The photography is absolutely beautiful. This book can be very inspirational when it comes to creative thinking. Some of the properties of oils and additives are listed and can be very helpful and interesting to read, however this is not a book for beginner's. Some of the recipes call for fresh fruits, like strawberries and bananas, which I prefer not to put in soap or in the bath tub. Although the photos are lovely, some of the soaps, if looked at closely, seem crumbly. I haven't attempted any of the recipes yet, so time will tell.