Chicago Perfume Making Classes on Magnificent Mile

A perfume class turns an everyday souvenir into something you make yourself: a custom 1-ounce fragrance, blended from notes you choose and labeled with a name or initials. At 900 North Michigan Shops, you’ll spend about 75 minutes smelling, testing, and mixing, with pipettes and beakers provided.

I like two things in particular: the small group, capped at six, leaves room to ask questions, and you leave with a useful, personal keepsake rather than another generic Chicago trinket. The class can also suit a date, a family outing, or friends who want a hands-on activity.

One practical catch: the venue is inside a mall and can be hard to locate. Arrive early, and ask the concierge near the Michigan Avenue entrance for directions. Some participants also prefer more instructor guidance than they receive, so speak up if you want help refining your blend.

At a glance

• Your own 1-ounce bottle: Create a custom fragrance and personalize it with a name or initials.
• Small class size: A maximum of six people makes it easier to ask the instructor for advice.
• Natural and synthetic notes: Choose from a range of fragrance oils and essences.
• Tools are included: Pipettes, mixing beakers, and other blending equipment are supplied.
• Plan for the mall setting: The class starts and ends at 900 North Michigan Shops, with parking validation available for $12 for three hours.

From Michigan Avenue to the mixing table

The meeting point is 900 North Michigan Shops, at 900 Michigan Avenue. That address is clear, but the class itself may not be obvious once you enter the building. Allow a few extra minutes to find it, especially if you have a group to gather or want to settle in before the class begins.

A useful tip: ask the concierge near the Michigan Avenue entrance for directions. The venue is inside the mall, a detail worth knowing before you arrive. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you won’t need to arrange a separate pickup.

The class is offered in English, and confirmation comes at booking. It runs for about 75 minutes, a manageable block of time in a day of shopping or sightseeing. Still, be punctual. One group of friends found that arriving early helped them sit together, while late arrivals may find the seating less convenient.

Learning the language of fragrance

Once you’re seated, the first job is to smell the options. The class provides a selection of natural and synthetic fragrance oils and essences. You can take your time comparing them, noticing which scents appeal to you and which ones you may want to combine.

This is the part that makes the activity more than a novelty. You’re not simply choosing a ready-made perfume from a shelf. You’re working through different notes and considering how they might fit together. The instructor can explain fragrance choices and blending techniques, and participants have described instructors such as Alana, Makayla, and Nia as friendly and helpful. The person leading your class may be someone else.

Don’t feel you need a trained nose. Some people arrive as fragrance fans; others are new to the subject and surprised by how much they enjoy the process. One participant who didn’t usually wear cologne ended up making a scent he liked. That’s a good reason to come with an open mind rather than a fixed recipe.

Mixing your own scent

After choosing your notes, you’ll use the supplied tools to measure and blend. Pipettes and beakers make the process hands-on, with a little of the feel of a science project. You can experiment, then ask for suggestions if you’re unsure whether your choices work well together.

The degree of guidance may vary. Some instructors offer close, individual help; others leave more of the experimenting to you. That freedom is part of the appeal if you like making your own decisions. If you want a second opinion or need a clearer explanation of the measuring process, ask early rather than waiting until you’ve nearly finished.

There have been occasional reports of confusion around measurements or a fragrance listed in an app not appearing on the tray. If you notice a mismatch, check with the instructor before making your blend. A little clarification can save a frustrating last step, especially if you’re using an upgraded atomizer that requires a different amount.

You’ll also be asked to keep the workshop free of food and alcoholic beverages. The aim is to keep attention on the scents. The perfume-making process may involve an alcohol mixture as part of blending, but drinking alcohol is not part of the class.

Bottling a personal Chicago souvenir

Once the blend is ready, you’ll fill a 1-ounce bottle with your creation and personalize it with a name or initials. That final step gives the experience a satisfying finish: you leave with something you made, not just a set of notes about what you smelled.

The class is a good fit for a Chicago visit because the souvenir is both personal and portable. It also works well for a birthday outing, a mother-daughter activity, or a date that gives you something to do together besides choosing a restaurant. For friends, the small group size can make the session feel social without turning it into a large class.

If you’re hoping to produce a perfect, store-ready fragrance on your first attempt, keep your expectations sensible. The point is to experiment and make something that suits your taste. The instructor can help you work toward balance, but your final scent is your own blend.

What $85 covers

The listed price is $85 per person. It includes the guided workshop, fragrance oils and essences, blending equipment, and your finished 1-ounce bottle. The value is strongest if you enjoy making things and will appreciate both the activity and the custom perfume afterward. You’re paying for a guided, hands-on session as well as the take-home item.

It’s less compelling if you only want to buy perfume, or if you prefer an instructor to make every decision for you. This class leaves room for personal choice, and that means you’ll do much of the smelling and selecting yourself. You can ask questions, but the class is not necessarily a one-on-one consultation.

Parking validation is available for $12 for three hours. Check the timing carefully. The validation window is three hours, and going even a little beyond it may result in a much higher parking charge. The class lasts about 75 minutes, but the total time in the building could include finding the venue, arriving early, or lingering afterward.

Who will enjoy the class most

I’d choose this for a couple looking for an interactive date, friends planning a shared outing, or a parent and teen who want a creative activity together. It also suits solo visitors who like hands-on classes and would enjoy making a keepsake during a Chicago stay. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Fragrance enthusiasts will have fun comparing notes and testing combinations. Beginners can enjoy it too, especially if they’re willing to experiment rather than worry about getting everything right on the first try. If you’re sensitive to strong smells or would rather spend the hour on a more active outing, consider whether a scent-focused class is right for you.

Booking, timing, and a few useful details

The class is booked, on average, about 16 days in advance. That figure is a helpful guide, not a rule, so check availability for your dates. The group limit is six, which is one reason to plan ahead if you want to attend with several friends.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded. If poor weather forces the activity to be canceled, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Public transportation is nearby, and the activity begins and ends at the same location. The class is offered in English. Food and alcoholic beverages are not permitted during the workshop, so plan to eat before or afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this class if you like the idea of making a fragrance that reflects your own taste and want an activity that is social, practical, and easy to fit into a city visit. The small group, supplied tools, guided blending, and personalized bottle make the $85 price easier to justify than a simple souvenir purchase.

Skip it if you’re mainly after a perfume-shopping trip or want a fully instructor-led demonstration with little decision-making on your part. Arrive early, ask for directions inside the mall, and speak up when you want help with a blend. With those small preparations, this is a thoughtful way to take home a little piece of Chicago that smells like your own idea.

FAQ

How long is the perfume-making class?

The class lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Where does the activity start and end?

It starts at 900 North Michigan Shops, 900 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the $85 price?

The price includes fragrance oils and essences, instructor guidance, blending tools such as pipettes and beakers, and a 1-ounce bottle for your custom perfume.

Can I choose natural or synthetic fragrance notes?

Yes. The class offers a selection of both natural and synthetic scents.

How many people can attend the class?

The class has a maximum of six participants.

Is parking validation available?

Yes. Parking validation is available for $12 for three hours. Keep track of the time, since exceeding the three-hour period can lead to a higher charge.

Can I bring food or alcoholic drinks into the workshop?

No. Food and alcoholic beverages are not permitted during the class.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted, and there is no refund. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.