I fastened my web-belt and flew through the world-wide-web to ask Mandy Aftel about the solid perfume option for Cuir de Gardenia which is also available as an extrait and an oil. Enquiring minds were wanting to know more about how a perfume in solid form would smell. I know with the Serge Lutens wax samples I found them to be a great approximation of the liquid form of the scent as well as a sensual delight to apply. They create a veil of scent rather than a loud statement.
Mandy Aftel explains:
The solid perfumes smell slightly different than the extraits (of which I only have two: Cuir de Gardenia and Oud Luban).
The combination of the beeswax and jojoba oil in the solid perfumes tend to make them wear closer to the body and have less “lift” — similarly, the extraits have less lift than the perfumes in alcohol. The extraits are in fractionated coconut oil which is very light and shear for an oil.
Mandy Aftel
Perfumer
Aftelier Perfumes
The wax solid comes in the standard Aftelier case pictured above or you can choose from unique antique compacts sourced by Mandy which can be viewed here.
A Rare Antique Sterling French Niello Case with Rose Gold Sunburst is an option for the Cuir de Gardenia wax solid perfume.
Some other options are in the slideshow below and all the options are here.
Cuir de Gardenia
Aftelier Perfumers
Perfumer: Mandy Aftel
Release Date: November 2013
Notes
Straight to the Heart: tiare (gardenia) absolute, jasmine grandiflorum absolute, benzyl acetate.
Dry Down: castoreum, ethyl phenyl acetate, malto
Solid perfume – 1/4 ounce sterling silver compact $US240
Perfume Oil – 1/4 ml sample $US6
For the Holiday 2013 season, a limited-edition extrait version of Cuir de Gardenia is available in a mini 2 ml bottle $US55
Aftelier Perfumes – website
Further Reading
Cuir de Gardenia – Part 1 – Notes and Mandy’s thoughts
Cuir de Gardenia – Part 2 – Review
Perfume Shrine – review
Riktig Parfym – Cuir de Gardenia – review
The Non-Blonde – Cuir de Gardenia – review
The Black Narcissus – Cuir de Gardenia – reaction
Aftelier Perfume – The Secret Accord – Ancient Resins
Olfactoria’s Travels – Tea Time with Mandy Aftel
Té de Violetas – Mandy Aftel interviewed by Virginia Blanco / Ylang Organic Face Elixir . (The English version is below the Spanish version.)
Fragrantica – Elena Vosnaki interviews Mandy Aftel The Viewpoint of the Artisan Businesswoman and Perfumer.
Aftelier – solid perfumes
Aftelier – Oud Luban – extrait
Smelly Thoughts – a boatload of natural narcotics
Kafkaesque – review
The Fragrant Man 
Love the thistle one!
Welcome Jennifer. Ha, so do I. Also the one that looks like a nose!
That sunburst is the case I initially thought looked like a shell. Sigh! before I buy more perfume I have to deal with the construction of a 130 foot long fence line and bamboo screening. I wish I lived in a warmer climate where gardenias of all kinds make wonderful hedges.
A sign! But yes it does look like a scallop shell and the description is possibly subjective as this is an antique whose designer we cannot contact to describe her design intention. Hmm. Maybe do the $6 oil sample and wear it to build your fence?
All the designs on the cases are wonderful and make me think along the lines of quilting designs. What a beautiful way to carry a solid scent with you.
Inspiration is everywhere Lee, as long as you are attuned to it.
From your photography, quilting and our correspondence, I know your are in-tune.
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Thank you so much for your questions and fabulous post Jordan! I do like offering both forms of perfume, so really appreciate your attention to the differences in the solid. And your photos and slide show are exceptional – I love searching for those cases all year!
xo Mandy
I love the one that looks like a nose! I was tempted to put all of your antique compacts in the slide show but left many out so that people can find them on your site. Great idea Mandy. Some of them are fob watch cases?
I smelled the juice version recently. Blown away, this takes natural perfumery to new places, very unique and luminous scent, not a study in what’s in the natural perfumer’s library today. i tried the extrait and am eager to see if my SA has the solid in stock when i get home. kudos galore mandy, to pop this one out in the midst of your publishing crunch makes it all the more impressive.
It does indeed. Thank you for adding the perfumer’s perspective David.
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