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Aroma Workshop
Category: Beauty and Spas Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Shopping Cosmetics & Beauty Supply Cosmetics & Beauty Supply [Edit]
2050 N Halsted St(between Armitage Ave & Dickens Ave)
Chicago, IL 60614
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
(773) 871-1985
- Nearest Transit:
-
Armitage (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Fullerton (Brown Line, Purple Line, Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 7 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sun 11 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- By Appointment Only:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
40 reviews for Aroma Workshop
40 reviews in English
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Review from Jenny B.
Chicago, IL
9/29/2011
I will never buy another mass produced perfume again. I came across this place on a lazy day and had so much fun mixing and putting different scents together. With the help of the owner I now have a scent I only wished existed and now it does thanks to Aroma Shop! I think it's a great value, considering most other bottles of perfume cost so much because of the fancy bottling. Overall, awesome experience!
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Review from Lisa C.
1/22/2012
I had just finished watching the episode of "New Girl" in which Schmidt goes to one of those make your own perfume places for Cece and gets her a bottle of sandalwood smelling rancidness. A few weeks prior, I had purchased a Groupon for my friend as a Christmas gift at the Aroma Workshop. Was I to suffer the same fate as Schmidt and create a scent causing me to walk around wishing I had skipped my French shower and opted for my BO.? Would this result in sending me straight to the gift-giving Hall of Shame?
Not at all. No Yelp review can prepare you for this place and when I got there it was nothing like what I had in mind, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Take a seat at the scent bar and start sniffing away. Take some breaks to smell the coffee beans; you are in this for the long haul. Your job is to set aside the fragrances that speak to you and let the pros create the fragrance for you. This is probably for the best, as a couple of the "woodsy" fragrances seemed to speak to me. My friend and I each had 4-6 sample scents created for us. I finally settle on a sweet blend of pink sugar, chaos, and french vanilla. My friend got a more flowery scent that was subdued with the help of white tea. You can get your custom fragrance in one of those spray-bulb atomizers, which was really the icing on our cakes.
The whole experience took a little over half an hour. We paired it with some shopping and dinner at Cafe Ba Ba Reeba a couple of stores down. A tip to people looking to experience the Aroma Workshop: Schedule your appointment around 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon. They close at 6pm, which leaves you plenty of time to create your fragrance and finishes you up right in time for dinner. At this time parking will be a breeze; we were able to park right in between the Aroma Workshop and the restaurant.
I thought the staff was knowledgeable and really friendly. My only gripe was the price. The Groupon I got was for two custom fragrances for two people for $50. Paying twice that amount (their normal price) just seems outrageous. I think this would make an awesome gift for my mom, but I wouldn't even think about it if coupon weren't in hand.Listed in: Extreme Grouponing
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Review from Mickey A.
10/16/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
I finally used my Yelp deal with only a couple weeks left until it expired. Phew!
The website recommends calling for an appointment. No problem. I arrive on time to find the store was still closed. Um. I was pretty sure I had booked for this time and day. The store was supposed to be open either way. I called and left a message while still standing outside. I decided to stick around the neighborhood (shopping!) in case they were having a late start. An hour and half later, I came back to see the store had opened. Hooray! And, at the time, I had the store to myself.
The employee walked me through the process and what I was to get out of my Yelp coupon. I normally go for perfumes with a little bit of citrus and flowers. So she directed me to those bottles and to leave out the ones I liked the most. From there, she concocted different mixtures. I finally picked a scent and an accompanying bottle, on which, I could name and label. I'm not a celebrity but found a printout label of my "perfume" name pretty amusing.
It was a fun and interesting experience and will be back. One of the final fragrance contenders would make a good Christmas gift for my mom.
In addition to perfumes, they have other products for body and face care (i.e. moisturizers, soap, and bath salts), room fragrances, and atomizers and other gift basket ideas. They even offer private parties. I'm not sure on details but am considering for an upcoming bachelorette party idea. Stay tuned! -
Review from Dhruv P.
5/30/2011 1 photo
I had a groupon and thus was introduced to this place. I had totally different expectations of what this place would look like, something in a cross between Aveda and West Elm. Luckily, it was nothing like that. Aroma Workshop seems to belong in NYC than in LP.
It's a small little shop run by one person who's been doing this for the last 18 years. You have to make an appointment, which I did and got there a little early. Ted, the owner, was with me soon after and talked me through the process.
I came with a almost empty bottle of Hugo Boss that I wanted to mimic, but I ended up (with the help of Ted) a better derivative. Of course, I named my scent and now when this eventually finishes, I can just go and pick my custom scent anytime.
The only eh moment was when these three so LP girls came in and said, we're early, but can you still take us? Really? You made an appointment, but think that you can just come, sit and think you can be served? -
Review from Esteban P.
Chicago, IL
6/12/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal 1 Check-in Here
I picked up a gift certificate for Aroma Workshop at one of the Yelp Elite events. It seemed that making your own scent would be a pretty neat gift. Though I gave the cert as a gift I was pretty excited. I read Dhruv P's review and released I should call again, so I did, and I spoke with a very nice guy. He seemed a little unorganized with picking a time for me, but after realizing I was from Yelp he commented that the slot he gave me would allow for some extra time. Wow, great! This place is sounding pretty good.
So we arrived exactly on time, and there was a couple finishing up before us. I thought it was odd that the perfumer did not great us, but I dismissed it. Well, I guess that was a signal, because the perfumer we were working with seemed like she would rather have been any place but there. I can understand that job becoming repetitive, but she did not even feign interest.
Getting her to talk was like pulling teeth. This lack of rapport turned what we expected to be a great experience, into and uncomfortable situation that seemed as if we were imposing just being there. As you can imagine, we did not get much input from the perfumer, who seemed to get more aggregated each time we asked for a new sample to be mixed up. If she really did not feel well, perhaps she should have taken a sick day.
In the end she took the two oils selected - "White Tea" and "Pomegranate" - poured equal parts into a bottle, added some cologne base and bid us a good day. I think Aroma Workshop is a pretty neat place, I think it could have been a great experience, but the service we received just fell short. I am glad that we had a gift certificate to use because I could not justify paying full price for the service. Jasmin M's review seemed to mirror our experience which makes me wonder if full paying customers receive better service. -
Review from Kate P.
1/12/2011
I bought the You Swoop they had going a while back for $40 to go towards your own custom scent and I finally got around to using it.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect but from other yelp reviews I read, I knew it was going to be a fun time. Their store was a bit smaller than I thought it was going to be, but very nicely laid out. They have hooks for your coat and purse and then you get to choose a seat at the scent bar. They have a ton of scents ranging from fruity to citrusy to musky. What you do is sniff and then the ones you like you select. After you've done that part, an aroma expert helps you mix and match to come up with a customized scent that's all your own.
After that the very nice staff shows you what products you can add your scent to. So, you could customize your own bath line or just put your fragrance in a bottle and squirt on as desired.
I decided to customize a lotion and cream shower gel. For the lotion, I decided to go with their shea lotion and the fragrance I chose was mostly vanilla with a hint of musk. I forget the actual formula, so good thing they wrote it down for me and put in their aroma-dex for next time. I did the same scent for the shea cream shower gel as well. So, now I'm perfumed from head to toe in my very own scent for a reasonable price. I can't wait to go back and try more of their products. -
Review from george k.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2011
I got 2 of the make your own scent packages on "Living Social" as a gift for my girlfriend. We finally made an appointment and headed over there today.
It was a pretty cool experience. We each got to make our own cologne/perfume as well as try out something new. The staff was very friendly and not pushy or salesy in the least, which is pretty refreshing.
It makes a pretty unique gift, and a decent part of a date. It took us about 45 minutes total. I would recommend this to others, and will probably go back when we run out. -
Review from Jake M.
Morris, IL
3/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was a lot of fun mixing and making a perfume for my love. I brought her here after a friend suggested it to me and I'm very glad I did! The owner was very helpful and patient with us. It took us a few tries to finally find something that we liked.
We sat down at the counter top holding about 60 various "scents" all arranged by type (water, floral, musks, etc..). Then we started by smelling different ones and picking out some of our favorites. Then we could begin to mix two or three together on a strip of paper to see how we like the outcome. After a few tries, we finally found one we liked and had it mixed into a perfume!
We also were able to pick up some soaps as gifts! -
Review from Jessica D.
Chicago, IL
11/27/2010
If you have a sense of smell, you probably know what smells you like. Maybe you can't decipher every last note of your favorite fragrance, but you can pick out what you do and do not want. And how many times have you read a list of notes in a potential new perfume, only to discover it contained your mortal enemy, be that ylang ylang, jasmine, or pear.
Do yourself a favor. Put down that $40, $80, $100 dollar bottle of perfume you're holding. You don't need that. Go to Aroma Workshop and design your own. You don't want pear? It's cool, no pear. You know you love citrus? Choose from grapefruit, lemon, and others, add a little pink sugar or vanilla, a bit of white tea or pepper. It's up to you. And with bottles starting in the $10-15 range, you can now afford to create a custom scent for your every mood.
I've made tart, citrus-y, herbal blends, spicy tea scents, sweet almondy fragrances, anything I could imagine at the time. I can smell how I feel, or, if I'm in a bad mood, use my creations to stop feeling that way altogether.
I'm not entirely sure why anyone would go back to buying store bought perfumes when you can create your own. Of course the perfumiers who make mainstream scents are professionals, but so are the folks at Aroma Workshop. They can guide you through the process, because who knows what you like better than you? -
Review from Niki C.
Chicago, IL
5/22/2010
$18 for an atomizer of a scent I created specifically for me? Yes thank you!
Like so many here, I had walked past what can only be described as a zillion times, but never ventured in. Today, I had nothing to do but smile. So I went in.
I have been wearing vanilla for as long as I can remember wearing fragrance. In fact, all of my friends (& even some near-strangers) know that I smell like vanilla. It's just the way it is & the way it always has been. Some people think I have been going to a place like this forever, but really, it's just those Vanilla Fantasies things you can buy at Walgreen's.
I digress.
The point being, I felt I wanted to shake things up a little. Now I still love my signature scent - love that people know it's me when I come up behind them - love that my exes can't smell a certain smell without that immediate sense memory, but I thought I'd add a little something, see how it went.
So I paired French Vanilla (slightly sweeter than regular Vanilla but less sweet than Pink Sugar) with Lilac (another scent I absolutely adore). Pretty simple, right? I like vanilla. I like lilac. Okay! On the card, it smelled fantastic.
So I purchased the $18 atomizer with my scent in it. I sprayed it on about an hour ago (be careful, it's a concentrated spritz) & am waiting to see how it reacts to my body heat & pheromones. So far, so good.
The experience itself was lovely. All 3 employees assisted me - at one point, I had the lovely gentleman giving me advice, the girl with the killer tats ringing up my sale, & the other woman creating my blend. All super pleasant.
Give it a go. $18 for a customized fragrance? There's no downside! -
Review from El B.
Chicago, IL
7/27/2011
I am so pleased with my experience at Aroma Workshop. I went in yesterday with a Groupon and left with an INCREDIBLE smelling fragrance. I was concerned that perhaps I was being too picky but was actually told that I was fairly quick and decisive (I guess I'm a girl who knows what she likes). The place is small but cozy and the staff is very friendly. There are lots of other bath and body products to purchase and to which you can add your chosen scent, but I just went with a pretty little atomizer this time around. I can't stop smelling my wrists! I can't wait to go back and go through the process again!
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Review from Lauren P.
Wood Dale, IL
7/28/2011
Found this place thanks to Groupon and had a great experience. I took my mom and we really enjoyed our time there. The staff was very nice and helpful with the whole process. They explained to us all about their scents and were very friendly. Both my mom and I left with fabulous new scents and will definitely be going back!
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Review from A J.
Chicago, IL
11/12/2010
Me: super suuuuuuuper indecisive. Usually. Only sometimes. I think.
This place: choices choices choices x a billion.
Whoa. Color me overwhelmed.
Luckily, the store owner and his right hand lady must deal with folks like me a lot because they were incredibly patient when I asked to smell the same 4 smells over and over because I couldn't decide...and then I would decide, and then I would regret it and change my mind, and then I'd think I was set until I remembered the smell I smelled 5 smells ago. They were awesome and helpful and did I mention patient with annoying people like me? I hemmed and I hawed with the best of them, but walked out with a totally unique scent that I really truly (not just sorta) like. Cool! -
Review from Jasmin M.
Oak Park, IL
5/19/2011
I plan to give this place a second chance, because I think this has the potential to be really fun!
I was given a gift certificate to this place, but didn't find it till one day after it expired. I called to ask if it was still okay for me to use it, and the lady was kind enough to let me come in that day. Great! I get there, and the two girls don't seem very chipper or... even like they wanted to be bothered. Which, in turn, made me very uncomfortable. I was a little worried that I might mess up the whole process and leave with something that smelled of vinegar and shoe polish.
Finally, one of the girls stepped up to reassure me, explain the process, and helped me out a little. I was there for awhile, so by the time I left, the other girl seemed a little nicer too.
In the end they were actually very patient, and helpful with the entire process. I was worried that I might be taking too much time, and they reassured me it was okay.
Finally, I found a combination that I loved. The problem came with transferring the scent on the card into the bottle. It took the girl quite awhile to subdue the fragrance enough for it to be something I would like. She was willing to keep trying, but it seemed like she was wasting an awful lot of oil. She told me to let the fragrance settle for a week or so, and if I didn't like it, to come back and she would make me a new one.
I thought this was a great and very generous offer. I do like the fragrance I ended up with, but not as much as what was on the card. However, since they do seem to understand customer service, I will give this place a second try, and hopefully with a better review next time. The fragrance is nice. My mother loves it so much that she wants a bottle of the same. One of my guy friends really loves it, too. So, it's not that what I left with was awful, but that what I "customized" wasn't what I left with.
The place is very small, but it seems to be by appointment only, so the size isn't really a problem. There are stools in front of rows of fragrance oils and essential oils. They have the oils grouped according to type (floral, fruity, etc). You smell the oils, pick out the ones you like, and they help you find a combination you'll be happy with.
In addition to perfumes, you can also have your fragrance added to lotions, shampoos, and a host of other products. -
Review from Ryan L.
12/28/2009 ROTD 8/13/2010
Hey hey, is Ryan reviewing a beauty supply shop? Say what?
In the interest of full disclosure, and at the risk of having my man card taken away, I've been a customer here for many years. Though I've never bought anything for myself, I've gotten many gifts here. I've purchased enough that i was in their rolodex of regular customers (now all the info is on a laptop). They keep your creations and ingredient list on the computer for future visits. It's a really cool place i happened upon one drunken stroll some night years ago and have been going to ever since.
They have lotions, shampoos, soaps, perfumes, among other products. I like that they have their various scents in different scientific flasks behind the counter. Not to mention the tiny bottles with the sample scents on the counter. You can pick and customize your own scents into one of their products or go with one of their recommendations. I usually go with something that smells nice and fruity and makes me hungry. Yeah, pretty scientific for this scientist.
You can have your purchases gift wrapped, and they do an awesome job of it. They could teach classes on elegant gift wrapping, they make it so damn pretty. The owner is very friendly and quite willing to help if you have any questions.
Men, score some points and get your gifts here.Listed in: Ryan of the Day
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Review from liz k.
Chicago, IL
4/3/2008
I enjoy spending an entire weekend fiddling with virtual synths to make electronic music on my laptop, and I can spend countless hours trying on shoes searching for the perfect pair of heels. I majored in computer science but now I am a jewelry designer. I like dogs, table tennis, air hockey, skeeball, plushies, modern furniture, gadgets, and fancy wine. It's a strange blend of interests for a human female so I figured it would be impossible to create my personal fragrance from an array of 100+ essential oils, or it would require n amount of hours where n is greater than 3.
My assumptions were wrong in this case. Employing the inherent procedural knowledge of the owner Ted and his staff results in informed pairings of essential oils that begin to form the fragrance. The entire computation time of the fragrance construction algorithm was only 1.25 hours.
Another neat thing is that they have a selection of unscented hand creams, body oils, shower gels, bubble baths and the like that can scented with your custom fragrance. It's far less expensive than pre-made perfumes and a greater value since it's an interactive process (user-generated content). They also hold "Scent Events" where you round up at least four friends and you each get to make your own personal fragrance. Check this place out and you won't go back to other people's ideas of what you should smell like.Listed in: Stuff to do with your mom
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Review from J. B.
Champaign, IL
4/1/2007
During my off campus lunch hour in high school, I'd go here. You walk into Aroma Workshop's garden apartment space and find it quite difficult to leave empty-handed (you might walk out immediately if you have a sensitivity to scents).
You can create a custom blend of oils (if you're indecisive, don't try this route unless you're willing to have an employee guide you!) and the staff will keep a file (on a Rolodex, who the hell uses those anymore?) of the combination and amounts they used. Then when you're on empty, they'll fill it up and get fragrance just right!
If you feel like test driving a scent, you can buy a smaller dram. If you're lucky, you'll get a tiny sampler. -
Review from Karen A.
Chicago, IL
1/25/2010
Everybody really wants to smell the way they want to smell, perhaps not the way they DO smell, and not the way their "products" smel either.....
What's my point here? Aroma Workshop is a place you can make your own shampoo, deodorant, soaps, air sprays- exactly the way you want.
I had this awesome shampoo that I love, and would put a conditioner in my hair after that smelled completely different- therefore losing my beautiful shampoo smell aura. I brought in my shampoo and the smell wizard at the counter matched the scent using oils and mixed them with a hair conditioner base. Wha- laa! Problem solved.:)
This is a great place to match a perfume or scent you LOVE and make into something else useful (scented shea butter anyone?). They do a fabulous job matching smells to your very unique liking.
Smell master I salute you!Listed in: More Better Life
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Review from Ashley P.
Chicago, IL
1/5/2010
I never ended up buying a scent here, but the girl behind the counter was very knowledgable and put a bunch of different combos together for me to smell based on my preferences and reactions. And by a bunch, I mean my mom and I were in there for 30 minutes sniffing away.
Regardless of my inability to make an actual decision, she was super friendly and gave me a card with some of the scents I picked out in case I wanted to come back. I haven't been back yet (it's nearly impossible for me to pick perfume, let alone make one!) but hey, I tried and she certainly helped me out. -
Review from Mary C.
11/17/2005
Aroma Workshop is where you go to make your own fragrances from essential oils. I cannot emphasize enough how much fun this is. They have a ton of essential oils and designer fragrances to mix together and to add to lotions, sprays, bubble bath etc.
The staff guide you through the process patiently and are extremely helpful and good at answering questions. They also will help you decide which scents go together based on your particular likes and dislikes. The only problem is this is so much fun, that everyone and the mother comes here and the tiny store can get crowded real quick. On the positive side you walk away with an affordable, aromatic work of art that's all original. The coolest thing is that they will keep your mixture on file, so you won't have to guess what it was that you made when you come in for a refill. It's also fun to name your fragrance.
Aroma Workshop is a great place to bring your girlfriends or to purchase them a gift certificate so they can make their own unforgettable present.
The parking situation can be tough in this busy area. Also, the store is small so come when they first open or at off-peak hours. -
Review from Julia K.
Chicago, IL
2/15/2009
How is this not more rated on yelp? Seriously, I ask this with all due respect, but yelpers, you have failed if you have not thought about going to Aroma Workshop!
I was at Vive La Femme the other day, and heard someone talking about how they made a perfume for themselves earlier in the week. After smelling it, and hearing just a little about what the process was like, I decided I just had to do this. So, I headed over to Aroma Workshop on Sunday, and walked into one of the coolest places ever!
So, I started off picking out the different scents that appealed to me, while telling the gal who was working (and I wish I remembered her name) what I liked. She played with some different scent mixtures while I made up my mind. While she didn't think the mixture I initially thought of would work harmoniously together, however, we were both pleasantly surprised and how awesome it was! I got a small vial of the oil on its own (because I want to see how it wears) and a small hand lotion for less than $20.00. Try getting that from Bath and Body Works, where you can't even get a unique scent! -
Review from Jet H.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2009
TED ROCKS! He's got one helluva nose too. Brought in a sample of a cologne I've been wanting to buy but just can't justify the $160 price tag. After about 90 minutes we (OK, Ted) had concocted an almost exact replica.
This is olfactory heaven. Serious.
It's a small space but it's a comfortable place. -
Review from Anna B.
Chicago, IL
11/21/2007
If you are into smells, this is the place!!! there are so many smells to choose from, and they let you linger and try. You can also have them mix up anything to you liking. They also have lichen extract that has a very interesting scent. The owner is very knowledgeable about fragrances.
It is a tiny store, so the various aromas can be too much. I like to take a break outside. They are also OK with taking and smelling the samples outside. -
Review from Yan X.
Chicago, IL
7/11/2011
I have been to this workshop twice. It is a pretty cool shop. However, I wish I could have got better service.
I once passed by the workshop some time last winter with 2 of my friends. It was on the way to a holiday parade. I entered the shop since I was impressed by the smell and the view through the shop window when we passed by. We entered the shop, a small buy pretty neat place. A nice guy welcomed us, talked to us and even gave us perfume samples after he knew that we just passed by and looked around.
A couple of month later, I got birthday gift from my bf that we would go the Aroma to create my own scent. I liked the idea so much and looked forward to the trip. After I arrived and recognized that this was the cool place in my memory, I was more excited.
However, the experience on my second trip was just ok. It was a weekend afternoon. The only girl who supposed to help me did not like to talk at all. I like wearing perfume and know something about perfume. I was so curious on how to make a good combination of which I would like top notes, deeper middle notes, and the base notes to make my special scent. However,I am not professional. I needed help. She introduced the small bottles oils with different smell, e.g. white tea, ocean, peach, etc and let me smell them. She told me to choose the smell that I like without telling me how many I could choose and even basic tips. Her unwillingness to talk made me feel weird. However, it was my birthday gift, and he was there with me. I did not want to ruin up the happiness when I got the gift idea. I did not want to mess up a trip which was supposed to be a great experience. Therefore, we finished the whole process in smelling about ten different oils and tried about 6 or 7 different combinations in a very quiet circumstance.
Finally I chose my own scent mixed by two different oils. The product is pretty neat.
I still like the idea of this shop. However, I guess, a better service, or someone there who shows a little more passion on perfume would give me a much better experience. -
Review from Christopher S.
New Orleans, LA
1/28/2011
Dear audience this is the first time I am pleased to announce that I am posting a FIVE STAR REVIEW! Normally when I am feeling deeply hurt I will post a review to let off my anger or my disappointment but in this instance I choose to write and focus on the positive. Not only is this place uplifting but it is the only essential oil shop I trust here in Chicago, Illinois.
I can find anything I want and my new favorite essential oil is now COFFEE. Ted has a great assortment of oils here which is not limited to your standard fare. He offers anise, thyme, frankincense, pure rose oil, black pepper! When I visit this store I can take my time creating my own unique blends and when I use these oils on my clients during my treatments they are so enthralled they always ask me where I am purchasing these oils. Ted also holds workshops in intimate gatherings allowing you to linger and listen as he shares his wisdom of the uses of each oil. I can even bring my rather large dog in here (and she's huge) so I am deeply grateful such a healing shop like this exists. I wish Ted would even have guest speakers here! I have seen too many tiny shops like these go out of business and so I hope everyone shops here and truly has the chance to appreciate fine grade essential oils for themselves. You never feel rushed here. He also sells cute little hand blown glass items so you can have a unique gift for yourself or your friends. I hope he keeps expanding and maybe one day he'll carry CHOCOLATE OIL. His staff is intelligent, good humored and peaceful. I read a few reviews that stated otherwise and that makes no sense to me since I have come here as often as I can especially if I am in the neighborhood walking my dog. It's cold outside but this place is truly worth the trip. I almost need to restrain myself so I don't go broke here but it's worth making my clients happy and I do notice the difference. I can use these oils on my skin and hair safely and I mist my home regularly with lime, lavender, frankincense and sage.
I hope everyone takes time to find this Lincoln Park Jewel. Thanks Ted
for being caring enough to put love into your recipe! I wish more aromatherapy stores like this existed. I hope he continues to thrive here in Chicago ! -
Review from Jessica S.
Chicago, IL
1/4/2007
How fun is this place? You get to spend all the time it takes to find your own signature scent, then the super friendly staff will put it into any product you want. I could have just hung out in this place all day. And for about half the cost of what you would spend to get the same scent that everyone else has, you can make yourself a custom blended fragrance. Super nice staff, Super fun hidden gem in the city!
Listed in: I feel pretty, Oh so pretty!
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Review from colin h.
Chicago, IL
12/23/2010
This place is awesome. Boo and I came in here to get a xmas gift for my mom. She wanted perfume and I thought what better present then a custom scent. The workers at this place are amazing and very helpful. I have no idea what smells good on a post menopausal woman but they sure do! They walked us through the entire process and mixed aromas until we found a scent that we were happy with.
Needless to say my mom screeched with joy when she opened my very thoughtful gift. She also now smells like a crisp spring morning all the time! Yay! -
Review from Alexandra B.
Chicago, IL
8/1/2010
my friend and i just went to this place for the first time (it was our first time doing anything like this)...and we both LOVED it and pretty much vowed to go back! if you love smell-goods & you think it would be fun to try and make your own original scent, this place is for you!
it's NOT overwhelming & "class-style," where one professional directs a large group as a whole - it's one-on-one attention (or however many people you have in your group), and the mixologists are SUPER nice, knowledgable and helpful.
they have a HUGE selection of different essential oils that you can smell, and see which ones you like, and a mixologist (for lack of a better term) will take the smells you like and blend them up in such a way where it will smell fantastic. they really know what they're doing, and if you're stuck, they help you along by suggesting things that would go well together depending on how you like your scents. they don't rush you AT ALL, so you feel like you can really take your time deciding on what you like.
you can choose from a really large variety of mediums too...spray perfumes, roll-ons, tons of different kinds of lotions, body gels, massage oils, etc. so whatever type of body care product you're looking to make, they probably have the medium for it.
honestly...it seems that the prices are pretty comparable to prices of big-name places like bath & body works, but way cooler because a) you're making it original and special just for you and b) you're supporting a local business! also, you can really buy a great smelling perfume for quite cheaper than what a designer perfume would cost, and actually get more of the perfume, which makes me happy.
my friend & i totally love and recommend this place to anyone who would consider this fun. it definitely helps to generally know what kind of scents you like (if you're not looking to step out of your comfort zone smell-wise that is). and if you arent sure...sniff around & they'll help recommend stuff to you! -
Review from Tatawan P.
Chicago, IL
2/8/2010
One star is for the HORRIBLE service I had coming in on Sunday. Probably because the owner hired some low paid part time girls as shopkeepers for the weekend. Once I walked in I got eye rolls from both of the girls, Im sorry, did I disrupt you from coming into your store willing to spend $$? ALL of the shops on that streach of Halstad shopping area at least acknowledges the customers walking in with a smile or a hi except for this one. I guess the hate working and making $$. After 5 minutes of browsing the ehh items and not recieving any acknowledgement or "may I help you?" I walked out. I probably would have been more interested but the snobby salesgirls turned me off. Note to the owner of the store-- HIRE NEW PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE!
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Review from Fraya L.
Chicago, IL
11/5/2010
I was very disappointed with the customer service at Aroma Workshop. I tried calling ahead, but was not able to get through. I stopped in a full hour before closing, but was told by the clerk that she had to leave early. I asked if I should stop by another time, but the clerk said it was fine. However, from there she totally rushed me in every step from selecting scents, to selecting products, to checkout. I asked multiple times if I should come back later, but was told it was fine.
Shame on the owners to allow such a rude clerk to work at the store. I wouldn't waste your time or money at this store. -
Review from shaina v.
Chicago, IL
7/1/2008
I love this place because I can make my own perfume or lotion for a very reasonable price. And you can bring in your old bottles to get refilled and they keep your scent on file. The staff are very friendly. They do parties and scent events here too. And they do have coffee, cause after a while its a bit overwhelming to the senses.
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Review from Rebecca H.
Chicago, IL
3/13/2009
I went to the Aroma Work Shop for a perfume making class offered by the Discovery Center and it was great. I was able to make my own signature fragrance and left out of there with over $70 more dollars worth of stuff. A good thing about this place is that fragrances don't assault the senses, so you can distinguish smells and find your favorite. Don't miss the essential oils, meant to be mixed in combinations into perfumes, massage oils, bubble baths, body lotions and more. They have some neat accessories too - hand-blown perfume bottles, aromatherapy necklaces, skin care products, diffusers, incense, assorted soaps and finger-paint bubble bath. Am I missing anything else LOL! All in all, it was well worth it and not only will I return, but I told my friends.
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Review from Brian H.
Chicago, IL
11/17/2009
I love this store, the staff is always friendly. They have a wide array of bath/body products and gift basket goodies, the majority of which can be custom scented. I had a friend into a specific perfume, but all they ever made was the perfume and nothing else. So I brought it to this store and they were able to compliment, if not match the scent and she absolutely loved it. They also keep your 'recipes' on 'cards' for easy ordering when you come back!
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Review from J L.
Chicago, IL
11/22/2005
Such a fun concept, be your own perfumer! The staff guides you through mixing essential oils to create a fragrance that is unique to you. @ Aroma it costs much less than custom fragrance blending anywhere else i've been. Book a group workshop here for a fun outing.
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Review from Carolyn A.
Chicago, IL
12/28/2008
I've only been here three times but two of those times were in the last month. I had gone with my cousins on Black Friday to do some holiday shopping. My family is from out of town and had never been to this store before so this was our first stop on our short shopping spree.
Truth be told, we spent most of our time in here. There is such a variety of scents that if you smell enough of them, will stay in your olfactory system for hours to come.
The workers were really helpful and answered all of our questions. What was really great was that they let us smell the product so we could decide if we wanted more fragrance added to it, that was a nice touch. The last time I was there was a few days ago to pick up Christmas gifts for said cousins who had ran out of their small bottles oil and lotions that they had bought on their first trip there. I highly recommend the Sage scent in any product but especially in the body oil. This is a great place and I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Alyssa T.
Chicago, IL
12/20/2009
There is absolutely no other place like this in Chicago. If you want to customize a natural perfume or cologne, this is the place to go. They have tons of scents and if you have no idea what you're doing, like me, it doesn't matter because the staff is knowledgeable and seem to love what they do, especially the owner Ted.
They also have a bunch of pretty perfume bottles and packaging to choose from and it's reasonably priced. I would give it more stars if I could! -
Review from Stephanie L.
Chicago, IL
12/20/2009
Love. love. love this place. I have been here a handful of times and the guy behind the counter is the best. He isnt pushy but very friendly and helping. He tells you a little about the products and offers suggestions in just the right way. I love it. I took a friend here to get a custom gift for her mom. We decided on bubble bath...you get to make up your own scent or you can use one that they already have. Totally reasonable in price. You can get a great gift for cheap and you all know those people that dont like gift cards and they want you to put thought and effort into their gifts...well this is the place...cheap and effortless plus pretty good products!!! LOVE IT
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Review from Hannah Y.
Alexandria, VA
6/3/2009
This store is interesting in that it creates different mixtures of scents and perfumes for you; however, no greeting was shown when we walked in, and no offer of any assistance whatsoever was given. Sure, they have cute animal nail brushes (but that's not even the point of this store!), but most are kind of pricey. Eh.
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Review from Ann A.
Chicago, IL
4/19/2010
This place is a really cool idea and I've been in here twice. Once I made a gift for my mom and on this past Saturday I made myself a perfume oil. The first time (back in January) they were really helpful and made a beautiful perfume that my mom loves.
The second time I came in with two friends while we were wandering around after a visit to the zoo and the girl behind the counter was SO RUDE. First of all, she was not friendly and I had to sort of start helping myself because she didn't ask if she could help me. This shopping experience is different from others where I like to be left alone so I can just buy what I came for. It is hands-on and I need help making decisions because I don't have any clue what scents go well together.
And when I mixed some, she didn't give her opinion at all, she said "Well you're the one wearing it!" That's kind of rude. I think with better help I would have been able to make a more complex scent. I relied on the friends I was with completely to help me make my decision. When I was finished, the owner (I think he was the owner?) came out and said he liked the fragrance. He was very friendly, which is why this place gets 3 stars. But he needs to hire people who are more enthusiastic, friendly, and knowledgeable! -
Review from jenn b.
Dublin, OH
12/29/2008
I just have to say that TED ROCKS! I used to work at a shoe store up the street and happened upon this amazing place on my break one day...I've been hooked for 6 years now on my "special scent" created just for me. How cool is that? Also, Ted and the staff are super friendly and knowlegeable...and the space is cozy and comforting. Stop in sometime and I bet you'll be hooked like me!;)
