She has a tendency to get a little too precious about the merits of naturals over synthetics for my taste, but overall it’s a fantastic book. Aftel breaks down the three types of notes that make up a perfume-base, middle, and top-and how they function in a scent profile. It provides an excellent overview of perfume history and its use in different cultures. Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume by Mandy AftelĮssence and Alchemy is not just a history of perfume, it’s also a guide to start creating your own scents from natural ingredients. Every time I get a new sample or want to investigate a new perfume, Turin and Sanchez’s guide is the first thing I turn to. It’s an excellent reference guide and jumping off point for getting to know a fragrance. Every five star scent is highlighted, so you can easily flip through and find their favourites. Some of the reviews provide a brief history of the scent or a background on the perfumer, while others are scathingly hilarious.Įach review has a starred rating and scent notes (e.g., fruity floral, woody citrus, sweet fougère, etc.). It’s basically a dictionary of perfumes - mostly from well known perfume houses and designers, organized in alphabetical order - with accompanying reviews. Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez’s guide is exactly what you’d expect from the title. Perfumes: The A–Z Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez They all come recommended by the IAO as well.
A couple of them I’ve already read and the rest I’m eagerly anticipating. These six books dive into the history and science of scent. 6 Books About Perfume and Scent to Tickle the Nose I’ve since purchased and procured six that I thought sounded most promising.
They also have a list of recommended books about perfume and scents. They’re wonderfully affordable and cover a wide range of topics, from the history of specific scent categories to the process of setting up your own perfume lab. I began my journey into the world of perfume by taking online classes at the Institute for Art and Olfaction (IAO). I want to know everything about it: the history, the cultural significance, the science behind it, how it’s made, and how to make it myself. When I become obsessed with a new interest I like to read as much about that thing as I can. We talk a lot about memoirs on the podcast and on our blog, but since it’s Nonfiction November I wanted to give some love to other types of nonfiction.
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