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Friday, December 24, 2010

Candide by Aftelier Perfumes


By Marina

Candide was named after the eponymous novel by Voltaire, which, according to Aftelier, has a theme of optimism. Interestingly, optimism is in fact dismissed in the book, and it has been debated by students of Voltaire's work, which philosophy the novel does advocate. Regardless of the name, there is a brightness in Candide the perfume, which in fact gives a wearer a sense of...maybe not optimism...perhaps a certain melancholy upliftedness. One really shouldn't expect any higher degree of positivity from an incense scent.

On my skin, frankincense is the dominant note (well, it is 50% incense, on me, 30% jasmine, 17% citruses and 3% spices, to be exact), and perhaps that is why the wonderful yellow brilliance of citruses and jasmine shines as if through a veil. The perfume might be a smile, but the one that shyly appears after many tears. Or another image...and I know that I am awfully unoriginal in equating incense with "church"...sun shining though a stained window of a cathedral, dust trembling, illuminated by this straight line of light...the sun can't get through to all the dark corners, but it gives a certain sense of hopefulness...Without shadows, there wouldn't be light, without having gone through hell, we wouldn't know how happy we are...When a contrast in a perfume is done right, like in Candide, it works wonders not only on skin but also with wearer's emotions and imagination.

And how harmonious is the composition! Dark frankincense juxtaposed with luminous grapefruit and orange, softened with sweet jasmine petals, sprinkled with a little bit of spice...Elegance of simplicity and a little bit of perfumer's magic...A perfect perfume for the Holidays...

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Candide is available at aftelier.com, $45.00-$175.00.

Image source, colin200 on flickr.com.

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29 Comments:

Blogger taffynfontana said...

I love your review it was very refreshing to read.

Have a great weekend

12:29 AM EST  
Blogger Ines said...

Merry Christmas to you too!

I think next year finally the time will come for me to sample some of Aftelier creations, I can't really read anymore how wonderful they are and not try them myself. :)

4:39 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

taffynfontana,
Thank you!

7:40 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Ines,
They are great, do try!

7:41 AM EST  
Anonymous mocards said...

You've done it again. After reading this review I'm ready to buy Candide...unsniffed! I'm almost not kidding.
Thank you for a wonderful review. I especially loved: "Without shadows, there wouldn't be light, without having gone through hell, we wouldn't know how happy we are.." There is such truth to your words.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Marina. :-)

9:07 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Thank you so much, M! The happiest of Christmases to you!!

9:11 AM EST  
Blogger Katy Josephine said...

'Melancholy Upliftedness.' I love that! This perfume certainly sounds intriguing and I quite enjoy frankincense. Must try. Great review!

10:04 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Thank you, Jospephine. This is an interesting scent, despite being so seemingly simple

10:05 AM EST  
Blogger ScentScelf said...

Whether melancholic optimism (which I would present as nostalgic lighted-ness at the holidays) or optimistic melancholy (a mood that comes and goes through the year), I am working a vibe just reading this post.

So much so, that I'd rather like it if Santa dropped some of this in my stocking. He won't (I have it on good word there may be SOMETHING scent in a bottle-ish, but not that), but I've taken note.

Shadows and light. Sheesh. Orb weaver, you. :)

Happy Holiday wishes most warmly returned, to you and all who appear here at PST>

10:34 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Orb weaver LOL!! Thank you, S! Merry Christmas!!

10:36 AM EST  
Anonymous Victoria said...

Merry Christmas! Zhelaju vam radosti i vsego vsego samogo luchshego. :)
Candide is the one I have not tried yet, but the name alone is appealing! :)

12:25 PM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Bolshoe spasibo, Vika! I vam!!

12:26 PM EST  
Blogger mandy said...

Marina,

Thank you for this insightful review. I love how you focused on the frankincense and its very important role in bringing a "reconciliation of opposites" (to borrow from alchemy) to this perfume.
have a wonderful Christmas to you and your readers.
mandy

1:14 PM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Dear Mandy,
Thank you very much! Wishing you happy holidays and a very successful new year.

1:18 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Marina!
This sounds like something I would love. You describe Candide so beautifully! A reluctant smile through tears, wonderful...must try soon. Have to start another wishlist, now that xmas is over, sigh ;)

4:06 PM EST  
Anonymous Scent Hive said...

Perfect choice of image Marina! I too love Candide, the frankincense makes it truly special.

Happy Holidays!!
~Trish

5:58 PM EST  
Blogger tmp00 said...

You're definitely back to being the perfume Circe we've all missed!

6:58 PM EST  
Blogger Vintage Lady said...

Very intersesting review! Thanks. And Happy Holidays.

8:44 AM EST  
Anonymous Sthurd said...

The luminescence of Candid is would be worthy of wearing to El Dorado. It's not often the jasmine can be called sparkling but it absolutely glows in this radiant perfume. I love it!

7:31 PM EST  
Anonymous eleven european mystics said...

I suppose it doesn't sound correct to appear one day after Christmas to wish a Happy Boxing Day or Feliz San Esteban, but I was bed ridden, on Christmas...Sorry, but the intention will cover for the error.
And the fragrance, which I haven't had the chance to smell. I suppose that the combinations described here by you, Marina, are those of southern spain in springtime. Citrus flowers on the branches, incence rising from so many processions...heart stirring.

11:34 PM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

B,
Merry Christmas to you too!

10:48 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Trish,
thank you and happy holidays to you too!

10:48 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Ah Tom, thank you! :)

10:49 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Vintage Lady,
thank you, Happy Holidays!

10:49 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Sthurd,
I am so glad we agree!

10:50 AM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

Fabiana,
I hope you feel better!

10:51 AM EST  
Anonymous eleven european mystics said...

suddenly blind in one eye, a metastasis to the choroid...beginning local radiation today. broken collar bone and ribs.
But.

11:54 PM EST  
Blogger Marina said...

I am so sorry! Wishing you much strength!

7:57 AM EST  
Anonymous eleven european mystics said...

thank you Marina, and it is so hot here, again, that I disdained all other beauties, and put on some defiant Tubereuse Criminelle.

3:56 AM EST  

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