Last week, I met renowned natural perfumer, author, and owner of Aftelier Perfumes, Mandy Aftel, in her visually stunning Berkeley, CA studio.
With wood built-ins, glass bottles lining the windows, and apothecary style furnishings, it was a little Frank Lloyd Wright [1] with a pinch of Harry Potter [2]. Topped off with the collective smell of essential oils and perfumes? Yeah, it was pretty much like heaven.
When it comes to industry trends, "Food-based smells are quite popular right now," she says. Oh, gourmand [3], you say? I sampled her Layering Gourmand Trio [4] ($125), which was complex, inviting, and — well, delicious.
"Natural materials really mix with your body chemistry in a very interesting way, then they kind of fade away," she says. . .They have that soft arc that I think is very sexy." Humina, humina. As for this set? The three pieces can be worn apart or together for maximum sensuality. Find out which aromas are included when you .
- Cassis: A great Fall fragrance with notes of black currant and rum.
- Cocao: A blend of jasmine, blood orange, and cocao from a Costa Rican plantation. Psst — Aftel distills the cocao herself.
- Fig: A mix of fir absolute, jasmine sambac, and yuzu, duplicating the aroma of this sweet fruit to a tee. Speaking of "tea," she makes that, too — of the perfumed [5] variety, of course.
Photo courtesy of Mandy Aftel [6]