years as a Naval Nuclear Engineering Officer, to finally fulfilling that “stolen-roses-and-rubbing-alcohol dream” is so beautifully non-linear and human. I also love his commitment to keeping artistry human partnering with a local tattoo artist for hand-drawn artwork rather than using AI, supporting local artists, believing that “fragrances are art” that deserve to be treated as such. His story reminds me that it’s never too late to return to a childhood dream.

    EU.

  • samozain1 says:

    It’s good to connect to perfumers and Will as someone who followed his passion is an example. I find perfumers made by people who love the craft embody something different than mainstream commercial fragrances! would love to try his latest creation

    PA, USA

  • libangeddy says:

    I like this guy and found the article kind of inspiring. He didn’t have the goal set up from the start he just decided one day in the middle of his life that he was going to make art for a living. It’s a beautiful thing and perhaps related to the upbringing of having to do things alone. I live in the USA

  • ari@groups-travel.com says:

    The artwork on Will’s bottles feels like a visual prologue to the perfume itself, a signal that the same care and intention you see outside is even richer inside the glass. His artistry shows in the way he aligns image, story, and scent so seamlessly that each bottle becomes its own little universe. The decision to collaborate with a real artist and avoid AI art makes every bottle feel like a tiny gallery piece, and that level of thoughtfulness in both design and fragrance is genuinely inspiring to me.

  • ari says:

    The artwork on Will’s bottles feels like a visual prologue to the perfume itself, a signal that the same care and intention you see outside is even richer inside the glass. His artistry shows in the way he aligns image, story, and scent so seamlessly that each bottle becomes its own little universe. The decision to collaborate with a real artist and avoid AI art makes every bottle feel like a tiny gallery piece, and that level of thoughtfulness in both design and fragrance is genuinely inspiring to me.

  • Sonbahia says:

    From a young age, Mr. Southard has had multiple interests in various fields, from computer science to different artistic disciplines, perhaps thanks to his grandmother and a childhood where he had to entertain himself. Creativity has always been present. Given this, his time in the army is quite curious, though more difficult to understand from a European perspective. His entry into perfumery was another unexpected step, even though he had liked certain perfumes since his youth. He created Third Eye, and since then it has been his main focus. It’s important to highlight his interest in using rich, natural, high-quality materials and maintaining reasonable prices. As many perfumers point out, the distinctive characteristic of American perfumery is freedom and a strong sense of community among all those in the industry. A very interesting life story. I live in Spain, EU.

  • Ramses Perez says:

    Will has truly lived a full life! Anything you can think of he has tried but fragrances were an anchor to it all as he always had that thought on the back of his mind. I agree with the fact that anyone could become a perfumer with enough dedication, a bit of education and trial/error until you get enough to knowledge to start cooking as the kids say. Behind just mixing notes that work together, each fragrance has an idea behind it and pairing it with a hand drawn bottle is what sets Third Eye Co.’s vision apart from other houses. There’s a human touch and idea behind each scent. I’m located in the USA.

  • wonderscent.mari says:

    I found fascinating Will Southard’s path cause as a kid he started to exploring nature and experiment with natural sources to create his first “perfume” and then as a adult after so many paths he took and decisions he made, he finally made his childhood dream come true! It’s inspiring to see that even there were difficulties to create perfumes, patience is the key to stay focus on your dream and also the encouragement of the community and new friends in fragrance groups that gave him confidence to continue. A quote that resonated is this one: Fragrances, like people, need a soul, energy, and passion to thrive. I am really impressed and very intrigued with his philosophy of creating perfumes that are accessible, approachable, and wearable, but also incredibly memorable and unique. “Scent is an extension of our unique individuality, energy, and confidence”. A very interesting brand that has a soul and is unapologetically authentic! Thank you for the introduction of Will Southard’s Third Eye Fragrance Co and his interesting creative life. I would love to try his latest creation, Moon Lotus.
    I am from the EU.

  • Jonodd says:

    This was a great profile! I love how perfume ends up getting its hooks into unexpected characters. I similarly stumbled upon perfume after exploring painting, music, cooking, and quickly fell in love with it. The expansion of the industry to include enthusiast startups like this is so encouraging—especially since I share Will’s sentiment about overblending. Excited to try his work!

  • Patricia R. says:

    I found the idea of approaching everything with intensity and intentionality the most truthful and something to aim for, emulate and adopt in my hobbies and work. I live in the EU.

  • Ensorceler says:

    What I found most fascinating is how Will Southard’s path to perfumery feels like a true full-circle story: a childhood spent foraging creativity in the garden, then later blending an engineering mind, artistic instincts, and fragrance obsession into a brand with real soul. The quote that resonated most was, “Perfumery is equal parts art and science, but also a ton of patience and trial and error,” because it captures both the discipline and the dream behind his journey.

    I also love how he frames scent as identity rather than just “perfume,” and how that perspective seems to come from a lifetime of making something meaningful out of whatever materials, space, and time he had.

    – USA –

  • Steven A says:

    Very fortunate to have the great-grandparents connections. A resonating quote, “I seek to make fragrances that are accessible, approachable, and wearable, but also incredibly memorable and unique”. US

  • mleenstra says:

    It is lovely to get a background story with a perfumer and get an insight into their creative process. I really like how Will managed to combine his scientific background with his creative side in perfumery. It takes determination to navigate the perfume making world and I admire perfumers that come out with a perfume they painstakingly made. Would love to try Will’s newest creation and will check out his website. Marit EU

  • Salem says:

    I found’s Will entire path through life fascinating! From gardening to music, drawing, computers, engineering and a military life, and then finally a passion for fragrances and perfume making, with an inspirational and genuine approach too. I loved the quote: “Fragrances, like people, need a soul, energy, and passion to thrive” and found it absolutely true. I think it’s so impressive that a person who had such a varied background decides to take up on such a particular craft, and I’m very curious about what this kind of raw, curious and unabashed approach can bring to the world of perfumery!
    Commenting from the EU.

  • Yonel says:

    My gosh… exactly my thoughts these days.

    …”leading [and I must add LIVING] a mindful, present, and aware life”. I can’t help but think of an extremely stressful period in my life, which I hope I’ve overcome. And now I’ve rediscovered joy for perfumes and ylang is one of the first notes I started exploring once again and playing with in my journey. It gives me a very calming and soothing feeling and I would really like to experience Moon Lotus.

    I also must say that many, many great things will start with Youtube and a dream these days and this is truly awesome. Thank you Will Southard, Third Eye Fragrance and Cafleurebon.

    I live in EUROPE.

  • Dusan Zabrdac says:

    Will, thank you for sharing the story about perfume journey! I was particularly touched by your relationship with you gran, which echoes my own, as my gran, too, instilled a love of cooking. She, too, sadly, passed away when I was a high school student. It was a jolt, coming back from a school trip to Greece, to experience for the first time the loss of a loved one.
    MJK, wow! I love the guy, although I’m more of a APC than TOOL fan. Also, Tori Amos happens to be my favourite artist of all time and the two of them are besties.
    Well, now I’m definitely intrigued to see how your vision translates into perfume. I would love to be included in the draw.
    All the best in your work!

  • Trinity33 says:

    Will Southard certainly had a non-traditional path to. becoming a perfumer. Ultimately it was his love for scent that led him to the trial and error of composing his first creations. I really appreciate his commitment to incorporating non-AI generated visual art into his artistic endeavors. The partnership with an accomplished tattoo artist adds another layer to the vibrancy and individuality of the scents. Moon Lotus sounds feminine and lively. MD USA

  • opalbear says:

    I appreciated the point of perfume making being part science and part art, chemistry and creativity. It takes a certain type of skill set and personality to thrive in that context. Ceramics and soap making are other arts and crafts that hold both of those as necessary skills which are ones I’ve done (with some perfume making too). Patience is key in those arts. The blue lotus has my curiosity in Moon Lotus. And I appreciate him hiring local artists for his artwork. Community is our past, present and future. I am located in the U.S. thank you for the generous giveaway.

  • SandiL says:

    First off, thank you, Will, for such a great profile, and second, for your ten years of service. Several things Will said really rang true and hit me straight in the heart. “The greatest part of this entire journey was the unexpected community and friendships along the way.” I have found these friendships are invaluable and full of encouragement. “American Perfumery is about freedom.”
    His path to perfumery seems to have been in him from the beginning, and the love of nature and art is the added plus. I am in the US.

  • mmerline says:

    Will’s enthusiastic breadth of interests always makes for a better artist. His childhood “stolen-roses-and-rubbing-alcohol dream” anecdote is wonderful, especially as it partly got him into perfumery all those years later. He sounds exceptionally enterprising. “I believe that over-blending and market-testing leads to fragrances that are forgettable and simply smell like “perfume”. Fragrances, like people, need a soul, energy, and passion to thrive.” This is why I love artisan American perfumery—bold compositional decisions that feel maverick and risky. Cool that Will collaborated with a local tattoo artist to give his brand’s packing a unique identity too. Great profile.

    I’m in WI, USA. I liked CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • bustednose says:

    My favorite part of Mr. Southard’s retelling of his journey was his acknowledgement of the community and other indie perfumers. I feel that I hear this a lot and it makes me happy to support the works of these creators. As a Tool fan, reading his praise for Maynard reallly resonated and I agree totally with “Nothing he creates is accidental; it all feels deeply considered, yet unapologetically his own. ” as a reflection of Maynard’s work and a goal for all of us to reach for. I am in Texas USA.

  • jennapark says:

    I decided in 2026 I was going to try smaller brands. I want to find quality unique scents i don’t smell everywhere. I want to support these smaller brands where perfumery is a passion and not a cash grab. The notes in Moon Lotus sound like they would make a beautiful warm weather fragrance.. The story behind Third Eye Fragrance is inspirational. Just the kind of brand i want to show love to and support. I am from Pennsylvania USA

  • jennapark says:

    I decided in 2026 I was going to try smaller brands. I want to find quality unique scents i don’t smell everywhere. I want to support these smaller brands where perfumery is a passion and not a cash grab. The notes in Moon Lotus sound like they would make a beautiful warm weather fragrance.. The story behind Third Eye Fragrance is inspirational. Just the kind of brand i want to show love to and support. I am from Pennsylvania USA

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    I love this story. What a way to circle back tot he beginning, trying to make fragrance with great-grandma’s flowers. It’s also really inspiring to think that perfume making started as a hobby and grew to become a house. I’ve yet to try any of Third Eye’s fragrances but I’ve heard great things. From the US.

  • Kassie says:

    so excited for this one! it’s so funny- i just had been looking into this brand after i saw them on my friend jess’s page & really wanted to try this new fragrance! “ i started with some beginner equipment, a few materials, youtube, & a dream.” this quote resonated the most with me & that is because of my own journey. i am a sahm of 3 girls- two are older & then, i have a 3yo. i have always loved fragrance & really want to start my own brand, but, i have a VERY limited budget, especially starting with raw ingredients & so, reading about will’s journey to perfumery really helps me in knowing that you can do anything in perfumery, as long as you just take the step & start. it is a very intimidating hobby, especially raw- so, i was so happy to read & know that it is possible to do this as long as you have the will. no matter the circumstances. i love that will believes that fragrance is art- because it totally is. & also, freedom! this whole article really resonated with me & was very timely & am so glad i caught it- it will definitely help me on my fragrance journey & for that, i am so thankful. i love how the brand is aligned with customer service & living authentically, being your most authentic self. i have been browsing through the site & everything looks/sounds beautiful & thoughtfully crafted. thank you for the contribution & article. i am in the states. colorado.

  • Timea says:

    I loved this sentence: ” I helped my great-grandmother in the garden and developed an early appreciation for scent and aesthetics.” And the photo together with great grandma is so cute. I also loved to help my grandparents around the garden. Will Southard’s perfume journey is very interesting and nice. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • foreverscents says:

    I was touched to read about Will’s childhood and how he spent time alone. I think this led hm to try so many diverse occupations and hobbies. I like that he has a STEM background and I wonder how that influences his perfume creations. Certainly science is a part of the art. I enjoyed reading about the meaning behind the brand’s name: “The concept of ‘Third Eye’ is about leading a mindful, present, and aware life. Thinking for yourself and living authentically.” This profile certainly illustrates that Will is living his life in such a way.
    I live in the USA.

  • brentm says:

    I love that Will is using a tattoo artist to create his artwork. Its so coloroful and if you look closely, several of the notes are in the imagery. I’ve been following Will and third eye for a bit through social media and TT and am really hoping to get to try some of his frags. When I hear third eye, I think third eye blind, but third eye sounds like it smells good. Arkansas, USA

  • iudita says:

    Will Southard’s background is ispiring, passion can lead to new pathways if you just start and get some help from your friend: I’ll get his exemple and go on with my candles creations, thank you for his story.
    I would love to try his perfume and lalk about it in Italy where I live

  • Jos says:

    What struck me most about Will’s story is the through-line of creative restlessness — from stolen flowers and rubbing alcohol in his great-grandmother’s garden to GCMS reports and hundreds of batches three decades later. The engineering mind and the artist’s soul aren’t in tension for him; they’re the same impulse. The quote that stayed with me is: “I challenge the idea that you need a great brief to create a scent for yourself. I enjoy starting with a simple accord or combination of notes and having the scent direct me to where it wants to go.” That’s a genuinely confident creative philosophy — trusting the process over the plan. His admiration for Maynard James Keenan makes complete sense in that light: both are people for whom discipline and authenticity aren’t opposites. The collaboration with a local tattoo artist rather than leaning on AI feels like a quiet but firm statement about what kind of brand he wants Third Eye to be. Moon Lotus sounds like a beautiful warm-weather release — that combination of blue lotus, ylang ylang and ambergris has me very curious. I’m in the Netherlands, EU.

  • Frankie says:

    “Additionally, I also believe that fragrances are art and want the brand to reflect that. Rather than using AI, we partnered with Earl Funk who is a local 20-year accomplished artist and co-owner of The East Tattoo in Orlando to bring our scents to life.” Will Southard is truly special, with a family, a vet and he supports his community. I have never smelled blue lotus in a perfume. Would love to win. USA

  • wallygator88 says:

    What a great profile! Will’s path from stolen garden flowers in a mason jar of rubbing alcohol all the way through a decade as a Naval Nuclear Engineering Officer to finally circling back to that childhood dream is the kind of non-linear creative journey that makes for the most interesting perfumers. The quote that really stuck with me is “Perfumery is equal parts art and science, but also a ton of patience and trial and error” — you can feel that engineering discipline married to genuine artistic restlessness in the way he describes studying GCMS reports for patterns while still letting a composition lead him where it wants to go. I also love the commitment to hand-drawn artwork from a local tattoo artist over AI — it says a lot about keeping the human fingerprint on every part of the brand. Moon Lotus sounds gorgeous for the warmer months ahead, and I’d love to try it. Cheers from WI, USA

  • Mario Gonzalez says:

    What I found fascinating about Will is the fact that he admires Maynard James Keenan so much and draws inspiration from him. I am also a huge tool fan and Maynard admirer.

  • peppermoon says:

    Thank you for showing me this house, I hadn’t heard of it yet. I resonate deeply with Will’s outlook on life and perfumery – it sits at such an interesting intersection of science and art, perfect for those of us who are curious yet creative. I also appreciate his stance on avoiding AI!

    Moon Lotus sounds interesting to me because of the exploration of blue lotus, a material that was sacred to the ancient Egyptians. I’m curious about how Will uses the notes to give the moonlight on water effect. I’m in the US, please enter me for the draw.