Aftelier Perfumes Velvet Tuberose (Mandy Aftel) 2017~New Fragrance Review + Tantric Wedding Draw

      

Mandy Aftel in her Aftel Archive of Curious Scents and Museum (photo for CaFleureBon) 

 Mandy Aftel, the Queen of Green – has just released one of the most sumptuous, lasciviously lovely tuberose perfumes I have smelled in years (and I’ve smelled a few over the last 50 years or so!): 

Mandy hand designed the case for Velvet Tuberose

Aftelier Velvet Tuberose, a solid perfume which possesses considerable longevity, luscious texture and arrives sequestered in a hand designed case. Consider it the only acceptable olfactory opiate of choice this season.

Tantric Marriage via geoglyphiks.com

Let us consider the wedding…Mandy presides over a tantric marriage between the fleshly and the divine. Our object of desire (tuberose) swoons into the attendant arms of mitti attar, one of my numerous favorite aromatic materials. Mitti arises from parched earth awaiting the rains before monsoon season. Only the finest sandalwood is distilled with arid soil, producing an odor which is deeply affecting, like a rebirth of fruition and promise. Friends who find themselves a bit homesick for their Indian childhood love to discover it once again in a drop of this precious viscous attar.

Image Onefinalblog.com

Tuberose has such history and legend associated with her. It is believed that she originated in Central America and is indigenous to Mexico – and it was thought that Spanish galleons carrying these flowering plants found their way to India and China, although precisely how remains a mystery. The Aztecs believed that its scent connected the living to their ancestors (and called it the bone-flower, due to its shape); Indians fretted that its seductive aroma would lead young girls astray. 

Innocence (detail) 1899 by Arthur Hacker 

This night-blooming beauty found itself banned during Queen Victoria’s era, as it was feared that vulnerable young women might spontaneously climax under its spell, while Hawaiian brides wore crowns of tuberose and pikake to bring joy, harmony and intimacy to the nuptial bed. Tuberose has been utilized for its antifungal properties, sedative, warming, anti-spasmodic and aphrodisiacal qualities homeopathically and ayurvedically.

Painting Anne Wetheim©

What alchemy occurs when these two marry? The delicate juiciness of pink grapefruit bonds with jammy fir, imbuing Velvet Tuberose with sylvan sweetness. White florals are indisputable bridesmaids to our waxy, buttery Night Queen arrayed in indolent deshabille. No one does the erotic state of undress quite as infamously as our narcotically potent, sweet-with green-and -menthol tones Queen of the Night. It feels fitting that she find an irresistible consort in the company of Prince Mitti, he of nobility in the quotidian, bearer of fertility and refreshment after droughty climes. Only one as confident and surefooted as he may show her to best advantage; how she clings lovingly to his gentle mighty arm as they proceed towards their common destiny strewn with wanton blooms well-watered and grounded. They will weather future storms with nary a blink of the eye.

Dangerous Pleasure by Belinda Durrant©

I adore tuberose’s chemical complexity; it imparts a multifaceted scent profile. Upon the skin, Velvet Tuberose fascinates: satiny aged sandalwood distilled with dry earth feels intuitive blended with our spicy, mentholated, outrageously sweet blossom. Natural indoles, salicylates are smooth and naughty by turns, abetted by voluptuous white florals and garnished with balsamic forest hues. Velvet Tuberose is a generous perfume full of life. It will sing whether it is warm or cool; the concert will prove an intimate one, at that – yet linger with tender indiscretion. Top notes: pink grapefruit, grand fir, transparent florals; Middle notes: tuberose absolute, tuberose wax, heady white flowers; Base notes: creamy sandalwood, damp earth, spun sugar in a base of virgin coconut oil.

Many thanks to Mandy for my sample! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor

~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to the generosity of Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes, we have a draw for a double sized sample of Velvet Tuberose for one registered reader worldwide. Please be sure to register. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Ida’s review,  where you live, your favorite Aftelier fragrance, and  your thoughts on the concept of tuberose and mitti attar. Draw closes 11/26/2017

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume…

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21 comments

  • Elizabeth says:

    I loved reading about the history of tuberose, and as always, Ida’s poetic prose inspires. I live in the US, and my favorite of Mandy’s scents is Bergamoss.

  • Donna S says:

    enjoyed the history of tuberose, it is always interesting to learn so much history from the perfume world. I love the idea of a solid tuberose. I’ve enjoyed Secret Garden and Tango. I’d really like to try this one. Thank you for the opportunity. I’m in US and registered.

  • Timea says:

    I very liked this review. I do not really know what tuberose smells like, but this perfume sounds really interesting. I have never had a solid perfume. I only tried Amber from Mandy Aftel and I very liked it. Thank you for the draw. I live in Europe.

  • lemurcatta says:

    What a fun review! I find the idea of Victorian virgins being shielded from the dangerous orgasmic potential of tuberose hilarious. You have to imagine that rumour was fuelling a brisk business in it elsewhere 😉

    I never knew about mitti until reading this and it sounds fascinating. I definitely want to investigate that now that I know.

    The fir note described in the review also piques my interest. I’m really curious to see how that combines with tuberose and, the thought of a jammy fir note? I think I may have to be careful of spontaneous climax myself.

    I don’t have a favourite Aftelier scent yet since they’re new to me too. Browsing the samples page I’m thinking there’s a lot I’d like to explore.

    I’m in Toronto, Canada

  • Marzipan says:

    thank you Ida for the history of tuberose! I really like Ancient Resins. The combo of tuberose and mitti attar intrigues me.
    I reside in the USA

  • Rae Lynn says:

    The mitti attar sounds divine! I love the story Ida told using the notes from the perfume. It’s interesting hw tuberose was seen as seductive in so many different cultures. I live in the US.

  • MMKinPA says:

    I love this history of tuberose. Done well it’s a favorite note. I am embarrassed to say I haven’t tried any of Mandy Aftel’s perfumes! I am in the US.

  • Roger Engelhardt says:

    Wow!!
    Ida’s review almost brought me to orgasm!!
    What a way with words!
    Oud Luban, Curious, Vanilla Smoke, don’t make me choose!!
    Thank you Mandy Aftel for the chance to participate in the draw!
    Excellent review Ida!!
    I an in the US.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    At first I read Ida’s words wrong and thought they said “perfume of life.” That sounded quite fitting! Jammy fir and grapefruit to unite the notes… I had never heard of mitti attar before (and how???). It sounds absolutely primordial.

    My favorite Atelier is Bergamoss thus far. I’m in the USA. Thank you!!!

  • Hasib says:

    Nice review Ida. Thanks for this giveaway. Would like to try this out. I haven’t tried any fragrances from this House. Don’t know what tuberose smells like either. Thanks USA

  • NiceVULady says:

    Ida makes it sound as though the tuberose and the mitti attar are a match made in heaven, although I have no idea what the mitti attar actually smells like. I do not have any fragrances from this house, so I do not have a favorite. At one point , I have tuberose in my garden and the smell was truly beautiful. I live in the coastal southeast of the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • minorlionz says:

    My favourite part about Ida’s review is her evocative prose. I live in Montreal, Canada, and my favourite Aftelier fragrance is Memento Mori. Tuberose is my favourite floral, I love its brash and unmistakable personality, and I have never smelled mitti attar, but it seems fascinating.

  • Jamboy says:

    Honestly, this review is just so beautifully descriptive, I can’t believe anyone wouldn’t want to try it!
    I own a bottle of mitti attar that I sniff because I love that wet-earth scent…and I love tuberose…so I am very excited about this creation.
    I love Oud Luban for layering, and both the Jasmine and Orchid soliflores as well. I’m a big fan of Mandy’s solids in general.
    I live in the US!

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Tuberose – this is my favourite perfume flower – the descreption of the historical origin was new to me. Thanks for this. I love the perfumes of Mandy Aftel, my favourite is Wild Roses. Thanks for this draw, I liev in Europe!

  • Diana D says:

    I love tuberose as one of the floral notes in a fragrance. I did not know the history of its origin.
    I don’t own any Aftelier fragrances but I’ve browsed through their site and so many would be on my wishlist!

    Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    I live in the US.

  • sporadicstockist says:

    I am an art critic (based in India) so I appreciate how difficult it is to write a review especially when having to describe something as abstract as scents – but I loved reading Ida’s review because of the beautiful metaphor invoked right at the start. Marrying the ‘flesh’ to the ‘divine’ inspired a philosophical/ spiritual gauge of the scent -mitti attr and tuberose – literally the smell of the earth after it the first rains with the spirit of tuberose. No wonder local flower sellers have been stringing tuberose garlands for temple-idols and auspicious festivals for centuries now! Since reading this review I’ve been day-dreaming of what the combination of earth and tuberose might smell like! What a treat!

  • Raee says:

    Tuberose has been used in Indian perfumery for long time.
    Many houses have the plants and they smell wonderful. That’s one of the reason I find tuberose perfumes challenging as many don’t capture the smell perfectly.

    This one sounds great and in the solid form will be easy to travel with.

    In USA,

  • Qwendy says:

    I loved reading the history of Tuberose, which seems to be unanimous! Having had a period of my life when I always had a Tuberose stem scenting my space, I have never been thrilled with a Tuberose scent, which seems to demand a Natural Essence, so rarely used, if ever! While I love Aftelier’s Cepes Tuberose, the top billing is shared, and Cuir Gardenia is def my fave. I would love to sample this luscious sounding solid, and I live in France. Thanks for sharing!

  • Tami H. says:

    Ida knows exactly how to describe a scent when I can’t find the words.
    I have smelled this glorious scent and she is SPOT ON in her description.
    Hard to choose a favorite from Mandy but Vanilla Smoke is at the top of my list.
    Thanks much for the generous giveaway, I live in the U.S.

  • oldandsmelly says:

    I loved Ida’s history of tuberose, did not know the Aztecs refered to tuberose as the bone flower. My fav Aftelier fragrance is Vanilla Smoke. I think the concept of tuberose and mitti attar is heaven brought to earth.

    I live in the USA, thanks for your beautiful website.

  • Ncmyers says:

    I love how Ida interweaves her technical knowledge of these ingredients with the poetic imagery this perfume conjures for her and in turn bestows on us. My favorite Aftelier perfume was/is Cepes and Tuberose so I’m dying to try this one! The mitti and tuberose combination sounds like a wonderful mix of sultry and earthy/woody/dusty. I’m in the US.