Chicago Perfume Making Classes on Magnificent Mile

Creating a perfume from scratch is a far more hands-on Chicago souvenir than another T-shirt or postcard. In about 75 minutes, you test fragrance oils, blend them with guidance, fill a 1-ounce bottle, and give your finished scent a name or initials.

I like the small groups, capped at six, because you can ask questions without shouting across a crowded room. I also like the freedom to work with both natural and synthetic notes, which gives you more room to chase a floral, woody, fresh, sweet, or unusual scent.

The main drawback is the location. The class is inside 900 North Michigan Shops, and finding the exact space can take some effort. Arrive early and ask the concierge near the Michigan Avenue entrance for directions. The three-hour parking validation also has a strict edge: going just 11 minutes over once resulted in the full parking charge.

Key points to know before you book

• Your souvenir is made by you: Fill and name a custom 1-ounce fragrance instead of buying a ready-made bottle.
• Small groups keep it personal: The maximum group size is six, though arriving late could affect where your party sits.
• Alana and Makayla have led especially strong classes: Their patient advice and scent-pairing help have made a clear difference for many attendees.
• The class uses real blending tools: Pipettes, beakers, fragrance oils, and the other basic equipment are supplied.
• The process takes about 75 minutes: That gives you time to smell, compare, blend, and adjust without turning the class into an all-day project.
• Parking help comes with a warning: A $12 validation covers three hours, but exceeding that limit may cancel the benefit.

What happens during the 75-minute perfume class

This is a workshop, not a demonstration where you sit back and watch an instructor do all the work. You spend the session smelling fragrance notes, making choices, testing combinations, and building a blend that suits your taste.

The class begins with an introduction to the available scents and the basic process. You have access to high-quality fragrance oils and essences in both synthetic and natural forms. That matters because the two types can produce different effects, and you are not limited to one style of perfumery.

You may begin with an idea such as roses, citrus, woods, or something sweet. You might also arrive with no plan at all. That is perfectly workable. One useful part of the class is the chance to try combinations you would not normally pick from a store shelf.

Once you have selected your notes, the instructor helps you think about balance. The best part of the experience is not simply choosing a scent you like. It is learning how one fragrance changes another when the oils are combined.

You then use pipettes and mixing beakers to measure and blend your chosen ingredients. Some attendees describe the process as feeling like a small science project, which is a fair comparison. The tools make the activity feel more precise than simply mixing drops at random.

At one point, you combine the fragrance oils with an alcohol mixture to create the finished perfume. The process is accessible, but you should listen closely to the instructions. A little confusion around measurements has occurred, especially when an upgraded atomizer required an extra measurement.

The final step is filling your bottle and naming it. You can use a name or your initials, creating a personal keepsake from your time in Chicago. The bottle is a useful souvenir because it carries a memory, but it is also something you can actually use.

Why the small group size matters

The class allows no more than six people. That is a good size for an activity built around smelling and measuring. You can ask about a particular note, request help comparing two combinations, or get advice before committing to your final blend.

The quality of the experience depends partly on how much guidance you want. Some instructors have offered patient, detailed help with scent pairing and refining a blend. Alana, Makayla, and Nia are among the instructors praised for friendly assistance and strong familiarity with the fragrances.

You should still expect to do much of the work yourself. This is not a private perfumer designing a bottle for you. You make the selections and measurements, while the instructor helps when you need direction.

That balance will suit independent, creative people. If you want someone to make every decision for you, the class could feel less guided than expected. If you like testing ideas and making your own choices, the format works well.

Arrive on time, especially if you are booking with friends. One group found that a late arrival created seating confusion, with the possibility of being placed at a separate table. The staff corrected the problem, but arriving early gives you the best chance of sitting together.

Choosing between natural and synthetic fragrance notes

The choice between natural and synthetic scents is one of the more interesting parts of the workshop. You are given access to both, so you can focus on the smell rather than follow a fixed formula.

Natural ingredients can appeal to you if you prefer plant-based fragrance impressions. Synthetic notes can offer other qualities and may help create a scent that feels cleaner, sharper, sweeter, or less familiar. The class does not force you into one category.

You should smell each option carefully rather than relying only on its name. A note that sounds appealing may not combine well with your other choices. Staff can suggest pairings, but the final decision remains yours.

This is also where the class becomes more than a simple souvenir activity. You start to notice how scents change when they are placed next to one another. A strong note may need a softer partner. A familiar floral may take on a different character when paired with a wood or fresh element.

You may leave with a classic-smelling perfume, or you may create something unexpected. One of the pleasures is not knowing exactly how your first idea will turn out.

The instructors make the difference

The strongest classes rely on an instructor who can explain the process without taking away your freedom. Alana has been singled out for clear instruction, scent knowledge, and thoughtful suggestions. Makayla has also received praise for patience, especially while helping participants use the online fragrance creation form.

That online form is part of the selection process for some classes. You may use it while comparing scents and recording your choices. Take your time, and ask for help if the screen, tray, or measurement instructions do not match.

The instructors generally let you experiment rather than steering you toward one approved result. That is important. Perfume is personal, and a blend that seems odd at first can become the one you prefer.

Guidance can vary by class. Some sessions feel close to one-on-one instruction, especially when only two people attend. In a fuller group, you may spend more time working independently. The class is easy to follow, but it rewards active questions.

Food and alcoholic drinks are not allowed during the workshop. That rule is practical rather than fussy. Strong tastes and alcohol can distract from the fragrances, and the class is built around keeping your sense of smell focused.

Finding the class inside 900 North Michigan Shops

The meeting point is 900 North Michigan Shops at 900 Michigan Avenue. The activity begins and ends there, making it easy to combine with shopping or a walk along the Magnificent Mile.

The tricky part is finding the venue inside the building. The address alone may not tell you where to go once you enter. Ask the concierge near the Michigan Avenue entrance for directions. That simple step can save time and prevent you from wandering through the mall looking for the shop.

Public transportation is nearby, and the location is accessible by more than one city route. The experience also permits service animals, and most people can take part.

Parking validation is available for $12 for three hours. Watch the clock closely. The benefit may not apply if you exceed the three-hour window, even by a small amount. If you plan to shop or eat before or after class, allow extra time or confirm the parking terms before settling in.

Is $85 a fair price?

The cost is $85 per person. That is more than you would pay for a basic sightseeing stop, but the price includes the materials, equipment, instruction, and a finished 1-ounce bottle to take home.

The value depends on what you want from a Chicago activity. If you only want a low-cost souvenir, this will feel expensive. If you want a creative session with friends, a date activity, or a hands-on family outing, the price is easier to justify.

You are paying for more than the liquid in the bottle. The class gives you time to test scents, receive advice, work with professional-style tools, and create something tied to your own choices. The finished perfume can also be reordered, which is a useful feature if you eventually run out of a blend you love.

The 75-minute length is another point in its favor. It is long enough to feel like a proper activity but short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing. You can schedule it around shopping, museums, or a meal without giving up half your day.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a strong pick for friends who want a social activity that gives everyone something personal to take home. It also works well for couples. The process invites you to compare choices, discuss scents, and see how differently two people can interpret the same fragrance.

Parents and teenage children can enjoy it together. A birthday outing or mother-daughter trip fits the format well, provided everyone is interested in smelling, testing, and making choices.

Solo visitors can also have a good time. A small group gives you a chance to talk with other fragrance fans, but you are not dependent on bringing a large party. If the class is lightly booked, you may receive especially close attention.

The activity is less suitable if you dislike strong smells, prefer a fast-moving tour, or want a polished retail product without doing the measuring yourself. It is also not ideal for anyone who expects a full technical course in perfumery. You learn useful basics, but the session is designed as a friendly introduction.

Practical tips for a smoother visit

Book ahead if your schedule is fixed. The class is often reserved around 16 days in advance, so popular times may disappear before your Chicago visit.

Arrive early. This helps with the mall layout, seating, and parking. It also gives you a calmer start before you begin smelling a long line of notes.

Ask questions as soon as something is unclear. Measurement details matter, and the staff can help you avoid a mistake before the blend is finalized.

Do not rush your first choices. Smell several options and compare them. A note that seems plain by itself may work well as part of a finished blend.

Keep your group together by arriving on time. If you are booking for five or six people, early arrival is especially useful because table placement may be limited.

Think about the name before the final bottling step. You can personalize the bottle with a name or initials, turning a nice activity into a more memorable keepsake.

Should you book the Chicago perfume class?

Book it if you want a creative, social Chicago activity with a real souvenir at the end. The small group format, wide scent selection, hands-on tools, and patient instructors make this more personal than a standard shopping stop.

I would especially recommend it for couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy trying something different. The $85 price is reasonable when you value the class itself, not just the bottle.

Go in knowing that the location may be hard to find, the guidance can vary, and you need to watch the three-hour parking limit. If you arrive early, listen carefully, and stay open to experimenting, you have a good chance of leaving with a perfume that feels genuinely yours.

FAQ

Where does the perfume-making class take place?

The class starts and ends at 900 North Michigan Shops, 900 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

How long does the experience last?

The class lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

How much does the class cost?

The price is $85 per person.

How many people can join the class?

The maximum group size is six travelers.

What do I take home?

You fill a luxurious 1-ounce bottle with your custom fragrance and can personalize it with a name or your initials.

Are the materials and tools included?

Yes. The class includes fragrance oils and essences, pipettes, mixing beakers, and other necessary blending tools.

Can I use both natural and synthetic scents?

Yes. The workshop offers a selection of both natural and synthetic fragrance notes.

Is parking validation available?

Yes. Parking validation costs $12 for three hours. You should watch the time carefully because exceeding three hours may result in the validation not applying.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded or accepted.