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Rating: 
Summary: Interesting recipes, but...
Review: As the owner of a home-based Bath and Body Products business, I am always on the look out for new recipes to try, adapt, etc. Although there are some fabulous sounding recipes in this book, the use of hydrosols, Sea Berry and Rose Hip Seed Co2 (had never heard of them before, ever) make them way too complicated and expensive for someone who just wants to learn how to put together some simple cosmetics at home. Some of the ingredients, waxes in particular, I'd never even heard of. Perhaps someone living in the U.S. would have an easier time acquiring the "exotics," but my excellent Canadian suppliers do not sell them. I also am not keen on her use of Borax in recipes as it can be a sensitizer for some people and there are gentler preservatives on the market one can use. I can't say I'm completely disappointed, but a strong word of caution to those thinking that they'll find easy "first timer" recipes in here -- they won't.
Rating: 
Summary: Regret buying
Review: I don't understand how anyone interested in cosmetics wouldn't love this book. It was delightful, and so informative! It is so much better to make your own than buy the commercial products. Some ingredients in the book are difficult to find, but not impossible, and not really that expensive when you consider the cost compared to the quality.My thanks to the author.
Rating:
Summary: Informative to a degree
Review: I found the formulas to be too exotic. Most of the ingredients are very expensive. I was also dissapointed that natural preservatives were not discussed. The thought of someone keeping their lotion in the refrigerator is an inconvenience. I want to sell my concoctions, and that can't be done without preservatives.
Rating: 
Summary: what demographic is this book for?
Review: I loved this book. I'm a soapmaker and sell at Farmer's Markets. I like to provide my customers with other things then soap. This book is full of no fail recipes. Donna uses a lot of exotic ingredients (which are not hard for me to find, but may be hard for others). I've tried three of her recipes and each has been unique. As I worked through the recipes, I found I had gained a more complete knowledge of how the process worked. Using the recipes was like a course on lotion and cream making. I sell one of her creams and one of her balms at the market they do very well for me. Once you get a knowledge of the ingredients you're working with, it's easy to make adaptions to suit your needs. I wish she's write another book. This one is a keeper, I have two copies for myself.
Rating: 
Summary: Making Aromatherapy creams and lotions
Review: I really enjoyed the book. I found that the book was explained in logical sequence with plenty of background information as to why you will use one oil over another depending on what your desire is. The book is not one where you can flip through it and AH! there's the recipe I want. You will need to read and understand what Donna Maria is trying to teach you first and then mix up your own concoction. However, she does include many of her own favorites. Otherwise, read the book and then pick your ingredients from each of the list (similar to ordering from a chinese restaurant) and chances are, you will have a nice product. I would write down your ingredients while you are making the product, because it will probably come up quite well and you will have to sell it.
Rating: 
Summary: Some New and Wondrful Recipes
Review: I've read dozens of books over the years that use the same types of natural ingredients. Donna Maria has uncovered and made available the newest aromatheraputic technologies for the home nuetricutical maker. Some folks have had trouble locating ingredients perhaps like CO2 extracts, hydrosols, and waxes. In the years since the book was first published, these ingredients flourish on the internet...there's not one I haven't been able to find. I'm so excited to have a new direction to experiment with for facial and body preparations. The book is presented in several sections. The first section details useful essential oils and extracts(like Sea Buckthorn Berry), many nutritious plant oils(like Tamanu Oil), and finally emulsifying and thickening agents (like Vegatable Emulsifying Wax). Then come the recipes. The first recipes are for creams and lotions. These recipes appear to be Donna Maria's favorite. The only trouble I had with the thickened creations was the addition of some not so natural emulsifying ingredients I would choose not use (such as Vegatable Emulsifying Wax). I would however use the beeswax formulas. Donna Maria states herself that "as much as the addition of these ingredients increase the aesthetic appeal of a product, it does nothing to treat the skin." Thus the next section: Skin Elixers. Wonderfully nutritious aromatheraputic concoctions to feed your skin and psyche. These are the 50/50 oil and water recipes. How can you resist recipes like "Dry Skin Sundae" and "Dew Drop"? This is my favorite section, even though there were more recipes for dry skin than my oilier skin. And as wonderful as the elixers are, there's more. The final section covers Aromatic Beauty Foods. The fruit-on-your-face kind of recipes with ingredients like Soapwort Root, Clays, EOs, Honey, Mango, Oats, Hydrosols...the list goes on. This is my new favorite skin care recipe book... I like to try the newest ingredients that research is bearing out to be greatly beneficial for the skin. Even health-food store brands can't begin to touch the quality of these elixers. Be good to yourself and "Feed Your Skin".
Rating:
Summary: Some New and Wondrful Recipes
Review: I've read dozens of books over the years that use the same types of natural ingredients. Donna Maria has uncovered and made available the newest aromatheraputic technologies for the home nuetricutical maker. Some folks have had trouble locating ingredients perhaps like CO2 extracts, hydrosols, and waxes. In the years since the book was first published, these ingredients flourish on the internet...there's not one I haven't been able to find. I'm so excited to have a new direction to experiment with for facial and body preparations. The book is presented in several sections. The first section details useful essential oils and extracts(like Sea Buckthorn Berry), many nutritious plant oils(like Tamanu Oil), and finally emulsifying and thickening agents (like Vegatable Emulsifying Wax). Then come the recipes. The first recipes are for creams and lotions. These recipes appear to be Donna Maria's favorite. The only trouble I had with the thickened creations was the addition of some not so natural emulsifying ingredients I would choose not use (such as Vegatable Emulsifying Wax). I would however use the beeswax formulas. Donna Maria states herself that "as much as the addition of these ingredients increase the aesthetic appeal of a product, it does nothing to treat the skin." Thus the next section: Skin Elixers. Wonderfully nutritious aromatheraputic concoctions to feed your skin and psyche. These are the 50/50 oil and water recipes. How can you resist recipes like "Dry Skin Sundae" and "Dew Drop"? This is my favorite section, even though there were more recipes for dry skin than my oilier skin. And as wonderful as the elixers are, there's more. The final section covers Aromatic Beauty Foods. The fruit-on-your-face kind of recipes with ingredients like Soapwort Root, Clays, EOs, Honey, Mango, Oats, Hydrosols...the list goes on. This is my new favorite skin care recipe book... I like to try the newest ingredients that research is bearing out to be greatly beneficial for the skin. Even health-food store brands can't begin to touch the quality of these elixers. Be good to yourself and "Feed Your Skin".
Rating:
Summary: Who is this book written for?
Review: Interested in making my own skin care products, possibly starting my own business, I purchased this book (and a few others) to get some background. The author makes her own skincare products and sells them as well. There are many great recipes utilizing the ingredients I plan on using in my own products, but I was a little disappointed that the ingredients were not explained more (their benefits, how they work, etc) and was EXTREMELY disapointed that natural preservatives were not covered in this book. This book does not cover everything a young entrepreneur needs to know on the subject. A home enthusiast would spend the time finding the ingredients (I found them without problem online, but in quantity, not exactly the amount one would purchase for home use...another reason I'm upset natural preservatives were not discussed)
In essence, I am confused as to whom this book was written. The home user will be upset that the ingredients are not at their local store, the entrepreneur will be left with questions...maybe the expert business owner will like reading others recipes?
Rating:
Summary: Impractical for all but the most avid home cosmetic maker
Review: It took me less than an hour after receiving this book to realize that most of the cream and lotion recipes are impractical for me to do. Not only that, the author seems to favor the use of highly processed ingredients. She appears to be far more concerned with the texture or appearance of her creams than with their being as unprocessed as possible. As I read through the book, I found myself wondering how in the world anyone with a life could find the time to hunt down all the ingredients (many are quite exotic, and she doesn't suggest substitutes), let alone prepare them. I was quite disappointed. There are many easier-to-procure-ingredients which will be just as therapeutic for the skin. The description on the back cover is definitely misleading. Most of the creams and lotions are time consuming to prepare and simply not practical (and definitely NOT easy!). I decided to return the book 1 hour after I received it from amazon. The two stars in my rating are for the presentation (it's a pretty book).
Rating:
Summary: Regret buying
Review: This book is not for a novice. I have been making soap for family and friends and I have quite an array of fixed and essential oils but I find many of the key ingredients are hard to find or are very expensive. She uses absolutes, hydrosals, and expensive essential oils like roman chamomile. If you don't want to spend a lot of money or are new to making homemade cosmetics, do not buy this book.
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