It was just a matter of time before Mandy Aftel, Queen of Natural Perfumery, created a gourmand fragrance. After all, when I visited the Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in 2018, one of the treats visitors received was a piece of dark chocolate with the Aftelier Chef’s Essence of their choice sprayed on it. I chose Cardamom and tolu balsam, I was very much in tolu balsam mood that day! (Yes, it’s A Thing. Well, it is now.) Mandy is both a fragrance and flavour expert, so gourmand perfume Bohème Confection feels like a completely natural step, and being an Aftelier fragrance, it is also composed of natural ingredients.

What does it smell like? It’s like smelling a kaleidoscope. I started by seeing visions of chocolate marzipan, making my mouth water. It feels appropriately seasonal with all the Christmas confection in the shops at the moment. No doubt the notes of bitter almond, chocolate and vanillin play a part in this. After that, patchouli makes this into something a little different. In the past few years patchouli gourmands have been a highly popular trend and one I haven’t particularly enjoyed. I often think why ruin a good perfume by sticking food in it?(Mon Guerlain, I’m looking at you and your caramel/lavender accord!) But Bohème Confection is a completely different species.

The patchouli and tolu balsam (hooray!) give this an aged, vintage feel. The second twist of the kaleidoscope gave me visions of Versailles decadence and the earthiness of animal instincts. Exquisite gourmand indulgence meets vintage patchouli and dewy lotus flower. Bohème Confection is the exquisite moment your teeth sink into perfect artisanal chocolate while your neck is being caressed with a golden scent that speaks of parties, flirtations and secrets. Bohème Confection is a fragrance for adults who appreciate the finer points of life, from sublime sensuality to a good strawberry daiquiri and everything in between.

Where to buy it

You can buy Aftelier Bohème Confection exclusively from the Aftelier website and yes, they ship to the UK.

Disclosure

I was kindly sent a sample of Aftelier Bohème Confection by Mandy Aftel herself, for which many thanks. There were no strings attached and my opinion is always my own.