All-Natural Perfume Making

by Kristen Schuhmann

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

All-Natural Perfume Making is a tutorial and recipe guide for home perfume making written by Kristen Schuhmann. Due out 23rd March 2021 from Quarto on their becker&mayer! imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a beginner friendly tutorial guide for processing and blending perfumes and scented products at home. The introduction includes a short overview of tools and supplies and some info on how to use them. The following chapters cover essential oils, absolutes, tinctures, bases, hydrosols, and other perfume related terms and concepts. The author does a good job of defining terms in layman friendly language and most readers won't have any trouble understanding what she's talking about. There's an emphasis on safety and responsible blending throughout.

Chapter 2 - Blending Basics contains one of the better explanations of perfume "notes" and how to blend them that I've seen. There are lists with top, middle, and base notes and which will coordinate best instead of clashing. The note proportion diagrams which the author has included are especially illustrative and easy to follow.

The recipes include enough variations to keep makers busy for weeks or years. Recipes include ingredients listed bullet style in a list followed by step-by-step instructions. Many of the ingredients will require specialist suppliers. The author has included a resources and links list in the appendices which will help with sourcing ingredients which are difficult to find.

The photography and graphic layout throughout the book are well done (but mostly stock photos). I also liked that the human models were diverse (representation is important) and inclusive. This would make a good selection for home hobbyists, maker's groups, and school/library activity groups (with adult supervision).

Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.