Aftelier Perfumes Berry Cleansing Balm

Press Sample (Unaffiliated Links)

Mandy Aftel, the genius behind Aftelier Perfumes, recently released Aftelier Perfumes Berry Cleansing Balm, and I am just so thrilled to share it with you!

Her creations are elegant, refined, visionary and luxurious, but they are neither pretentious, nor are they fussy. They appeal to the senses and the intellect, and one immediately recognizes the extent to which Mandy’s handcrafted artisanal works of art require reflection and savoring, and they deserve the very highest praise.

Aftelier Perfumes Berry Cleansing Balm, with its glistening golden hue, is an ultra-emollient lightweight and silky-smooth balm with the most indescribably refined texture. It feels glorious between the fingers, and the subtlety and complexity of the berry aroma unfurls and expands when it is massaged into the skin. Once the balm warms up it transforms into a deeper more captivating scent just as it begins to melt into the skin. It cleans every trace of makeup and dirt, and can be used as a stand alone cleansing balm or the first step in a double cleansing ritual. Once it is removed, skin is left soft and lusciously hydrated.

As I reflect upon this most captivating cleansing balm, I would characterize it as subtle and sublime, and unquestionably an unparalleled work of art.  It is the embodiment of perfection without being fussy or self-conscious. It features an idealized version of each of the ingredients because Mandy is able to coax the greatest subtlety and the greatest expression out of each of the constituent elements in this masterful creation.

Mandy’s learned and intuitive approach, and her mastery and deft handing of the individual ingredients, as well as her deep knowledge of the way in which they react with one another, is one of her many strengths as a master perfumer. Mandy doesn’t simply craft perfumes, skincare and chef's essences- she is an artist and an alchemist whose experimentation and bold visions result in the most extraordinary marriages of disparate elements. Her creations result in the most surprising juxtapositions of flavors, scents and textures that could only have been created by Mandy's boundless imagination and her learned approach.

I will also note, that it is no simple task to create a cleansing balm without a grainy texture. Hard grains often emerge when the heated oils re-solidify (particularly when using shea butter), and since, as Mandy notes, "all of these fixed oils have different fatty acid profiles and melt at different temperatures and re-solidify at different temperatures they don't remain smooth." Mandy posits, "there’s a synergy in the base oils chosen for my cleansing balm and cleansing oil, and the berry and geranium scents layer beautifully. Their individual properties are enhanced when used together, making them more effective and nurturing.. I like to do a dry double oil cleanse on my face in 2 steps, starting with this Berry Cleansing Balm and following with my Geranium Cleansing Oil."

According to Aftelier Perfumes,

The fresh berry scent is from the powerhouse trio of cranberry, raspberry, and blueberry seed oils. The rich golden color of the balm is from the kpangnan and berry oils, and it has a luxurious creamy texture and consistency that melts on contact with your skin.

The carefully chosen ingredients are:

- Raw Shea Butter – full of vitamins A & E and fatty acids, protects and moisturizes the skin.

- Kpangnan Butter - has a silky texture, with high amounts of stigmasterol, an anti-inflammatory plant sterol.

- Raspberry Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil, Blueberry Seed Oil – with their delicious berry aromas, these oils are high in vitamins A & E and Omega 3, 6, & 9 fatty acids. Good for aging skin, they are rejuvenating & regenerative and help hold in moisture.

Directions: Scoop out a dime-sized amount of Berry Cleansing Balm onto your dry hands with the included spatula. Massage thoroughly onto your dry face, easing tension and drawing out dirt and toxins. Remove by pressing clean DRY washcloth into the skin. Do NOT rub.

Overall Assessment: This is a peerless cleansing balm, and I would characterize it as unmitigated perfection in every conceivable way. A+

$45.00 for a 30ml. jar and $7.00 for a 2ml. sample from Aftelier Perfumes (Unaffiliated Links).
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
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