Perfume ─ The Art & Craft of Fragrance

A complete introduction to the psychology and science of perfume, with instructions on using and layering scent, and making your own perfumed sprays, oils, and bath and body products.


At a time when advertising bombards us with the hard sell for the latest celebrity perfumes, fragrance expert Karen Gilbert shows how to create and blend your very own signature scent. Perfume: The Art and Craft of Fragrance introduces us to the psychology of smell and explains how fragrance can influence our moods and behavior, and gives a brief overview of perfume through the ages. A key chapter teaches you how to train your nose to recognize the five different fragrance families (floral, oriental, citrus, chypre, fougère), and how to identify the top, middle, and base notes of a perfume. Once you have understood the basics of how to build a fragrance, learn how to layer scents by creating perfume oils, sprays, and solids, plus scented bath and body products and home fragrance sprays from the easy step-by-step recipes. Illustrated throughout with charming artworks and photographs, Perfume: The Art and Craft of Fragrance is the perfect introduction to the art and romance of creating perfume.

Karen Gilbert is a natural skincare and fragrance expert. She trained at the London College of Fashion and worked for a leading perfume manufacturer. She subsequently followed her passion for natural health and beauty by training in aromatherapy and joining Neal’s Yard Remedies. Karen now runs artisan perfumery and natural beauty workshops, and is the author of Natural Beauty, also published by CICO Books. She lives in south London, UK.