Mandy Aftel of Aftelier has been creating fragranced facial oils for the past twenty years or so, rotating various blends in and out of production. I've been an admirer of Aftelier's "elixirs" for the past year, since I first tried them, and I still haven't decided which blend I prefer, the Organic Ylang or the Organic Rose; both are gorgeous (and effective). Now there's a third blend, and it's making my decision even more difficult. It's the new Organic Honeysuckle Face Elixir, scented with "rare honeysuckle absolute from Italy."
This facial elixir is richly fragranced: if you apply it to your face at bedtime, not only will you drift off to sleep on a wave of lush floral notes, you might even smell the scent again when you wash your face the next morning. Its honeysuckle heart evokes over-ripe fruit (melon, mangoes, peaches) as well as golden honey. The juiciness of the fruit aspect is balanced by a creamy note, surrounding the flower's sticky nectar with soft petals. A hint of something indolic emerges as the elixir warms on skin, like the dirtier underside of jasmine and certain other white florals.
If you enjoy Aftelier's Honey Blossom perfume, you'll probably find the fragrance of Honeysuckle Face Elixir to your taste as well, although the elixir's scent is far stronger and headier. You could even dab a bit on your wrists or neck as a perfume. (And, to state the obvious: if you're someone who prefers unscented skincare, this is not the best facial product for you.)
Like all Aftelier Face Elixirs, the Organic Honeysuckle version is blended from a base of organic oils with benefits for skin (rice bran, sweet almond, apricot kernel, camellia, grapeseed, squalene and rose hip seed). I've been reading Aftel's book Fragrant, and I recently found myself underlining one of her thoughts on luxury: "Luxury is the internal experience evoked by the way a material thing plays upon our senses." This elixir, with its ambrosial fragrance and its silky texture, is truly bottled luxury.
Aftelier Organic Honeysuckle Face Elixir sells for $65 for 15 ml; 1 ml samples (enough for several uses) are available for $6. For purchasing information, see the listing for Aftelier under Perfume Houses.
Note: top image is Lonicera caprifolium [cropped] by Sten via Wikimedia Commons.
This sounds very pretty. Not yet a convert to putting oil on my face, though…
I didn’t use oils on my face until 2-3 years ago… and now I love them. Maybe someday you’ll take the plunge! 😉
Both this review and The Non-Blonde’s this week make me wish that I could try this (and the Ylang version, too!); it sounds intoxicating! I envy those who can use fragranced products on their faces. While the rest of me can happily soak up scented products, my rosacea-prone face goes beserk when any essential oils or fragrances come in contact with it 🙁
Aw, I’m sorry. I react terribly to certain skincare ingredients (AHAs and BHAs of all kinds), but most essential oils don’t bother me. At least you can still wear perfume! 🙂
Sounds truly wonderful. Hmm. I don’t remember being terribly tempted by the other two, but this one?
Maybe a sample or two will find its way to my Christmas stocking.
Ah! Samples and sample sets are perfect for stockings… 😉
My skin is too sensitive to use anything fragranced on my face. I’m sure the skincare (LaMer) and make-up (EL, Clinique, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, etc.) I use has fragrance (or fragrance maskers) but I just cannot imagine deliberately using something perfumed on my face. That said, I love the smell of honeysuckle.
Oh, that’s too bad — although I’m glad you’ve found non-scented skincare that works for you. Do sample the Honey Blossom perfume if you have a chance!
I can’t use fragranced face products, either, but I would use it as perfume.
Aw! I’m sorry to hear that.
I love your luscious review Jessica! Thank you for your perfect explanation of how to use my face elixirs and beautiful descriptions the various fragrances available. And I’m so gratified you found some inspiration in my book Fragrant!
Mandy
Thank you for reading, Mandy!