Bukchon perfume workshop date: amber-tonka 'June Memories', Muhwawon

Muhwawon, a Bukchon perfume workshop: a blending date with my husband

Today Jam (that's me!) visited Muhwawon, a perfume workshop in Bukchon. My husband, Mr. Jam, loves perfume so much that it made the day even happier.

Getting to Muhwawon: how long from Anguk Station?

From Anguk Station Exit 4 or Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 6, it's about a 6-minute walk. The address is 23 Yulgok-ro 6-gil, 3rd floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul. I got off at Anguk Station and the walk was so pretty that it put me in a great mood.

Do you need to book Muhwawon?

The workshop is on the 3rd floor, and you must book through Naver reservation before visiting.

After you book, they text you the door code for the 1st floor. Enter the code, then take the elevator up to the 3rd floor.

The prices are set out like this, so have a look.

Learning perfume basics from headset videos

They tell you to sit wherever you like, and you put on a headset to watch the videos for the class. At each seat, sample scents for the base, middle and top notes are neatly lined up. I even hold an aromatherapy certificate and have blended many times, but making perfume was a first for me.

The videos pack the basic knowledge and common sense you need for blending into short, clear lessons. We also received a Muhwawon blending note and a Muhwawon theory note.

Here are the blending basics.

How do you choose top, middle and base notes?

You start by smelling the scents you like, split into base, middle and top, then pick about two from each and check them off in your note!! If you smell too much you stop being able to tell the scents apart, so you sniff the coffee beans beside you to reset and start again.

For the top notes: dewberry and bergamot!

For the middle notes: orchid and hay!!

For the base notes: amber and tonka bean! You also check what kind of mood you want the perfume to have at the start, and I chose "elegant and heavy."

Feedback from the perfumer

The Muhwawon perfumer gives feedback on whether the scents each person picked go well together and match the vibe they're after. A subtle difference can change the whole scent, so the perfumer also suggests notes that blend nicely with your choices. Mr. Jam would have something to say if he saw this, haha. His face isn't in the photo!🤪

The fragrance materials were neatly organized. Next, you bring the ingredients for your chosen scents back on a tray.

The blending process: three tests to the final scent

With the ingredients you brought back, you blend in three rounds. In the first, you add one drop of each chosen scent, shake it several times, and smell it. Mmm, this smells so good!!

You take out any scent you don't like and try another in its place, going through three tests.

Mr. Jam wasn't satisfied, so he blended six times.

Korean-style interior and Korean scents: why it suits visitors from abroad

Muhwawon's interior has a quiet Korean serenity, and with the calm music, the space itself is healing. The perfumer is calm too..

Quite a few foreign visitors come to Muhwawon. Besides the scents we all know, they've prepared special Korean scents, so I think it would be a unique experience for visitors from abroad.

Measuring, mixing 100 times, and naming your label

Once the final blend is set, you measure it to the right ratio and mix about 100 times.

Then pour it into the perfume bottle they've prepared, and it's done!! Choose a label name and the perfumer prints the label for you. To mark my memories of June, I chose 'June Memories' haha, and Mr. Jam went with 'With J'.

An hour and a half flew by so fast.

The comfort of the space and the happiness of the scents: everything was perfect at Muhwawon, the Bukchon perfume workshop.

Is there a Naver review perk at Muhwawon?

If you join the Naver review event, Muhwawon also makes a small perfume from your test blend that you can put in your car or closet. Be sure to take advantage of it when you visit.

Today was an elegant date with Mr. Jam on a day in June!! I recommend Muhwawon, the Bukchon perfume workshop, as a date spot!!