Indie natural line Aftelier has launched Palimpsest, a new fragrance inspired by “the layers of history” Mandy Aftel uncovered while researching her upcoming book, Fragrant: The Secret Life of Scent…
Top 10 Summer Fragrances 2014
For some reason, I’m easily irritated by the question, “What are your plans for the summer?” As my husband keeps reminding me, it’s just a harmless conversation-opener, but somehow it never fails to set my teeth on edge — more so than ever this year, when my “plans” involve nothing more than unemployment and job-hunting. Maybe we’ll do some day-trips, but it’s hard for me to feel as though I’m on holiday when I don’t know what comes next.
In that cheerful spirit (with apologies to Robin, who assigned this post to me without knowing my current frame of mind!), here is a list of ten fragrances I plan to wear regularly this summer, as I try to enjoy myself. I won’t be shopping for perfume much over the coming months, so I’m relying on my current collection and stash of samples to raise my spirits.
I’ve worn Diptyque L’Ombre dans L’Eau every summer for the past decade…
Holiday fragrance gifts 2013, part 5
Our series of holiday gift posts continues with a selection of fragranced teas and sweets — even perfumistas need to eat and drink, right?
Up next (probably on Thursday), more travel sizes & coffrets. If you missed them, check out Part 1: scented body products, Part 2: travel sizes & coffrets, Part 3: home fragrance and Part 4: gifts for men.
More shopping ideas: see the Fragrant Man’s round-up of holiday fragrances from Dawn Spencer Hurwitz.
From Hudson Chocolates, a ‘Yuzu Fruit’: “Made in a mold cast from an actual Japanese yuzu fruit, this gorgeously executed Yuzu Fruit confection is a perfect example of wabi-sabi – the ability to see beauty in imperfection. Its creamy, sweet-tart, citrusy ganache is made with yuzu juice and milk chocolate, which is wrapped in a thin layer of lemon verbena ganache before being encased in a crispy layer of candied almond nougatine.” $34 at Dean & Deluca…
Aftelier Cuir de Gardenia ~ fragrance review
A long time ago, I read a novel that I’ve mostly forgotten now, except for a minor character, a woman named Lloyd. The one detail I remember about Lloyd — a detail even more chic than her name — is that all the accessories in her purse were made of green leather. Her wallet, coin purse, cosmetics pouch, sleeve for her comb — all soft green leather. I think Lloyd would have worn Aftelier Cuir de Gardenia.
Cuir de Gardenia’s notes are simple…
Aftelier Organic Ylang Face Elixir ~ scented body product review
The weather has suddenly turned cool and windy here in the northeast, so it’s the perfect time for me to upgrade my skincare for extra moisture and protection — and if I can work a good-smelling product or two into my regimen, then all the better! Natural perfumer Mandy Aftel of Aftelier has just released a new Organic Ylang Face Elixir, which I’ve been sampling this week. It contains organic ylang ylang, a creamy floral blended with bright pink grapefruit and blood orange, both known for their toning and softening properties, in a base of seven organic oils (rice bran, sweet almond, apricot kernel, camellia, grapeseed, squalene and rose hip seed).
When I first became seriously interested in fragrance, and I was smelling as many perfumes as I could in order to define what I liked, I realized that ylang ylang was (and is) one of my favorite floral notes…