If Professor Pangloss was right-
Then this is indeed The Best of All Possible Worlds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPClzIsYxvA&feature=related
Inspired by Voltaire’s iconic satiric novella Candide written in 1759,
Mandy Aftel desired to create a perfume of optimism, an uplifting fragrance wedding innocence and sensuality.
[She cites the recent study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry which extols the Valium- like calming virtues of jasmine.]
Whereas the novella rakes Leibnizian blind faith over the coals, Mandy focuses on the
olfactory equivalent of ever-present buoyancy instead.
Blood orange and pink grapefruit burst forth with ebullient good humor, tempered by a judicious use of black pepper.
This adds a dry spicy note which keeps the juiciness in check.
It is the uplifted youthful heart, full of hope.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPoy5SGjB5o&feature=related
The pulsing heartbeat lilts merrily with a fulsome jasmine grandiflorum and exquisite Moroccan rose absolutes.
Jasmine is indolic here, and reminds us that love has its consequences…
All is beautiful and blooms for love alone; generosity prevails.
The earthy, resinous base speaks of our need to be optimistic, but grounded as well.
Frankincense [with its lemony, piquant facets], and arid resins evoking a desert-like dryness- opoponax absolute and myrrh – remind us that we need to tend our own gardens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgXMxhMhYm4
Candide is both complex and simple; a study in contradictions, juggling the earthbound and heavenly at once.
I find it luscious and dry, with head in the clouds and both feet planted on terra firma.
[Sample provided by Mandy Aftel]
Photo Credits:
Aftelier Candide – punmiris.com
Candide poster- counter-productions.org
Mandy blending- blundaaromatics.com
Candide and Cunegonde- ioffer.com
Jasmine grandiflorum – essentialoilscompany.com
Moroccan roses- blog.travel-exploration.com
Frankincense and myrrh images- catholicsupplycom
Opoponax resin- encens-compagnie.com
Cosmic juggling- flickr.com
Heaven and earth – positiveside-effects.com
–Ida Meister, Senior Editor