Smelly Books for the Scent Curious

Not much narrative. Just books!

Contemporary writing, how to, historical references and my wish-list

If you’re new, start here: Essence and Alchemy by Mandy Aftel (Naturals)

• This one has a great primer with experiments for you to do at several budgets

Contemporary Writing on Scent and Fragrance Industry

• Perfume: The Alchemy of Scent by Jean-Claude Ellena

• The Secret of Scent by Luca Turin

• Fragrant by Mandy Aftel (Naturals)

• Revelations in Air: A Guidebook to Smell by Jude Stewart

• Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman

How To Basics and Beyond

• Working the Bench & Working the Bench II  by Justine Crane

• Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes by Nancy M. Booth

  • This is the one that sparked the idea that proper fragrances could be made with naturals

• The Herbal Home Spa by Greta Breedlove

• Perfuming With Natural Isolates by Shelley Waddington

• Foundations in Natural Perfumery by Ayala Moriel

• Natural Fragrance Wheel by Mandy Aftel (not a book, but super helpful for developing language around scent)

Old Books for Reference and Perspectives

• Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps Vol 1 by W A Poucher (out of print)

• The Art of Perfumery by G W Septimus Piesse, et al (1879)

• Perfumery and Kindred Arts R S Cristiani

• Perfume and Flavor Ingredients of Natural Origin by Archander

Aromatherapy and Safety

• Aromatherapy for the Beauty Therapist by Valerie Wormwood

• The Fragrant Mind by Valerie Wormwood

• The Illustrated Ency of Essential Oils by Julia Lawless

• Harvest to Hydrosol by Ann Harman

• Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals by Tisserand and Young

Wish List

• Natural Perfume Workbook by Mandy Aftel ($350)

• Olfactory training Workbook by Mandy Aftel ($350)

• The Perfume Handbook by Nigel Bloom

• Perfumer’s Handbook by Experimental Perfume Club

• Fundamentals of Fragrance Chemistry by Charles Sell