Jo's Scent Notes: How to Speak Scent (by Jo!)

You wait ages for a new book to come along… and then two are published, at almost the same time!

That’s kismet, not design. Because – coincidentally launching at almost the same time as The Beauty Bible Iconic Edition – this book actually revisits an earlier volume that I wrote, The Perfume Bible (Kyle Books).

If I say so myself, How to Speak Scent has a wealth of useful information on ingredients, history, fragrance families, how to choose perfume… An excellent ‘primer’ for someone who wants to explore the world of fragrance, or to help you dig deeper into a world that has bewitched you (as it has me!) Across 127 beautifully designed pages, this book – small enough to tuck into a handbag without requiring an osteopath’s appointment afterwards – has a wealth of info.

What’s missing from this volume are the ‘100 Fragrances to Try Before You Die’ that appeared in our earlier (big) book, because while the rest of the book’s content is completely timeless, much of that list is well past its sell-by date. (That list was compiled by my former co-founder of The Perfume Society, Lorna McKay, whose name’s on this book, too, but who I sold that business to five years ago.)

I understand well that the world of fragrance may be spellbinding – but it can also feel opaque, overwhelming (or even downright scary). Having steeped myself in perfume for over three decades (as it were), I wanted to make it more accessible to all – to make sure that everyone can ‘speak scent’, to get more joy out of the most incredible universe of pleasure that awaits, once you learn to ‘speak scent’.

And I’m really proud of this little darling – a great Christmas gift or stocking filler, if I may blow its trumpet!

£12.99 (Octopus Books) – buy here