Hi Posse! NEW STUFF arrived in the mail. This time it’s from the wonderful Mandy Aftel. It’s a solid perfume of Antique Ambergris. WOO HOO! Thanks Mandy! We often speak about Aftelier Perfumes here on Perfume Posse.
There’s something so ritualistic about putting a solid perfume on, quite unlike any other fragrant experience. Makes me think of Ancient Egyptians and the baths of Ottoman women. Luxurious and pampering.
Mandy sums it up so perfectly on her website:
The creamy texture of solid perfume is the perfect medium for Antique Ambergris, where its opulent and extravagant lusciousness, filled with warmth and life, is worn close to the body. Gorgeous on its own, it can also be layered over or under any other perfume to extend it and add shimmer.
Antique Ambergris by Aftelier Perfumes
Mandy Aftel
Aftelier gives this accord breakdown:
Antique ambergris — amber, warm, round, sweet, marine, woody
Antique civet — animalic, tender, floral, multi-layered
Aged cypress absolute — jammy sweet, warmth of the forest
Coumarin — powdery softness
How does it smell? Good. Really, really good. Animalic, chocolatey, earthy and rich yet light as a feather. This will fully fit the animalic cravers yet anyone who is terrified of that won’t be overwhelmed. There’s a lot more going on here than the animalics. Lightly salted chocolate covered caramel, woodiness, resins and amber all combine like a sheer gourmand.
Interestingly Mandy has told us to wear it solo or as a fixative for other fragrances. Excellent idea because Antique Ambergris will give a heady depth too. Further, on its own there is a very alluring, sotto voce animalic sillage.
Antique Ambergris wears close and is a selfish fragrance. All for the wearer and only minimally for anyone else. Consequently, if you are in a fragrance free work environment you could definitely get away with wearing it. YAY, naughty. Also I think it would be fun to be so subversive. In contrast to so much fragrance offered today you will feel connected to the earth while wearing Antique Ambergris. All natural without it smelling like you have dredged a pond. Somehow Mandy has a way of making all natural work above and beyond the genre.
I really think you should try Antique Ambergris.
Does it sound like you might?
Portia x
Please enter me in your draw!…..oh!……..hmph. 😉
HA!
Thanks for the review, Portia — it absolutely does sound like something I will have to smell. It’s so bizarre that, natural frag fanatic that I am, I have yet to smell any of her creations — I live one city over. And the list of frags she’s done that make me gaga to read notes of is so long now…dang…
Ambergris is for sure a huge favorite note for me, so very much appreciate you bringing this to my attention, Portia.
Hi there RoseMacaroon!
Nice to see you.
I think you have to make a day of it and go over to smell ALL THE THINGS! You can visit the museum too.
I’m so jealous!
Portia x
I can’t thank you enough dear Portia – your review is so incredibly good! I love the part about not being “dredged from a pond” and your whole way of writing is super spot-on, full of wit and charm and humor. Plus I love the affectionate repartee you have with your lively bunch of commenters!
xoxox Mandy
O M G! Mandy, it SO EXCITING when you come and comment! WOW!
I feel like the coolest kid EVAH!
Thank you, lovely woman. Antique Ambergris is another delicious waft from the Aftelier house. Congratulations.
Portia xx
Okay, now this is exciting. I have never exchanged words with a real live Perfume God! And I’ve been around a while. I’m not shy though, so I’ll chime in and say “Hi, Mandy!”. Very elegant of you to pop in over here. Much appreciated. And I can’t believe I addressed you by your first name!!! Wishing you lots of success and, a sample of Antique Ambergris is headed over to me here in Canada. Looking forward to getting my nose on it. And, lovely to sort of meet you! ?
I enjoy amber but am timid about animalic scents. However, this does sound like something to try, especially as we here up north are facing cooler temps!
Hi Maggiecat,
While Antique Ambergris has an animalic vibe it’s not like you’ve rubbed yourself with cat spray and squirrel poo. Subtle and refined funk, welcoming warmth.
Portia xx
‘Subtle and Refined Funk’ That sealed the deal, Portia. I happily ordered a sample.
Wonderful. I hope it really suits you Marcella. XX
I’m so curious about the complete Aftelier line. Unfortunately I’ve never been able to try it. Is it only being sold online?
Hi there Neva,
You can buy the whole line online or go visit Mandy in the USA. I don’t know of any stores that carry her work but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.
Portia xx
I’ve been reading her tweets about developing this, so I’m excited to smell it! I love animalics, and ambergris is such an unusual smell, that I can’t wait to get her take on it — “without smelling like you have dredged a pond” is always positive! The idea to layer it under other scents is brilliant. I also adore picturing you anointing yourself with it like an Egyptian queen!
Heya HCZERWIEC,
Mandy has a deft hand with her fragrances, I never smell the obvious “all natural’ dankness in her work. She manages to infuse light and energy.
HA! Yeah, anointing is such a good word, eh?
Portia xx
That does sound great. Aftelier? I may as well rub my skin with wads of cash. That stuff is cher!
It really is excellent Marcella.
Yumolicious.
Portia xx
Just wondering, Portia, when you have a fragrance like this, one that’s just that good and more, if you were to have to rate it, would you knock off points cuz it wears close? Maybe I’m old and crotchety, but, JEE WHIZ! I want others nearby to freaking smell it too! Especially if it’s that fabulous. Can you at least smell it on yourself? Or do you have to do the nose to wrist to smell it? I draw the line when I can only smell a fragrance by glueing my nose to my wrist. It looks freakish, to boot.
HA! No, I would wear extra on my chest and wrists so the fragrance wafts up to me and around to others. Antique Ambergris is not so soft you can’t smell it but it’s also quiet and intimate enough that it won’t aggravate those around you.
I do prefer the big guns but can see that this will be an extra lavish and subtle scent in my arsenal.
Portia xx
Oh Gawd, it does sound really really good. Yup. Gotta get my nose on it. Case closed.
Yeah. I gotcha. It may be an extra lavish and subtle scent in my arsenal as well. Sample order placed!
Extra lavish. Hmmm. That one is sounding really really good.
Oooohhh it sounds just delightful!! Just ordered a sample, and will be on the edge of my seat until it arrives!!
Hey Heather,
I hope you LOVE it.
Portia XX