Perfume: The art and craft of fragrance Hardcover – 12 Sept. 2013

The art of a perfumer is a true skill. This well written and beautifully illustrated book is the best introduction to this vast subject I have been able to find. As a novice it has given me practical information to enable me to make simple blends using natural fragrances with basic information about balancing fragrance notes and creating different accords within the different notes. There are also very good instructions to make oil based, alcohol based, solid perfumes and room fragrances. There is basic practical guidance as to how to begin training you nose to recognise fragrance notes and blends. There is insight and inspiration into the art of using chemical extracts from plant oils and quality synthetics to enhance naturals where needed because of inherent restrictions with some plant oils due to their very nature, lack of longevity, potential skin irritation and cost. I have been guided to think about perfume within the different categories of fragrances, which types of smells and plant extracts are usually found in each and inspired to be creative. There is so much practical information in this little book set against history and evolution of the fragrance industry that .I have been both daunted by its potential complexity but truly inspired to want to learn more.

The information in it was interesting but I was expecting more recipes to try. It provides a good insight on the art of fragrance so if one is interesting on background information this is a good book. On the other hand if you want lots of easy to follow recipes then there are other options on the market. Very quick delivery and packaging.

Written by the amazing Karen Gilbert, this book takes you through the history of perfume and at the same time, gives relevance to the perfumes you will be making later. That's right - not just a study on perfume and the fragrance groups but a hands-on book that will have you making beautiful perfumes. You can follow Karen's recipes but she also gives plenty of guidance how to successfully free-style and create your own bespoke perfumes.You can make classical perfumes, perfume oils, solid perfumes and room fragrancers. Reed diffucers are also here as well as how to fragrance shower gels, scrubs, creams and lotions. Oh, and she tells you how to make the shower gels, scrubs, creams and lotions as well!Beautifully photographed, clear, concise, informative and a joy to read - there is everything to love about this book. Buy now and indulge yourself. Buy as presents for other people and they will love you for it.

was hoping that this would include more recipes for scent - a lots of perfume history but I am not really interested in that.

I love this bookKaren's style is so easy to read and this book so informative.From the history of perfumes right through to modern times she unpacks the mystery of fragrances.Packed full of useful information I'm sure this book will encourage lots of people to start their own journey to making or finding their own unique perfume[[ASIN:1782490442 Perfume: The art and craft of fragrance - Learn how to create your own personal fragrance, with easy-to-follow recipes for perfumes, bath and body products to make at home

Karen Gilbert has become one of my favourite authors in the area of natural beauty, including fragrance, and I own two books by this author. The book is extremely well-organized, and has so many wonderful recipes and other information. I am so glad I bought this book! This is the next best thing to taking one of Gilbert's classes.

Good technical knowledge about perfumes but hardly and recipes you can use for making perfumes.

Just what I was looking for. A great introduction without being too complicated. The book you need if you have an interest in perfumery and don't quite know where to start.

Very good for my education. Thank you.

Ich habe mir dieses Buch zugelegt, weil es vor allem sehr interessante Hintergrundinformationen bietet: Historie der Parfumherstellung, Überblick und Hintergründe über die Parfums der großen Parfumhäuser und vor allem über die Trends in den verschiedenen Dekaden. K. Gilbert geht im praktischen Teil auch sehr gut auf die Themen "Taining der Nase" , Äth. Öle vs. Synth Materialien und Akkorderstellung ein. Ansonsten gibt es im praktischen Teil Rezepte allerlei Art, von Parfum bis zu Raumsprays und Badeölen, bei den Parfums selber leider immer nur 1 pro Klassifikation.Was ich mir gewünscht hätte: bei den Parfumrezepten auch Rezepte mit Einsatz von Synth. Aromen und was hierbei zu beachten ist. Worauf im Gegensatz zu anderen Büchern nicht eingegangen wird: Filtrierung und Reifezeit einer Parfummischung, Nuancierung / Abrundung eines Parfums.Wer überwiegend an den verständlich und kompakt gehaltenen Hintergrundinformationen interessiert ist, bekommt mit diesem Buch allerdinge einen sehr guten Ein-und Überblick.

This is a beautiful little book. The design, the photography, the overall quality are all outstanding. In its essence it is more of a handbook, but contains all the necessary information to serve as an introduction into studying and designing perfumes. I found the historical context of the evolution of perfumes eye opening (even wished for a little more). I missed a little more information on the famous perfume houses (Guerlain, Coty, Chanel, etc.), but again, this is a small book and could not expect it to be comprehensive. The eight chapters of the book are divided evenly in between theory (art) and practice. The practice part contains recipes for sprays, oils, solids, recipes for fragrance blends, bath and body products (body scrubs, shower gels, lotions, creams), home fragrances (room sprays and reed diffusers). The author is clearly an expert on this topic and makes this introduction entertaining and easy to follow without trying to give an overly simplistic view. Again, I am amazed by the overall quality of this little book.

Would have wanted an in depth information, but its okay.

There aren't a lot of comprehensive books out there on how to make natural perfumes and fragrances. This one isn't either but it comes the closest. I believe the moral of the story is that if you really want to learn this stuff you need to take up some serious studying. However, the book goes into the science, both chemical and artistic, of how to combine scents and how to teach your nose (brain) to discern each one. It provides formulas for various blends and explains the history behind perfumes and perfume families, which I found very interesting. A pretty book as well, it is nicely done.