Introduction to Perfume Blending Class in Chinatown

Most people can tell you which perfume they like. Far fewer can tell you why. The Institute for Art and Olfaction's Introduction to Perfume Blending: Freestyle class tries to close that gap in a single evening. It runs Wednesday, October 14, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM at the IAO's lab on Chung King Road in Chinatown, and it's built for people who've never mixed anything. Among weeknight things to do in Los Angeles, it's one of the few where you leave holding something you made.

How the class works

The first stretch is a crash course. You'll learn the difference between synthetic and natural aromatic materials, how top, middle and base notes behave over time, and how dilutions work. Then the group sets up blending workstations and gets a lesson in writing a perfume formula. Think of it as a recipe where the proportions matter more than the ingredient list.

The freestyle part comes after that. The IAO keeps a perfumer's organ, the big shelved collection of raw materials a perfumer works from, and this one holds more than 300 of them. Everyone gets to explore it and pick five materials. Then you blend. The class pushes you to try big swings as well as small refinements, so don't be precious about your first draft.

What you take home

Your five materials go home with you in ⅝ dram vials. So does your first finished trial, in a small spray bottle. Materials are covered by the ticket. The IAO points out that some aromatic materials can irritate skin, and that its classes are for learning, not for making products to sell.

Who's teaching

Julianne Lee leads the session. She trained at the Grasse Institute for Perfumery, got her start in perfumery at the IAO itself and now works there as Director of Projects. The IAO is a Los Angeles nonprofit built around creative experiments with scent. Its stated goal is giving newcomers a way into a field that usually stays behind industry doors.

Tickets and the fine print

Tickets are $124.56 on Eventbrite, and you need to reserve ahead. Space is limited, and the IAO says it can't promise a spot to anyone who just shows up. All skill levels are welcome. The class is 18 and up, or 14 and up with an adult.

Read the refund terms before you pay. The class description says a cancellation made seven or more days out gets a refund, but Eventbrite's summary box lists the event as no refunds. If your week is shaky, ask the IAO first.

Getting there

The address is 932 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only lane between Hill Street and Yale Street, so you can't pull up to the door. The Metro A Line's Chinatown station is a short walk away, which beats circling for parking at 5 PM on a weekday.

For more Things Happening In Los Angeles, browse Downtown LA or the full arts and culture calendar. Bring a notebook if you have one. Five materials sounds simple until you're trying to remember which drop of which vial made the blend smell right.