Description
Palimpsest was inspired by Mandy Aftel‘s research for a new book. A palimpsest is an old document on which the original writing has been erased and replaced with new writing.
Palimpsest is an all-natural perfume. Notes of grapefruity Yuzu essential oil give a bright opening to the perfume. Gamma dodecalactone (a natural isolate exctracted from apricots) brings a soft, milky peach-
apricot note which drifts down to vanilla absolute, enfolding the peach along with banana facets of ylang-ylang extra in a rich gourmand note. Jasmine, peach and
ylang ylang merge in a suede-like floral heart which conjures phantom nuances of rose, tobacco, honeysuckle, and chocolate.
Mandy created Palimpsest‘s base chord around firetree, a versatile Australian wood that Aboriginal tribes use in all its parts, for medicinal and spiritual practices as well as practical concerns. Its edible flowers top stems which are carved into spears and its leaves are sharp enough to cut meat. Essential oil of firetree has a complex and unique aroma encompassing lilac and rose notes, with milky undertones. Its initial sweet and floral spiciness morphs into a woody, earthy, slightly leathery note, and ends in a smoky, oud-like drydown. Firetree bonds with ambergris in the base and the equally tenacious phenylacetic acid (an organic compound with a dirty honey aroma and animalic tones) of the top note, changing over time to reveal glimpses of the perfume’s rich floral heart and animalic base.
Palimpsest is available as a 1/4 oz. perfume, a 30 ml EDP spray, a 2 ml perfume mini, and a sample size.
Palimpsest was launched in 2014.
rojbakmx – :
This is amazing. We just went to Mandy Aftelier’s open house this December 2nd and 3rd and we got to visit the museum and also to be in her space and try various perfumes as well as smell absolues and oils. It was a great experience. This was one of several edps that I first smelled under the bell jar and then on a test strip and then on my skin, thinking “What is that great scent? Oh that’s me,” This is light but strong, lasting with a sheer veil of osthmanuthus-like peachy apricot and a whiff of vanilla flower, not foody AT ALL. It has this better-than skin warm slightly sweet smell, but again not surgery or gourmand—definitely floral. It is distinctive and lovely, veering feminine with a slight muskiness in the base that hints at sexiness without going into skanky indole territory.
I highly recommend getting a sample. When I’m done with my sizeable, albeit pricey sample—I’m going to throw for a larger bottle. I think if you like scents in the Eric Butterbaugh Kingston Osthmanus style, you may very much like this—they have some similar features though are not the same. A very lovely perfume, good year round but perhaps may shine even more spring and summer. And Mandy Aftelier is just awesome, a scientist, nose, perfumer, chef, writer, naturalist.
Edit: It is also reminiscent of Slumberhouse Kiste, though less alcoholic boozy sweet-peachiness.
antonov1 – :
From the fragrance notes and glowing reviews of this fragrance online, I thought it would be among my very favorites from Aftelier, but it is actually my least-liked fragrance from this line. With the ambergris, jasmine, and ylang, I can see how this is a very sexy perfume with a naughty erotic/erogenous quality. But I find it smells sour, slightly urinous, and curdled on my skin, which turns me off. Please note: my skin usually does icky things to jasmine which is probably the culprit. I’m sure it’s a masterpiece on others.
trushmv – :
Wow. This is gorgeous. It’s sexy too. It’s smooth cashmere and light ambery honey notes up front with soft peach making a slow delicious appearance and before you know it, the most lovely blend of jasmine and Ylang ylang join the bouquet and stay, and stay…..all made even more luscious by the oudy fire tree and ambergris base. I’ve not ever smelled firetree on its own but I give this perfume the award for being the most beautiful and sexy natural perfume to come out this year. Midnight in the garden of Eden? oh yeah…and more. It has great silage and staying power as well.
For the person who asked where to buy it, you can buy it at Aftelier.