Summary of Working the Bench: A Natural Botanical Perfumery Instructional for Beginners by Justine M Crane

Unleash your inner perfumer with 'Working the Bench' by Justine M Crane. Explore the art of natural botanical perfumery and create your signature scent!

Welcome, fragrance aficionados and accidental scent enthusiasts! If you've ever dreamed of crafting your very own perfumes without the need for a PhD in chemistry or a secret garden filled with rare flowers, then Working the Bench, authored by the aromatic wizard Justine M Crane, is here to sprinkle a little magic into your olfactory life. Seriously, who knew you could go from "What's that smell?" to "Oh, darling, that's my signature scent" in the comfort of your own kitchen?

This delightful guide is a beginner's treasure map to the world of natural botanical perfumery, where the first step is simply rolling up your sleeves and diving into the fragrant chaos. Forget designer labels and synthetic nonsense; we're talking about real flowers, spices, and oils that were literally grown on this planet-yes, the Earth! Get ready to explore the basics of crafting perfumes that won't just smell divine but will have you feeling like a potion master.

Let's talk about what you can expect from this botanical bonanza. The book is structured like a delightful workshop where each chapter teaches you to transform everyday ingredients into heavenly scents. You'll learn about the essential oils that will rock your world, and more importantly, how to blend them without accidentally creating a smell that could clear an entire room. (Trust me, there's a fine line between delectable and destructive.)

Crane emphasizes the importance of understanding the different scent families-yes, there are families, just like in a soap opera. You've got your florals, your woods, your spicy delights, and even those zesty citrus numbers that can feel like a party in your nose. As you work your way through this botanical perfume manual, you'll become intimately acquainted with the notes that make up your fragrance repertoire.

And then comes the fun part-experimenting! Crane encourages you to play mixologist with your essential oils, but with a charming twist. She uses terms like "top notes," "middle notes," and "base notes," which sound like they could be characters in a soap opera of their own. Your job is to balance these delightful components, creating masterpieces instead of olfactory disasters. Who knew that mixing roses, cedarwood, and lemon could take you places? Just be wary of those cringe-worthy concoctions that could lead to nose-holding neighbors.

As an added bonus, Working the Bench isn't just about slapping some oils together and hoping for the best. Oh no, dear reader! You'll also learn about the history of perfumery, the science behind scent (you have to know why your nose loves what it loves), and a sprinkle of sustainability with tips on sourcing your ingredients ethically. So not only will you smell fabulous, but you'll be saving the planet one whiff at a time.

In short, Justine M Crane's Working the Bench is your gateway to becoming a DIY perfume sorcerer. It's informative, it's whimsical, and it definitely has the potential to elevate your scent game from "What is that?" to "Where can I buy it?" Good luck on your fragrant journey! Just remember: a little experimentation goes a long way, so don't forget to document those wild scent adventures-just in case you end up creating something that's best kept secret. After all, not everything needs to be shared with the world, right?

Happy concocting!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.