Not at all like a department-store perfume counter, Strange Invisible Perfumes most closely resembles scent-making as would be envisioned by Willy Wonka.

Proprietor Alexandra Balahoutis concocted 22 ready-made, all-natural essence perfumes, but this shop also offers customized fragrances. Consultations with a perfumer take several hours, and questions asked may include, "What's your favorite wine, season, place to travel?" Clients are then led to a testing session of flora-filled water glasses. This process isn't cheap, of course, but Balahoutis' Hollywood connections (her stepdad is producer Jerry Bruckheimer) keep her in business.—Mai Dinh