It's not every day I'm offered a free pre-release copy of a book - let alone one about Perfume. Needless to say, I was suspicious but hopeful when I replied to the email I was sent by a Penguin publicist requesting I review a new book. My copy of The Little Book of Perfumes the Hundred Classics by Tuca Turin and Tania Sanchez arrived a few days later. As I'm a big fan of the original book PERFUMES-The A-Z Guide by Turin and Sanchez, I was excited to read their new pared down perfume primer. Note to publicists: this is an incredibly smart way to generate buzz in the perfume community-very smart indeed!
First, the cover and design of the book is eye catching. A graphic black and white printed cover opens to hot pink liner pages. Snazzy.
As I thumbed through the pages reading reviews of the 100 Classic Perfumes, I was most happy to note that Luca and Turin devoted a good deal of content to dealing with the revisions of many of these classic perfumes due to IFRA regulations. Many of these classic perfumes have been so heavily revised they are but a shallow remembrance of their former greatness. I appreciated that the authors were careful to re-sniff the revised 2011 perfume versions with many of the natural ingredients removed and meticulously note the changes brought about by IFRA's restrictions.
No Oakmoss Allowed!
1 comment
I agree! Enough of the nanny state already—I think most adults have enough sense to quit wearing a fragrance if it proves somehow incompatible with their body chemistry. And I’d much rather gamble on a potential allergic reaction to a natural ingredient than spray chemicals on my skin!