BellaSugar

Four Tips For Choosing a Fragrance

BellaSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:00:22 -0800

Recently, I popped into noted natural perfumer Mandy Aftel's Berkeley, CA studio for a tour. I found it quite inspirational to see someone so passionate about her work. Seriously, the enthusiasm was contagious.

So, when I told Aftel that picking a fragrance is a difficult task for me (as I'm sure it is for many of you), she gave me some cool tips I'll definitely be remembering next time I cross paths with the fragrance aisle.

Love the dry down - When it comes to picking an aroma you'll love, "It's important to get down to that dry down note - which is that last note that's left on your skin - because that's what's going to stay with you," Aftel said.
Don't judge a bottle by its cover - Aftel recommends not even looking at the bottle or names on the label. Just go on smell alone. Hey, in that case, there must be some real gems in this photo collection of ugly perfume bottles.

Discover the other two tips when you read more.

Follow your appetite - For inspiration, "look to what you are attracted to from eating and gardening," she said. Think of wood, leaves, blossoms at night, orange, or the smell of a cup of tea, for instance. "Use your experiences in the natural world to guide you towards ingredients," she advised.
Use your digits - While sampling many of Aftel's essential oils and perfumes, with every dab she applied to my skin, it was always done to a new finger each time. When I asked her why the fingers, she said, "Oh, it's just to keep track." Why didn't I ever think of that? It's like having ten of those perfume sampling sticks at your fingertips. Hey-o.

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How-To: Make Your Own Perfume Solid With Tips From Mandy Aftel

BellaSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:00:11 -0800

According to Allure, "The trend toward using natural ingredients was pioneered by perfumer and author Mandy Aftel."

Well, guess what? Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with the famed perfumer in her Berkeley, CA studio. We covered everything from beautifully stanky scents to trends in the industry to advice on selecting fragrances. And when I asked her if she had any do-it-yourself ideas for holiday gifting, she definitely delivered.

In her book, Scents & Sensibilities: Creating Solid Perfumes for Well-Being (approximately $5), Aftel provides a "recipe" for creating your own solid perfume. While the talented perfume maker sells her Single Solids, Double Solids, and the ultra-luxe One-of-a-Kind Antique Cases on her website, you can create these thoughtful and easy gifts for your friends and loved ones on your own. Learn how to make these sweet smelling compacts when you read more.

How-To Make 'Em

In a beaker or small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil with 20 drops of essential oil. Example: 7 drops of ylang ylang and 13 drops of grapefruit (see more of Aftel's combos below). She recommends Whole Foods or your local health food store as a go-to place for inexpensive oils.
Melt 1/2 teaspoon of grated beeswax over heat (she used a hot plate).
Mix oils and wax together, then pour into a small container. Aftel recommends using antique cases, small tins, or lip balm jars - basically anything that closes with a latch, is not too deep, and is rounded in shape for easier finger scoopage. Your solid will set in about 10 minutes.

Great Essential Oil Combos

Clary sage and rosewood.
Patchouli with either rose, ylang ylang, or frankincense.
Plain ol' vanilla extract will work, too - imitation not allowed.

Photo courtesy of Mandy Aftel

Perfumer Mandy Aftel on Food-Based Fragrance Trend

BellaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:00:11 -0800

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 with a pinch of Harry Potter. 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, you say? I sampled her Layering Gourmand Trio ($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 read more.

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 variety, of course.

Photo courtesy of Mandy Aftel

Five Ways to Use Epsom Salts For Beauty

BellaSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:00:57 -0800

Last night, I was feeling under the weather so my mom recommended I take an epsom salt bath to help ease my achiness. I hadn't used epsom salts since the sprains and strains of my high school athletic career.

But I was hopeful that this old-timey cure would do the trick for my adult flu. Of course, Mom was right. After a good soak with some lavender and cedarwood oils (a recommendation from Mandy Aftel) I felt healed, as if I had come straight out of the Dead Sea.

So, this got me to thinking about other uses for the miracle salts. I did some research, and according to the Epsom Salt Council, there are many beauty benefits to magnesium sulfate. . .as it's known in the world of science. To see what they are, read more.

Va voom - Epsom salts can give hair body. Who knew?
What a release - The salts help replenish magnesium in the body, which can make energy levels increase. Which, in turn, can make you look better. A lift in magnesium also relieves stress, increasing serotonin levels and lowering blood pressure. Yay.
Smooth skin - Not only to the salts deep clean, try massaging handfuls of the crystals on pre-moistened skin for an exfoliating experience.
Oily no more - To help dry out oily skin and invigorate all other skin types, mix 1/2 teaspoon of epsom salts with your face cleanser and then massage for a mini facial.
Mask it - For normal to dry skin, whip up a three-ingredient facial mask: Blend 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1/2 teaspoon of epsom salts, and 1 1/2 teaspoons mayonnaise. Spread over pre-dampened skin, wait 10 minutes, and remove. Next, refer to YumSugar for all other mayo/carrot/salt combos.

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Six Fragrance Types at a Glance

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:00:31 -0800

The big trend right now in fragrance is gourmand, or food-based aromas, according to perfume expert Mandy Aftel. So what does it all mean anyway? Are you a floral kind of gal or does chypre do it for you? In case you're uncertain, check out six of some of the more popular fragrance category definitions below. Then, impress your friends with your olfactory group knowledge about the "juice" - 'cuz you know, that's how it's referred to in the biz.

Chypre: fresh, mossy, and leatherish	Gourmand: sweet and food-inspired	Florals: romantic, feminine, and smooth
Fougère: fresh, floral, and herbaceous	Orientals: sensual, exotic, and spicy	Citrus: crisp, light, and energizing

Sugar Shout Out: Download Our Free Holiday Invites!

PopSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:55:00 -0800

Download our free holiday party invites!
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How to: Make your own perfume solid with tips from Mandy Aftel
Kate Gosselin's delicious recipes
Fab flash: Victoria Beckham and Roland Mouret are in cahoots!
Coveted crib: Jonathan Sheffer's NYC atelier
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Preview Colin Hanks and Emily Blunt in The Great Buck Howard
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Dress your dog up like Nicollette Sheridan does
geek's guide to lomography cameras