Lovely, but Not Enough InfoAugust 31, 2008 Clementine(Lincoln, NE) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"Personalized Perumes" is a beautiful book, with large, striking, colorful photographs on each and every page. It's a visual pleasure for sure, but I can't say the same for the recipes it contains. This book was published in 1994, a few years in advance of the artisanal and botanical perfume movements, whose aficionados would be the most likely audience for a book of this type. Knowing this, I would recommend this book for folks with a little perfumery knowledge under their belt, rather than a novice. The photographs and scent blend suggestions may spark the creativity of an experienced perfumer who will know how to use the materials properly.
For beginners, there is too little in the way of perfume education in this book. You won't find a lot of background material about perfumery techniques or the raw materials in this book. The scent blends she suggests do not follow the classical perfume structure of base notes stacked with middle notes finished with top notes. As a result, the blends may smell interesting and beautiful but are likely to be linear and fleeting. Many of the recipes presented as a finished product in this book would serve better as Top Note or Heart Note accords in a more complete perfume anchored with base notes.
It's worth having in your perfume library since it costs so little, but if you're a serious student of perfumery, start with Mandy Aftel's "Essence and Alchemy" or Mindy Green's "Natural Perfumes" instead.
Wonderful beginner bookFebruary 18, 2002 Patty Carncross(Bad Axe,, MI United States) 38 out of 39 found this review helpful
For the inexperienced this book is a great beginning. It offers a set simple bases to begin experimenting with fragrance. The instuctions are in common measurements with no need of special scales or [pricey] equipment. If you are just courious and would like to try this hobby "Personalized Perfumes" is a good start.
Visually the book is stunning. The graphic design and the wonderfully composed photographs are the equal to any coffee table book. This little gem is a pleasure to own.
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