Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine

Noblesse Luxe Publication

Feature Article

                                         
                                             VANILLA SMOKE
                         A Natural Gourmand Scent

                                   

    
            I hope Mandy Aftel forgives me for my tardiness in with this review. As you may know, my favorite scent is Vanilla. So, when I found out that Mandy created a new scent that features the scent of Vanilla, I knew I wanted to talk about it.

           I was patient in coming to terms in writing about Vanilla Smoke because I wanted to learn more about the Vanilla Orchid industry and how their is a shortage of "real" Vanilla in Madagascar in particular. 

          During my research on this subject, I read reviews from other well respected perfume bloggers about Vanilla Smoke. A few of these bloggers mentioned "citrus", "leathery", "woodsy" just to name a few.

          But out of these few bloggers no one mentioned the word, "gourmand". 
The sample I received from Aftelier Perfume is Vanilla Smoke Eau de Parfum and it is a gourmand!

         In fact, the word gourmand is mentioned in the description of this fragrance. Mandy is absolutely correct! 
         
         When I first laced my wrist with Vanilla Smoke EDP. I immediately got a beautiful array of sweet vanilla that cofirmed  to me, it originated from Madagascar. Vanilla from Madigascar has a unique sweetness that is humbled by a superior rich dark and creamy aroma and enhanced by Mandy's incredible skills by giving it a smoky rendition of a harmonic melody.


        Moments later that sweetness simmers to a blend of balsamic smoke.

Madagascar Vanilla beans

Most people think there is one kind of vanilla and that is further from the truth. 

       Vanilla Smoke is created with one of the key notes and that is vanilla absolute. Mandy went the extra mile by enhances the scent with the flavor of lapsang souchong tea leaves.

      Research indicates that lapsang is an ancient Chinese black tea and the lapsang leaves are traditionally smokedried over pinewood fires that takes on a distinctive smoky aroma.

     So, there is no doubt why this fragrance is named Vanilla Smoke. 

  This is the extra mile I just spoke about. Most natural Vanilla fragrances on the market would have just left it having vanilla absolute in it.  Mandy used a love of lapsang souchong tea leaves with  it's natural  smoky aroma with the vanilla absolute... that is still considered a gourmand fragrance!

Lapsang Souchong tea leaves

  The price for Vanilla Smoke EDP should be a lot more than the asking price. 

  Vanilla Smoke consist of Madagascar Vanilla which is really hard to purchase nowadays and when  you do find it, the price is "sky high". Plus this fragrance consist of Saffron. 

  Saffron is the most expensive spice and Vanilla comes in second. 

  I trust Mandy. I trust she purchases the finest ingrients and that is why Vanilla Smoke caught my attention. I knew Mandy would do wonders with it but at what cost did she have to endure to provide a superior Vanilla fragrance for our enjoyment. 

Fragrance Notes:
Featured Notes in organic alcohol
Top: Yellow Mandarin, Siam Wood, Saffron Absolute, Vanillin
Base: Vanilla Absolute, Lapsang Souchong, Ambergris, Coumarin

VANILLA SMOKE EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY  30ML  $180.00 USD
VANILLA SMOKE SAMPLE  1ML  $7.00 USD    
 www.aftelier.com







Photos Courtesy of: www.aftelier.com; www.lafaza.com; letsdrinktea.com

FMH


  
        

      

         

          


   


     

Noblesse Luxe Publishing

FRAGRANCE REVIEW


                           CUIR DE GARDENIA
                                   The creation of a modern island flower
   

I  will always appreciate the classic scents of  fragrances that represents a single note such as the rose, jasmine, gardenia, marigold and a host of others. My curiosity and passion for perfumes always peaks to another level when a perfumer takes a single note scent and creatively combines, adds, renew this component with other scents that makes its own unique a newly created scent.

  CUIR DE GARDENIA by Aftelier Perfumes is based on the Tahitian Gardenia, the home flower that represents the South Seas...Tahiti to be exact.

  The Tahitian Gardenia is found only in the South Pacific which makes the island of Tahiti a gem where this gorgeous scented flower is grown.

  The "tiare" flower is another name for Tahitian flower and this scent is one of those that hold a soft place in my heart. When I was a child and my passion for scents started to flourish, the tiare flower scented perfumes became my favorites.

CUIR DE GARDENIA is beautifully transformed into Mandy Aftel's ideal of the Tahitian Gardenia.
There are certain aspects of this flower that Mandy maintains such as the creamy sweetness of this milky white flower. However, CUIR DE GARDENIA has a hint of woodsy musk that provides a modern flair to an ancient flower.

Mandy provided me with the liquid and solid formulas for my review and I wore both of these over several weeks.I was immediately transformed into a luscious oasis miles away. Cuir De Gardenia is not what you think in terms of the major island brand Monoi for the tiare flower but Cuir De Gardenia is a flair of a Tahitian flower for the modern age that finds a woodsy essence a true delight of blended notes what truly gravitates my vision of the exotic tropics.
formula. To me, the Solid version of Cuir De Gardenia became my passionate friend over those weeks because it worked best with my body chemistry and the texture was soft and smooth as I mildly rubbed it on my wrists.

The tiare scented perfumes I have smelled always consisted of a coconut oil enfleurage. Mandy did not add this ingredient, instead she created it with tiare (gardenia) absolute and honey (these are not the only ingredients) but to me the honey  is a welcoming change to the usual coconut.It gives a added delicate aspect to CUIR DE GARDENIA, which is a rare and beautiful component.

As I stated, I love the diversity in perfumes that take the old and renew it with a new and often times improved scent. However, it has to be done carefully because a lot of people at not conditioned for change.

The immediate scent of gardenia is a rush of endless streams of the flower and cascading jasmine to continue an epic of white flowers so I really don't see any problems in experiencing Cuir De Gardenia because she realizes that working with nature is best. 

 I admire the modern complexity of this fragrance. 'The Art of Perfumery' never stops admitting that there is always more to come and Mandy definitely demonstrates this in her ever quest to continue beautifying this art.


FEATURED NOTES

Middle Notes : tiare (gardenia) absolute, jasmine grandiflorum absolute, benzyl acetate
Base Notes: castoreum, ethyl phenyl acetate, maltol

RETAIL INFORMATION

Cuir de Gardenia comes in various liquid and a solid sizes.

Sample 0.25ml  $6.00 USD
1/4 ounce liquid (extrait)  $195.00 USD
Extrait mini  $55.00 USD
Eau de Parfum Spray $195.00 USD
Solid 1/4 ounce $240.00 USD

* The lovely compact is designed by Mandy Aftel from handmade one ounce sterling silver. It comes presented in a choice of orange or purple silk pouch.

www.aftelier.com


Photo: Courtesy of Aftelier Perfumes USA Berkeley, California













FMH

Noblesse Luxe Publishing
"Redefining the High Life"

Natural Fragrance

                                 SECRET GARDEN by Aftelier Perfume
                                              The Key to the Scent of Life

   I open the gate to the summer season with a fragrance that was inspired by a novel set in the early twentieth century.

   It is a story about hope, courage and healing and in order to get these promises one must be brave and open the gate with the key.

  The key to life.

  Every time I read the book and watch the adapted television versions, I imagine how it must feel to finally see the garden transform into a lush, breathing and color place full of hope, courage and healing.

  Of course, this is a fictional story but you can always breath the essences of those amazing scents flowing through the air all day and night if you are Mandy Aftel who creates these aspiring scents in her boutique.

  I had this journey when I came across a beautiful spring and summer fragrance by Aftelier Perfumes.

  SECRET GARDEN, the fragrance is inspired by the book, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

  As I opened my sample of SECRET GARDEN Eau de Parfum Spray, I began to realize what it felt like to open up a whole new world of adventure captured by the lavish living organisms that keep us coming back for more adventure.

  I entered the SECRET GARDEN Eau de Parfum and I was welcomed by the cluster of roses, the sweetness of the nectar succumbed by the honey bees and the richness of raspberries that leaves the dark red stain on the lips.

  Suddenly I felt like the girl in the book, I was awaken and alive and the spellbinding scent of jasmine sambac swept me off my feet like the cascading birds in the garden as they landed on the posts of the garden gate.

  SECRET GARDEN by Aftelier Perfumes allows you to enter the garden as a child and after you experience the aroma, you leave as an adult with an understanding that anything is possible if you believe.

  SECRET GARDEN Eau de Parfum is the key to a grand future.

  INGREDIENTS: Top Notes: Bergamot, Bois de Rose, Geraniol, Blood Orange

                         Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Raspberry (compound isolate), Turkish Rose, Blue Lotus

                         Base Notes: Civet, Castoreum, Vanilla, *Deer Tongue, Benzoin, Aged Patchouli  

   PURCHASE: www.aftelier.com 

   Eau de Parfum Spray 30ml $150.00 US
   1/4 oz $150.00 US
   2ml mini $45.00 US
   1/4 ml Sample $6.00


   PHOTO: Eau de Parfum Spray 30 ml courtesy of Aftelier Perfumes;picture of garden courtesy of www.lakesuperiortheatre.com 



   F.H.                      

 

  

Noblesse Luxe Publishing
"Redefining the High Life"

Natural Food Essence


                   CHEF'S ESSENCES by Aftelier debuts in the Luxe

   If you want to enter the fragrance business, my sound advice would be to walk in the footsteps of Mandy Aftel,  natural master perfumer and owner of Aftelier Perfumes and now owner and developer of CHEF'S ESSENCES. An all-natural essential oil collection that adds flavor to all of your most favorite foods.

  With just one drop of CHEF'S ESSENCES and your food is transformed into a more delicious and more healthy dish because each is made in small batches that is sourced from fine growers in the US and from around the world.

  CHEF'S ESSENCES comes in array of flavors to enhance meats, vegetables and desserts that provides enough intense flavor to a simple casserole dish to even a more exotic meal from a Far Eastern recipe.

Mandy Aftel

 Mandy Aftel is a successful author of several books and the book that is most essential for anyone who loves to cook or who is into perfumery and/or both would be, Aroma: The Magic of Essential Oils in Foods and Fragrance written by Mandy Aftel and Daniel Patterson. This book is a   feast for the eyes in terms of it being a cookbook with luscious recipes and important information on fragrances, carriers and how to make a fragrance.

  The title of this article is '"CHEF'S ESSENCES by Aftelier debuts in the Luxe'' because CHEF'S ESSENCES launches at one of the finest home furnishing and gourmet cookware shops in the world, and that is Williams-Sonoma!

  Thank you Mandy for allowing all of us who admire your unique and fabulous skills in the Art of Perfumery to now be able to enjoy our food a little better in a more tasteful and healthy way of living.

  Purchase at www.williams-sonoma.com




 Aroma: The Magic of Essential Oils in Foods and Fragrance by Mandy Aftel and Daniel Patterson; published by Artisan; hardcover; 216 pages (2004); ISBN-10 1579652646
      www.artisanbooks.com     www.amazon.com


  Photos: Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma, photo of Mandy Aftel courtesy of sfgate.com



 F.H.

 



 

                                              HAUTE CLAIRE


                                 Echoes “The Song of Roland”

   
Mandy Aftel, award winning perfumer and owner of AFTELIER PERFUMES has again created a fragrance inspired by the art of literature and this time, HAUTE CLAIRE  Eau de Parfum (“high and bright”) symbolizes the famous sword in French literature that scholars says date approximately between 1040 and 1115.


This famous sword comes from a poem named, “The Song of Roland” in French (“La Chanson de Roland”).


The Song of Roland is the oldest surviving major work of French literature and it is based on Roland, the nephew of Christian King Charlemagne.


The finest French libraries and institutions can add yet another to their literary department but this time it comes in the form of a perfume, HAUTE CLAIRE...the fragrance for our times.  




                          Featured Notes


Top Notes: galbanum, Mexican lime, wild sweet orange, ylang ylang co2.


Middle Notes: honeysuckle absolute, ylang ylang extra, clary sage.


Base Notes: vetiver, ethyl phenyl acetate, vanilla absolute.

PURCHASE: HAUTE CLAIRE Eau de Parfum Spray is available in a 30 ml spray ($150) and 1ml sample ($6) at http://www.aftelier.com/


*****************DRAW*********************
In collaboration with PERFUME PHARMER, a Giveaway of one HAUTE CLAIRE Eau de Parfum deluxe sample size Sprayer. Go to COMMENT BOX to indicate that you want to enter.



F.H.

                         Advice to two Ivy League students:
                              “Take Mandy Aftel with you”

 


“Sure that is no problem”, I replied and shipped them off to the east coast where they live. Diane asked me what I would advise them to wear of Mandy’s products. Diane continued to explain that they will be among some of the brightest students in the world and they wanted the finest products for two of the finest universities in the land.


So, I thought the best way to handle this is with a letter. My letter to Diane and Kim on advice on Life and why they should take Aftelier Perfumes’ Pink Lotus Perfume, Chocolate and Saffron Body Oil and Rain Perfumed Bath Oil with them to school.






Dear Diane & Kim,
I am so proud of your accomplishments! You both have certainly grown to be such lovely and smart young ladies. Harvard University and Princeton University are blessed to have you in their wonderful midst.

Mandy Aftel

I know you both are busy gathering items to take with you to school but I have a few items that I would like for you to take. They are made from a Master  Perfumer who is quite accomplished in her profession and admired by many worldwide. So, my advice is to take Mandy Aftel to school with you.


I do not mean this literally but Mandy creates awe-inspiring perfumes, bath and body products that have met the challenge and she is the 2011 FIFI AWARD FINALIST for Indie Perfumes, the first ever in the history to be nominated for such  prestigious award from the Fragrance Foundation.


Diane and Kim, you are no strangers to success in your own right and for that reason that is why you both were accepted to two fine institutions. So, I thought you should take products that represent YOU.
 
First, there is PINK LOTUS PERFUME. It is part of the chypre family of fragrance notes. The reason I love it is because it has orange in it and it is centered on lotus which stems back to Ancient Egypt. The scent is enduring, delightful and it has a very pretty orangery-pink color. Ladies, what is equally impressive is the beautiful French flacon pendant that you can have filled with PINK LOTUS and this gives you two ways of wearing this perfume.


Next, is the delicious scent of chocolate interwoven  with the world’s most expensive spice, Saffron into romantic body oil. CHOCOLATE and SAFFRON BODY OIL is a beautiful blend that will glide easily and smoothly on your skin without the greasy feel.


This will be great to use after you come from the gym to relief some of the stress after an exam!


Lastly, but definitely one of the beauty regimen for the morning is to add a few drops of RAIN    PERFUMED BATH OIL in your bath. After you press the snooze button for the third time and you still don’t get out of bed, keep in the mind the aroma of a fresh rain coming from the sky quiet and pure that is sweetened with ravensara and chamomile. Now, I got your attention! Let’s proceed with running water from the faucet and plop you are there. See what I told you. It so good for your skin as it soaks in leaving your skin scented, smooth and glossy.


Congratulations Di and Kim! You are official graduates of the Mandy Aftel school of AFTELIER PERFUMES.


Okay ladies, now that you know what to bring to school. I will let you go to finish packing and once again, Congratulations and see, bringing Mandy Aftel with you to school is not a bad idea.

Love,
Felicia






PINK LOTUS features…bitter orange, bergamot, tuberose, jasmine, ylang ylang, antique sandalwood, oak moss






CHOCOLATE AND SAFFRON BODY OIL features…chocolate, flowers, jojoba oil base and fractioned coconut oil






RAIN PERFUMED BATH OIL features…apples notes, ravensara, chamomile from South Africa, pure essential oils (no carrier)


PURCHASE: aftelier.com



F.H.