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Best Places To Make Your Own Perfume In South Bay

Creating your own perfume is not only a one-of-a-kind, fabulous experience, but if taught correctly allows you to learn amazing insider knowledge about an old craft many have forgotten existed. Whether you have always yearned to mix together your very own concoction or are desperate to know more about a world that seemed far away, there is a place for you. Choose from individual lessons in private settings, group parties in a specialist store or a sure fire way to get that perfect unique gift. Prices are affordable and lesson lengths vary, customize as needed and enjoy.
Shopping & Style Perfume, Opal'z
Photo Credit: opalzoap.com

Opal'z
719 Colorado Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 322-6500
www.opalzoap.com

Price: $15 for children up to 12 years old, $60 for adults, $100 deluxe package
Hours: Wed to Sun - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Closed Mon to Tues. Reservations needed
Click here for a calendar of classes

Opal'z owner Annie Jenkins has been creating beauty products for over eight years, in addition to working as a make-up artist for celebrities. Jenkins gives customers the knowledge and supplies to be able to create a perfume scent without having to go through the hassle of becoming a celebrity themselves. In Opal'z, you can create your own one-of-a-kind fragrance for an affordable price take and it home with you. First, start with the private consultation, which allows both the customer and Jenkins to figure out what family of scents should be used, then begin the process of creating. Choose and blend together as many scents as you desire. Once your perfume is completed, you can then choose the label and name your very own perfume. Opal'z also saves your formula on file so you can come back as often as you like to stock up. All three sessions include a private consultation and the choice of dozens of essential oils and fragrances. The children's package includes its very own labeled .35 ounce bottle of roll on perfume while the adults package includes two choices from the 10mm metal purse sized spray bottle, 13ml clear glass triangle bottle, 35ml clear square bottle with silver atomizer or 2 ounce elegant screw top.  With the deluxe package you take home three bottles of your choice. Opal'z offers a fun day out and an amazing experience you will end up going back for.

Shopping & Style Making Your Own Perfume
Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

The Perfumer's Apprentice
Felton, CA 95108
(831) 704-7342
www.perfumersapprentice.com

Price: Approx $20
Hours: Private lessons in-house available, reservation needed as classes are private groups only.

Linda Andrews, owner of Perfumer's Apprentice, teaches others about all the components of perfume making from her home in Felton, five minutes from Santa Cruz. She has one-of-a-kind extensive knowledge and loves to share insider information, which makes the experience at Perfumer's Apprentice all that more exciting. During the summer months, you will find yourself sitting in her beautiful garden at a wooden table exploring the world of scents as seen through Andrews' eyes and she has amazing skills when it comes to perfumery. The Perfumer's Apprentice has scents ranging from the wooden musks to floral summer fragrances, which you can go through as you sip a cup of tea. Choose from a spray bottle or oil bottle, pick a name and Andrews will print out an elegant label for you to take home. Linda Andrews also has a book available for purchase, titled "Guide to the Notes of Perfumery," which describes perfume scents and how to go about mixing them together.

Related: Get Crafty With Our Top Independent Craft Shops In San Francisco

Shopping & Style Perfume, Creating Your Own
Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

Jo Malone
Nordstrom
2400 Forest Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 248-2180
www.jomalone.com

Price: Various, depending on package
Hours: Mon to Fri - 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sat - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Jo Malone now has select areas offering "The Art of Fragrance Combing," where customers can create their very own creation from existing Jo Malone scents. The specialist staff at each Jo Malone fragrance combining desk offers tips and perfumery knowledge as well as direction for those in doubt. Mix and match your scents to create something truly unique, whether you want a personal fragrance or a gift for someone special. Once you decide on your scents, the staff will mix it up for you and you can take the perfume/cologne home in a beautiful Jo Malone bottle and presentation box. The Art of Fragrance Combining at Jo Malone may not start from scratch in the traditional sense, however customers do get a good sense of how perfumery works and the end result is a one-of-a-kind fragrance.

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Parmeeta Ghoman is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. She specializes in shopping and style. Find some of her work on Examiner.com.
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