Pleasant smells have long been associated not only with health, wealth and good hygiene but also sound moral character; bad smells indicate lack of cleanliness, ill health, poverty - and immorality. Throughout history, people have applied scents to their bodies and clothing. They have carried perfumed objects, worn scented jewellery, sent scented letters, even exchanged scented coins. Aromas have been used to perfume private houses and public spaces from the ancient world to today. Gaining an understanding of how scents were used allows us to get up close and personal to daily life in any given period. Some uses of scent are particularly revealing: the smell of the impressive quantities of blood spilt in the Colosseum of Ancient Rome was masked by a sprinkler system discharging saffron into the arena. Cosmus the perfumier's scented pastilles designed to hide bad breath were famous enough to be lauded by the poet Martial. Leather gloves in the Renaissance period stank to high heaven and had to be perfumed. The first designer perfume was created by the fashion designer Paul Poiret in 1920, who scented the hems of the dresses in his collection. The 'democratization' of perfume by the introduction of synthetic scent is a fascinating story in itself. Susan Stewart's analysis is in line with the very latest research into sensory history, tailored to the general reader.

150 all-natural skin, hair and body care recipes that are inexpensive, toxin-free, and easy for readers to make themselves.
"Homemade Beauty" is a beautifully packaged collection of 150 all-natural skin, hair and body care recipes. From turning blueberries into a lush detoxifying mask to fresh lemongrass into a non-toxic bug repellent, "Homemade Beauty" takes the ubiquitous eat-local, farm-to-table concept and brings it to the beauty category.
As reports on the dangers of chemicals in cosmetics become increasingly alarming and the aspiration to live a more natural life grows, many of us are eager to take beauty regimens into our own hands to ensure we are putting only the safest and most natural ingredients on our bodies. Commercially available organic beauty products are expensive, but they are easy and cheaper to make at home and most require 5 simple ingredients or less. Recipes like Almond Rose Body Lotion, Coconut Lavender Shampoo, and Brown Sugar Vanilla Scrub will enchant you with heady scents - and thrill you when you realize these pampering products take only 5 minutes to make