Books by Author
Last updated 18 Nov 2020
Mandy Aftel practices natural perfumery. She creates unique perfumes for individuals and private labels. She is the proprietor of Aftelier Perfumes.
Essence & Alchemy is my reference book for natural perfumery. The paperback edition was published by Bloomsbury in 2002 (ISBN 07475 5801 9). It combines a history of perfume with a practical guide to creating perfumes using natural essences.
Amy Blackthorn focuses on the use of herbs and essential oils in contemporary ritual and magic. A quick glance at her CV shows some impressive credentials. She owns and runs a company that specialises in herbal teas (Blackthorn’s Hoodoo Blends). For several years she worked for the British company Lush championing the use of essential oils in cosmetics.
Blackthorn’s Botanical Magic is the second reference to which I turn when investigating essential oils (after Julia Lawless’s Encyclopaedia). It’s a book that helps to understand the connection between a plant or fragrance and the people who use it. It is, perhaps, the colour to Lawless’s black and white (although that may be a wee bit harsh on Lawless).
Blackthorn’s Botanical Brews is a book of recipes, potions and spells. I posted a more detailed review in November 2020.
William B Dick was an author and publisher in the US in the mid-nineteenth century. Dick and Fitzgerald published books on card games, on etiquette, and of practical advice.
The Encyclopaedia of Practical Receipts and Processes contains details of processes and recipes for an eclectic mix of industrial and domestic applications. Processes include methods of dyeing and electroplating. Recipes include medicinal and cosmetic preparations, fireworks and explosives. My copy is a reproduction of an edition given a date of 1872 by the publishers. There is an entry for this encyclopaedia in the Dick and Fitzgerald catalogue of 1866. The catalogue is in the public domain and has been published by Project Guttenberg.
Julia Lawless is the founder and owner of Aqua Oleum. She is respected as an authority in the field of aromatic plants and oils.
The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils is my primary reference book for essential oils, their origins, extraction, uses and potential safety issues. It’s also gives descriptions that are helpful in spotting whether an essential oil is likely to be genuine and pure, or if there is a likelihood of adulteration.
Sally Pointer is an historian with a particular interest in cosmetics. With Gareth Riseborough, she can be found on their website and on Facebook.
The Artifice of Beauty is a history of perfumes and cosmetics, including some recipes and speculative reconstructions of cosmetic and perfume preparations. Published by Sutton in 2005 (ISBN 0-7509-3887-0), this book is currently out of print. The price of second-hand copies fluctuates from around £20 to £150, so it is worth checking the market regularly until you find a reasonably priced copy.
Patrick Süskind is a German novelist.
Perfume was written in 1985. It has been translated into 49 languages, incliding the prizewinning English translation by John E Woods. It is a work of fantasy fiction set in 18th century France. The central character has a remarkable sense of smell, and the plot follows his creation of a bizzare perfume. There are some real insights to the creation of perfume within this novel. Perfume was the basis of the film Perfume: The Story of a Murderer which premiered in 2006.