Private perfume consultations at artisanal boutiques truly provide a unique opportunity to explore the intricate art of fragrance in a deeply personal setting. These personalised experiences not only allow you to discover scents tailored to your individual preferences but also foster a connection with the artistry and craftsmanship behind each creation.
With expert guidance, you can navigate the complex world of notes and accords, ensuring that the fragrance you choose resonates with your identity and evokes cherished memories.
Whether you’re seeking a signature scent or simply wish to indulge in the sensory journey of perfumery, these consultations offer invaluable insights and an intimate approach to finding your perfect fragrance; and here we delve into three such scented consultations to start you on your own fragrant journey…
Experimental Perfume Club
Nestled in the heart of Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Experimental Perfume Club (EPC) offers a truly unique consultations for fragrance enthusiasts and novices alike. Founded by French perfumer Emmanuelle Moeglin, this innovative boutique is revolutionising the way we approach personal scent.Step into EPC’s lab-boutique, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of aromatic possibilities. Their collection of nine Essential fragrances serves as the building blocks for endless scent combinations.
Whether you prefer to experiment at home or seek expert guidance in-store, EPC empowers you to become the architect of your own signature fragrance.For those who fancy a spot of DIY perfumery, EPC’s Discovery Set is a brilliant starting point. This kit includes all nine Essential fragrances in 2ml vials, along with an illustrated guide to help you navigate the art of blending. It’s the perfect way to unleash your inner perfumer from the comfort of your own dressing table.
If you’re after a more hands-on experience, pop into the Seven Dials boutique for a Blending Consultation. Here, EPC’s knowledgeable staff will guide you through the process of creating a truly original scent. They’ll help you identify your preferences and teach you how to layer fragrances for a bespoke result that’s uniquely you.
For those seeking the crème de la crème of personalised perfumery, EPC offers an exclusive one-to-one consultation with founder and perfumer Emmanuelle Moeglin herself. This Luxe Blending Experience is the ultimate treat for fragrance aficionados, allowing you to work directly with a master perfumer to craft your dream scent.During this intimate session, you’ll delve deep into the world of fine perfumery, exploring rare and precious ingredients. Emmanuelle will guide you through the creative process, helping you to articulate your olfactory vision and translate it into a bottle of liquid artistry.
The boutique offers various options, including the Blending Consultation, which is free and allows you to explore their award-winning collection of blend-able fragrances. During this session, you’ll receive expert guidance to create a personalised Signature Blend, with no obligation to purchase. For a more in-depth experience, the Le Petit Parfum session is available for £145. This one-to-one consultation lasts 1.5 hours and includes a 50ml bottle of your bespoke fragrance, a 15ml lab bottle, and a booklet detailing your scent profile. Alternatively, the Bespoke Fragrance session lasts two hours and provides a similar experience with more extensive options.
To book consultations, simply visit the Experimental Perfume Club website or call their Covent Garden boutique at 0207 247 7040. Consultations are available from Tuesday to Friday, with appointments starting at 10am and running until 4pm. Each session promises to be an enriching journey into the world of scent, tailored specifically to your preferences and personality.
Whether you’re a seasoned scent connoisseur or a curious newcomer, Experimental Perfume Club offers a fragrant adventure for everyone. So why settle for off-the-shelf alone when you can create something truly extraordinary?
ARgENTUM
Stepping into the enchanting world of ARgENTUM’s London boutique, fragrance can become a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. Founded by the visionary Joy Isaacs, visitors are offered a truly unique experience that goes far beyond simply choosing a scent, because at the heart of ARgENTUM’s philosophy is the belief that fragrance is intrinsically linked to our innermost selves. Their private perfume consultation is a testament to this, giving visitors a profound and often moving experience.
The consultation begins with a fascinating ‘reading’ that feels almost magical in its accuracy, we have found. Through a series of questions and intuitive observations, ARgENTUM’s expert guides you towards one of twelve archetypes – Creator, Sage, Magician, Caregiver, Everyman, Ruler, Jester, Innocent, Rebel, Explorer, Hero, or Lover. As your archetype is revealed, you may find yourself feeling ‘seen’ by the depth of understanding it provides. Clients often report feeling fragrantly understood in a way they’ve never experienced before. This emotional connection forms the foundation for selecting your perfect fragrance from ARgENTUM’s Les Parfum Infinis collection.
Each scent in the collection is created in collaboration with master perfumer Delphine Thierry, and they are more than just beautiful scents; they’re olfactory expressions of the ‘archetypes’, designed to resonate with your inner self. The Lover, for instance, is a water element fragrance with hints of floral and musk, featuring Turkish rose absolute, pink peppercorn, and raspberry. It’s described as light yet grounding, helping to balance and express feminine energy.
The Notting Hill boutique itself is a feast for the senses, with exquisite illustrations by Joy’s husband, Sam Gray, adorning the packaging and walls, and a lovely cafe to sit and relax in. These intricate designs weave together elements of nature, mythology, and symbolism, creating a rich tapestry that complements the olfactory journey.ARgENTUM’s approach to fragrance is revolutionary, blending science, poetry, and personal insight. It’s not just about finding a scent you like; it’s about discovering a fragrance that resonates with your very essence.
To book private fragrance consultations, it is £68 for 50 minutes, and you can make an appointment online. On the day of your reading you’ll also receive 20% off your chosen full-size fragrance, and a complimentary fragrance discovery set worth £68.
Having experienced it for ourselves, we must agree this personalised fragrance consultation can be profoundly affecting, leaving you with not just a perfume, but a deeper understanding of yourself. As you leave the boutique, your chosen fragrance in hand, you take a piece of ARgENTUM’s magic, a reminder of your inner archetype, and a newfound connection to the ancient art of perfumery.
Angela Flanders
Located in the historic Spitalfields area of London. Angela Flanders Perfumery is a hidden gem, tucked away in the quaint Artillery Passage; and they offer a fragrance consultation experience that’s as rich in history as it is in scent.The boutique was founded by the late Angela Flanders, a self-taught perfumer with an extraordinary nose, and now continues her legacy under the expert guidance of her daughter, Kate Evans. Trained as a perfumer at her mother’s knee, Kate carries forward Angela’s vision, ensuring that each visitor receives the same warmth and expertise that defined Angela’s approach to fragrance.
Unlike larger, more commercial establishments, here you’ll find an intimate, unhurried atmosphere that allows for a truly personalised experience. The knowledgeable staff, trained in Angela’s unique methods, guide you through the process with patience and expertise.Your consultation begins with a friendly chat about your fragrance preferences, memories, and the emotions you wish to evoke through scent. The perfumery’s collection, featuring over 30 unique fragrances, becomes your playground. Each scent tells a story, often inspired by Angela’s travels, childhood memories, or the vibrant East London community that surrounds the shop.As you explore, you’ll discover fragrances that capture the essence of English gardens, the spice markets of Morocco, or the woody depths of ancient forests.
The staff expertly introduce you to different scent families, explaining the nuances of each fragrance and how they interact with your skin chemistry.What sets Angela Flanders apart is their commitment to natural ingredients and traditional perfumery techniques. Many of their fragrances are still hand-blended in small batches, ensuring quality and a connection to the artisanal roots of perfume-making. This approach allows for a level of customisation rarely found in modern perfumeries.If you’re feeling adventurous, the boutique offers a bespoke fragrance creation service. Working closely with Kate or another in-house perfumer, you can craft a scent that’s uniquely yours, blending essences and accords to create a fragrance that resonates with your personality and style.
Your consultation fee of £150 includes an £85 voucher to redeem against the fragrance of your choice. If you would like to take more time, the voucher can be redeemed online within 30 days, and you will leave with 3 complimentary samples to choose from. Any further purchases on the day (to include candles and home fragrance) will also be eligible for your 10% private consultation discount.
To book consultations, please call their Artillery Passage Boutique on 0207 247 7040 or book online
Having discovered your perfect perfume, each spritz will transport you back to this charming haven where Angela Flanders’ spirit continues to inspire and delight fragrance enthusiasts from around the world…
Written by Suzy Nightingale