“Every culture in history has used natural scented materials for the most important things in life—eating, praying, making love, being buried,” says psychotherapist turned natural perfumer Mandy Aftel, in this fascinating interview. The founder of the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents, in Berkley, California, is here to celebrate the release of her latest book, The Museum of Scent, by sharing a few of her stories. She tells us about the time she taught Apple’s Jony Ive natural perfumery; how she scented Leonard Cohen’s funeral; why oud is misunderstood; the controversial story of ambergris; the backstory of a rare gardenia extract from Tahiti; and so much more. We’re calling it now: This is a Fat Mascara classic. Enjoy!
Below you’ll find a list of some of the people, topics, and products mentioned in this episode. If you have any questions (or just want to say hi), reach out to us on Instagram or TikTok or via email (info@fatmascara.com). And please email us voice memos of your beauty questions and Raise A Wand favorites so we can share them on the show. You can also leave us a voicemail to be featured on a future podcast (our phone number in the U.S. is at 646-481-8182).
Mandy Aftel
Aftel Archive of Curious Scents
The Museum of Scent: Exploring the Curious and Wondrous World of Fragrance - Mandy’s new book
Essence and Alchemy: A Natural History of Perfume - by Mandy Aftel
Aftelier Perfumes Perfume Pomander
Aftelier Perfumes - Hey Jude
Aftelier Perfume - Momento Mori
Aftelier Perfume - Forest Bathing
Recreating the Fragrance of Lost Love - article in Salon
Jean Patou - Joy Parfum
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